How big of a need is OL?

[37Harrison]

Since there is a poll thread about the DL, it made me think of the OL and the need for lineman? So how big of need is the OL?

I think that Light played very well this year but is getting older. I think Koppens best days are behind him, is Mankins going to resign with the Pats, Vollmer seemed to take a step back, doe Neal return and if not whom else is going to play opposite of Vollmer on the right?

To me, I think the OL has a bigger need(s) to fill this draft than even the DL. On the DL we have Wilfork, Warren (if he can make a comeback), G. Warren, Wright, Pryor, Brace, Love, & Deadrick (if he can get his head out of his ass).

So who do the Pats target in the draft? Is there an OL stud that can anchor the line at center or LT which the Pats would even consider moving up in the first round to get?

 

[Ron Sellers]

I think it is dependent on whether or not Mankins (and Light) are resigned.

If either or both are not, it becomes a top priority.

If they are both resigned, the three positions (OLB, DE, OL) are 1a, 1b, and 1c priorities. I would like to see the Pats draft a player for each of these positions with their top three picks.

For the short term, assuming Mankins and Light return don't forget Kaczur returns as either depth at tackle or depth inside. For example Kaczur could move to RG and Connolly replace Koppen at C. Or a top-33 draft pick could bolster the interior line, and Kaczur is your depth at both tackle and guard if somebody gets hurt.

If Neal returns that's a bonus, but I wouldn't count on him for anything at this point, unless it's to play half a season until the rookie is ready to take over.

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

We need to grab a mauler at G/C with one of our first 3 picks. Other options with first 3 picks from most needed to least: DE, OLB, RB

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

13 sacks in the past 3 playoff games is all a fan needs to know

Of course OL is the big issue this offseason

 

[Sciz]

Right now, assuming Light and Mankins are gone and Neal retires, we're looking at an OL of Vollmer, Connolly, Koppen, Wendell, and Kaczur.

A new center was needed last offseason. Koppen needs to go immediately. If it's a rookie that replaces him, so be it. Mankins obviously would be great to have back. A new right tackle would also be ideal. Carimi would be a good RT prospect, but right now it looks like somebody is going to overdraft him as a LT. I seriously think we'll see 2 OL in the first 2 rounds, including a starting center (Wisniewski is a guy who could be around at 28 and would fit). Rather than the OL listed above, this would be so much better:
Vollmer - Mankins - Wisniewski - Connolly - Carimi/Castonzo/Sherrod/Solder
with Kaczur as the backup LG, RG, and RT and replacing the rookie RT who would move to left tackle in case of an injury to Vollmer and Connolly who would move to center in case of an injury to the center.

Koppen has been horrible, and Light got dominated against the Jets. Solution? Replace them both.

 

[37Harrison]

13 sacks in the past 3 playoff games is all a fan needs to know

Of course OL is the big issue this offseason

Thank you for making my point very directly.

 

[Tucker]

what does the OL FA list look like?

I'd be fine with having a Wisnieski starting at C but not so much a rookie RT starting day 1

 

[Deus Irae]

Might as well just cut and paste:

DE and OLB are the two biggest needs the team has, if Neal returns and Mankins is re-signed. If Mankins is re-signed, but Neal doesn't come back, OG would go to need #1, but you'd still look to take that guard after the DE and OLB because of the better opportunities to get a great one later in the draft.

Assuming no major defections (i.e. Mankins), free agent signings or draft pick changes, I'd like to see something like the following:

Round 1, pick 1: DE/OLB
Round 1, pick 2: DE/OLB
Round 2, pick 1: OG
Round 2, pick 2: RB/WR
Round 3, pick 1: WR/RB
Round 3, pick 2: BPA from DE/OLB/OG/C

 

[Sciz]

what does the OL FA list look like?

I'd be fine with having a Wisnieski starting at C but not so much a rookie RT starting day 1

Ryan Harris
Jammal Brown
Sean Locklear

plus questionable fits like Marshal Yanda (6'3''), Jared Gaither (340 lbs), and Tyson Clabo (331 lbs)

 

[andrewgarrr]

I agree with Deus Irae.

G and C are a bigger need than DL, especially considering the return of players from injury. However, top 3-5 centers or guards from a draft class last through round 2. However, top 5 OLB and DE are gone in the first round. Thus, to get high caliber players at all positions, they should draft DE and OLB in Round 1 and OG and C in Round 2.

 

[JoeShmoe]

13 sacks in the past 3 playoff games is all a fan needs to know

Of course OL is the big issue this offseason

This

Keeping our best player ever upright and unhurt for the next 3-4 years has to be the number one priority

The D was not the reason we've lost the last 3 years, its been Brady on his back

Also some road graders to allow us to run the ball when teams dare us too - and i mean really run it, not pay lip service

 

[signbabybrady]

OL is the biggest need. Extremely high.

It starts in free agencey and IMO the biggest free agent moves they can make are resigning Light and Mankins. If this is done then the need drops significantly but is still pretty high as we need to get better on the interior line either upgrading Connolly or Koppen or both but IMO at least one is need.

I do agree with the assesment that a top flight guard or center usually can be found well into the second and third rounds so if Light and Mankins or suitable replacements are had in FA then this need drops but is still high.

X-factors to this discussion are Kaczur and Neal as both are very good players when healthy but their health is of too big a concern to rely on.

 

[Simkin]

IMO is the main focus of this offseason. Draft and work, work, work, work, work and work .

 

[alphilip77]

Ryan Harris
Jammal Brown
Sean Locklear

plus questionable fits like Marshal Yanda (6'3''), Jared Gaither (340 lbs), and Tyson Clabo (331 lbs)

I can say with conviction as a Seahawks fan that Locklear is NO GOOD. He was supposed to be their LT of the future, sucked at that, and brought his utter suckage to the right side. Don't touch that guy...

 

[patsfan-1982]

re-sign Mankins and Light draft Mike Pouncey to play right G with the blocking TE's they should be able to keep Brady on he's feet come playoff time

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I'd have interior OL and DE/OLB as 1a and 1b on our list of needs, it all depends on who's where as to how the 'priority' part of it works out. Of the first four picks, I'd like to see G, C, DE, OLB in any order depending on who's available.

 

[aabtec]

Copy cat league

Since the NFL is pretty much a copy cat league and that most coaches seem to go for what works "right now" I wonder if we should try changing the makeup of the OL.

All I have heard this past week was that the Jets beat our Zone blocking scheme. They basically stole stuff/ideas from Tom Coughlin.

Should we consider going after the OL that may not be as fleet afoot if that gives us a better chance to run the ball and keep Brady upright. 13 sacks in 3 playoff games is alot.

 

[Sciz]

Re: Copy cat league

I fully support having 3 new starting OL next season...

 

[Sicilian]

Re: Copy cat league

I think we need new blood on the OL, if for no other reason than we don't want to go through the same sudden rebuilding that's currently happening with our defense. We've got plenty of picks right now, and I wouldn't be surprised to see 2 of the first 6 go towards a T and a G/C.

That being said, I don't really think it was our line specifically that has failed us the last three playoff games. They haven't played great games, but it was a combination of things that lead to Brady being under fire, including the inability of the receivers to get open (which could be attributed to receiver play or play design, hard to say without more information).

 

[JFaulkNYJ]

Re: Copy cat league

Since the NFL is pretty much a copy cat league and that most coaches seem to go for what works "right now" I wonder if we should try changing the makeup of the OL.

All I have heard this past week was that the Jets beat our Zone blocking scheme. They basically stole stuff/ideas from Tom Coughlin.

Should we consider going after the OL that may not be as fleet afoot if that gives us a better chance to run the ball and keep Brady upright. 13 sacks in 3 playoff games is alot.

Coughlin had 3 monster pass rushers. Tuck, Osi, and Strahan. The jets had... absolutely nobody near that. All those sacks the Jets got were coverage sacks. Brady had 5 seconds basically everytime he got sacked.