Somewhere in the back of mind, I have to wonder about 2 things
1. How long is going to take for Ryan Wendell to get back?
2. How well are the 2 rookies ACTUALLY doing?
Leave it to Belechick to penetrate to the heart of the matter. He doesn't need a game-breaking RB nor even a game breaking WR. They are superfluous to winning a Championship ,as long as competence exists at those positions. But an Offensive line that is not superior in some positions like Left and Right tackle and even merely competent elsewhere, can sabotage any Offense and even get a QB injured.
So he traded off a possible future ST star to merely acquire a LG that might be a below average, but hopefully competent reserve at LG.
Tre Jackson seems to be a a natural to excel at RG and can be back-uped by either/both Fleming or Wendel or cannon. But the issue is LG. Shaq Mason is a powerful G/C who is a starter quality player but who is significantly undersized. He is also inexperienced at Pass blocking. Kline is merely a average PS squader who is also somewhat undersized. Belichick felt, quite correctly IMHO, that he wanted more assurance.
Gory who is NOT undersized, 6'4.5 " and 320#s, has played LG in the Big Ten, and has size and valid combine statistics. The question is why with those credentials, he went un-drafted. Can he play? But perhaps BB was not looking for a starter, but someone who will not embarass the rest of the line. It appears he got what he was looking to get.
Once again BB uses all three methods to acquire talent, while leaving no obvious holes. Firstly the Draft, secondly key veterans FA, who may not be on the ascending part of their careers, but can play; and finally trades to fill for the few holes remaining.
