Props to the Patriots organization re the OL

[patchick]

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.

With so many OL injuries, I've lost track of what's wrong with Wendell. Presumably if he's available he'll start at center and Connolly can move out to guard, displacing Thomas?

How many different starting OLs have the Patriots fielded this year? 4 different centers alone. But of course,you can't possibly expect the Jets to be able to function without Mangold. They get a pass on those games.

 

[robbomango]

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.

This is a good article comparing GB, NO, NE offenses and QB advantage. I believe they used outside professional sources to draw the comparisons. the O-line was ranked 3rd out of the 3 teams or tied with GB.

In a battle of best, Tom Brady may get the nod - Sports - The Boston Globe

 

[patchick]

This is a good article comparing GB, NO, NE offenses and QB advantage. I believe they used outside professional sources to draw the comparisons. the O-line was ranked 3rd out of the 3 teams or tied with GB.

In a battle of best, Tom Brady may get the nod - Sports - The Boston Globe

Here's something to contemplate. GB and NE both have battered o-lines, right?

Aaron Rodgers sacks to passing attempts ratio, 1:13
Tom Brady sacks to passing attempts ratio, 1:21

 

[RayClay]

Wonder if we could pick up some vet for security? Dante's coaching can only work if there's a body attached to it.

And could we please hold off the next year's draft talk just a bit? For all you gnub's, it used to be a big deal to be 12-3 and headed for the playoffs as the first seed. Almost as important as the draft, even.

 

[upstater1]

With so many OL injuries, I've lost track of what's wrong with Wendell. Presumably if he's available he'll start at center and Connolly can move out to guard, displacing Thomas?

How many different starting OLs have the Patriots fielded this year? 4 different centers alone. But of course,you can't possibly expect the Jets to be able to function without Mangold. They get a pass on those games.

It could simply be they like Thomas better than Wendell. I wouldn't be surprised. Thomas is a lot stronger than Wendell and a lot more athletic. Also, if you were watching him, he throws an amazing first punch. I saw him knocking people back. He's raw though, he needs Scarnecchia to teach him a lot.

 

[upstater1]

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.

First, Ohrneberger was a 4th or 5th rounder, so he wasn't drafted that highly. You can't even expect 4th or 5th round lineman to stick with your team more than 2 years.

Donald Thomas is 6'4" and 315 pounds. If you think he's small, then what do you think of Conolly, Koppen and Wendell. Brian Waters is even smaller.

Thomas is a great athlete, he's built like Adonis, but he only had 3 years of college football, one year of high school football (freshman year) as he went to a school without football and then wasn't allowed to play on a cooperative team.

 

[upstater1]

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

They look full-up at the OL. The only question is Waters as he's getting up in age. Light too, but both these players look like they still have it. Maybe Koppen coming back from an injury is a question too.

Regardless, I can't see expending any draft picks on this position next year. I see them carrying 9.

 

[mgteich]

The question is indeed a pure Thomas vs. Wendell at OG. Thomas is apparently ahead of Wendell in the OG depth chart.

And Connolly is clearly ahead of Wendell at C. In fact, Connolly has been good enough to be voted the #4 OC in the AFC by fans.

One question is how much we lose when we go from Connolly to Wendell at center. The other is the difference between Connolly and Thomas at guard. I think that Connolly has found a home at center and that Belichick wants to re-sign him for 2012.

As far as the combination of two players, Belichick seems to prefer Option 1.

OPTION ONE
LG Thomas
C Connolly

OPTION TWO
LG Connolly
C Wendell

Connolly is a starter quality center. Thomas is getting experience at OG and might have starter talent. Wendell is a perennial backup. I'm fine with Wendell being on the team. We need solid backups.

It could simply be they like Thomas better than Wendell. I wouldn't be surprised. Thomas is a lot stronger than Wendell and a lot more athletic. Also, if you were watching him, he throws an amazing first punch. I saw him knocking people back. He's raw though, he needs Scarnecchia to teach him a lot.

 

[goheels22002]

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

The Patriots lost a Super Bowl with a JAG at right tackle. Reggie White destroyed the Patriots offense with the Max Lane matchup.

16 years later the fundamental need is for a healthy, effective line come playoff time. Thank goodness for the bye week.

 

[fester]

And Connolly is clearly ahead of Wendell at C. In fact, Connolly has been good enough to be voted the #4 OC in the AFC by fans. [fester's bolding]

One question is how much we lose when we go from Connolly to Wendell at center. The other is the difference between Connolly and Thomas at guard. I think that Connolly has found a home at center and that Belichick wants to re-sign him for 2012.

As far as the combination of two players, Belichick seems to prefer Option 1.

OPTION ONE
LG Thomas
C Connolly

OPTION TWO
LG Connolly
C Wendell

Connolly is a starter quality center. Thomas is getting experience at OG and might have starter talent. Wendell is a perennial backup. I'm fine with Wendell being on the team. We need solid backups.

I like this entire piece except the bolded part. Fans, even hyper fans like those that post on Patsfans.com are not reliable evaluators when grading interior line play. Let's see where Connolly falls in the player and coaches' votes [there are some problems with these metrics, but the confidence intervals of reality vs. perception should be a lot tighter as the players being voted upon are being evaluated by people who actually know what they should be looking at {on the whole --- just thinking of what the typical kicker knows about interior O-line play or CB technique, but I digress).

I figure the Pats will grab an interior lineman somewhere in the first four rounds, and then another half dozen UDFAs OGs/OCs for camp competition

 

[patchick]

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.

I don't get this at all. It's just "luck" to make savvy acquisitions of mid-level FAs and draft picks whom other teams have undervalued? Does that mean the only way a personnel department can show "skill" is with elite high-priced FAs and first-round rookies -- the guys every team (and fan) sees the value in? And that the team gets a free pass on all the mid-level signings that flopped, like Beisel, Starks, etc., because that's just uncontrollable bad luck?

 

[Ivan]

If Light is healthy and Mankins can't go then I would rather see Cannon at RG, Waters at LG and Solder at RT. Overall OL is a strength for this team and there is a decent chance the entire OL will be ready for the play-offs, which would give them great depth for the tournament.

 

[Ivan]

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.

No doubt, sheer luck. Kraft should really invest in a personel department because this crap where they simply throw darts at the list of available players is way too hit or miss. Thank god Belichik was able to hit the players he wanted or we would be screwed.

 

[Keyser Söze]

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

and his piss poor drafting on defense could end it. See what I did there?