he had his bell rung twice during last season..I was surprised he even played through to the end. There is no question that he should play guard over Wendell and if he can sure up his center techniques he's physically better than Wendell at center. If today is any indication, he's the starting center, but I really can't say that day 1 of padded practice means anything more going forward than it's day one.
Connolly is the better player over Wendell at G, and probably at C as well. OTOH he costs more and is getting up there in age. Fielding a Superbowl contender that needs every regular season victory to position well in the playoffs, I do not think the Pats Coaches want to play a rookie on the O-line who has not fully earned the start and is ready.
So even if Stork will likely become the starting C at some point, it will not likely happen Day 1, or perhaps even Year 1.
The problem with Wendell is not toughness or skill, he is as tough as nails, rather it is pure size. Unfortunately, the same applies to Kline at G. Both Wendel and Kline are undersized for their positions; and it will hurt them in the long run. Connolly will need to be replaced within the next few years in any case, but maybe not now.
I'd like to see Connolly start at C and yield to a successor when that player is ready. I'd like to see his vacancy at RG, taken by a fully prepared successor, and have him revert to a swing interior reserve.
I feel young vets Kline or Cannon should be the RG. Halapio it appears needs grooming to handle NFL pass rushers. Many have nominated Cameron Fielding to be a swing tackle, but his best position may well be RG. But either choice, Halapio or Fielding may have to wait until 2015, while being groomed.
