2016 OL situation clearing ...

To me this is a nice and realistic account of IOL situation putting versatility and talent up front.
Here's why the Patriots will keep OG Jonathan Cooper on the roster, even if he's not a starter

It also makes sense in context of 53: if this turns true, the team carries 8/9 OL which liberates other positions.
I would like to see - in preseason games at least - how Thuney works at C and Cooper and Mason pair at G.

So a starting offensive line of solder -thuney-stork-jackson vollmer? I could live with that.

TommyBrady12 said:

So a starting offensive line of solder -thuney-stork-jackson vollmer? I could live with that.

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I'm calling Solder-Mason-Stork-Cooper-Vollmer

Didn't know about the $1.7m guarantee for Cooper. I guess it's just as likely he is cut on the 4th day of camp.

Guards Jonathan Cooper and Shaq Mason have some serious athleticism those guys can get to second level with ease would love to see how they progress under Dante. The Patriots have really addressed the Interior on the OL I think they feel the Interior from Center on were the weakest Links.

robertweathers said:

I'm calling Solder-Mason-Stork-Cooper-Vollmer

Didn't know about the $1.7m guarantee for Cooper. I guess it's just as likely he is cut on the 4th day of camp.

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I think Stork/Andrews has the potential to be close, and I think Cooper had better win that job with Scar coaching him up. But at this present moment, my assumption is to give his spot to Kline, who has more experience. Also, Mason would play RG now presumably since that's what he ended last year at. I think Mason is the only one we can really pencil in as an interior starter, and it wouldn't even be that shocking if he got cut.

Very curious to see how this plays out.

Stork Andrews Cooper Mason Jackson Kline Thuney

7 names and maybe only Stork, Thuney & Cooper are safe. Stork might not be safe if he gets hurt again though.

In the end i think it is Stork, Mason, Cooper, Thuney Kline. Jackson and Andrews are cut and you try to sneak Andrews on the PS.

Elijah said:

I think Stork/Andrews has the potential to be close, and I think Cooper had better win that job with Scar coaching him up. But at this present moment, my assumption is to give his spot to Kline, who has more experience. Also, Mason would play RG now presumably since that's what he ended last year at. I think Mason is the only one we can really pencil in as an interior starter, and it wouldn't even be that shocking if he got cut.

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Not sure about Andrews. He has a tough road in making the team.

I like David Andrews it's good to have a pure Center who you can plug in at that position in case of injury. If Dante Scar can make that JAG Josh Kline look like a player then the Sky's the limit for David Andrews at Center.

robertweathers said:

Not sure about Andrews. He has a tough road in making the team.

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Unless the team thinks they can turn Mason into a center, I don't see why Andrews wouldn't be safe. Stork has not exactly been the picture of health in his life and has had numerous concussion issues. Andrews has experience playing center in this offense. I wouldn't count him out.

I don't see how the smoke is clearing in our OL situation.

We have more qualified players. That make figuring the starters more difficult.

With regard to center, I suspect that Mason or Thuney may be expected to play center, hopefully as a backup to Stork.

Having Andrews as a backup center, always inactive, able to play only one position, of OK talent, seems somehow wrong.

Stork's health and his poor performance in the AFC Championship Game--remember that stupid personal foul?--make me suspect Andrews has a pretty good chance of sticking. Unless Mason successfully were to move to center.

Solder-Stork-Andrews-Mason-Vollmer is my guess to be the starting five at the beginning of the season.

I wonder how Tre Jackson will fare under Dante. The previous guy who was fired was all about size and power. He must have influenced drafting such guys.

KontradictioN said:

Unless the team thinks they can turn Mason into a center, I don't see why Andrews wouldn't be safe. Stork has not exactly been the picture of health in his life and has had numerous concussion issues. Andrews has experience playing center in this offense. I wouldn't count him out.

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If two guards are cut he stays.

I think about the only thing clear on the OL is your starting Tackles will be Solder and Volmer. Stork, Andrew's, Mason, and Jackson have all started for us but given how bad our OL was last season I wouldn't slot any of them in yet. Maybe Stork but due to him having an extra year of experience but even still I don't see him as a lock.

What's clear to me is that Scar has a lot of options to work with on the interior and there is no reason to think he can't mold a group of 5 more than capable.

Stork played well during the 2014 season when Ryan Wendell and Dan Connolly were there to clean up his mistakes. I wasn't too impressed with Stork last year. I think Andrew's played better. To me, it appears as if Scar prefers OL that use proper technique and don't make mental mistakes than physical ability. My guess is:
Solder-Thuney-Andrews-Kline-Volmer

With Mason/Cooper/Cannon as backup. Jackson on PUP. Stork traded.

Andrews did a decent job at center. I'm more comfortable with him being the "new" Wendell or Connolly playing center, guard, punt return whatever than trying to fit one of the guards at center. This transition seems to be more complicated, but who am I to say.

KontradictioN said:

Unless the team thinks they can turn Mason into a center, I don't see why Andrews wouldn't be safe. Stork has not exactly been the picture of health in his life and has had numerous concussion issues. Andrews has experience playing center in this offense. I wouldn't count him out.

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Agreed. I think Thuney is in direct reflection of Stork's concussion history and overall durability.

long distance said:

I would like to see - in preseason games at least - how Thuney works at LG, Cooper at RG and Mason at Center.

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I would rather see this line-up.

By Rich Hill

According to PFF, the best pass blocking line would be:

Solder - Kline - Andrews - Jackson - Vollmer

The best run blocking line would be: Solder - Kline - Stork - Mason - Vollmer

The best Patriots offensive line would read: Solder - Kline - Andrews - Mason - Vollmer.

patsbrasilpatriotas said:

By Rich Hill

According to PFF, the best pass blocking line would be:

Solder - Kline - Andrews - Jackson - Vollmer

The best run blocking line would be: Solder - Kline - Stork - Mason - Vollmer

The best Patriots offensive line would read: Solder - Kline - Andrews - Mason - Vollmer.

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I'm not familiar with PFF, but if they have Kline as the best of anything, I instantly question their creditiblity!!!!

ashley1992 said:

I'm not familiar with PFF, but if they have Kline as the best of anything, I instantly question their creditiblity!!!!

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I too question the credibility of PFF, but in this case I think you undervalue Kline. He could start on most teams, I think. Here, he's a valuable backup across the interior. Solid, still developing player.