Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

I'm asking this question earnestly from people who have looked at the tape. Is Koppen getting overpowered too often to be a starting center for a super bowl winning team? I don't have any solid evidence but I have a sneaking suspicion that it's really the interior of the line that is the weakness. And where better to start looking than center?

How would you evaluate Koppen's performance at center in 2009? Does he need to be replaced or should the Pats keep him and hunt for a new RG instead?

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

RG is first.

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

Last year a lot of people were very much in favor of considering Alex Mack or Eric Wood in the 34-47 range. Mack went 21 to Cleveland, Wood 28 to Buffalo. But the idea of upgrading Koppen was viewed as quite reasonable a year ago, and I would think it would be even more so now.

However, as Box notes, RG is a higher priority right now. I could see someone like Maurkice Pouncey playing RG and eventuallly moving to OC once he learns our system, but I could also see us bypassing center altogether for another year or 2 and going with a RG/RT prospect like Mike Iupati, Vladimir Ducasse, or Mike Johnson.

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

Bingo.

I think we need an immediate replacement at RG, Neal is doneski, or close to it. I think we need to find our replacement at center now though, so he'll be ready in a year or so.

CP

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

No, too many needs elsewhere.

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

Agreed. We are changing our RT (Vollmer for Kazcur) and RG (Neal is done) so we need to keep the same center in a year of transition for the offensive line. Koppen has great experience on the calls, which are consistently underrated when evaluating the position. Look to upgrade him next year.

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

I'd be taking Pouncey in the second round no matter what.

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

I sure hope the Vollmer is our starting LT next year not RT. The strip sack of TB courtesy of Todd Light on a 3 man rush against Balt was the last straw for me. Our OL is great against the Jacksonville's of the world but whenever they face a stout aggressive D they get abused.

This off season I hope we..

1. Trade Light ( hope we can get a 2nd, more likely a 3rd round pick in this years draft )

2. Resign Mankins

3. Use 2 of our 1st 4 picks to draft a stud RG & RT, RG to start right away to replace Neal who is likely retiring & hope our RT draftee is good enough to replace Kazur this year. (who will be a decent swing tackle back up )

If Brady is kept clean he is unstoppable, invest in the OL this year please.

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

Maybe we can take an OG in the second round with the intention of sliding him over to C when Koppen's contract expires.

Re: Is it time to replace Koppen?
 

I thought Dan Connolly did a pretty good job at RG when pressed into service. There's also going to be guards available in free agency...there always is, and since the salary cap won't be an issue, we might bring one or two veterans in.

My point is simply that we shouldn't let a perceived desparate need for a guard on January 14 cloud the value of the draft.

Now, should Koppen be replaced this year? It's hard to say. Light and Kazcur were so bad this year that they constantly needed help from a guard, leaving Koppen one on one, where he can get overpowered. Our offensive line was built with undersized, agile guys who could get out to block on screens and get second-level blocks on draws. Everybody loves the deep passes to Moss, but when blitzed, the line can't give Brady enough time to throw them. We're still mostly a screen and slant offense, so there's value on having a guy like Koppen, who might be the best pulling center in the league. If we can find a guy who can do that, plus shotgun snap, bury his man one-on-one in the running game, and be an effective pass blocker as well, I'd put a premium on him. As far as I can tell, Pouncey might be that guy, and if so, I'd be fine drafting him early.