Interior Linemen

[mgteich]

We usually carry five on the 53 man roster (4 active, 1 inactive) and 1 on the Practice Squad.

It seems that we are a player short. Wendell is the Game Day backup at C, RG and LG. Ohrnberger is on the Practice Squad a presumably will be called up in case of injury.

I consider Ojinnaka primarily a RT (and also a RG). I suspect that LeVoir will be cut next week to make room for him, as many have speculated.

I'm OK with 10 OL's while Kaczur recuperates.

I would rather acquire a veteran OG than keep Green-Ellis on the roster.

 

[patchick]

Strictly speaking, Kaczur IS the one inactive, no? So it's the normal number, just
a major injury uncertainty. If they're optimistic about Kaczur, and with Ohrnberger right at hand, I could see them choosing not to fill that slot for now.

 

[Kontradiction]

We usually carry five on the 53 man roster (4 active, 1 inactive) and 1 on the Practice Squad.

It seems that we are a player short. Wendell is the Game Day backup at C, RG and LG. Ohrnberger is on the Practice Squad a presumably will be called up in case of injury.

I consider Ojinnaka primarily a RT (and also a RG). I suspect that LeVoir will be cut next week to make room for him, as many have speculated.

I'm OK with 10 OL's while Kaczur recuperates.

I would rather acquire a veteran OG than keep Green-Ellis on the roster.

What veteran OG out there right now would you want to bring in?

 

[AzPatsFan]

I don' tknow why everyone is knashing teeth. The Offensive line is doing just what would be expected of it to do.

1) A high 2nd round pick has been promoted to starter in his 2nd year. He is a projected to be a future LOT,and he willlearn as a ROT this season.

2) An interior lineman drafted in the mid-rounds to develop as a reserve, has been placed on the PS. Reserves usually take a couple, three years of seasonnng. He is on-schedule, having gotten bigger, and played a lot in the pre-season.

3) An interior lineman UDFA, has developed in his third year as a swing reserve on the Offensive line. During that time he has gotten bigger and more polished.

4) A former average starterand out of football, was brought in an worked through TC before being cut. I suggest he is a candidate for the emergency Shadow Roster.

5) Two former starters were unavailable at the present time.

6) One or two premium picks in the next draft will probably be used to draft potential starter quality, as opposed to reserve, Offensive linemen, pending the eventual; outcome of the two unavailable starters.

 

[Ron Sellers]

As far as game-day-active backup offensive linemen go, I would assume that right now it is Wendell inside and LeVoir at tackle. At some point Kaczur or Ojinnaka could replace him in that role.

 

[RayClay]

We usually carry five on the 53 man roster (4 active, 1 inactive) and 1 on the Practice Squad.

It seems that we are a player short. Wendell is the Game Day backup at C, RG and LG. Ohrnberger is on the Practice Squad a presumably will be called up in case of injury.

I consider Ojinnaka primarily a RT (and also a RG). I suspect that LeVoir will be cut next week to make room for him, as many have speculated.

I'm OK with 10 OL's while Kaczur recuperates.

I would rather acquire a veteran OG than keep Green-Ellis on the roster.

Ojinnaka played well at guard, not tackle from what I read. That's why he was acquired. Of course he's G-T depth.

Maybe they have a C in mind somewhere, or the return of Oburger.

 

[upstater1]

What veteran OG out there right now would you want to bring in?

G Donald Thomas

 

[Ron Sellers]

Ojinnaka played well at guard, not tackle from what I read. That's why he was acquired. Of course he's G-T depth.

Maybe they have a C in mind somewhere, or the return of Oburger.

As I recall Wendell plays both C and G. Don't really want to see him start but he seemed to be much improved this preseason in comparison to last year.

 

[Pats726]

I suspect that LeVoir will be cut next week to make room for him, as many have speculated.

.

I'm not sure that's even close...they do like LeVoir...and who will replace him?? I's be surprised..

 

[mgteich]

As far as Game Day, we are fine. We have the 5 starters and 2 backups that many of us have predicted for some some time. Most of also agree that we might carry 10 OL's until Kaczur was healthy and inactive. So, for Game Two, we would expect the additional two inactives to be Ojinnaka and Maneri.

If Ojinnaka is really a potential Game Backup at all the interior positions, there is no concern.

In the end, my guess is that there is no issue. I suspect that Kaczur is expected to be back soon. Also, the team thinks that they can count on Ohrnberger. I wouldn't be surprised if he were offered full roster pay as the designated top interior line backup on the Practice Squad.

Strictly speaking, Kaczur IS the one inactive, no? So it's the normal number, just
a major injury uncertainty. If they're optimistic about Kaczur, and with Ohrnberger right at hand, I could see them choosing not to fill that slot for now.

 

[RayClay]

As I recall Wendell plays both C and G. Don't really want to see him start but he seemed to be much improved this preseason in comparison to last year.

Right, but they usually have more than one. Oburger was working there and Larsen got picked up by Tampa, I believe.

If Wendell's the first choice to back up at guard, or gets injured, that leaves us with no center depth. You don't want a green center in a big game You could hide another lineman playing out of position.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Right, but they usually have more than one. Oburger was working there and Larsen got picked up by Tampa, I believe.

If Wendell's the first choice to back up at guard, that leaves us with no center depth.

Unless ... you count both Wendell and Connolly as reserve Centers.

 

[RayClay]

Unless ... you count both Wendell and Connolly as reserve Centers.

How can you be in two places at once when you ain't nowhere at all?

My thought was, until further notice, Connolly is the starting guard. Wendell is the first sub guard, as far as I know. This increases the chances they will be injured.

Let's say Mankins was starting, they would both be backup C-G. I would like another non starter to be an emergency center, is all.

I have seen a green center forced into play, it's pretty memorable. One injury to Koppen puts your only backups as starters and vulnerable to injury. Linemen can get cracked up in bunches.

 

[RayClay]

OK, a google reveals a PFW article saying Ojinnaka has played some center. That's pretty damn versatile. Even if it's his third position, they can work him enough for emergency duty.

As i said, I remember a virgin center in some game and it's pretty hilarious. First time you ever had to tell your body to ignore that 300 lb guy and make a good snap on the QBs hands. It's pretty funny.

 

[Ring 6]

We usually carry five on the 53 man roster (4 active, 1 inactive) and 1 on the Practice Squad.

It seems that we are a player short. Wendell is the Game Day backup at C, RG and LG. Ohrnberger is on the Practice Squad a presumably will be called up in case of injury.

I consider Ojinnaka primarily a RT (and also a RG). I suspect that LeVoir will be cut next week to make room for him, as many have speculated.

I'm OK with 10 OL's while Kaczur recuperates.

I would rather acquire a veteran OG than keep Green-Ellis on the roster.

There is no chance that LeVoir is cut for Ojinakka.
LeVoir is the 3rd T. Who is your backup LT? The 260lb project that is on the roster today on his way to the ps?

 

[Ring 6]

OK, a google reveals a PFW article saying Ojinnaka has played some center. That's pretty damn versatile. Even if it's his third position, they can work him enough for emergency duty.

As i said, I remember a virgin center in some game and it's pretty hilarious. First time you ever had to tell your body to ignore that 300 lb guy and make a good snap on the QBs hands. It's pretty funny.

I think that Ojinakka is a G who can play C and only would play T in a dire emergency.

 

[RayClay]

I think that Ojinakka is a G who can play C and only would play T in a dire emergency.

I don't really know. He started 7 games at left tackle in 2007. Doesn't say where or when he played center. Only has 12 career starts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quinn_Ojinnaka

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

How can you be in two places at once when you ain't nowhere at all?

My thought was, until further notice, Connolly is the starting guard. Wendell is the first sub guard, as far as I know. This increases the chances they will be injured.

Let's say Mankins was starting, they would both be backup C-G. I would like another non starter to be an emergency center, is all.

I have seen a green center forced into play, it's pretty memorable. One injury to Koppen puts your only backups as starters and vulnerable to injury. Linemen can get cracked up in bunches.

:idontgetit:

Wendell was a Center at Fresno State, he's worked all three interior positions in the past two Training Camps, he was 2nd string Center in preseason. :confused2:

Hochstein, then Connolly, and now Wendell. NE still has Connolly and they have Wendell and LeVoir who have played Guard in their careers, Kaczur is presumably making good progress or he'd be IR'd by now. And if push comes to shove for week two you bring Ojinnaka off reserve or Ohrnberger is called up, but for game one you have Connolly and Wendell who can & have played Center - I would presume Brady would prefer Connolly with whom he's worked more, but either could be plugged in if Koppen gets "trucked" again - leaving the other for Guard or moving LeVoir inside to Guard.

 

[RayClay]

:idontgetit:

Wendell was a Center at Fresno State, he's worked all three interior positions in the past two Training Camps, he was 2nd string Center in preseason. :confused2:

Hochstein, then Connolly, and now Wendell. NE still has Connolly and they have Wendell and LeVoir who have played Guard in their careers, Kaczur is presumably making good progress or he'd be IR'd by now. And if push comes to shove for week two you bring Ojinnaka off reserve or Ohrnberger is called up, but for game one you have Connolly and Wendell who can & have played Center - I would presume Brady would prefer Connolly with whom he's worked more, but either could be plugged in if Koppen gets "trucked" again - leaving the other for Guard or moving LeVoir inside to Guard.

I know Wendell plays center Box. I'm assuming you didn't read my posts, and i don't blame you, they aren't that interesting.

We're up to the part where Ojinko has been worked at center, which would give us an emergency possibility should Wendell and/or Connolly go down.

 

[TheComeback]

How can you be in two places at once when you ain't nowhere at all?

My thought was, until further notice, Connolly is the starting guard. Wendell is the first sub guard, as far as I know. This increases the chances they will be injured.

Let's say Mankins was starting, they would both be backup C-G. I would like another non starter to be an emergency center, is all.

I have seen a green center forced into play, it's pretty memorable. One injury to Koppen puts your only backups as starters and vulnerable to injury. Linemen can get cracked up in bunches.

I agree with you here. I think in a situation where Koppen is taken out of the game, the Pats will have to move Connolly to Center and Wendell to LG. That's definitely not an ideal situation. If Connolly can't play, then we have to count on Wendell to make all the adjustments and protect the middle of the pocket. Sounds like a Brady injury waiting to happen if you ask me.

On the other hand, from what I understand, Ojinnaka was a decent guard for the Falcons. Their message board seemed to indicate that he was better at OG than OT. If he can also play center, that could help a bit.