Patriots Add Pro Bowl Guard Brian Waters

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots Add Pro Bowl Guard Brian Waters
By: Ian Logue

The Patriots added Pro Bowl Guard Brian Waters Sunday morning....

CLICK HERE TO READ THIS STORY​

 

[jmt57]

Great move by the Pats to sign Waters on multiple levels in my opinion.

Waters has already proven that he is more than adequate at the position. While the KC OL did have some issues, my understanding is that it was more on the outside at tackle than at guard. At the bare minimum this gives the Pats a legitimate starter while Connolly's ankle heals.

If (as I expect) Waters is an upgrade over Connolly it obviously makes them better at RG. But I think what many are overlooking is how very much this improves the OL by making Connolly the primary backup at LG, C and RG. An unfortunate reality is that injuries can and do happen in the NFL, especially to linemen. I have all the confidence in the world in Connolly coming off the bench at any one of those three positions; I wouldn't say the same thing about Wendell or Ohrnberger even if they were healthy.

While this move may be disappointing personally to Connolly, his reverting to that primary backup role, à la Russ Hochstein if you will, is what I've been hoping would eventually happen all off-season. This signing upgrades two roster positions, starting RG and backup interior OL.

 

[Ring 6]

Great move by the Pats to sign Waters on multiple levels in my opinion.

Waters has already proven that he is more than adequate at the position. While the KC OL did have some issues, my understanding is that it was more on the outside at tackle than at guard. At the bare minimum this gives the Pats a legitimate starter while Connolly's ankle heals.

If (as I expect) Waters is an upgrade over Connolly it obviously makes them better at RG. But I think what many are overlooking is how very much this improves the OL by making Connolly the primary backup at LG, C and RG. An unfortunate reality is that injuries can and do happen in the NFL, especially to linemen. I have all the confidence in the world in Connolly coming off the bench at any one of those three positions; I wouldn't say the same thing about Wendell or Ohrnberger even if they were healthy.

While this move may be disappointing personally to Connolly, his reverting to that primary backup role, à la Russ Hochstein if you will, is what I've been hoping would eventually happen all off-season. This signing upgrades two roster positions, starting RG and backup interior OL.

I actually think that Waters was signed as a backup and Connolly will continue to start, if he is healthy.

 

[zipster9]

Great move by the Pats to sign Waters on multiple levels in my opinion.

Waters has already proven that he is more than adequate at the position. While the KC OL did have some issues, my understanding is that it was more on the outside at tackle than at guard. At the bare minimum this gives the Pats a legitimate starter while Connolly's ankle heals.

If (as I expect) Waters is an upgrade over Connolly it obviously makes them better at RG. But I think what many are overlooking is how very much this improves the OL by making Connolly the primary backup at LG, C and RG. An unfortunate reality is that injuries can and do happen in the NFL, especially to linemen. I have all the confidence in the world in Connolly coming off the bench at any one of those three positions; I wouldn't say the same thing about Wendell or Ohrnberger even if they were healthy.

While this move may be disappointing personally to Connolly, his reverting to that primary backup role, à la Russ Hochstein if you will, is what I've been hoping would eventually happen all off-season. This signing upgrades two roster positions, starting RG and backup interior OL.

One thing I like about Waters and the RG position... -->
He very rarely gets hurt! (ala : StephenNeal)

DanC is really a 2nd stringer and RichO is 3rd.. Both played that way in the Giants game.

Waters (hopefully have a chip on shoulder) was part of KC's running OL. I think he is at the very least equal to DanC and probably better.. Time will tell..

I had hoped for AndreG, but, I guess his knee surgery may be a bit concerning..

 

[jmt57]

I actually think that Waters was signed as a backup and Connolly will continue to start, if he is healthy.

And if that turns out to be the case that is fine too; for example if Koppen were to get hurt then the Pats have the option of Connolly sliding over to C and Waters filling in at RG as opposed to just Wendell replacing Koppen. Either way it improves the quality of depth on the OL.