Offensive Guards

[DaBruinz]

I'd like to see the Pats draft a new RG later in the draft. I like Neal, but at 31, he's just about done. I like Yates and Hochstein, but they are Jags. Neither Hochstein nor Neal did well during the SB.

The Pats need another mobile mauler.

I like Donald Thomas of Connecticut, though he's got some off-field issues that, not being in New England, I haven't heard much on.

Another is Chad Reinhart of Northern Iowa. Shawn Murphy of Utah State may be a long shot to look at.

 

[dryheat44]

I'd like to see the Pats draft a new RG later in the draft. I like Neal, but at 31, he's just about done. I like Yates and Hochstein, but they are Jags. Neither Hochstein nor Neal did well during the SB.

The Pats need another mobile mauler.

I like Donald Thomas of Connecticut, though he's got some off-field issues that, not being in New England, I haven't heard much on.

Another is Chad Reinhart of Northern Iowa. Shawn Murphy of Utah State may be a long shot to look at.

Lemme add Jeremy Zuttah of Rutgers as a late-rounder. Drew Radovich of USC could be around late also.

 

[BelichickFan]

Although you're talking about much lower picks you should check out Mayock's highlight plays on Brandon Albert from VT. He may end up at Tackle but . . . talk about a mobile mauler who played G in college.

 

[ayjackson]

John Greco looks like a player who could be a nasty guard at the pro level. I think he will be drafted higher as a guard than a team would looking for a RT.

But I'd like to see Kazcur be that mauler. Light moves to RT and we draft Long, Clady, Williams or Otah for LT.

 

[DaBruinz]

Although you're talking about much lower picks you should check out Mayock's highlight plays on Brandon Albert from VT. He may end up at Tackle but . . . talk about a mobile mauler who played G in college.

I figured that Albert would be off the board by the time the Pats picked in the 2nd round. Though, if he is there, I'd be thrilled if the Pats took him.

 

[KevinFaulk-33]

Roy Shuening?

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Dryheat hit on a good one. Zuttah of Rutgers is nasty. As a run blocker he cleared the way for a ton of Rice's yardage. He appears to have decent strength, comes off the ball with a flat back and decent feet. He will move his guy off the LOS.

His two biggest problems that I see are a lack of speed in getting to the second level and pass protection. I think a year or two in the Dante OL boot camp will turn him from a raw prospect into a decent OG.

I do think that Neal's shoulder problemss are becoming chronic and I do not see Russ H. as a viable long term answer. And while I did like what little I saw of Yates, I have doubts about his durability as well.

 

[BradyManny]

I figured that Albert would be off the board by the time the Pats picked in the 2nd round. Though, if he is there, I'd be thrilled if the Pats took him.

I was watching one of Mayock's pieces on nfl.com on top OL in the draft, Albert sounds like a perfect fit for Pats.

Just another reason to hate Goodell, he'd be a perfect guy to take @ 31.

I'm still hoping we trade #7 for #14 & 44 from the Bears, if so, I'd hope he'd be available at #44.

Between the Super Bowl meltdown, inconsistent run blocking early in the year, Neal's health & the OL being mildly overrated in general due to it reaping the benefit of blocking for Tom Brady, I would say OL is a bigger need than widely believed.

It's as high a need as those on defense. In fact, for the various varying degrees of deficiencies our defense is said to have, it still took one terrible defensive performance in Week 17 to prevent us from having the #1 scoring defense despite missing one of our best defensive players for the first 6 weeks, and another one of our best for the final 6.

 

[Seneschal2]

DaBruinz,

Some snippets from a Combine blog on some of the OG prospects:

USC offensive lineman Drew Radovich said that he believes his agility and speed to get into his blocks will translate well to the pro level. He also thinks his pulling ability as a guard will be an asset. He measured in at 6'4 and 307 pounds.

Offensive guard Robert Felton out of Arkansas said he's been training in New Jersey and "is ready to get this over with, run some good times." He was very upbeat during his entire session with the media. And he said he measured in at 6035 and 315 pounds...

Branden Albert, guard from the University of Virginia was the first player to meet the media. He measured in at 6'5 1/2 and 309 pounds. He believes he can play guard or tackle at the next level...

 

[sg14]

For some reason this AM, was wondering if Steve Hutchinson was to be drafted this year, how high would you take him?? He has had a profound impact for each team he has played for.

Then, if the Pats think this Albert kid is as good as Hutchinson, do we grab him at 7????

There is no telling with this front office when it comes to draft day. This scenario is based upon the high evaluation of Albert.

 

[sebman2112]

Roy Schuening (6'4" 306lbs) could be interesting, and he's a projected 2nd or 3rd round pick, according to NFLDraftScout. Played both RG and RT in college (versatility), and has some of the traits NE looks for at Guard:

Pos: Stout at the Point, aggressive, sound angles, footwork is sound, very good push, has some mobility, flashes the ability to pull effectively, gets into his pass set quickly, good awareness in pass pro, can engulf opponents, works to the whistle, intelligent, hard worker, team leader, and has a lot of experience (4 year starter). He's been compared to Logan Mankins.

Negs: Limited athletically, can get off balance, Hand punch needs additional development, doesn't change direction quickly, and he needs to work on keeping his pad level down.

 

[cstjohn17]

I'd like to see the Pats draft a new RG later in the draft. I like Neal, but at 31, he's just about done. I like Yates and Hochstein, but they are Jags. Neither Hochstein nor Neal did well during the SB.

The Pats need another mobile mauler.

I like Donald Thomas of Connecticut, though he's got some off-field issues that, not being in New England, I haven't heard much on.

Another is Chad Reinhart of Northern Iowa. Shawn Murphy of Utah State may be a long shot to look at.

OL is one of the areas (like D Line) that can drive us crazy. An argument can be made for an upgrade, also an argument can be made that neither unit needs more than a tweak. Both units have good starters and signed depth for the next 1-2 years. Also both units have a young pro-bowler that will hit free agency after 2009 (Mankins, Wilfork). In a perfect world teams could stockpile depth 3+ years into the future but realistically 1-2 years in the maximum. It is difficult to have a developmental player on a 53 man roster, especially on a contender.

Personally, I like the idea of more OL depth, Neal has been injury prone and it won't get any better as he gets older. I expect them to draft a tackle (most college tackles end up as guards), also as a backup the player will have to be a swing guard / tackle combo. Some possible names, Barton, Zuttah, Hills, Cousins.

Sam Baker could provide value if he falls to 62.

I also read they have talked to Jamey Richard a Center from Buffalo, he could be a late round guard, backup center.

 

[BradfordPatsFan]

I can say this for Thomas having watched his career at Connecticut. He is fairly agile, can get out on screens, and the team was very successful running behind him the last few years. He's not as good in pass blocking as run blocking but does play with an edge.

He started out as a walk-on and worked his way up the depth chart. An excellent special teamer, especially as a wedge buster. Randy Edsall said that after he earned a scholarship, you never knew it. He played with the same intensity all along.

The off field issues was an arrest for assault (and two game suspension) after getting into a fight outside of an on campus resturant.

 

[captain stone]

I'd like to see the Pats draft a new RG later in the draft. I like Neal, but at 31, he's just about done. I like Yates and Hochstein, but they are Jags. Neither Hochstein nor Neal did well during the SB.

The Pats need another mobile mauler...

I agree with your take on Neal, Yates and Hochstein. Our RG of the future may be needed sooner rather than later.

May I also present for your consideration Mike McGlynn, U of Pitt. He's not very fast, so his ability to consistently reach the second level is in question. But he's tough, durable, productive, versatile and strong enough. He might not last til the Pats' 4th-rounder, so they would have to use one of their 3rd-rounders, preferably their own.

 

[captain stone]

But I'd like to see Kazcur be that mauler. Light moves to RT and we draft Long, Clady, Williams or Otah for LT.

If Jake Long is available at #7, then I think that we should take him. Still not sure about taking any one of the rest, incl. Albert, at #7.

And even if an OLman isn't taken at #7, I would like to see Kaczur given first-team reps at RG during the minicamps and at TC. Let's see if either Britt or O'Callahan has what it takes to perform as a starting-caliber RT for the NEP.

 

[NePatriots]

How about trading our 5th and 2nd to jump ahead of the colts and take Rachal from USC if we really need a guard...

 

[Seneschal2]

Neal update...

I like Neal, but at 31, he's just about done.

I'd still like to upgrade the RG position, but here's the latest on Neal:

There was more good news regarding starting right guard Stephen Neal, who recently underwent surgery, but it wasn’t on the knee he injured at the end of the Super Bowl. It was instead on his shoulder, which has given him trouble each of the last two offseasons.

The surgery went off without a hitch, the source said, and Neal should be ready for the start of training camp. There was no indication that his knee needed to go under the knife.

 

[captain stone]

Very interesting news on Neal. Based on what I had read, I ass-u-med that Neal's injured knee would need major surgery that would put his availability for the start of TC in serious doubt. Glad that's not the case. His shoulders, though, must be a wreck by now.

 

[dryheat44]

Another guy whom I'm really high on is Eric Young out of Tennessee. Most sites have him rated as a guard, but he could play any position on the line except for Center. He's slipping due to injury concerns, but if we don't get an Offensive Tackle early, I wouldn't hesitiate to draft him at 94.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Take your eyes off the pats lineup card for a second....If we are at 7 and a LINEMAN (defense or offense)you think will make multiple pro bowls is there dont you HAVE to take him? It is a position where he will be on the field every play. He wont be a big-time conversion project. He will SAVE us $$ so we can let Mankins go after next year(NO we wont pay the crazy G salaries like Fanaca's). And if he has the long term potential of being a LT Albert might end up being the steal of the draft at #7.....Its not necessarily what I want(pass rusher)but I wont flip out if we grab him....and I wont be surprised either.