Matt Light's best year???

[supafly]

I think that Light has played an incredible yr here in the 2011 season.

In my opinion, he has been the most consistent player on the entire offensive line, and has put to bed a lot of the doubters who questioned whether or not he should even come back this year.

He has played better than Mankins (who has been 'himself' a lot more lately, but didn't look his best at times this year), and proved that bringing back #72 was one of the off-season's greatest moves.

He had gotten many "meh---I could take him or leave him" comments in the off-season, and many even saw the high pick of Solder pointing to a replacement at LT before the yr even started. Let's face it, there were many who wanted him, but many who did not want him anymore. He has really had a solid year.

Thoughts on Matt Light, and his great season this year?

 

[slash83]

He has been the Pats best O-linemen this year.

 

[Sciz]

Light is just one of a few vets on the team who used to already be very good, but still improved noticeably. Welker and Wilfork are two other guys that belong in that category as well. How did these guys manage to bump their play to the next level so far into their careers?

 

[supafly]

Light is just one of a few vets on the team who used to already be very good, but still improved noticeably. Welker and Wilfork are two other guys that belong in that category as well. How did these guys manage to bump their play to the next level so far into their careers?

A great question, but I agree. Those 3 have had a rise in their level of play this yr, and have really proven themselves as leaders of a very good team.

Light's situation is the most surprising to me, and this is coming from a guy who thought it was easier to try and lose a step down or two in talent at NT from the Wilfork loss, than it would've been to try and replace the step down or two at RDE in the Seymour loss..in other words, I wanted to try and keep Seymour instead. Wilfork has really impressed me this yr too, and I will admit that would have probably been the wrong choice. On top of that, Wilfork has proven to be much more of a "Patriots type" player than Seymour ever was.

The Welker situation doesn't surprise me at all, as I think that the chemisty and timing that he has with Brady makes the old Brady/Branch timing and chemistry look pathetic, lol.

That said, you are right---all 3 have stepped up their games to new levels this yr, but I will have to admit that I am most impressed and surprised with the dominance that Light has provided to this offensive line.

 

[ausbacker]

He has been the Pats best O-linemen this year.

Todd's had a very good season but Brian Waters has rights to the Patriots MVP.

 

[Triumph]

Ive hardly noticed Light this year.

When youre an OL thats a real good sign.

 

[supafly]

Todd's had a very good season but Brian Waters has rights to the Patriots MVP.

Great off-season signings, both of them. Add in the #17 overall pick, which wasn't the popular at the time considering everyone's want of one of the DE's, and you have 3 extremely key signings on the offensive line.

Add in Mankins' contract, and you now have an off-season where:

1. Mankins
2. Light
3. Waters
4. Solder

were all signed

When Logan Mankins was your 3rd best Offensive lineman, that's pretty damn impressive.

 

[ausbacker]

Great off-season signings, both of them. Add in the #17 overall pick, which wasn't the popular at the time considering everyone's want of one of the DE's, and you have 3 extremely key signings on the offensive line.

Add in Mankins' contract, and you now have an off-season where:

1. Mankins
2. Light
3. Waters
4. Solder

were all signed

When Logan Mankins was your 3rd best Offensive lineman, that's pretty damn impressive.

Not to mention Cannon may very well turn out to be a bargain pick.

 

[supafly]

Not to mention Cannon may very well turn out to be a bargain pick.

Yes, while many doubted that Cannon would not play one down this yr, I did not lose faith for one moment--due to the high recovery rate of his affliction, and a little bit of personal experience in the matter.

Cannon certainly looks as though he can man the right side for many yrs to come, and was easily one of the best bargain choices in the entire draft.

From a whole draft standpoint, I really agree with, and like the choices. While many were made for the future, that's just fine (and needed) in my opinion.

 

[Mark12]

He has been really productive this year. Let's hope he keeps it up for the SB because after watching the replay of the game that shall not be mentioned, he got owned by Osi virtually every play.

 

[Frezo]

So what happens with Koppen now? Connelly with Wendell as BU have looked pretty darned good.

 

[Coach42]

I think Light has been underrated for his entire career. He has been a 10 year starter at one of the most important positions in all of football. While he was never the best LT in the NFL during his career he has always been well above average. He might be the most underrated player for the Pats in this decade. IMO.

 

[supafly]

So what happens with Koppen now? Connelly with Wendell as BU have looked pretty darned good.

I actually think that Koppen stays on a deal that is similar in the number of yrs that Light signed this yr.

Many may disagree, but I believe that Koppen is a key cog in the machine that is the offensive line.

His pre-snap reads, chemistry with Brady, and knowledge of the calls/audibles is extremely important still. Belichick himself has lauded Koppen as being extremely key to the offensive line.

That said, we don't know how much BB likes Connely either, but in my opinion he stays another couple of yrs while we groom the potential 'new' center that comes from the draft.

The other 2, Connelly and Wendell are great depth as backups, and offer good interior depth.

 

[randomk1]

Was happy when we resigned him but like others i have been frustated with him at times. This year he has been awesome...can't recall any penalties or big sacks on Brady. Can't ask for much more than that.

1 more game and probably their toughest test coming up.

 

[mosi]

Light better get ready to play his best game as in the 2007 superbowl, he was owned by Osi and the rest of the Giants line.

The Giants D-line is actually better than the 2007 line. Younger and faster. The Pats need to play mistake free football.

 

[patfanken]

I actually think that Koppen stays on a deal that is similar in the number of yrs that Light signed this yr.

Many may disagree, but I believe that Koppen is a key cog in the machine that is the offensive line.

His pre-snap reads, chemistry with Brady, and knowledge of the calls/audibles is extremely important still. Belichick himself has lauded Koppen as being extremely key to the offensive line.

That said, we don't know how much BB likes Connely either, but in my opinion he stays another couple of yrs while we groom the potential 'new' center that comes from the draft.

The other 2, Connelly and Wendell are great depth as backups, and offer good interior depth.

1. I said on several occasions that Light has had his best year in the last several years. Given all the injuries on the OL this season, where would we have been without him.

I was surprised they signed him, especially after giving Mankins the big contract and drafting Solderl I thought that was it for Matt. Boy was I wrong. Boy am I glad I was wrong.

2. Why was there such a surprising jump in his effectiveness at such a late date in his career, IS a great question. Maybe it was being a FA and not knowing where he'd be playing refocused his off season training. Maybe its just mental and this year he's mentally stronger. Maybe we've under rated his past performances and he's just the same, only now he's getting credit because the expectations were lowered.

At any rate, he not the only player around the league who seems to have had a rebirth late in his career. Just look at Jared Allen and Brian Waters. Who would have expected they years they had.

3. I have to sadly disagree with you on Dan Koppen. All the things you mention are true, but I think we've seen the difference between Koppen and Connolly this year. Connolly set the middle more strongly than Koppen did. He's bigger and stronger than Koppen, and that is a critical factor because that is how teams want to attack Brady, up the middle.

In his favor, I think Koppen is quicker than Connolly, and got to the 2nd level in run blocking better. The bottom line is Koppen is a victim of the trend of teams going to the 3-5, which a majority of teams now use. Against 4-3 teams, when he was uncovered, his quickness made him a big asset. Against 350 lb NTs his size becomes a detriment.

Those reasons along with his age, the fact we have found a suitable replacement, the general trend to go young on the OL and the cost of resigning him; make bring back Dan Koppen unlikely....... Very much like it was unlikely we'd bring back Matt Light.

 

[BSR]

Light better get ready to play his best game as in the 2007 superbowl, he was owned by Osi and the rest of the Giants line.

The Giants D-line is actually better than the 2007 line. Younger and faster. The Pats need to play mistake free football.

How did Kiwanuka, Tuck and Osi get younger? JPP is obviously younger then Strahan but I don't think Tuck and Osi are at the same level they were at then. Tuck was the real key to that game from what I remember because he could get pressure up the middle.

On the flip side, the right side of the patriots O line is much improved from that game as is the blocking from the TE. Kyle Brady was totally ineffective that game. Even a hobbled Gronk would be a huge improvement.

 

[patchick]

Koppen is a victim of the trend of teams going to the 3-5, which a majority of teams now use. Against 4-3 teams, when he was uncovered, his quickness made him a big asset. Against 350 lb NTs his size becomes a detriment.

Those reasons along with his age, the fact we have found a suitable replacement, the general trend to go young on the OL and the cost of resigning him; make bring back Dan Koppen unlikely

Ken, don't all of your observations point to Connolly costing more to sign than Koppen? If we think that a 29-year-old whose size and strength are better suited to current defenses and who has proven a solid starter at both C and G is more valuable than a savvy but undersized 32-year-old pure C coming off major injury, I suspect other teams will as well.

 

[patfanken]

Ken, don't all of your observations point to Connolly costing more to sign than Koppen? If we think that a 29-year-old whose size and strength are better suited to current defenses and who has proven a solid starter at both C and G is more valuable than a savvy but undersized 32-year-old pure C coming off major injury, I suspect other teams will as well.

Interesting observation, patchick. I forgot Connolly was a FA next season However while Koppen might actually be cheaper to resign, Connolly, given the nature of the way defenses are played these days, is simply the better player as the Pats offense stands now.

Just like the era of predominant 4-3 looks has seemed to pass, so too has Dan Koppen's time with the Pats. BTW- it doesn't make me happy to say that

 

[AzPatsFan]

How did Kiwanuka, Tuck and Osi get younger? JPP is obviously younger then Strahan but I don't think Tuck and Osi are at the same level they were at then. Tuck was the real key to that game from what I remember because he could get pressure up the middle.

On the flip side, the right side of the patriots O line is much improved from that game as is the blocking from the TE. Kyle Brady was totally ineffective that game. Even a hobbled Gronk would be a huge improvement.

Common, Get Real. The Giants profited in that game because Hochstien the #1 O-line reserve went it to that game limping; and early on Steve Neal went down. Those Gaint D-line guys are all older except for JPP, and he is not the equal of Michael Strahan. No one is.

Eli is better and more mature but the overall Giant talent is way down on Defense and not really that great on Offense. Have you really seen the disaster that is the Giants Offensive line?

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