Props to the Patriots organization re the OL

[Fencer]

The Patriots' ENTIRE starting OL from last season was unavailable for (almost) all of this game. Still, the Patriots wound up putting together a good overall offensive performance.

 

[IcyPatriot]

The Patriots' ENTIRE starting OL from last season was unavailable for (almost) all of this game. Still, the Patriots wound up putting together a good overall offensive performance.

Certainly hope the fans here bashing the Belichick drafts realize this ... his drafting there has saved the season.

 

[Uncle Rico]

The Patriots' ENTIRE starting OL from last season was unavailable for (almost) all of this game. Still, the Patriots wound up putting together a good overall offensive performance.

Wow. Now let's see how much notice this gets in the media, compared to the whole Packers o-line injury saga. Betting not so much, despite the fact pats won.

 

[Fencer]

And they did it in diverse ways, with contributions from all over the organization.

Waters -- quality FA
Solder -- high pick
Connolly -- returning solid reserve
Cannon -- low pick who then had to be PUPed
Thomas -- who?

The personnel folks did very well. Dante obviously did great. The game-day play-callers adapted beautifully to the strengths and weaknesses of the group they had on the field, even if it took them a number of series to get there. And the skill-position players blocked solidly when needed as well.

 

[Joker]

while I agree with about 90% (could be 99%...but then could be 80%) of what you just posted,I have to say, my opinion on Thomas is he's a JAG...this is not a player I want starting in a playoff game.

My guess is Light is back next week and then pulled, Mankins sits and BB plays it conservatively with a lead in the Razor.The #1 seed is still in play and that IS an incentive, but there's a number of nagging physical problems with more than a few important players on this roster that could stand a little more R+R. Tough call...can't wait to see what Bill does....probably the opposite of what I would guess.

 

[alvinnf]

Three cheers for Scar! Hip Hip Hooray! and so on.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

while I agree with about 90% (could be 99%...but then could be 80%) of what you just posted,I have to say, my opinion on Thomas is he's a JAG...this is not a player I want starting in a playoff game.

My guess is Light is back next week and then pulled, Mankins sits and BB plays it conservatively with a lead in the Razor.The #1 seed is still in play and that IS an incentive, but there's a number of nagging physical problems with more than a few important players on this roster that could stand a little more R+R. Tough call...can't wait to see what Bill does....probably the opposite of what I would guess.

The Pats won a SB with a JAG filling in for Matt Light.

 

[Stilla]

Really, are we ready to draft a defense this off season...

Its time to make sure the o-line has depth and a future.

2 Drafted Running backs and an old QB will be riding their backs.

Worst defense and Brady upright throwing = playoffs.

No o-line and we can't throw or run.

 

[The Scrizz]

Really, are we ready to draft a defense this off season...

Its time to make sure the o-line has depth and a future.

2 Drafted Running backs and an old QB will be riding their backs.

Worst defense and Brady upright throwing = playoffs.

No o-line and we can't throw or run.

We drafted 2 tackles in this most recent draft and still have Vollmer (who's an all-pro when healthy), Mankins, Light and Waters - both above average for another year. Should we draft 1st round OT's that only play in case of injuries?

2 rooks, a jag, and a backup C kept Brady upright for the whole 2nd half. I would say that is depth AND the future.

Give us an average D and Brady will rip this league apart.

 

[Wax Frog]

I love me some Scar

 

[Deus Irae]

Certainly hope the fans here bashing the Belichick drafts realize this ... his drafting there has saved the season.

When did BB draft Waters, Thomas and Connolly?



The coaching staff was able to settle the O-line down today, and it was a huge part of the difference in the second half, but let's not go making this out to be something about the drafting, because it wasn't. 3 of the 5 left standing weren't even drafted by the Patriots, regardless of round.

 

[Fencer]

When did BB draft Waters, Thomas and Connolly?



The coaching staff was able to settle the O-line down today, and it was a huge part of the difference in the second half, but let's not go making this out to be something about the drafting, because it wasn't. 3 of the 5 left standing weren't even drafted by the Patriots, regardless of round.

But the other two were rookies, one playing after a compressed off-season, and the other playing with a lot less practice than even that.

So drafting was indeed a part of it.

 

[Sciz]

But the other two were rookies, one playing after a compressed off-season, and the other playing with a lot less practice than even that.

So drafting was indeed a part of it.

Yep. If they had grabbed someone who wasn't ready (like a Sherrod or Carpenter, or really just about any OT other than Cannon after the first 2 rounds), then the Pats probably don't win that game, and Brady probably would have needed some rest this coming wekk

 

[TheComeback]

When did BB draft Waters, Thomas and Connolly?



The coaching staff was able to settle the O-line down today, and it was a huge part of the difference in the second half, but let's not go making this out to be something about the drafting, because it wasn't. 3 of the 5 left standing weren't even drafted by the Patriots, regardless of round.

Pretty ridiculous to argue that drafting wasn't a part of their performance when both tackles playing today were drafted rookies.

 

[mgteich]

We are likely to add an OL. However, the current OL looks pretty good going into 2012. Belichick might just stay pat.

COMING BACK
Near the top in pro bowl voting: Light, Mankins and Waters
The three young OT's with a future: Solder, Cannon and Vollmer
backup centers who have started: Wendell, McDonald
backup OG, FB, signed for 4 years: Thomas

NOT SIGNED FOR 2012 (one or both could be re-signed)
# AFC center and fullback Connolly
a solid center for years Koppen

 

[State]

Not to put a damper on it, but some of this is luck with excellent FA pickups, like Brian Winters, and drafting a first round guy who had the non-hodgens lymphoma detected which caused him to drop like a meat ball off the table in the draft. Marcus Cannon is the real deal. He's got a great base (giant arse and sturdy legs) to be a RT for a decade or more.

But most important, Scar is simply the best in the business. You can't beat good coaching.

having said that, this team will need to upgrade the middle of the draft. That kid they drafted from Penn State too high hasn't panned out so far. And the monster NTs are getting too big for Koppen to handle in the run game.

BTW, who is Thomas,64 ? He looked awfully small. Like Gronks little brother or something.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

And that Gronkowski pick last year? Who spends a pick that high on a tight end?

Utterly useless I tell you. Why oh why don't the Pats call the patsfans.com draftniks before they pick? I mean, I know they have a war room and stuff, and I know all about Belichick's ego, how he's supposed to be good at football and stuff, but really? At least half of us hated the Chad Jackson pick and he never panned out. Shouldn't that be enough?

 

[randomk1]

Brady and some of the receivers deserve credit aswell. In the 2nd half he started getting the ball out alot quicker to guys like Welker and Hernandez. Also the TD to Branch was just the same brain those guys share.

I just hope we get healthy...the OL is one place where we can't afford injuries.

The Steelers or Ravens would've had a field day yesterday.

 

[DarrylS]

Scarnecchia is the man.. the unsung hero of this franchise.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

I thought it was an incredible recovery by the OL in the 2nd half, due to great coaching.:singing: