Let's talk about the lines: OFFENSE

RayClay said:

He has a rep as a smashmouth advocate. He's coached 22 years, but i can't find a good article because he spit on someone's shoes during 1 year with the Jets.

Here's a vid and an audio

Britanny twinkie manages to avoid asking any football questions during an entire interview.

http://www.patriots.com/media-center/videos/Patriots_Play_60/a4dce310-3678-4624-adee-56b0db746992

audio

http://www.miamidolphins.com/multim...uglielmo/4030bae3-26ce-49d0-ab57-b0c70b1df897

There was a good article by an actual sports reporter, but I'll be damned if i can find it.

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Thanks for the links.

Aside from the OL addressing its struggles in the interior portions of the line, I am hopeful that the return of Gronk, the development and upgrade in talent at the WR position, and possibly even more use of a 2 RB formation/FB may help in lessening the overall sacks by 5-10 just right off the bat.

I think we're fine if we can improve on last year's poorer performance, and help to limit the number of hits on Brady to a more reasonable number--although we obviously won't know until we're able to see them in TC/preseason/real game settings.

Deus Irae said:

Wendell's never been a good center. He's a backup forced to start because BB made the mistake of ditching Koppen before he had a competent replacement.

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Wendy does indeed suck badly, but Bill actually had a competent replacement for Koppen in Connolly.
But he then foolishly gave the 2012 starting Center job to Wendy, thereby degrading 2 positions with
one move.

captain stone said:

Wendy does indeed suck badly, but Bill actually had a competent replacement for Koppen in Connolly.
But he then foolishly gave the 2012 starting Center job to Wendy, thereby degrading 2 positions with
one move.

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Someone had to play rg

AndyJohnson said:

Someone had to play rg

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I would have played Donald Thomas at RG and Connolly at OC in 2012 personally, and if that worked out resigned Thomas. I thought Thomas was a very good player especially as a run blocker.

Deus Irae said:

Wendell's never been a good center. He's a backup forced to start because BB made the mistake of ditching Koppen before he had a competent replacement.

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The injury to Koppen in 2011 and Waters not returning in 2012 despite being under contract forced Belichick’s hand to a degree. Wendell is a fundamentally sound OC he just lacks the strength needed to hold blocks at the point of attack.

Brady6 said:

I would have played Donald Thomas at RG and Connolly at OC in 2012 personally, and if that worked out resigned Thomas. I thought Thomas was a very good player especially as a run blocker.

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Disagree. Thomas is severely overrated and was awful in his first few games.

Brady6 said:

The injury to Koppen in 2011 and Waters not returning in 2012 despite being under contract forced Belichick’s hand to a degree. Wendell is a fundamentally sound OC he just lacks the strength needed to hold blocks at the point of attack.

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The revisionist history in the post you quoted fails to recognize that Koppen was cut in 2012, because he was horrendous in camp and was soundly beaten out. Not a single camp observer was surprised at all that he was cut.

AndyJohnson said:

The revisionist history in the post you quoted fails to recognize that Koppen was cut in 2012, because he was horrendous in camp and was soundly beaten out. Not a single camp observer was surprised at all that he was cut.

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He was not the same player post injury, which led to his being cut at the end of the preseason in 2012.

supafly said:

Thanks for the links.

Aside from the OL addressing its struggles in the interior portions of the line, I am hopeful that the return of Gronk, the development and upgrade in talent at the WR position, and possibly even more use of a 2 RB formation/FB may help in lessening the overall sacks by 5-10 just right off the bat.

I think we're fine if we can improve on last year's poorer performance, and help to limit the number of hits on Brady to a more reasonable number--although we obviously won't know until we're able to see them in TC/preseason/real game settings.

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Having guys run the right routes will do more than anything to keep Brady on his feet. Many teams have glaring holes at one or more OL positions. With health, I think we could be strong and deep there's only so much you can plug in to any one position (line) with the cap.

RayClay said:

Having guys run the right routes will do more than anything to keep Brady on his feet. Many teams have glaring holes at one or more OL positions. With health, I think we could be strong and deep there's only so much you can plug in to any one position (line) with the cap.

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I think this is being overlooked by many. Peyton Manning is routinely among the best at not being sacked, and it's not because his teams have been so consistent at getting him pro bowl linemen. It's because he usually has the weapons (and the decision making ability) to get rid of the ball before the rush can get there. You obviously want talent on the line too, but just having Gronk as an option and the other receivers a step quicker than last year in their decision making will go a long way to keeping Brady upright.

Sicilian said:

I think this is being overlooked by many. Peyton Manning is routinely among the best at not being sacked, and it's not because his teams have been so consistent at getting him pro bowl linemen. It's because he usually has the weapons (and the decision making ability) to get rid of the ball before the rush can get there. You obviously want talent on the line too, but just having Gronk as an option and the other receivers a step quicker than last year in their decision making will go a long way to keeping Brady upright.

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Also the fear that he will tell the world how his OL failed in the post game news conference helps him...

Pats.com profile of new coach.

DeGuglielmo joined the Giants in 2004 as the assistant offensive line/quality control coach before being elevated to assistant offensive line coach in 2005. During his tenure, the Giants were one of only four NFL teams to have put together a 4.0-yard average per rush attempt or better in each of those four seasons. In 2008, the Giants led the league and established a franchise record with 2,518 rushing yards and 5.0 yards per carry. He joined the Miami Dolphins staff on Jan. 15, 2009 and served three seasons as the offensive line coach. Under DeGuglielmo's guidance, the Dolphins' offensive line blocked for a running game that gained 1,987 yards in 2011 and produced Reggie Bush's first career 1,000-yard season.

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http://www.patriots.com/news/articl...ne-Coach/367f62a4-b7e3-40e7-b840-85b92291231a