Waters' Locker Cleaned Out (Update: Reports Nameplate Taken Down)

[West Philly Patriot]

O-line is in critical when you move your best center to RG and your forced to put and inferior player at Center. A very important position on our line. Not happy about the Waters developments as of late.

There's been talk of Brady looking unhappy I think this reflects the O-line play much more than the receiver situation.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

O-line is in critical when you move your best center to RG and your forced to put and inferior player at Center. A very important position on our line. Not happy about the Waters developments as of late.

There's been talk of Brady looking unhappy I think this reflects the O-line play much more than the receiver situation.

My fear is that Brady will get so worried about protection that he passes too soon,off balance or off target.

The OL needs to gain Brady's trust to make this offense work like a machine as it should,I am sure Brady is wondering if the loss of Waters and Light is also going to mean a much more painful season ahead.

 

[supafly]

There's been talk of Brady looking unhappy I think this reflects the O-line play much more than the receiver situation.

If this is true than it may have more to do with the overall ineffectiveness of the offense during practice and preseason than one specific issue, although I will certainly agree that the offensive line could play a part in that too.

However, give it a week or two of some successful drives and I think his attitude (if this is true) would improve dramatically.

 

[ATippett56]

I am sure Brady is wondering if the loss of Waters and Light is also going to mean a much more painful season ahead.

2009 New England Patriots sacks allowed - 18

2009 New England Patriots Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com

2010 New England Patriots sacks allowed - 25

2010 New England Patriots Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com

2011 New England Patriots sacks allowed - 32

2011 New England Patriots Statistics & Players - Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[Wretch]

I'll go back in time to an even worse pick....


Pat Harlow

I call your Pat Harlow and raise you 1 Eugene Chung.

 

[Big-T]

O-line is in critical when you move your best center to RG and your forced to put and inferior player at Center. A very important position on our line. Not happy about the Waters developments as of late..

Connolly at C and Thomas at RG?

Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Thomas-Vollmer still looks a pretty good line and will still be one of the best in the league.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Connolly at C and Thomas at RG?

Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Thomas-Vollmer still looks a pretty good line and will still be one of the best in the league.

Only that doesn't seem to be the play out of the gate. Solder-Mankins-Wendell-Connolly-Vollmer is the leader in the clubhouse. And that leaves them thin before you even factor in that Vollmer's health will remain a concern and Mankins is coming back from an ACL so not likely to be at his former pro bowl level at least early on if ever this season.

Bedard who has been the wet blanket of reason due to his belief (which he indicates mirrors the teams) that Walters was coming back is now concerned. Not that he anticipates disaster because he has a lot of faith in Scar. But concerned none the less.

Clearly they had a plan B of sorts, but that didn't work out either since Gallery retired and Koppen appeared to be toast. Which is why I think plan C will be to hold Waters to that deal and force his hand. If he wants to play this season, he will play here. If not he can retire. They aren't going to release or trade him. A 6th isn't going to help them this season.

It's a lot more likely that in this increasingly un-Belichicking season they sweeten the pot, and not just in cash but in concessions like he gets to fly home to Texas after most Sunday games schedule permitting and not report back until Wednesday practice. A commuter dad playing RG.

Bedard: Patriots offensive line depth 'ridiculously thin'

 

[livinginthe past]

All this panic over the return (or non-return) of Brian Waters is ridiculous.

The Patriots have consistently coached guys up and had one of the best O-lines in football year after year.

Whoever they put out there they will be good enough, in concert with Brady, to get the job done.

 

[Jackson 2]

Only that doesn't seem to be the play out of the gate. Solder-Mankins-Wendell-Connolly-Vollmer is the leader in the clubhouse. And that leaves them thin before you even factor in that Vollmer's health will remain a concern and Mankins is coming back from an ACL so not likely to be at his former pro bowl level at least early on if ever this season.

Bedard who has been the wet blanket of reason due to his belief (which he indicates mirrors the teams) that Walters was coming back is now concerned. Not that he anticipates disaster because he has a lot of faith in Scar. But concerned none the less.

Clearly they had a plan B of sorts, but that didn't work out either since Gallery retired and Koppen appeared to be toast. Which is why I think plan C will be to hold Waters to that deal and force his hand. If he wants to play this season, he will play here. If not he can retire. They aren't going to release or trade him. A 6th isn't going to help them this season.

It's a lot more likely that in this increasingly un-Belichicking season they sweeten the pot, and not just in cash but in concessions like he gets to fly home to Texas after most Sunday games schedule permitting and not report back until Wednesday practice. A commuter dad playing RG.

Bedard: Patriots offensive line depth 'ridiculously thin'

I could have the wrong guy, but I believe Roman Phifer had that type of "commuter arrangement" his last year.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I could have the wrong guy, but I believe Roman Phifer had that type of "commuter arrangement" his last year.

Yeah, I don't think is was weekly because he lived on the left coast, but he got to go home every couple of weeks and got to stay behind when we played out west and some extra time over the bye I believe. Texas is an easier commute. Ty Warren used to commute when he did the 4 day a week off season conditioning program.

 

[Gronkandez]

All this panic over the return (or non-return) of Brian Waters is ridiculous.

The Patriots have consistently coached guys up and had one of the best O-lines in football year after year.

Whoever they put out there they will be good enough, in concert with Brady, to get the job done.

Against mediocre D-Lines during the regular season that may be the case....

 

[Daigle]

Against mediocre D-Lines during the regular season that may be the case....

This season we couldnt even play well against second teamers with our O-line.

 

[Jimke]

Waters wants to play but for a Texas team. Unfortunately for him,
he is under contract to another team. If he has any intention of
playing for the Patriots, Labor Day weekend might have been the
last time with his kids for a while.

 

[Patriot 37]

Connolly at C and Thomas at RG?

Solder-Mankins-Connolly-Thomas-Vollmer still looks a pretty good line and will still be one of the best in the league.

Best in the NFL based on what? An unproven 2nd year at LT who is coming off an awful preseseon. Volmer is great but with a questionable back an a terrible back up. Connolly is OK and Thomas is a career back up for a reason. Not even close to the top of the NFL.

 

[Tunescribe]

Waters wants to play but for a Texas team. Unfortunately for him,
he is under contract to another team. If he has any intention of
playing for the Patriots, Labor Day weekend might have been the
last time with his kids for a while.

If he REALLY wants to play and being away from his kids is the only thing holding him back, perhaps he and the Pats can figure out something creative that would bring them together throughout the season. Otherwise, he should just retire and make it official. Enough of this stuff.

 

[Reckedtrek]

This season we couldnt even play well against second teamers with our O-line.

Our actual O-line hasn't even played together (in a game this season) yet, so what are you basing your statement on? I'm hoping Waters makes it back soon, but your statement is ridiculous.

 

[Rob0729]

Against mediocre D-Lines during the regular season that may be the case....

Don't you mean anyone but the Giants? Besides, even then it was in part that Mankins was playing with a torn ACL.

 

[JJDChE]

All this panic over the return (or non-return) of Brian Waters is ridiculous.

The Patriots have consistently coached guys up and had one of the best O-lines in football year after year.

Whoever they put out there they will be good enough, in concert with Brady, to get the job done.

Yup. We have thrown some serious garbage out there over the years and they've almost always been better than average as a unit. Even without Waters we have one of our most talented o-lines of this era.

 

[Gronkandez]

Don't you mean anyone but the Giants? Besides, even then it was in part that Mankins was playing with a torn ACL.

Correct, the Giants are one of the teams I was specifically thinking of. But I'm not talking about last year when the Pats had Light and Waters, I'm talking about this year. I think the Bills' D-Line would also have success against the current Pats' O-Line.

When the Pats have lost in the playoffs in recent years, it's been the O-Line that seems to be the weak link. In addition to the Giants games, the Ravens game comes to mind.

 

[SyN65]

How can you judge the O-line when it's NOT played together all of pre-season? At all?

OK, even if they're great as a single unit, how confident are you that they will all stay healthy the whole season?

Our best O-lineman is coming back from ACL surgery.
Our second best O-lineman has reoccurring back issues.

If those two were to go down (even for a game or two), how confident are you that our backups can keep Brady upright?

On top of that Solder/Cannon are very inexperienced and are going to be called upon to play major rolls this season.

Keep in mind our O-line is consistently very good each year and every year it seems to be the Pats downfall come playoff time. I'd say - even with all the starters healthy - this is the worst Pats O-line in a long time.