Center Dan Koppen re-signed for 2 years

MoLewisrocks said:

Getting back to the pre pissing contest predictable unrelated hijack point of this thread...Bedard weights in on what the Koppen signing may mean.

Taking a look at Koppen's return - Extra Points - Boston.com

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Interesting that Bedard thinks that the signing of Koppen does not automatically mean that the Pats will not be looking at the OL in the draft.




Christopher Price with his take on the signing:
It Is What It Is » What the return of Dan Koppen means for the Patriots offensive line




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All Things Pats

Before I even read the thread:

The Patriots now have 4 guys who they regarded as starters last year for the three interior OL positions. 1 could start the season gimpy (but will surely be back later), 1 could retire at any time (but probably won't), 1 is a former Pro Bowler who was declining, and 1 is a career backup.

Behind them are Gallery and 2 youngsters, plus the theoretical possibility of moving Cannon (another youngster) inside. Edit: "2" youngsters was an understatement.

Even if we assume Mankins starts on PUP, the best roster bet is that they'll stand pat this year with what they have, PS action presumably excepted.

Hopefully he didn't sign today. Who wants to sign a contract on Friday the 13th?

Nevermind, I see what happened.

MoLewisrocks said:

Getting back to the pre pissing contest predictable unrelated hijack point of this thread...Bedard weights in on what the Koppen signing may mean.

Taking a look at Koppen's return - Extra Points - Boston.com

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Thanks Mo for getting this back on track.

I have to say I'm a bit surprised, but not shocked. Koppen for many years Koppen was an above average C for the Pats. He was never an impact player, like a Mangold, but a guy you could count on.

What is surprising is what it means, not to Connolly, but to McDonald, who I thought the Pats were grooming to be the long term C of the future. Connolly I felt did a good job setting the middle of the pass protection, better than Koppen, because he is 20 lbs heavier and taller. He could better take on those NT types. Koppen has superior quickness which made him more effective against defenses where he wasn't directly covered by a DLman. He also was a better run blocker than Connolly

So in trying to figure out what it means isn't easy. I think it sets up a great battle among the interior OLmen for starting positions. BTW- before this signing I thought it was a lock that Waters returns, however now, while I think its still likely, I'm not 100% sure anymore.

If in the end Koppen wins the starting C job, I think its another indication that the Pats are looking to run the football more this season.

There are nine OL spots on the roster

OT - Solder, Volmer, Cannon, Thomas

OG - Gallery, Waters, Connolly, Cannon Wendell (Mankns PUP)

OC - Koppen, Connolly McDonald Wendell

That is a very talented and experienced OL - Where the Jets currently don't have a single Offensive line back up who has started an NFL game or had significant snaps, the Pats can boast an OL where EVERY back up has multiple starts, except for Thomas Consider this, the Pats lost 32 games at OL to injuries and still had an OL that was consistently solid. Contrast that to 3 for the Jets. The only reason to add offensive linemen to the Pats at this point would be for camp fodder this summer

JackBauer said:

Nevermind, I see what happened.

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I know it's a bit unusual but there were two entirely different topics being discussed in one thread. Combine that with not a whole lot of other conversation going on right now and I figured I'd separate the two of them into their own threads.

Apologies for the interruption; carry on ...

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/910489-should-pats-draft-wr.html

jmt57 said:

I know it's a bit unusual but there were two entirely different topics being discussed in one thread. Combine that with not a whole lot of other conversation going on right now and I figured I'd separate the two of them into their own threads.

Apologies for the interruption; carry on ...

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/910489-should-pats-draft-wr.html

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Nope, it's totally cool. At first I thought the posts were deleted, which struck me as strange, but separating the topics makes sense.

jmt57 said:

I know it's a bit unusual but there were two entirely different topics being discussed in one thread. Combine that with not a whole lot of other conversation going on right now and I figured I'd separate the two of them into their own threads.

Apologies for the interruption; carry on ...

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/910489-should-pats-draft-wr.html

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Well done, sir.

At the very least it's good insurance should Mankins not be able to go Week 1 and the Pats have to shift Connolly to guard. I liked Connolly at center. His weaknesses were hidden in that spot and he held up well. At guard, those weaknesses might start to re-appear so let's hope Mankins can go Week 1 and Connolly can provide some solid competition for Koppen.

Anyone else get the feeling the Patriots will be trading down in the draft picking up the cheaper more value based picks/contracts?

patfanken said:

Thanks Mo for getting this back on track.


What is surprising is what it means, not to Connolly, but to McDonald, who I thought the Pats were grooming to be the long term C of the future. Connolly I felt did a good job setting the middle of the pass protection, better than Koppen, because he is 20 lbs heavier and taller. He could better take on those NT types. Koppen has superior quickness which made him more effective against defenses where he wasn't directly covered by a DLman. He also was a better run blocker than Connolly

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hhhmmmmmm. just a thought.

would this mean you could possibly consider it feasible for the Pats to alternate C based on that week's opponent's D. Play Connolly vs a 3-4 and play Koppen vs a 4-3?

That would be pretty radical to change out the guy who the QB needs most repoire with and who touches the ball on every play - on a game-plan basis. Luckily TB has worked with both for essentially entire season(s).

ausbacker said:

Anyone else get the feeling the Patriots will be trading down in the draft picking up the cheaper more value based picks/contracts?

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Filenes bargain basement.

Bad deal
Injured old turnstyle to be bullied right up the middle
Waste of cap

So Bill is setting it up to draft Konz ... :singing:

ausbacker said:

Anyone else get the feeling the Patriots will be trading down in the draft picking up the cheaper more value based picks/contracts?

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I think with the way the new CBA slots rookie contracts that is no longer an issue - especially at as late a pick as #27.

Last year's number 27 pick was DB Jimmy Smith of the Ravens; his 4-year contract was for $7.4 million.

Last year's number 31 pick was DE Cameron Heyward of the Steelers; his 4-year contract was for $6.7 million.

For comparison's sake Shane Vereen was the 56th pick of the draft; his 4-year contract was for $3.46 million.

The 2012 cap is practically the same as it was a year ago so the rookie contracts should be very similar as well.

If the Patriots do trade down it won't be because of cap space. Strictly comparing one rookie's wage to another, I can't imagine anyone would consider trading down to beneficial; the team would only save $750k in cap space per player over each of the next four years. In addition if that was their train of thought why sign all these veteran free agents; even a jag veteran free agent would use up more cap space than a late first round rookie draft pick.

mr3putt said:

Bad deal
Injured old turnstyle to be bullied right up the middle
Waste of cap

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Koppen gives us more depth for the immediate future, and also allows Connelly to play the guard position if needed now too--so in essence, he improves two positions.

When you also consider the fact that he may have freed up a potential draft pick too, that would make the possibility of three positions improved.

His chemistry with Brady and the offensive line is great, and he is able to make the necessary adjustment calls on the line--which is also big too.

He also certainly has value in the running game, even more than Connelly--who is a very adequate backup, and can start in a pinch without any problems.

I agree that Koppen isn't as good at holding up the middle on interior pressure, but he certainly has plenty of other attributes to offer.

He didn't sign for big money but what was the signing bonus or guaranteed money? He may still have to earn a spot.

Light might be debating retirement mainly because the Pats may be viewing Solder as the starting LT. Waters, no news is good news. Will Vollmer or Mankins be healthy?

Right now they're 12 deep of NFL caliber lineman + Kyle Hix and Matt Kopa on the roster and almost all of them have played multiple positions. They're in pretty good shape depth wise to handle a retirement or injury.

Tackles
Light
Solder (G)
Vollmer
Cannon (could potentially play Guard)

Guards
Mankins (T)
Waters (C)
Gallery (T)
Thomas (T)

Centers
Connolly (G)
Koppen
McDonald (G)
Wendell (G)

Armchair Quarterback said:

He didn't sign for big money but what was the signing bonus or guaranteed money? He may still have to earn a spot.

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He may "still have to earn a spot?"

Really?

Koppen just signed for 3 million a year. That's obviously starter money.

Even if it wasn't, he certainly "doesn't have to earn a spot." He's more than safe, he's a definite lock.

supafly said:

He may "still have to earn a spot?"

Really?

Koppen just signed for 3 million a year. That's obviously starter money.

Even if it wasn't, he certainly "doesn't have to earn a spot." He's more than safe, he's a definite lock.

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Yeah, really

Connolly signed for 3 years $9.7 million with a 3.25 million signing bonus. What is that, backup money?

Koppen isn't getting $3 million this year, that's the average of a 2 year $6 million contract, hence the question of how the contract is structured and guaranteed money.

Koppen is one of the few O-lineman that can only play one position. He will be 33 going into his 10th year, he is coming off a season where he missed 15 games and was declining before that.

He's not "more than safe" and a "definite lock." He has to earn a spot.

Armchair Quarterback said:

Yeah, really

Connolly signed for 3 years $9.7 million with a 3.25 million signing bonus. What is that, backup money?

Koppen isn't getting $3 million this year, that's the average of a 2 year $6 million contract, hence the question of how the contract is structured and guaranteed money.

Koppen is one of the few O-lineman that can only play one position. He will be 33 going into his 10th year, he is coming off a season where he missed 15 games and was declining before that.

He's not "more than safe" and a "definite lock." He has to earn a spot.

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Dude..I will give you the point that maybe Koppen will have to show that he is still the starter, but to say that "he has to earn a spot" on the 53 man roster is silly.

Who is going to beat him out with a 2 yr/6 million dollar pact? Nick McDonald?

Connelly also provides great depth as a guard too, I think you need to take that into acct when thinking about his pact.