Anyone surprised about Dan Connolly?

supafly · Apr 11, 2015

AzPatsFan said:
An altogether apropos comment.

It seems everyone is overlooking the Belechick oft stated preference regarding Offensive linemen. Namely: "...You draft left tackles; and the less successful ones, you make in to good Guards. also " ... You can always find a Guard..."

Cannon, Fleming and Devey were all tackles in college. All three are potential Guard candidates in his eyes. All have taken some snaps at Guard already. I expect that BB will draft a lower rated tackle and convert him to Guard, too.

Good point. I think that both Cannon and Fleming could eventually see time at the RG position in the near future.

Not as sure about Devey, although I have a feeling that the OL coach/BB don't see him in as poor of a light as most of us here do. I still think that Kline has potential, but we'll have to see. I think Kline is a backup who should make the team. Not as sure about Devey though.

mgteich · Apr 11, 2015

supafly said:
Good point. I think that both Cannon and Fleming could eventually see time at the RG position in the near future.

Not as sure about Devey, although I have a feeling that the OL coach/BB don't see him in as poor of a light as most of us here do. I still think that Kline has potential, but we'll have to see. I think Kline is a backup who should make the team. Not as sure about Devey though.

It could very well be that Belichick thinks that he has his starting LG in Kline. In any case, I think that will be draft a guard in the first four rounds as we did on 2014.

The open question is whether when we pick at 32, Belichick thinks that we need a starting LG. If he does, there should be several available at 32 or with a bit of trade down.

Also, IMO, we don't have a LT for 2016, so it would be good to draft a LT who could also start at LG. Fisher, Peat, Erving and Flowers are some that might be available.

Jimke · Apr 11, 2015

mgteich said:
It could very well be that Belichick thinks that he has his starting LG in Kline. In any case, I think that will be draft a guard in the first four rounds as we did on 2014.

The open question is whether when we pick at 32, Belichick thinks that we need a starting LG. If he does, there should be several available at 32 or with a bit of trade down.

Also, IMO, we don't have a LT for 2016, so it would be good to draft a LT who could also start at LG. Fisher, Peat, Erving and Flowers are some that might be available.

The Patriots are coming to the end of the Dunn agency clients (Solder and Gostkowski). I think
they may be in the market for both a left tackle and kicker as possible replacements.

mgteich · Apr 11, 2015

Jimke said:
The Patriots are coming to the end of the Dunn agency clients (Solder and Gostkowski). I think
they may be in the market for both a left tackle and kicker as possible replacements.

Gostkowski's contract is guaranteed for 2015.

I agree with regard to Solder.

Gumby · Apr 11, 2015

Jimke said:
The Patriots are coming to the end of the Dunn agency clients (Solder and Gostkowski). I think
they may be in the market for both a left tackle and kicker as possible replacements.

I don't really believe that lack of love for Dunn would cause them to drop a player they like.

While bb loves to bring in guys to challenge players, even kickers, I think he is ok with paying top 5 money at a position that touches the ball on or right after every scoring play. Gost isn't going anywhere.

On the other hand, Solder is ... Well .... Essentially replaceable. Good not great. But him being replaced, if it happens, is most likely on him and the way of the FA market and not necessarily to do with Dunn (directly).

Jimke · Apr 11, 2015

With regard to Gostkowski, I don't believe the Patriots will apply the franchise tag two
years in a row. Don't think they will agree to a multi year deal with a signing bonus either.
Might as well start checking out kickers for 2016.

supafly · Apr 11, 2015

Jimke said:
With regard to Gostkowski, I don't believe the Patriots will apply the franchise tag two
years in a row. Don't think they will agree to a multi year deal with a signing bonus either.
Might as well start checking out kickers for 2016.

Why don't you feel as though an extension is possible?

EDIT: I assume it's all about Dunn.

mgteich · Apr 11, 2015

Jimke said:
With regard to Gostkowski, I don't believe the Patriots will apply the franchise tag two
years in a row. Don't think they will agree to a multi year deal with a signing bonus either.
Might as well start checking out kickers for 2016.

Why not?

And what does good does it to find a kicker now?

IcyPatriot · Jun 30, 2015

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...ith-darrelle-revis-again-before-training-camp

3. Here is my understanding of what is happening with free-agent veteran guard Dan Connolly: The Buccaneers made a strong pitch to him, enticing him about the possibility of again playing alongside Logan Mankins, but Connolly’s reluctance to uproot/be away from his family was the primary factor that led him to decline that option.

Meanwhile, Connolly could have been enticed to play a 10th NFL season with the Patriots, although my sense is that the club hasn’t aggressively pursued that option at this time. That could always change should an injury hit, or some of the club’s young guards don’t develop as quickly as desired, but right now I wouldn’t be surprised if Connolly ultimately decided that winning a Super Bowl in 2014 isn’t a bad way to end a career. To the casual eye, he also looked like he dropped some significant weight when spotted on video at the team’s Super Bowl ring ceremony, where he was sitting next to Brady.

TheBostonStraggler · Jun 30, 2015

supafly said:
Why don't you feel as though an extension is possible?

EDIT: I assume it's all about Dunn.

The Agency seems to be in some sort of power play turmoil.
Some time ago there was a tweet from an Exec there named Unger, who is officially under Dunn, saying he is only under an exec named Clarence Oveur, and in reality is over Dunn.
It's a real mess over there...

Ivan · Jun 30, 2015

Deus Irae said:
This team let Revis walk. After that, I won't be surprised by anyone they let get away this offseason. Hell, I'm not sure if cutting Brady would surprise me at this point.

This is a ridiculous post, they paid Revis huge money for one season and made him a big offer that was topped by the jets with an even bigger offer, and regardless of what they offered him m the jets would have n gone higher. Acting like they made no effort is ibullsh.t revisionist history.

shmessy · Jun 30, 2015

IcyPatriot said:
http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...ith-darrelle-revis-again-before-training-camp

3. Here is my understanding of what is happening with free-agent veteran guard Dan Connolly: The Buccaneers made a strong pitch to him, enticing him about the possibility of again playing alongside Logan Mankins, but Connolly’s reluctance to uproot/be away from his family was the primary factor that led him to decline that option.

Meanwhile, Connolly could have been enticed to play a 10th NFL season with the Patriots, although my sense is that the club hasn’t aggressively pursued that option at this time. That could always change should an injury hit, or some of the club’s young guards don’t develop as quickly as desired, but right now I wouldn’t be surprised if Connolly ultimately decided that winning a Super Bowl in 2014 isn’t a bad way to end a career. To the casual eye, he also looked like he dropped some significant weight when spotted on video at the team’s Super Bowl ring ceremony, where he was sitting next to Brady.

This.

Connolly is a bright guy who has endured several concussions the past few seasons. In fact, the last few years, it seems to have been an annual event. I think Reiss is onto something with what he wrote there. I wouldn't be surprised if Dan Connolly has chosen to live the rest of his life in a healthy (as possible) manner. If so, good on you, Dan! You exceeded all expectations, went out a champion and walked away on your own terms.

JarOfMayo51 · Jun 30, 2015

Ivan said:
This is a ridiculous post, they paid Revis huge money for one season and made him a big offer that was topped by the jets with an even bigger offer, and regardless of what they offered him m the jets would have n gone higher. Acting like they made no effort is ibullsh.t revisionist history.

Yup, there was no chance Revis was staying without the Patriots making an absurd offer that would have hurt them cap wise.

The Jets were not going to lose the bidding war for him. Woody had it out for BB after the tampering charges were filed and they treated signing Revis as if it were their Super Bowl.

It was a billionaire that wanted his binky so he could "win" against another rival billionaire. Revis was gone the second they didn't exercise his option.

Canuck · Jun 30, 2015

Connolly will be 33 in September. Connolly rated 72nd out of 78 guards in 2014, per Pro Football Focus. In the beginning I was surprised but when you look into it, it makes sense for Patriots to let him go. I thought they might keep Connolly another year but I was wrong.

supafly · Jun 30, 2015

Canuck said:
Connolly will be 33 in September. Connolly rated 72nd out of 78 guards in 2014, per Pro Football Focus. In the beginning I was surprised but when you look into it, it makes sense for Patriots to let him go. I thought they might keep Connolly another year but I was wrong.

I too, thought that Connelly could be a decent candidate to return for one last season once he wasn't signing anywhere, but it looks as though the team is ready to move forward without him.

fgssand · Jun 30, 2015

supafly said:
I too, thought that Connelly could be a decent candidate to return for one last season once he wasn't signing anywhere, but it looks as though the team is ready to move forward without him.

When we took our locker room tour at the BB dinner, it appeared that his locker was totally empty. That could mean it's there if he wants it and they are saving his space, or it's all over for him.

supafly · Jun 30, 2015

fgssand said:
When we took our locker room tour at the BB dinner, it appeared that his locker was totally empty. That could mean it's there if he wants it and they are saving his space, or it's all over for him.

Yeah, I'd be interested in knowing which side wanted to move on, or even if there was some mutual agreement involved on some level, but we'll likely never know.

Thanks for sharing the info about the locker room tour. I'm guessing between that and the info from Reiss regarding his weight loss/slim down, we can safely assume that Connelly definitely won't be back. Some had already come to this conclusion at some point in FA/draft time.

fgssand · Jul 1, 2015

supafly said:
Yeah, I'd be interested in knowing which side wanted to move on, or even if there was some mutual agreement involved on some level, but we'll likely never know.

Thanks for sharing the info about the locker room tour. I'm guessing between that and the info from Reiss regarding his weight loss/slim down, we can safely assume that Connelly definitely won't be back. Some had already come to this conclusion at some point in FA/draft time.

I think without a doubt, the weight loss is a real tell.

PatsFan2 · Jul 1, 2015

kennyb said:
Cannon's play was sickening. Couldn't believe they gave him an extension. How is if he played lt in college and can't even play guard?

Happy they're letting connoly go. Time for him to be put to pasture.

Couldn't agree more Marcus Cannon played Terrible last year was surprised he was even dressed on gamedays.

Ivan · Jul 1, 2015

Canuck said:
Connolly will be 33 in September. Connolly rated 72nd out of 78 guards in 2014, per Pro Football Focus. In the beginning I was surprised but when you look into it, it makes sense for Patriots to let him go. I thought they might keep Connolly another year but I was wrong.

That's strange, the guy who lives in his mother's basement down the street had him at #74.

I guess great minds think alike.

Anyone surprised about Dan Connolly?

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