Do we need to draft a OT?

[carolinatony]

We used the TE more for blocking than most teams so I am wondering if we need to upgrate the OL.
Maybe this is why at times we have a hard time opening up holes for the running game as well.
Would you draft a OT in the later rounds?

 

[Fencer]

We used the TE more for blocking than most teams so I am wondering if we need to upgrate the OL.
Maybe this is why at times we have a hard time opening up holes for the running game as well.
Would you draft a OT in the later rounds?

I think four young OTs is probably enough.

 

[patchick]

We used the TE more for blocking than most teams so I am wondering if we need to upgrate the OL.
Maybe this is why at times we have a hard time opening up holes for the running game as well.
Would you draft a OT in the later rounds?

It's hard to imagine that drafting an OT in the later rounds is likely to upgrade the OL. Light-Kaczur-O'Callaghan-Britt isn't a bad group at all (and already includes 3 second-day draft picks from the past two years). If BB thinks he needs an upgrade, he could surprise with a Joe Staley or Tony Ugoh in rounds 1-2.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

It's hard to imagine that drafting an OT in the later rounds is likely to upgrade the OL. Light-Kaczur-O'Callaghan-Britt isn't a bad group at all (and already includes 3 second-day draft picks from the past two years). If BB thinks he needs an upgrade, he could surprise with a Joe Staley or Tony Ugoh in rounds 1-2.

What she said. This is a reasonably deep draft for OT.

"Need" is a much abused word, what we "need" to remember is last season Light and Kaczur were both coming off injuries that limited them in the off-season program. O'Callaghan started the season at RT as a rookie before Kac was healthy enough to win the job back, all five OTs on the roster ended the year relatively healthy and should get the full benefit of the off-season program.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

How do we know they finished the year relatively healthy. It lloked to me like Kazcur was wearing a shoulder brace all season and O'Callaghan has a rather long injury sheet.

Pretend it's the 1st game of the 2007 season and the Patriots have the ball. It's third and 1 on the opponents 15 yard line. The Pats are going to man up and go for it on the ground. Do you have absolute faith in sending Maroney over either Kazcur or Light for the 1st down? How about Britt or O'Callghan?

If an OT is available that BB thinks is an improvement over what we currently have on the roster, I believe he will take him.

 

[carolinatony]

"Pretend it's the 1st game of the 2007 season and the Patriots have the ball. It's third and 1 on the opponents 15 yard line. The Pats are going to man up and go for it on the ground. Do you have absolute faith in sending Maroney over either Kazcur or Light for the 1st down? How about Britt or O'Callghan? "


This is my thought. Unless we have a John Hannah on the line to run behind we can always use a upgrade imo.
Teams win on the line.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Off/Def Line play is all about physically imposing your will on your opponent.

Our current group is above average. Light is a current Pro bowler, Mankins and Koppen are on the cusp of future pro bowls. That leaves the opportunity for upgrades on the right side of the line.

If the right palyer is available in the right spot, I can not think of any reason why BB would pass, unless he had the opportunity to upgrade another area.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Off/Def Line play is all about physically imposing your will on your opponent.

Our current group is above average. Light is a current Pro bowler, Mankins and Koppen are on the cusp of future pro bowls. That leaves the opportunity for upgrades on the right side of the line.

If the right palyer is available in the right spot, I can not think of any reason why BB would pass, unless he had the opportunity to upgrade another area.

I have no issue with the concept of upgrading at OT, acquiring a more talented OL at any point in the draft isn't waste in my book. I believe the Pats will need to acquire 2nd day/UDFA players for camp/Practice Squad slots at very minimum.

Yates was the only OL who finished the season on IR, within the training room secrecy of New England that is "relatively" healthy. Kaczur finishing the season in a shoulder harness is no surprise, Neal has been wearing one since his last shoulder surgery. Kac wearing one coming back from surgery is prudent while he was still healing and seeing his first action - it may be something he wears for the rest of his career, like Neal.

O'Callaghan is a low cost OL, we can hope he is well and has a productive season, he at least gets an off-season program to develop further.

 

[bucky]

O'Callaghan is a low cost OL, we can hope he is well and has a productive season, he at least gets an off-season program to develop further.

O'Callaghan is a decent player, but his history of concussions is a major concern. Especially now that concussions are getting so much play in the media. Last year, O'Callaghan missed a bunch of games with an injury that was termed "head". Unfortunately, I think Ryan's career is going to be a short one if he has to play as a starter.

On the plus side, all he has to do here is be a backup and play part time when Kaczur or Light is hurt. If Kaczur is 100% going into the draft, I don't think the Pats need any OT help. If Kaczur's shoulder turns out to be a serious problem, I don't think O'Callaghan and Britt are enough.

 

[patsfan55]

ot could def be upgraded
although i only see it happening if someone we really loves falls to us early
as for kaczur, i think a lot forget hes actually 27

 

[patsfan55]

ot could def be upgraded
although i only see it happening if someone we really loves falls to us early
as for kaczur, i think a lot forget hes actually 27

just looked it up, he will be 28 before the yr starts

 

[Water Boy]

We used the TE more for blocking than most teams so I am wondering if we need to upgrate the OL.
Maybe this is why at times we have a hard time opening up holes for the running game as well.
Would you draft a OT in the later rounds?

In my opinion, the failure of the running game last season had more to do with our lack of passing game, than poor blocking by the OL. Our WR corp was in shambles and safetys could play in the box and didn't need to respect the pass.

 

[carolinatony]

"In my opinion, the failure of the running game last season had more to do with our lack of passing game, than poor blocking by the OL. Our WR corp was in shambles and safetys could play in the box and didn't need to respect the pass."

I hope you are right..thanks

 

[VJCPatriot]

I don't see us drafting an OT UNLESS it is a significant upgrade to what we already have. The Pats have a lot of young guys developing in the pipeline. I could see O'Callahan possibly claiming a starting role at one of our OT spots if he has a great training camp and stays healthy.