Is the current OL lineup fine for 2015?

Stork was a great find. It's hard to believe a 4th-rounder would become such a critical cog in our Super Bowl championship, but we couldn't have done it without him.

But I agree, we could use an upgrade at guard. It was obvious we couldn't run against some of the better defenses, especially in the play-offs. 14 yards against the Ravens and 57 vs. the Seahawks would usually not be enough, and we barely got by both.

Brady is still playing at a high level, but he's not only getting older. It would be great to see the running game pick up a bigger part of the load for Brady like the old Broncos running game helping Elway finally win his two SBs, and we'll need an upgraded line to accomplish that.

If the Seahawks get rid of Lynch, I would be very interested in making him Corey Dillon 2.0.

JMC00 said:

Belichick just doesn't value a G in that spot and thinks he can get a guy that could be just as good a round later. Although maybe now that his LG is a free agent that opinion has changed.

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Logan Mankins at pick #32 would dispute that.

At #32 - best player available. Maybe trade down and get a few pick.

I would love for NE to skip all the glamour positions in the draft and go DL/OL. But we'll see. No one can know for sure when a team is drafting so low - but has BB ever had a draft that didn't include OLs ?

The Gr8est said:

Logan Mankins at pick #32 would dispute that.

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Logan Mankins was also 10 years ago and was a T that moved to G.

But my statement was from something Belichick said to Curran a couple of years after Mankins was drafted.

The current OL lineup wasn't fine for 2014, even though the Patriots won the Super Bowl. I don't imagine BB will think it's fine for 2015.

JMC00 said:

Belichick just doesn't value a G in that spot and thinks he can get a guy that could be just as good a round later. Although maybe now that his LG is a free agent that opinion has changed.

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So you're saying... Bill doesn't value this G-spot?

My first thought is to weigh depth, age, and potential on DL vs OL and figure who gets the first look. I'll ignore the subtle & complex manuevers of taking the best value player or trading up/down, etc etc. And, I'll stay ignorant of current contracts further complicating these decisions...

Forgive me if I'm missing IR'd players... but eyeball the Roster: where do we need someone READY for 2016? Don't you want to grab that person in 2015?

My lean is toward D-Line.

O-Line:
Solder
Wendell
Stork
Connolly
Vollmer
Fleming
Cannon
Kline
Devey

D-line:
Wilfork
Ninkovich
Jones, Chandler
Jones, Chris
Siliga
Branch
Vellano
Easley
Moore
Buchanan

Get one or two prospects on the interior. Need a better run game to reduce the wear and tear on brady

1) We are set at OT with Solder, Vollmer, Cannon and Fleming, even if Belichick decides to dump one of the expensive starters.

2) We are fine at C, and have a solid backup in Wendell. I'm fine with Wendell at RG. I'm just saying that Wendell has a roster spot, even if it only as our backup center.

3) We will draft (and/or bring in) some guards. We need future starters. Cannon and/or Fleming might have a future at RG, or not. Kline or Devey might have a future, or not. There is plenty of "roster room".
If we consider Wendell a backup center, we have THREE open spots at OG.

BOTTOM LINE
We have three open roster spots at OG. Connolly could fill one of them. Wendell could fill one. Devey could fill one. Kline could fill one. Barker could even fill one. Or we could add a free agent and/or a draft choice or two or three.

Personally, I think that Belichick will draft two offensive lineman as high as he needs to. If there is need for an OT (if he cuts Solder or Vollmer), he might use a 1st or 2nd. If he is drafting an OG, he is more likely to use two choices after the 2nd round.

Belichick started the redo of the interior of the OL a year later than we might have wanted, but he did start last year. Two key contributors were added. Two more this year would be awesome.

We definitely need 2 guards, one that can do his job and help out Solder while he is at it. BB may not value a lineman in the early rounds. But he sees the problem. And if getting a good guard in the top 2 rounds will fix the issue I think he does it.
Or he could sign a FA, any good guards free?

JMC00 said:

Belichick just doesn't value a G in that spot and thinks he can get a guy that could be just as good a round later. Although maybe now that his LG is a free agent that opinion has changed.

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Never know. Mankind was considered a reach, if there's a similar talent at 32 I doubt bb would pass .

When you are picking at #32 you are not going to get a top-tier player at certain positions, such as OT, DT or DE. However, at that spot (or trade down from #1, or up from #2) you most likely could get the draft's best guard.

Dan Connolly will be 33 when the season begins so you need to think about replacing him soon, and Ryan Wendell is a slightly undersized overachiever who sometimes struggles in pass protection. It wouldn't be a bad idea to upgrade the position as injuries are inevitable in the NFL. A rookie taking over at guard would allow Wendell to be the sub off the bench rather than Josh Kline; that in itself would be a huge improvement.

The supposed draft experts are saying this year's draft is loaded with defensive linemen that can rush the passer. So they may go defense first. Agree with everyone that feels the o-line should be a draft focus in Rounds 3+

buile said:

My first thought is to weigh depth, age, and potential on DL vs OL and figure who gets the first look. I'll ignore the subtle & complex manuevers of taking the best value player or trading up/down, etc etc. And, I'll stay ignorant of current contracts further complicating these decisions...

Forgive me if I'm missing IR'd players... but eyeball the Roster: where do we need someone READY for 2016? Don't you want to grab that person in 2015?

My lean is toward D-Line.

O-Line:
Solder
Wendell
Stork
Connolly
Vollmer
Fleming
Cannon
Kline
Devey
Moore

D-line:
Wilfork
Ninkovich
Jones, Chandler
Jones, Chris
Siliga
Branch
Vellano
Easley

Click to expand...

You forgot Moore and Buchanan

makoute said:

You forgot Moore and Buchanan

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I stuck Moore on the wrong list, and yes, missed Buchanan. Thx! Amended my list...

patsinthesnow said:

Connolly is a FA and probably could be resigned for cheap.

Solder - Connolly - Stork - Wendell - Vollmer

That OL combination gave Brady enough time to carve up the 3 of the best defenses in the NFL (Bills, Lions, Seahawks). They also stonewalled the Broncos/Ravens pass rushers.

Is OL really a need? Vollmer returned to All-Pro form this year, Stork looks like a future 10 year starter at C, and Solder pulled his head out of his @$$ after the Chargers game. Our guards aren't anything special but does upgrading them really warrant a 1st or 2nd round pick?

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Yes!

They need to draft Logan Mankin's Successor. They could NOT force the run against 2 of the 3 Playoff teams. Brady had to throw 50 passes.

He is the only QB in League history, to throw 50 passes and Win.

I suspect that Cam Fleming will become our starting RG, perhaps in 2015.

Connoly is merely good, but he is 33, so its time to find a premium LG, and they have no one on the roster who has the credentials to become a candidate.

Patterned on the Mankins model, he should be one the biggere, high(er) LOT candidates who is also known for his run blocking ability, but can swing to LT in an emergency. That is how you get a "2-fer", a Starting LG, and Swing Tackle. Which is the way BB justifies using a First or Second on a "mere Guard".

The Gr8est said:

Why do you say that? Are there no guards worth a 1st round pick?

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John Hannah. Generally, guard isn't the most sought after position and you'd be adding one more high contract for the future, which I doubt is the plan given all the young first round, Jamie Collins and others we'll need to pay for.

Why spenda first on a position where you might get a great player without that.

It's unlikely you'll find a great defensive lineman with a mid to low pick (possible, but unlikely) very likely you could find a great guard through camp competition. We have extra 3rds and 4ths. Should be plenty of top guards pushed down to that are since tackles and centers, skilled position players and defensive linemen/pass rushers all get picked higher than guards.

RayClay said:

John Hannah. Generally, guard isn't the most sought after position and you'd be adding one more high contract for the future, which I doubt is the plan given all the young first round, Jamie Collins and others we'll need to pay for.

Why spenda first on a position where you might get a great player without that.

It's unlikely you'll find a great defensive lineman with a mid to low pick (possible, but unlikely) very likely you could find a great guard through camp competition. We have extra 3rds and 4ths. Should be plenty of top guards pushed down to that are since tackles and centers, skilled position players and defensive linemen/pass rushers all get picked higher than guards.

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There are good examples on either side of the coin. Zack Martin in Dallas last year. After a slow start to his career. Partially because of injury. Dave DeCastro helped Pittsburgh quite a bit last year. And, Mankins of course.

Conversely, a kid like John Urschel - 5th rounder out of PSU for Baltimore was really good this year. Did a great job on VW. Jahri Eveans - 5th rounder out of Bloomsburg U helped NO right away and is now one of the best guards in football.

Brady has no rival (never mind equal) against even the toughest defense when he has time. With that in mind, any upgrades on the offensive line would be welcome ones. Give Tom 4 seconds in the pocket and nobody is safe from a 60 burger, and 19-0 is a real possibility next year considering how weak our schedule looks

DL and OL are the biggest needs, in that order.