Where Will We Draft An Interior Offensive Lineman

[AzorianPats]

We'll take an O-lineman anywhere between the 2nd-4th round. And my prediction.... It's going to be one of the Tennessee prospects.

 

[captain stone]

I can tell you this, Captain: whoever wins that series is going to eat the Penguins alive in 6 games--tops.

Both the Habs and the Bruins are much more oriented to play spring hockey than Pittsburgh is, that's for sure. As far as Boston being out of it, should they win tonight, it'll be a whole new series with the next game at home on Saturday night. I'm not counting them out by any means just yet.

I agree that they don't look too hot in some areas, but they've been getting plenty of pressure and shots, so eventually some will go in. I think the problem is that MON forced them from their usual game into a more wide open style, although I'm no hockey expert, but that is my first thought--along with the fact that they haven't really gotten any momentum so far. That could change with a solid game tonight.

I hope you're right, but I'll be expecting the worst, as usual.

 

[Keyser Söze]

our 2nd pick of the draft. book it.

 

[mgteich]

To be clear, you don't think that Bitonio is an upgrade over Connolly at RG? And just BTW, we have NO RG for 2015. Bitonio seems a fine candidate.

And to state the obvious, our OT's tend to get injured for part of the season.

I don't think Bitonio is a realistic pick at #29 or high 2nd for the Patriots at all. I think Belichick wants the big athletic upside with his high picks and Bitonio is solid at a need but not a guy whose athletic ability is going to make you take notice. He loves guys like this after the first but he wants special players with his first pick.

 

[patchick]

And to state the obvious, our OT's tend to get injured for part of the season.

Which leads to the question, how high a pick would you spend on a tackle this year?

 

[mgteich]

Which leads to the question, how high a pick would you spend on a tackle this year?

How high a pick would I spend? or how high a pick will the patriots spend?

Bitonio at 29 is reasonable since he can be a starting RG this year or next. I suspect that late picks won't be any better than Cannon. Besides, one could wait until next year.

 

[Ivan]

To be clear, you don't think that Bitonio is an upgrade over Connolly at RG? And just BTW, we have NO RG for 2015. Bitonio seems a fine candidate.

And to state the obvious, our OT's tend to get injured for part of the season.

I never said Bitonio wouldn't be an upgrade over Connolly, I said i don't believe he has the athletic upside that Belichick wants in his first rounders and they won't use a first for him. Disagree all you want but at least get it right.


I am not worried about who is playing RG in 2015, i am looking at what they need to do to be a better team this year.

 

[jr_3421]

I think that if Tria Turner from LSU slips to the 4th round, BB should take him (I would be ok with taking him in the 3rd). I personally love to take underclassmen with high contact positions because the number of hits they've taken is a lot lower. Turner is very talented but raw and would not be forced to step in this year and start.

 

[mgteich]

I never said Bitonio wouldn't be an upgrade over Connolly, I said i don't believe he has the athletic upside that Belichick wants in his first rounders and they won't use a first for him. Disagree all you want but at least get it right.


I am not worried about who is playing RG in 2015, i am looking at what they need to do to be a better team this year.

I understand. Many posters agree with you that the draft should focus on the current year.

 

[supafly]

I hope you're right, but I'll be expecting the worst, as usual.

These games are too close for my comfort....damn.

Hopefully, things go their way with 2 of the last 3 at home again (not that they've taken advantage of it lately vs Montreal, but I'd much rather play in Boston than there).

Don't even get me started on this new seeding system this year. How can a team like Pittsburgh, who came in 2nd overall, have drawn the likes of Columbus and the ****ty Rangers? In comparison, Boston drew Detroit (always tough at home, much better than Columbus in my opinion), and then Montreal. It's looking like it would've been much better to lie down and let Pittsburgh get the 1 seed

 

[captain stone]

The NHL wants to be like the NBA & NCAA with seedings, in this case within divisions. I also prefer the old seed-by-conference-standings format.

As for an OLman, I think Bill takes one at 62; if not, then TE. Too bad that Bitonio will likely be long gone by then.

 

[VrabelJr]

To be clear, you don't think that Bitonio is an upgrade over Connolly at RG? And just BTW, we have NO RG for 2015. Bitonio seems a fine candidate.

And to state the obvious, our OT's tend to get injured for part of the season.

That seems to be revisionist history. If by OTs you mean Sebastian Vollmer, then you are right.

 

[supafly]

While we obviously need to select at least one/two OL picks, it was difficult for some to imagine a pick coming quite that high. Hopefully we can grab someone like Bodine tomorrow. I would like that myself.

 

[State]

Stanford's Yankey in the fourth. He is the replacement for Mankins. Needs more nasty, though. He looks the part and has the size and experience. I'd take him with our first of three fourth-rounders.

Zumwalt from UCLA, an OLB to replace Dane Fletcher, has ridiculous good attributes to backup and play ST. I love his tenacity and three-cone time.

 

[mgteich]

Two fourths

While we obviously need to select at least one/two OL picks, it was difficult for some to imagine a pick coming quite that high. Hopefully we can grab someone like Bodine tomorrow. I would like that myself.

 

[manxman2601]

So I'm feeling pretty stupid going on about vertical jumps all spring. doh!

 

[Big-T]

So I'm feeling pretty stupid going on about vertical jumps all spring. doh!

All about DeGuglielmo size & brute strength now!

 

[AzorianPats]

We'll take an O-lineman anywhere between the 2nd-4th round. And my prediction.... It's going to be one of the Tennessee prospects.

I was right with my first prediction. Wrong with the second.

 

[Galeb]

So I'm feeling pretty stupid going on about vertical jumps all spring. doh!

I think the departure of Scar has a lot to do with it.

 

[dryheat44]

I

I think the departure of Scar has a lot to do with it.

I doubt it. I can't imagine BB re-educated himself and his scouts on evaluating offense linemen based on the input on a new positional coach on his third team in three years. I think this board -- myself included at times -- the last two years has paid way too much attention on the scouting combine and pro days and not enough on production -- not only at OL, but at places like DB and DE also -- especially on day three.