our Offensive Line
 

At the present our OL looks like this: Light, LT; Mankins,LG; Koppen, C: Neal?,RG: Kazur, RT. Assuming that we resign Neal, are you comfortable with that OL?

If Neal does not sign, should we go after a FA or Draft a RG?

yes. but not comfy with the depth.
Yes. both.

I'm comfortable with the starting line and questioning the depth as well. Bring back Ashworth, we will still have Hochstein and Gorin. That makes 8. Hopefully sign/draft two more capable players. That would give us 10; sometimes we keep 9 sometimes we keep 10, so at the very least, they make tough competition for either Hochstein or Gorin to be able to hang around.

I would not be surprised if BB made offers to both Neal and Ashworth, keeping whoever signs first (hopefully one of them will accept the offer). Depending on who signs, Kazur could play tackle or guard.

No! I am not comfortable with this line. I don't know how you guys are so content with this line-up. First off, who knows if Light will come back at full strength next year. Also, didn't you guys notice how Tom Brady constantly got smacked around? Plus, will Neal return? With that said, the Pats will use the #21 pick or move up to select an offensive tackle. Write that down!

The onyl way I'm comfortable with this line is if someone guarantees me that the five starters all start and finish all 19 regular and post season games and all 5 will be able to open holes for the run and form a wall in pass protection. Since no one can guarantee me that, I feel we must upgrade the OL. Brady can not continue to take the hits he took last year. Some people say the hits were the result of injuries or rookies, but the bottom line is Brady took a beating and that can't happen in 2006.
One of the best ways I know to keep Brady's jersey clean is to run the ball. Last year's OL didn't open many holes and when they did, none of the RBs took advantage of it. (Mostly because they ran tentative, very unsure of the OL's ability)
I would like to see us upgrade the entire right side of the line. (Provided Light comes back OK.) I think Neal regressed in 2005 and the Ashworth (excels at pass blocking) and Gorin (excels at run blocking) combo is making me sick, since neither is a bonafide starter. Let Kazcut backup Light and let's go get a smart but nasty OT for the right side.

I'm not comfortable with that Oline. While I know there were injuries last season and rookie's being worked in it was a weakness from the get go. I'd really like to see more beef and a line that can stand on it's own without constant blocking help from very valuable TE's and the ablility to open some holes most any RB worth his salt could pick up yards through. Defenses have begun to take the approach that teeing off on Brady is the way to stifle this offense, and while Brady can still make them pay at times he is absorbing a lot more abuse in the process.

I think Brady is too valuable and this window too precious to try to get by with a "decent" line. I think it all starts in the trenches on offense as well as defense, and money well spent on the Oline will allow BB to spend less on high priced weaponry going forward and make more flexible decisions while maintaining better offensive consistency.

There are so many opinions being tossed around and they all contradict each other. On one hand you say "Brady constantly got smacked around", then you want to return Neal who was part of that line that let Brady get smacked around. Then you obviously think a rookie can step in and do better than what we have, but convienently forget that we had 2 rookies this past year who let Brady get smacked around.

Rookies don't typically step right into the NFL and excel, whether they be first or last rounds. I would think that Mankins and Kaczur as 2nd year players and Light, Gorin, and Ashworth (with their experience) would be better than anyone we draft (for this year, not necessarily long term).

IMHO, feel free to rip me if you choose.

I tend to agree with Texpat...Rookies hardly ever step in and play on the OL and do great...doesn't happen!! BOTH will be even better this year..sign Neal AND Ashworth..ands there are a solid 9 competing,,THAT certainly makes a deep line..and if a Britt and a Krug can step up from the Practice Sqd...all the better!! I can see a versatile vet brought in..just someone who could play 3 or so positions...and fill in. Other than that UNLESS they are unhappy with what they have...they won't bring a high draft pick in. I really do not see that..unless they think Koppen will go next year and bring in someone to take his place.

The question is, did Mankins and Kaczur progress as the season wore on? I don't know because I don't see enough games being on the west coast. After all, they are closer to second year players than rookies in the final few games of the season.