Offensive Line Discussions

supafly said:

I'm guessing that you meant fourth rounder, rather that first rounder. Either way, yes--my comment was in response to a poster who had suggested that Mason may not make the team. As we know, that isn't going to happen, as he is a lock.

The only time I remember a 4th rounder being cut was maybe in 2007? Is that who you are speaking of?

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Kareem Brown 2007. He was cut after the 3rd or 4th game.

Tackles: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon, Fleming
Guards: Jackson, Mason, Wendell, ???????
Center: Stork

Two scenarios for 9th guy
-Kline as 4th guard
-Williams as 4th tackle and Fleming as 4th guard

hornetfb85 said:

Tackles: Solder, Vollmer, Cannon, Fleming
Guards: Jackson, Mason, Wendell, ???????
Center: Stork

Two scenarios for 9th guy
-Kline as 4th guard
-Williams as 4th tackle and Fleming as 4th guard

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Kline. Has been backing up both OG spots. Williams only makes the team at TE that's how I see it.

Well imo the guys who make the team are Solder Wendell Stork Jackson Vollmer Mason Kline Cannon Flemming and the first 5 are likely the day 1 starters IMO.

The little news i have heard about stork IIRC indicates he will start week 1. I don't have a link but i think i remember hearing that somewhere. Could be wrong.

As the year goes on i have no doubt i will like the line more and more but there will be issues early. I think Wendell takes Mason's spot early. I don't think Kline starts for Jackson unless he has a very tough go of it early. Solder depends a lot on his guard as we saw last year and it is unfortunate this years potential weak link could be there as it makes him weaker too.

I think overall the C and right side will be okay.

The run blocking will continue to be an issue early on. The pass blocking however has been a bit encouraging considering where i thought it would be. Once Edelman is back though the ball will come out fast anyway generally which will help.

Honestly the Patriots have made a big effort to become a very good run blocking team in the OL this year with hopes it will pay dividends come playoff time. I think it could and will. At least they won't have a proformance like they did against Baltimore last year again.

Overall his will be the weak link of the team for much of the early year but Brady and those WRs will be good enough to cover it up most series.

manxman2601 said:

Kline. Has been backing up both OG spots. Williams only makes the team at TE that's how I see it.

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I know that Kline has played both LG and Center. I haven't noticed him at RG, and frankly I don't want him there in a real game. Isn't that why Bill has drafted the unathletic blobs Cannonfodder, Fleming & Jackson, so they can be the RGs/backup RTs?

In a better-case scenario, Mason would be a C/LG only. I suggested the possibility of his playing RG because Jackson has absolutely sucked in the pre-season and at least Mason has experience at the position. I would also be very amenable to seeing Fleming taking more reps at RG.

Good post.....Right now the tackles are set with Vollmer and Solder but the guards are where most of us have questions. I really like the potential that Mason has but right now, I'm just not sure if he's ready to start. I think Wendell starts at guard along with Jackson and our center will obviously be Stork. If Stork isn't ready for week one, things will get really interesting. I like Wendell at center better than Andrews and would start him there until Stork is back. Who starts at the other guard, Kline or Mason....I would tend to lean toward Mason because of the upside.

ashley1992 said:

. If Stork isn't ready for week one, things will get really interesting. I like Wendell at center better than Andrews and would start him there until Stork is back. Who starts at the other guard, Kline or Mason....I would tend to lean toward Mason because of the upside.

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I don't understand this logic.

If Stork isn't available for a couple of weeks, we don't need a player with upside; we need a player with experience. I think that Kline is the better choice.

mgteich said:

I don't understand this logic.

If Stork isn't available for a couple of weeks, we don't need a player with upside; we need a player with experience. I think that Kline is the better choice.

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If Stork isn't available, would you go with Andrews at center or Wendell at center?

I think Kline is ok, nothing special though, hoping with more experience Mason would be better and a better option. Not sure though.

manxman2601 said:

Kline. Has been backing up both OG spots. Williams only makes the team at TE that's how I see it.

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You raise a good point. If Williams can be the 3rd TE and backup OT he saves a roster spot. That definitely helps his chances.

ashley1992 said:

If Stork isn't available, would you go with Andrews at center or Wendell at center?

I think Kline is ok, nothing special though, hoping with more experience Mason would be better and a better option. Not sure though.

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I would actually go with Andrews over Kline and even Wendell. He has been very solid at center (e.g., he doesn't let himself get backed into the pocket), surprising for an UDFA; he has not messed up except for an accidental double-block that let a rusher get to Garo. He also was tried out at RG and did well on a pull that sprung White for a 7 yard gain.

Stork will start week 1. Andrews makes the roster as a backup C/RG

Wendell is my surprise cut for this year.

PP2 said:

I would actually go with Andrews over Kline and even Wendell. He has been very solid at center (e.g., he doesn't let himself get backed into the pocket), surprising for an UDFA; he has not messed up except for an accidental double-block that let a rusher get to Garo. He also was tried out at RG and did well on a pull that sprung White for a 7 yard gain.

Stork will start week 1. Andrews makes the roster as a backup C/RG

Wendell is my surprise cut for this year.

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Interesting, who would your starting OL be if Stork isn't ready to go week 1?

ashley1992 said:

Interesting, who would your starting OL be if Stork isn't ready to go week 1?

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Think he'll be ready to go. He's been seen in the locker room during media access, a typical indication that the injury isn't serious.

PP2 said:

Think he'll be ready to go. He's been seen in the locker room during media access, a typical indication that the injury isn't serious.

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Oh, ok...great news. Stork makes such a difference when he's in there.

PP2 said:

I would actually go with Andrews over Kline and even Wendell. He has been very solid at center

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I don't think many here aside from yourself feel that he's been "very solid" this preseason.

Perhaps you're correct, but boy--would a lot of us be surprised if he actually started over Wendell AND Kline. That would be crazy.

I think the majority of us see Andrews as a PS player, particularly with the addition of the rookies this year needing spots on the 53.

supafly said:

I think the majority of us see Andrews as a PS player

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Count me in that group. I give Andrews roughly a 0% chance of making the team, but a PS offer appears like a certainty.

supafly said:

I don't think many here aside from yourself feel that he's been "very solid" this preseason.

Perhaps you're correct, but boy--would a lot of us be surprised if he actually started over Wendell AND Kline. That would be crazy.

I think the majority of us see Andrews as a PS player, particularly with the addition of the rookies this year needing spots on the 53.

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Well, my judgment is based mostly on the fact that Andrews just doesn't let himself get pushed back which is a problem that Wendell has had in the past as well as Kline. That is the one trait you want in your linemen.. everything else can be learned. Also he did well at RG which increased his stock a whole lot more in that he's proven himself to be versatile.

We all know the Patriot philosphy of "sell high, buy low" and Wendell's cap hit is $2.4m but if he gets cut, the dead money is only 400k if I'm not wrong.

IMO, too many things line up for this not to happen (Wendell getting cut over Andrews being released).

PP2 said:

IMO, too many things line up for this not to happen (Wendell getting cut over Andrews being released)

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Care to make a sig bet?

Oswlek said:

Care to make a sig bet?

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Think I'll pass. I've been wrong many times; more than I care to admit.

Still like to make educated guesses, though.

IMHO, The only way Andrews makes the 53 is as the 10th OL, of Belichick judges that he really sees a future in him, and is willing to carry him as a developmental backup.

For me, a player with the potential to be a backup to Stork for the next three years is not worth a roster spot.

Kline shows more promise as Stork's backup who can also be used as backup LG.
Andrews is Center-only right now.