Will our O-Line Allow our Offense to Reach Full Potential?

[skri65]

Our offense is incredible on paper.

QB: Brady---best in the league

RB: Maroney---the sky is the limit (needs to stay healthy)

WR: Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney/Caldwell, Jackson, Washington, Brown (we won't keep all of them, of course)

TE: Watson, Thomas, Brady

That is ridiculous. If our RB/QB position is able to stay healthy, this offense is one of the most dangerous in the NFL.

The ONLY thing (besides injuries) that could possibly slow this offense down would be poor O-Line play. This is my only worry; could our O-Line blow it for our incredibly talented offense? Do you think our O-Line can keep up the pace?

 

[JoeSixPat]

The lack of legitimate deep threats put the OL under an incredible amount of pressure last year. Safeties, having hardly any fear of getting burned deep could creep way up and rush the QB and stop the run, blanket Watson, you name it...


There will be much less pressure on them this year - but let's not lose sight of the fact that a great blocking TE is no longer there to help - hopefully as I just pointed out, less help is needed - but I do have confidence that Kyle Brady's big body blocking ability can more than get the job done

 

[unoriginal]

On paper its seems like the weakest link, but that's just because it doesn't have top-end talent at any position, just a bunch of solid players. I think with the existing depth, draft picks, and change to a new scheme, they'll find five guys who can hold the fort down, even if there are injuries.

Far more than any other position, the Pats have been succesful here at finding their types of players and finding them cheap. Line play has been pretty consistant year in and year out so far.

 

[maverick4]

The more important question is, will JOSH MCDANIEL allow our offense to reach full potential, as well as protect Tom Brady from getting hit too often?

 

[BelichickFan]

The more important question is, will JOSH MCDANIEL allow our offense to reach full potential, as well as protect Tom Brady from getting hit too often?

First, that's not his name.
Second, suggesting McDaniels is less than fully competent is to suggest that Belichick is less than fully competent and picking and training his assistants is a huge part of the Head Coach's job.

McDaniels' offense was 7th in the NFL in points scored last year with one hand tied behind it's back. Why on earth would someone think it'll be a problem this year ?

:bricks:

 

[BelichickFan]

I'm not too concerned about the OL. RT is still a slight concern but if O'Callaghan and Kaczur are both 100% heading into camp we should have a good competition and a worthy victor heading into the regular season. Light was still getting his leg right this time last year, a full offseason of real work, not rehab, should help him a lot.

They're an above average group with a QB who can help them out. They have a running threat and a real passing threat that will prevent the defense from overloading this year. They'll be fine.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

On paper its seems like the weakest link, but that's just because it doesn't have top-end talent at any position, just a bunch of solid players. I think with the existing depth, draft picks, and change to a new scheme, they'll find five guys who can hold the fort down, even if there are injuries.

Far more than any other position, the Pats have been succesful here at finding their types of players and finding them cheap. Line play has been pretty consistant year in and year out so far.

Logan Mankins is just a "solid player"?

 

[unoriginal]

Logan Mankins is just a "solid player"?

Logan Mankins? Was he the Patriot who went to the Pro Bowl this year?

I stand by what I wrote.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

The O-line played pretty well despite their recievers taking a long time getting open. Regarding this upcoming season, of course the O-line will have pressure on them because games are won in the trenches. However, their new recievers will be able to get open a lot faster than the starters of '06-'07.

 

[DarrylS]

The lack of legitimate deep threats put the OL under an incredible amount of pressure last year. Safeties, having hardly any fear of getting burned deep could creep way up and rush the QB and stop the run, blanket Watson, you name it...


There will be much less pressure on them this year - but let's not lose sight of the fact that a great blocking TE is no longer there to help - hopefully as I just pointed out, less help is needed - but I do have confidence that Kyle Brady's big body blocking ability can more than get the job done

Exactly, seems after last season the Pats Hierarchy sat down and had a major confab.. came up with the thought that they can no longer just pick up players off of the street, put them into the system and just excel. It did and will not happen, the lack of receivers hampered their run game and there were a lot of 3 and out. To intimate anything is the fault of one of the parts of this offense is wrong, the only shortcoming last year were the receiving corps. These major upgrades will benefit this team in all areas; time of possession, increased third downs, keeping the other team honest( no more stuffing the box) and provide unbelievable game planning. This O with Brady at the helm will give other teams fits, and opposing D coordinators major headaches.

Our O line is fine, another year of playing together, another year of maturity.. there will be some let downs as there is every year, we do not match up well against Jason Taylor and some of the other individuals (but then again most teams do not).. I look for a huge O year and the only concern I have this and every year are the injuries, which no one can control.

 

[SpiderFox53]

Logan Mankins? Was he the Patriot who went to the Pro Bowl this year?

I stand by what I wrote.

Yes, because we all know the Pro Bowl is an accurate measure of a players ability and not a popularity contest.

 

[c_nice_37]

I am surprised no one has brought up the change in the run blocking scheme as a critical factor to the OLine's success. This is huge IMO.

Also, I like our OL, although we could always use a stud LT and switch Light to RT, but we are solid here.

IMHO, McDaniels was a weakness last year, regardless of where the offense ranked, he had issues moving the ball for a simple 1st down in too many critical spots.