Offensive Line
 

OTA reports say that Vollmer was playing RT, and Kaczur had been shifted to play Mankin's LG, in Logan's absence.

Some time in 2011 or 2012 the Pats will be doing major revisions to their Offensive Line. Bill Belichick has made some preliminary preparation for that transition,since he doesn't want rookies starting. Last year's draft added three Offensive line candidates, Vollmer, Ohrnberger and Bussey. Last year, Bill scrubbed his roster of reserves that he felt would not develop into full fledged starters, as he cut Callaghan, Britt and let Hochstein walk.

He replaced them with Connolly, and LeVoir. Vollmer looks like a future star and keeper at either LOT or ROT. Other interior possibilities are Wendell and Connolly, but I think both are only future reserves at best. This draft they added two more low round picks, Larsen and Welch, while Ohrnberger and Bussey were groomed last season.

I would expect that Volmer has claimed Kaczur's RT job as a way to learn while playing, before eventually going to LT, in a year or three. I expect Nick will be the swing Tackle and prime interior reserve at Guard. There seems to be a four-way fight to be the next Center. Ohrnberger, Wendell, and Larsen will try to eventually unseat incumbent Koppen. Kaczur, Connolly and Bussey will compete to eventually replace Neal, while Welch learns behind Levoir.

I suspect however, that Belichick will use another one or two high picks to Draft for their coming Offensive line re-tooling.

I know there wa lots of speculation of where Vollmer would break-in and its seems it is already clear, Day one. Or am I being premature?

Re: Offensive Line
 

Until we have a better indication of whether Mankins will re-sign long term, speculating about future high draft picks is premature.

Re: Offensive Line
 

This could be a very solid line this year, if Kazcur can be a competent backup for 4 OL spots (or maybe a starting quality G). Hopefully one of the backup C's can step up.

Re: Offensive Line
 

It takes more than stars at LT and LG to make a good line... I usually think a minimum of three and preferably four or more are needed. Three only, if both tackles are good. So I expect at least one of the top four draft picks will be an Offensive Lineman. I could see Belichick using a third rounder for an interior guy too.

Re: Offensive Line
 

Whether or not they re-sign Mankins, I see the Pats investing their 1st pick in the draft on a offensive tackle. Their O-line needs to get nasty as they are one of the softest lines in the league.

Koppen needs to be replaced, followed by Neal.

Re: Offensive Line
 

I wont lie, when Neal plays he's pretty good, for all 8 games he plays in anyway. We need a G who's not injury prone. I also agree on Koppen. He's soft as ****, we need to get tougher at C.

Re: Offensive Line
 

Always rooting for the Canadian, here. I think Kaczur might actually be a dang-fine guard.

Re: Offensive Line
 

Me too. He is a far better pass defender than your typical Guard. He has good size too, at almost 320#s.

The question is whether he can root out someone in the run game.

Re: Offensive Line
 

His biggest weakpoint has always been his lateral movement against pass-rushers. G just may be a great fit. I'm on the same bandwagon as you.

Re: Offensive Line
 

Neal is the oldest veteran on the Line. They signed him for two more years, and I assume he will play or share, until they have a candidate to take his job, full time. Kaczur might well be that guy, but the need to find a swing tackle first. I doubt LeVoir is that well regarded to be a #3.