2011 #4 center; 2012 #4 RG

[mgteich]

Last year, we were reduced to having our #4 center starting.

Now, in the 2nd game, we were reduced to having our #4 RG starting.

WATERS hasn't shown up.
CONNOLLY was out injured.
CANNON, who moved over to RG last week when Connolly was hurt, was needed at RT.
And then there was THOMAS, who might not have made the team if Waters were here.
Some would even put THOMAS 5th behind MCDONALD who is also injured.

In the end, we will be fine when Connolly and Vollmer healthy. Obviously we would be even better with Waters back AND Connolly and Vollmer were healthy.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Last year, we were reduced to having our #4 center starting.

Now, in the 2nd game, we were reduced to having our #4 RG starting.

WATERS hasn't shown up.
CONNOLLY was out injured.
CANNON, who moved over to RG last week when Connolly was hurt, was needed at RT.
And then there was THOMAS, who might not have made the team if Waters were here.
Some would even put THOMAS 5th behind MCDONALD who is also injured.

In the end, we will be fine when Connolly and Vollmer healthy. Obviously we would be even better with Waters back AND Connolly and Vollmer were healthy.

Last year we had #1's starting at RT, RG, LG, LT. Big difference. I'm not sure Vollmer will ever be fully healthy again. Connolly went from playing C well to playing concussed RG. Who exactly is our C? To me this is like the WR debaucle. We've weakened almost the entire line over not beinging Waters back. And in order to somehow make Welker replaceable and feature a ST'er we've weakened the entire offense to the point it's toast when a TE goes down.

 

[woolster22]

Last year, we were reduced to having our #4 center starting.

Now, in the 2nd game, we were reduced to having our #4 RG starting.

WATERS hasn't shown up.
CONNOLLY was out injured.
CANNON, who moved over to RG last week when Connolly was hurt, was needed at RT.
And then there was THOMAS, who might not have made the team if Waters were here.
Some would even put THOMAS 5th behind MCDONALD who is also injured.

In the end, we will be fine when Connolly and Vollmer healthy. Obviously we would be even better with Waters back AND Connolly and Vollmer were healthy.

I like the fact that Thomas is getting some true game action. Looked like he had potential in preseason (a poor man's waters perhaps), especially in the run game. Was too pissed off at the offense in general today to pay much attention. Going to watch the Philly game and see what's up with Baltimore, I'll get to this afternoon's abortion later. Will be interesting to see where the problems were. I seemed to notice homocutme getting abused in the run game consistently. Don't remember much else aside from a feeling we would spit the bit after the pick and losing ahern.

This defense is going to start turning some heads. This could go down as the best pats d in quite some time when it is all said and done...rivaling the 03/04 ...

Sent from my ADR6425LVW using Tapatalk 2

 

[ATippett56]

Last year we had #1's starting at RT, RG, LG, LT. Big difference. I'm not sure Vollmer will ever be fully healthy again. Connolly went from playing C well to playing concussed RG. Who exactly is our C? To me this is like the WR debaucle. We've weakened almost the entire line over not bringing Waters back.

The offensive line sure looks like toast with Thomas at right guard and Cannon at right tackle.

 

[Triumph]

Vollmer is never healthy.

 

[woolster22]

The offensive line sure looks like toast with Thomas at right guard and Cannon at right tackle.

I think this is more an effect of cannon than Thomas. Cannon had looked shaky continuously. When I have been able to check our Thomas he does seem to be doing alright. I didn't really pay close enough attention today, hopefully I'll have the game up to diagnose the line tomorrow.

 

[ATippett56]

When I have been able to check our Thomas he does seem to be doing alright. I didn't really pay close enough attention today, hopefully I'll have the game up to diagnose the line tomorrow.

Donald Thomas was abused by the Arizona Cardinals defensive line.

 

[ATippett56]

3 up, 3 down for the Patriots - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Sep 16 4:50PM ET By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

Down

Marcus Cannon/Donald Thomas/pass protection -- The right side of the line (Thomas at right guard, Cannon at right tackle) has a mix-up on a combination block that leads to a sack of Tom Brady and has some other struggles, as Brady never truly finds his comfort zone.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Donald Thomas was abused by the Arizona Cardinals defensive line.

That was my #1 takeaway from the game - Thomas played an absolutely terrible game.

 

[Big-T]

Vollmer is never healthy.

Really?

2009: 14 games (8 starts)
2010: 16 games (16 starts)
2011: 6 games (5 starts)

36/48 games he's played in with only last year where he's missed significant time.

 

[Ring 6]

Last year, we were reduced to having our #4 center starting.

Now, in the 2nd game, we were reduced to having our #4 RG starting.

WATERS hasn't shown up.
CONNOLLY was out injured.
CANNON, who moved over to RG last week when Connolly was hurt, was needed at RT.
And then there was THOMAS, who might not have made the team if Waters were here.
Some would even put THOMAS 5th behind MCDONALD who is also injured.

In the end, we will be fine when Connolly and Vollmer healthy. Obviously we would be even better with Waters back AND Connolly and Vollmer were healthy.

I think you are mistaken that Cannon played RG last week.
And McDonald was active.

 

[Big-T]

I think you are mistaken that Cannon played RG last week.

He played something like 4 snaps at RG against the Titans.

 

[mgteich]

1) Thomas got game action.

2) The right side was considerably worse by having Thomas instead of Connolly.

3) The offense didn't gel, partly because of poor protection and blocking on the right side.

MY CONCLUSION
I would much rather than Thomas didn't get true game action and that a healthy Connolly or Waters replaces him soon.

I like the fact that Thomas is getting some true game action.

 

[letekro]

Vollmer is never healthy.

He has a chronic back problem. As he is a 6' 8" guy that bends over for a living, I wouldn't expect it to improve.

 

[ATippett56]

2011 New England Patriots starting offensive line to commence the season:

Light - Mankins - Koppen - Waters - Vollmer

2012 New England Patriots offensive line versus the Arizona Cardinals:

Solder - Mankins - Wendell - Thomas - Cannon

If one questions the quality and depth of the safeties on the roster last year, one has to question the quality and depth of the offensive lineman this year.

 

[JackBauer]

2011 New England Patriots starting offensive line to commence the season:

Light - Mankins - Koppen - Waters - Vollmer

2012 New England Patriots offensive line versus the Arizona Cardinals:

Solder - Mankins - Wendell - Thomas - Cannon

If one questions the quality and depth of the safeties on the roster last year, one has to question the quality and depth of the offensive lineman this year.

I'm sure there are many teams who could play three reserve linemen in tandem and not skip a beat against what appears to be one of the better defenses in the league.

 

[ATippett56]

I'm sure there are many teams who could play three reserve linemen in tandem and not skip a beat against what appears to be one of the better defenses in the league.

Wendell is the starting center for the New England Patriots this season.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Wendell is the starting center for the New England Patriots this season.

I agree. When he came in as a 280# FA center, on a high recomendation from a BB coaching comrade, he was too light. But he has built himself up to 300#, and was always a tough guy, very reminscent of Logan Mankins attitude.

Meanwhile he drove Orhernberger off the team, and onto the Cardinals line. He is much more than a reserve now.

 

[WhiZa]

Vollmer is never healthy.

And he never will be. As we saw in Kaczur a back injury to an OL is the kiss of death