OT: SN rates top AFC guards/centers

[Phoenix111]

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=225746

They have the Patriots ranked number 1, right in front of the Chargers. They still have the Chiefs at 3 despite the loss of Will Shields.

 

[CrayzeeNepFan1]

Wow that's surprising I thought that Stephen Neal had a up and down season. Loving that Mankins pick more and more as time goes on, can't say I was thrilled at first on draft day though.

 

[PonyExpress]

Mankins = best guard in NFL.

 

[reflexblue]

You never hear our line mentioned in the same breath as S.D., K.C, the Vikings etc. by any analyst on any Sunday pre-game show or during the game. I'm surprised, not that these analysts are the be all and end all.

 

[Oswlek]

You never hear our line mentioned in the same breath as S.D.,K.C,the Vikings etc. by any analyst on any Sunday pregame show or during the game. I'm surprised.

That is because, for all the talent that they have, their play has been inconsistent. In fairness to the OL, last year they were hamstrung by the WRs and offensive predictibility (actually, the last two years - WRs on 2006 and RBs in 2005). But, while that is a legitimate reason for their disappointing 2005 and 2006 seasons, they still need to prove it on the field before they deserve to be mentioned among the best.

 

[reflexblue]

That is because, for all the talent that they have, their play has been inconsistent. In fairness to the OL, last year they were hamstrung by the WRs and offensive predictibility (actually, the last two years - WRs on 2006 and RBs in 2005). But, while that is a legitimate reason for their disappointing 2005 and 2006 seasons, they still need to prove it on the field before they deserve to be mentioned among the best.

Yes I can see the logic in that, and the year before because of all the injuries on the OL they couldn't get in-sync.

 

[zippo59]

Consistency is what the line needs to prove this year, but the talent is definitely there.

 

[Oswlek]

Yes I can see the logic in that, and the year before because of all the injuries on the OL they couldn't get in-sync.

Yes, you are correct. For some reason I had forgotten about all the injuries in 2005 when I typed my earlier post.

Unless guys drop like flies (again ) this will be the year that they show their stuff - however good that stuff may be.

 

[BelichickFan]

Consistency is what the line needs to prove this year, but the talent is definitely there.

I expect the interior to be strong and Light to be improved as he isn't coming off a tough rehab - RT is still a major issue IMO however.

 

[zippo59]

I expect the interior to be strong and Light to be improved as he isn't coming off a tough rehab - RT is still a major issue IMO however.

To me it's either Kazcur or O'Callaghan. It's an issue because we don't know who it will be but it's not an issue in that we don't have adequate players. There's also Britt and the rookies.

 

[BelichickFan]

To me it's either Kazcur or O'Callaghan. It's an issue because we don't know who it will be but it's not an issue in that we don't have adequate players. There's also Britt and the rookies.

I bolded the key word. I agree with that, we'll have an adequate player. And for an adequate player to be the worst starter, that's OK. But to really be excited about the line, that's a spot I think we could upgrade . . . maybe LT too, I'm curious to see how Light does after an offseason of football work instead of rehab work.

 

[PATSNUTme]

Here is who they rated as the top 5 AFC G/C:

1. Alan Faneca G Steelers
2.Brain Waters G Chiefs
3. Jeff Saturday C Colts
4. Ben Hamilton G Bronco's
5. Kris Dielman G Chargers

That is the Sporting News list, not mine.

 

[ilduce06410]

light was drafted to be a RT

I bolded the key word. I agree with that, we'll have an adequate player. And for an adequate player to be the worst starter, that's OK. But to really be excited about the line, that's a spot I think we could upgrade . . . maybe LT too, I'm curious to see how Light does after an offseason of football work instead of rehab work.

i bullcrap you not.
but bruce armstrong was gone, and a LT was needed.
i wish pats would draft or trade for a LT, move light to RT, and have an outstanding offensive line.

 

[mr3putt]

Light has historically performed better when pushing forward.

His footwork and hand techniques when pass blocking speed rushers has consistantly suffered. Brady has the bruises to prove it.

Coach B has tried to protect him by using TE help but when left on the wing by himself he has demonstrated a matadore quality.

Long term upgrade is needed.

 

[Ghost of Ben Dreith]

Look...we won a SB with a line a heck of a lot worse than what we have now.

This board...no names...has been a consistent OL/Light bashing board for a while. Most, IMO, very much undeserved. The Pats OL is getting lots of love from everywhere else but from this board (at least last season).

I don't doubt for a minute that a lot of this Pats OL love from various publications has to do with getting ahead of the curve on arse kissing for a very good 2007 Pats team. They can point out...."hey...we knew their OL was real good! etc....".

My biggest comment is the OL has been good for a few years.....some fans on this board just don't realize it.

As for the publications ranking the Pats OL high.....great for the OL to get the recognition...but who cares....those pubs will be the 2nd to complain about how much the Pat's line sux if they hit a bump in the road....just behind some on this board.

 

[zarakotas5]

Am I completely wrong about this:

1) Light tends to take the most heat here, at least comparing what he "should" be vs. what he is?

2) He is, at least, in the top third of starting LT. I don't agree with the 4th best as posted earlier, but not far from it if not.

3) His main problem isn't that he fails to execute often, it's just that when he does, he makes it look so effortless for the opponent. When he gets turned, he seems to flop like an NBAer...those images stick with people.

 

[Oswlek]

Look...we won a SB with a line a heck of a lot worse than what we have now.

This board...no names...has been a consistent OL/Light bashing board for a while. Most, IMO, very much undeserved. The Pats OL is getting lots of love from everywhere else but from this board (at least last season).

I don't doubt for a minute that a lot of this Pats OL love from various publications has to do with getting ahead of the curve on arse kissing for a very good 2007 Pats team. They can point out...."hey...we knew their OL was real good! etc....".

My biggest comment is the OL has been good for a few years.....some fans on this board just don't realize it.

As for the publications ranking the Pats OL high.....great for the OL to get the recognition...but who cares....those pubs will be the 2nd to complain about how much the Pat's line sux if they hit a bump in the road....just behind some on this board.

I think this is a tremendous exaggeration. NE's OL is a very good collection of talent that has yet to really put it together on the field consistently.

I am on record of saying that I think that Koppen and Mankins are top 5 players in the league at their positions. Neal IMHO is top 15.

That said, they have been very inconsistent. One game the OL will drive the other team 3 yards back before anyone touches a RB, the next game it seems that 2 tackles need to be broken before the RB can even get to the LOS.

That said, when the other team can drop the SS into the box without fear, that certainly makes the OLs job quite a bit tougher. And when the other team can rush a few extra guys without fear that the WRs will take advantage that also makes things tougher.

However, for all their obvious talent, NE's OL has yet to play as well as it seems that they should. Frankly, I think that the 2003 and 2004 OLs performed better than the 2006 one did. This is despite my opinion that Mankins is better than Andruzzi, Neal and Koppen have improved and Kaczur/O'Calaghan are both better than Gorin/Ashworth.

Does anyone really think that SD's D were that much better than Carolina's of 2003? Or that the 2003 OL would have gotten pushed around by Indy's 2006 defense? I know what I think on both of these.

I expect it to come together, but I think it hasn't just yet.

 

[mgteich]

OG/OC
We also have a couple of solid backups in Hochstein and Yates. We even have an emergency backup in Mruczkowski, who won't make the team unless there is an injury. We are set for years inside.

LT
Light has recovered well from injuries. I don't think he will ever be a pro-bowl LT. However, he does his job and has recovered well from injuries. He does figure to get better this years, since he is healthy. Britt has started, and is an OK backup. Kaycur could start, as he did in his rookie year, and he is a solid backup at LT.

RT
Kaycur and O'Callaghan are fine when healthy. My gut says that O'Callaghan won't we around long. He is injury prone, and has had several concussions. If Kaycur is healthy, we're fine, with Britt as the Game Day backup.

Blocking Scheme
This is being changed for Maroney.

Coaching
Dante is the best in the league.

 

[Pats726]

OG/OC
We also have a couple of solid backups in Hochstein and Yates. We even have an emergency backup in Mruczkowski, who won't make the team unless there is an injury. We are set for years inside.

LT
Light has recovered well from injuries. I don't think he will ever be a pro-bowl LT. However, he does his job and has recovered well from injuries. He does figure to get better this years, since he is healthy. Britt has started, and is an OK backup. Kaycur could start, as he did in his rookie year, and he is a solid backup at LT.

RT
Kaycur and O'Callaghan are fine when healthy. My gut says that O'Callaghan won't we around long. He is injury prone, and has had several concussions. If Kaycur is healthy, we're fine, with Britt as the Game Day backup.

Blocking Scheme
This is being changed for Maroney.

Coaching
Dante is the best in the league.

I agreewith a LOT of what you are saying here...Dante = the best OL coach in the league...AND I have to agree that O'Callaghan might be here for only a brief period..teh concussions/neck injuries are worrisome. Agree totally on Yates/Hochstein/Mrucz...and the latter will NOT make the team..first on the OL shadow roster. I am not sure about Kaczur..to me a question mark..and might be trade bait sometime before the season.

 

[mgteich]

I suppose we could get a 6th for Kaycur if we thought he were washed up, but who else would want him? If O'Callaghan is really short term, and Kaycur is trade bait, then we made a serious error in the draft by not drafting a starting RT at #28 when we had a chance to draft Joe Thomas.

I agreewith a LOT of what you are saying here...Dante = the best OL coach in the league...AND I have to agree that O'Callaghan might be here for only a brief period..teh concussions/neck injuries are worrisome. Agree totally on Yates/Hochstein/Mrucz...and the latter will NOT make the team..first on the OL shadow roster. I am not sure about Kaczur..to me a question mark..and might be trade bait sometime before the season.