Matt Light and the OL in general

[drew4008]

Wow.. alllll game the offensive line was just horrendous, especially Matt Light... he was getting flat-out abused by Barnes, Applewhite, and just about anyone else they put there.

I'm also wondering what exactly happened to Koppen... he looks sooo weak out there. Like not even technique-wise is he getting beat, he just cannot handle a bullrush whatsoever, from pretty much anyone.

And then at the end of the game the left side just got completely pushed backwards on that 4th down try.

All game we were destroyed in the trenches, plain and simple... in the running game and passing game.

This hasn't really been a huge concern before, at least not thisss bad, so maybe Dante will whip 'em this week and get them back to form, but still... a scary, scary day for the OL.

 

[102 Pat]

Be happy with the win and hope that the O-line gets the film of the game drilled into there heads and hope for improvement next sunday.

 

[LetsGoPats36]

Matt Light sucks and has gotten worse with age. This offseason LT absolutely needs to be addressed.

 

[ausbacker]

The o-line has been pretty good all year. They were probably due to lay an egg. That said the Chargers D has been good at creating pressure all year.

Matt Light has been a great Patriot but it looks like his end is nearing.

 

[Dufflebagz]

Matt Light needs to go

 

[WelshPat]

Add Barnes to the Taylor/Schobel list of guys that beat Matt Light like a drum when they play

He did the same thing to him back in the 2007 Ravens game

 

[mcsully]

Just posting this thought in another thread


Koppen and LIght need to be replaced, NEXT YEAR.. No disrespect but they are on the wrong side of 30.. And with the additional playoff games, its like they played another season or two..

Wear and tear..


I'm sure BB will address this..

 

[AzPatsFan]

i wonder why Dan Connolly did not play today? If he were hurt, they wouldn't have used him as a FB on the 4th and 1, at the end.

I suspect that Matt Light was cheating inside to help the LG, and then getting beat to the outside, himself.

 

[crowell33]

Matt Light needs to go

Vollmer better at LT IMHO

 

[mcsully]

Vollmer better at LT IMHO

I'm nervous Vollmer has the same issues Light has (cameron wake).. Speed rushers seem to be an issue.. Of course Vollmer is only in year 1.5 and I like his ceiling

 

[51Hits]

Just posting this thought in another thread


Koppen and LIght need to be replaced, NEXT YEAR.. No disrespect but they are on the wrong side of 30.. And with the additional playoff games, its like they played another season or two..

Wear and tear..


I'm sure BB will address this..

Yup. Light, we can live with. Koppen is just done I think. The mans play has fallen off planet earth. If we can upgrade LT by moving Vollmer there and replacing Koppen, this line will be looking good next year.

I almost pray for a miracle that Mankins could come abck and maybe we could slide Connolly to center. It can't get much worse than Koppen at this point, the guy has gone SOFT.

 

[mgteich]

Most thought that we drafted our future starting LT in the 2009 draft. In any case, Light has often need help from a TE; this is nothing new. I have to believe that Brady would have had a much better chance in this game with Crumpler or Gronkowski always there heloing out on Light's side. That would have meant less flexibility in playcalling, but more time for Brady.

And just BTW, when the colts get in this situation, they go to the no huddle, as Bardy did in the second half. Brady is certainly good enough to make that work.

The PROBLEM was in the first half when the offense was totally inept. While I strongly applaud the halftime adjustments, some adjustments needed to be made earlier.

 

[WelshPat]

I think we need to be careful not to over react to this. They had a bad game, they usually have 1 stinker every year as a unit. Lets hope this was it.

 

[51Hits]

Most thought that we drafted our future starting LT in the 2009 draft. In any case, Light has often need help from a TE; this is nothing new. I have to believe that Brady would have had a much better chance in this game with Crumpler or Gronkowski always there heloing out on Light's side. That would have meant less flexibility in playcalling, but more time for Brady.

And just BTW, when the colts get in this situation, they go to the no huddle, as Bardy did in the second half. Brady is certainly good enough to make that work.

The PROBLEM was in the first half when the offense was totally inept. While I strongly applaud the halftime adjustments, some adjustments needed to be made earlier.

Pretty hard to fix all that at once. They looked lost like you said. They needed halftime, and the coaches and players pulled through. PRetty confusing why they went soft in the 4th, but it is what it is. I'll take the in (that's seriously becoming a Patsfans.com cliche)

 

[51Hits]

I think we need to be careful not to over react to this. They had a bad game, they usually have 1 stinker every year as a unit. Lets hope this was it.

Koppen has regressed since 08.

Light has always had issues with certain players, he's on the wrong side of 30. I'm comfortable with Freeney.

 

[mcsully]

Ryan Kalil is a name we should target next off season.. NO joke.. Carolina has Dangelo Williams and Kalil has Free Agents.. We need to target one of them. Seriously

 

[JFK]

Light, Koppen, Neal?
We need Mankins because the draft is no sure thing.

 

[stcjones]

Wow.. alllll game the offensive line was just horrendous, especially Matt Light... he was getting flat-out abused by Barnes, Applewhite etc

and koppen sucked too!!.......seriously Light played like sh;t today and has for most of his career. He has had many good games I am sure....and has been bailed out a crapload by Brady. Overall....this will be his last year I would imagine...,and pray. But he was especially useless today as was Koppen. Brady ought to be able to hock a loogie on lights steak next time he takes the OL out.

 

[mcsully]

Light, Koppen, Neal?
We need Mankins because the draft is no sure thing.

That is the big question.. If Koppen and LIght are replaced, and Neil Retires, we're going to need Mankins..

 

[DaBruinz]

Matt Light sucks and has gotten worse with age. This offseason LT absolutely needs to be addressed.

Most players get worse after age 30.

The future for the LT position has already been addressed. His name is Sebastian Vollmer.

Depending on what happens with Mankins, the Pats will have some concerns on the O-line. C, RG, RT being the ones that come to mind.

C - Koppen hasn't been the same since 2007. And he's been getting progressively worse. And it's more than just physically. He's making more mental mistakes than he used to as well. Like not holding his ground during the Baltimore play-off game that allowed Lewis free run at Brady on the delayed blitz.


RG - Neal isn't the mauler he used to be. He's not nearly as effective in the running game either. In fact, I can't remember the last time I actually saw him act as the pulling guard...

RT - Kaczur is only a year younger than Light. He's got a history of injuries and a major back issue.

Current back-ups:
OT - Steve Maneri - He's a former TE who is converting to OT. He might be able to step into the RT position.

Mark LeVoir - He showed so much promise 3 years ago when the Pats added him. Since then, he's regressed. He's the back-up swing tackle and that's probably the best he'll be.

Ryan Wendell - C/G - I don't see him as a viable option long term. He's a poor mans Russ Hochstein.

Quinn Ojinakka - G/T - Probably more of a guard than a tackle. I don't see him being more than a short-term sub.

Rich Ohrnberger - C/G - He was a guard in college. The Pats supposedly wanted him to become a center, though I am not sure if he's got the ability. He does have a nasty attitude, which is needed for a good run-blocking guard.

Thomas Austin - C/G - He's the guy who opened many a hole for CJ Spiller at Clemson. But he's got limited upside...

The Senior Crop of Centers, Guards, and Tackles is actually pretty strong this year... And there definitely could be some juniors coming out who will strengthen that crop..