Koppen vs. Connolly

[NEP4Life]

Koppen is a 3 mil+ /yr player. Connolly is 1 mil +/yr. They're both free agents, with gas left in the tank, so we assume they'll get a raise.

Who do you think will be the starting offensive center in 2012?

 

[VrabelJr]

Someone else, ideally Peter Konz or Mike Brewster. Koppen is more valuable to another NFL team, Connolly and Wendell are great depth guys for G/C but up the gut pressure has been an issue this team has faced for too long.

 

[JackBauer]

At those prices, I'd keep Connolly. Not sure about Koppen vis a vis Connolly, but I am sure the difference, if any, is not 2mm worth.

Would rather draft a C and have them come in and compete with Connolly for the starting position.

 

[Kontradiction]

Someone else, ideally Peter Konz or Mike Brewster. Koppen is more valuable to another NFL team, Connolly and Wendell are great depth guys for G/C but up the gut pressure has been an issue this team has faced for too long.

The majority of the gut pressure in this last Super Bowl came from the guy Mankins was supposed to be blocking. Connolly had a fine game.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Connolly and Wendell have done a good job since Koppen went down....no need to spend a few million more on Dan...even if its brady's good friend.

 

[rojo8401]

Koppen is the leader of the o-line and helps Brady makes all the pre-snap reads.

Ask Brady who he wants there.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think it has to be Connolly and maybe Koppen comes back as a veteran backup for short money. They have too many other issues to deal with, including elsewhere on the OL, to invest draft capital at the position and the OL has had more than it's share of investment in the last couple of years. Don't know if the RG will be back or the RT will ever rebound and if Light hangs 'em up Solder won't be covering for Vollmer, he'll be the starting LT. Need to invest in some skill players on offense and in the secondary and probably even in another pass rusher who is more than a stop gap.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Draft Scott Wedije from northern Illinois in the 4th round ... a solid pass blocker and will probably be available in the 4th or 5th round.

 

[NEP4Life]

To me it seems Connolly is almost a lock to come back because of his role as an interior line backup, and he's almost certain to get significant snaps over the course of next season, just because of injuries (hopefully all minor - knock on wood).

So if Connolly is the starting C, then you need an effective backup interior lineman. Not sure Wendell is that guy.

Added: Some pundits claim it's almost impossible for a new C, especially a rookie, to come in and correctly execute the line calls in this offense, so I expect the C will have to be Koppen or Connolly, while any new C learns the system.

 

[patsfan13]

Connolly did well this year, maybe as good as Koppen at this stage of his career, we need to draft a center for the future.

 

[UK_Pat37]

Re-sign both. Simples.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Koppen is the leader of the o-line and helps Brady makes all the pre-snap reads.

Ask Brady who he wants there.

Brains are all well and good but they don't always block as effectively as brawn and youth. Koppen has always been undersized and that has increasingly been an issue as teams shift their focus to pressure up the gut.

 

[JackBauer]

Koppen is the leader of the o-line and helps Brady makes all the pre-snap reads.

Ask Brady who he wants there.

I'm pretty sure it's more important to have the best player there, not the player Brady wants.

 

[rojo8401]

Brains are all well and good but they don't always block as effectively as brawn and youth. Koppen has always been undersized and that has increasingly been an issue as teams shift their focus to pressure up the gut.

Fair point. I guess we'll have to see what Dante decides but my gut tells me that Dan will be the starter next year and I'm fine with that.

 

[PatsFan2]

Dan Connolly will be Starting Center not even close...Logan Mankins in the Problem...The Giants own him.:snob:

 

[Deus Irae]

Rather than join in the fray, I'll just note that I think this will likely be decided no later than the first couple of days into free agency. If Koppen is signed, I don't see why he'd be coming back to be Connolly's backup.

 

[Rob0729]

Koppen seemed to get overpowered a bit in 2010. I was doubting he would be getting starting role in 2012 even if he was healthy this year.

Connolly seems to have found his spot at center where he struggled a lot at LG and a bit at RG. I think he will be starting at center next year.

 

[Elijah T.]

Connolly is younger, cheaper, and equally effective.

Easy for me to decide.

Plus, Scarnecchia really seems to like him.

 

[satz]

koppen easily , the whole protection and snap changes koppen had with brady was pretty cool.

i am fed up not seeing screens and downfield blocking sections of our offense. connolly is a good backup and is good depth.we need depth.

also if waters goes you need him there or back up cannon.

 

[makoute]

koppen easily , the whole protection and snap changes koppen had with brady was pretty cool.

i am fed up not seeing screens and downfield blocking sections of our offense. connolly is a good backup and is good depth.we need depth.

also if waters goes you need him there or back up cannon.

Those things were not taking place when Koppen was at C.