Patriots 2011 Offensive Line

[jmt57]

It Is What It Is » Veteran center Dan Koppen offers his take on the state of the Patriots’ offensive line

While Matt Light has him beat when it comes to seniority — by roughly two seasons — no lineman is more respected by his peers than the Boston College product. A fixture in the middle since he took over for an injured Damien Woody at center early in his rookie season back of 2003, Koppen has been every bit as durable as any other center in the league: Since the start of the 2003 season, the Patriots have played 128 regular-season games, and Koppen has started 119 of them.

With Koppen as the fulcrum of the o-line, the New England offense has finished in the top 10 in total offense seven times in his eight NFL seasons. The 6-foot-2, 296-pounder earned his first career Pro Bowl selection in 2007 and was named to the AP All-Pro Second Team, becoming the third center in Patriots history to earn all-star honors. And in 2008, Koppen started every game at center as part of an offensive line that supported the best rushing season for the Patriots in more than 20 years in terms of rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and average yards per carry.

The current group was honored on Tuesday with the presentation of the Madden Protectors Award, an award that “recognizes the accomplishments of the highest performing offensive line unit and their best-in-class ability to provide consistent, powerful protection,” according to the press release. The Patriots were selected based on a combination of analysis by John Madden and fan voting.

 

[jmt57]

So with LeVoir gone it looks like Steve Maneri will probably make the roster. From reading this article it's hard to tell if he's being humble and just saying the right things, or if he truly does have a long ways to go before he can be counted on to be productive if needed.

Worcester Telegram & Gazette - telegram.com - Patriots' Steve Maneri Tackles Big Change

Despite his immense size, Maneri hardly stands out when the offensive linemen gather together. The Patriots are currently lining up rookie Nate Solder (6-8, 319) and veteran Sebastian Vollmer (6-8, 315) at tackle.

But observers have taken notice of Maneri's improved play this summer, which has come while getting reps on both the left and right sides, mostly with the second unit. Apparently, so have the Patriots.

Maneri's chances of making the team dramatically improved Wednesday with the release of veteran Mark LeVoir, whose calling card was his ability to play both tackle spots. But Maneri will continue to look ahead rather than how far he's come.

“I don't think it's a time to look at your progress,” Maneri said, citing his pass protection as one element that needs a lot of improvement. “I think it's a time to just keep progressing. I've got to do the best I can do.

“I'm well behind some of the guys on our team like Matt Light and Sebastian Vollmer. There's a lot of work to do before I can sit back and be encouraged by anything I've done.”

I didn't realize he was a basketball player, but I suppose that is not all that uncommon for big athletes to perform well in multiple sports.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Now if only Koppen were stronger to stop the bull rush up the middle. I like our line except for Koppen. he has been great value for the team based on where he was picked. However when our guards are injured he becomes exposed for his lack of strength. Not complaining and apparently he does what Bill and Dante want ... so in belichick I trust.

 

[NEPatriot]

Connolly is serviceable, but nothing more in my opinion. And who knows if we'll see Cannon on the field this year.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Now if only Koppen were stronger to stop the bull rush up the middle. I like our line except for Koppen. he has been great value for the team based on where he was picked. However when our guards are injured he becomes exposed for his lack of strength. Not complaining and apparently he does what Bill and Dante want ... so in belichick I trust.

That's probably my only complaint regarding Koppen. He has been an outstanding center almost the whole time he has been here but the bull rushers seem to get to him in certain games. I think he will be fine this season although I would like to see them start looking for his replacement next draft. Brewster or amybe Konz on the horizon? Even still they are rookies and there is no guarantee they would be any better than Koppen. When does Koppens contract expire anyway?

 

[patriot lifer]

Connolly is serviceable, but nothing more in my opinion. And who knows if we'll see Cannon on the field this year.

We haven't really tested our offensive line against a very good d-line yet. The Lions D-line will make for some good practice against a team with some powerful interior d-linemen. Their fans say that they also have good depth along the line, while their linebackers and db's are below average.

 

[TheSolderKing]

who on the roster could give C a crack? I do think Dan is our weakest link and obviously we can't do anything until next year via Draft. I wonder what player could step up and be a better C than our current C in Koppen?

 

[Deus Irae]

Now if only Koppen were stronger to stop the bull rush up the middle. I like our line except for Koppen. he has been great value for the team based on where he was picked. However when our guards are injured he becomes exposed for his lack of strength. Not complaining and apparently he does what Bill and Dante want ... so in belichick I trust.

The weak spot on this O-line is RG, not C. With Solder taking snaps at RG, we may even be seeing BB's attempt to make a change there.

 

[mgteich]

Yes, Dan is our weakest link, Dan Connolly, that is.

I do think Dan is our weakest link

 

[jefmblrd]

The main weakness on the O-Line is Connolly. While I don't think he's a bad player, he worries me a bit there. Other than that, we're in good shape there.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

If we don't need Dan for the O line then we can use him for kick return!

 

[TheComeback]

The weak spot on this O-line is RG, not C. With Solder taking snaps at RG, we may even be seeing BB's attempt to make a change there.

Solder hasn't taken any reps at RG. That was pure speculation by Mike Reiss.

I still like Connolly as a RG. I don't see any of these guys as a true weakness. If it takes a Gerald McCoy or Ndamukong Suh to "expose" our oline, so be it. I think those guys expose every line.

 

[mgteich]

Let's be clear, Connolly is a perfect backup offensive linemen; the perfect Game Day backup interior lineman. He can backup at all the interior line positions. In addition, he can play at blocking back or TE in short yardage situations.

If we don't need Dan for the O line then we can use him for kick return!

 

[Deus Irae]

Solder hasn't taken any reps at RG. That was pure speculation by Mike Reiss.

I still like Connolly as a RG. I don't see any of these guys as a true weakness. If it takes a Gerald McCoy or Ndamukong Suh to "expose" our oline, so be it. I think those guys expose every line.

In offensive line work, rookie left tackle Nate Solder got some work at right guard.

It Is What It Is » Some quick notes on the Patriots’ Saturday afternoon practice

 

[mgteich]

Will posters now call Solder our starting RG as they did when Kaczur played there for one practice?

 

[jmt57]

For the sake of comparison look no further than the last game. Tampa Bay's offensive line did not look good, and RG Ted Larsen in particular had a night to forget. In other words, thing s could be worse - a lot worse than they are right now for this unit.


As for Connolly, I like the idea of him eventually returning to the role of the team's primary interior backup lineman. The unfortunate reality is that linemen do get hurt, and a player of Connolly's caliber is as good as you can reasonably expect from a backup.

Here's a look at the number of games missed by the Pats' starting interior offensive linemen in each of the last few years:

2010 - 15
2009 - 4
2008 - 7
2007 - 9
2006 - 3
2005 - 7

That's 45 games in six years, and that's not counting the number of snaps that a reserve gets in place of a starter who gets injured and have to be replaced during the course of a game.

 

[Deus Irae]

Will posters now call Solder our starting RG as they did when Kaczur played there for one practice?

Are you seriously trying to compare the two situations? Come on, man, don't be that guy. One was a guy manning the position from the beginning. This is Solder getting some snaps. Could it lead to something more? Who knows with BB, but read the article and you'll note that he discusses the situation.

 

[mgteich]

No one is suggesting that Connolly isn't a fine backup.

We are not addressing the elephant in the room. Why haven't we seen 2-3 veteran offensive lineman in camp to compete with Connolly for a starting roster spot? After all, there are no real cap constraints. Could it be that Belichick and Dante are fine with our interior line starters?

For me, bringing in a staring RG who would be even marginally better than Connolly would greatly improve the OL, since Connolly would now provide fine depth.

As for Connolly, I like the idea of him eventually returning to the role of the team's primary interior backup lineman. The unfortunate reality is that linemen do get hurt, and a player of Connolly's caliber is as good as you can reasonably expect from a backup.

 

[patfanken]

The weak spot on this O-line is RG, not C. With Solder taking snaps at RG, we may even be seeing BB's attempt to make a change there.

Was Solder actually taking snaps at RG, DI. ? I thought Reiss made the "suggestion" that he get snaps there, It wold be very interesting if he actually did

it makes some sense. The kid IS very good. He is certainly nimble enough to play and pull. He'd be an upgrade in size and power..... and he likely will be one of your top 5 OLmen before this season's over.

On the other hand, he needs all the snaps he can get at LT, and every one he takes at RG he isn't getting at LT. Also I don't think he has EVER played on the right side of the OL since his TE days. Seems like it SHOULD be an easy transition, but it really isn't.

If its actually happening, I'd like to see it.

 

[Deus Irae]

Was Solder actually taking snaps at RG, DI. ? I thought Reiss made the "suggestion" that he get snaps there, It wold be very interesting if he actually did

it makes some sense. The kid IS very good. He is certainly nimble enough to play and pull. He'd be an upgrade in size and power..... and he likely will be one of your top 5 OLmen before this season's over.

On the other hand, he needs all the snaps he can get at LT, and every one he takes at RG he isn't getting at LT. Also I don't think he has EVER played on the right side of the OL since his TE days. Seems like it SHOULD be an easy transition, but it really isn't.

If its actually happening, I'd like to see it.

I wasn't there, so I can only pass on what was reported. However, regardless of what Reiss suggested, Price stated that Solder took snaps at the spot. I posted the line, and the link, a few posts above us in this thread.