Major overhaul on the o-line according to SMY (merged)

Fleming at Guard is surprising, David Shaw said he was a Tackle and a Tackle only and didn't Belichick pretty much say the same thing in a press conference just after he was drafted? Can't complain though, there's no way he will be worse than Devey.

Stork getting his first start in a stadium that wants the title of loudest in the league back is a bold move too, but he is a good player.

Would not be surprised at this. Cannon looked like he simply didn't have the ability to pass block at LG.

If this is true glad Stork is going to start. That flash we got last week with him under center really improved the line dramatically. Hopefully this lineup will be a success tonight and most of the O-Line issues taken care off. *crosses fingers*

Stork starting tonight was something I'd predicted. I think he'll deliver. I'm now pregnant with hope.

Ummm..How much worse can this new OL be than the old one that started the last games?

Give Stork some experience...it's not gong to ruin him...it's football...Hey, Stork and Fleming with experience this early may be very good down the stretch....

We shall find out soon enough

Galeb said:

Would prefer this type of info didn't leak.

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What are the Chiefs going to do now? They have already have their defensive schemes planned and practiced. It isn't like Poe is going to have time to study game film on Stork if he hasn't already.

Good to see BB seeing a problem and adjusting, hopefully it works out. Let's not forget about Stork, he played in loud, hostile environments and the National Championship. He'll handle it

Two rooks protecting Brady huh...

Tonight will be...interesting

Solder
Connolly
Stork
Fleming
Vollmer


Per Shalise Manza Young

Galeb said:

Would prefer this type of info didn't leak.

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They started using it in practice on Wednesday, the team allows reporters to report, I do believe formations are allowed, no? Not really a leak, just reporters doing their job. Even if their fans of the team and would rather now "blow the teams secrecy", they'd be unemployed if they didn't put these things out.

The Chiefs probably knew about this at the same time or before SMY reported it anyways, there aren't many secrets in the NFL, imo, outside of Goodell's closet.

On topic:

My favorite part about this change is that BB isn't being stubborn, like he tends to be at times. They recognize the problem and are attempting to fix it. I like it.

As much as we all like, or liked, the idea of Canon at OG, he's been the 2nd worst linemen only after Devey.

Connolly returns to the position he played best along the OL in his time here, he filled in rather well for Mankins in 2010, better than he played C and certainly better than he played RG. His intelligence and experience should help Solder return to form as well.

Stork and Flemming are Q's, but Stork has looked good in limited snaps and Flemming has looked good outside, it'll be interesting to see how he plays inside. Vollmer is still a rock, but I have to think the revolving door next to him is hurting him just as much as it's hurt Solder.

The good news is that the O-line cannot possibly get worse so this can only help right?

tmajr3 said:

Good to see BB seeing a problem and adjusting, hopefully it works out. Let's not forget about Stork, he played in loud, hostile environments and the National Championship. He'll handle it

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BB on Stork:

“[He] played obviously in a good program down there, played for a real good coach ‘€“ [Assistant Head Coach/Offensive Line] Coach [Rick] Trickett,” Belichick said Saturday. “He was strong; he was part of the Florida State workout the day we were there. He’€™s an athletic kid that runs fairly well. He’€™s a smart football player. He’€™s into football.

“He’€™s really a football guy; loves football, works really hard at football. He wants to be a football player and he’€™s dedicated himself to it; all those qualities that you love in any player but especially an offensive linemen. He’€™s got strength; he’€™s got a good frame for a center. He’€™s got good length and height. He played in a good program, he’€™s well coached, pretty good fundamental player. I thought he was as good as any center that we saw this year, the last couple years.”

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http://itiswhatitis.weei.com/sports...-and-versatility-of-bryan-stork-ryan-wendell/

The "last couple years" have included Travis Frederick (31, 2013), Weston Richburg (43, 2014), Peter Konz (55, 2012), Marcus Martin (70, 2014), and Travis Swanson (76, 2014). That would take us back to 2011, when Mike Pouncey went #15 overall to Miami, 2 picks before the Pats took Nate Solder. The Pats were reportedly very interested in Pouncey and had him rated slightly higher than Solder, who they considered a top 10 talent.

If Stork ends up being "as good as any center" since Mike Pouncey, the Pats will be in pretty decent shape at the position over the long haul.

Interesting. Not very normal for pats to disclose their lineups so early.

Peachhead said:

I hope it helps. We gotta change something there. Unfortunately the biggest problem with the O-line IMO is Coach DeGugliemo, and I doubt he's going anywhere.

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On what basis do you form this opinion? There are plenty of folks wondering about him, given the performance, but nobody who actually knows anything.

strngplyr said:

They started using it in practice on Wednesday, the team allows reporters to report, I do believe formations are allowed, no? Not really a leak, just reporters doing their job. Even if their fans of the team and would rather now "blow the teams secrecy", they'd be unemployed if they didn't put these things out.

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The reporters are only allowed in the locker room and in the portions of practice where players are warming-up and stretching. If SML has information on who is playing, it's because somebody spoke to her. We'll know how good her source is tonight.

Doubt that will happen tonight, but that's got potential to be very good IMO

Mods may want to merge this with the pre-existing thread.

Fleming at RG and Connolly at LG???....Connolly has played RG or C. This gets nuttier by the week.

Well if this new O-Line cannot get Brady past read or progression two the point is moot.

Joker said:

Fleming at RG and Connolly at LG???....Connolly has played RG or C. This gets nuttier by the week.

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Again, there's a pre-existing thread on this. But Conolly played LG reasonably effectively during Logan Mankins' holdout.

I gotta be honest, I liked the Mankins trade at the time - but I assumed the Pats had a plan. All this OL shuffling since then really does not sit well with me. You don't trade your most competent OL without a good contingency plan. I don't care if he was overpaid.

That said, this new lineup is probably worth investing in. Getting Fleming and Stork out there is a good thing.