Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

Don't agree with this because their run blocking is very weak. However, I do think they are top 10. This will be an interesting debate.
O-line rankings: Talent and depth rare finds - NFL - Yahoo! Sports

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

Yeah, I don't agree with that ranking at all. I'd like to, but I don't. Vollmer is going to see a lot of time this year in the starting line-up and, though he has a very bright future, his green-ness can't be disputed from last year. Stephen Neal is very good but has suddenly become oft-injured in the last few years and his back-up is still Connolly, who didn't exactly set the world on fire when coming in for Neal. Koppen, I think, is solid (though an upgrade certainly wouldn't be out of the question). As of right now, it doesn't look like Mankins is going to play a down for the Patriots again which means Kaczur is going to see his first full season transitioning from RT to LG. Matt Light is solid at LT.

You can see that this O-Line, as of right now, is not the second best O-Line in the league.

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

Cole bases his rankings primarily on stats from Football Outsiders, which you can see here: FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS: Innovative Statistics, Intelligent Analysis | 2009 OFFENSIVE LINES

My biggest issue with those rankings is that offensive lines are ranked in terms of pass protection solely on percentage of sacks. In my opinion sacks are one of the most over rated statistics in football. Quarterback pressures, hurries, and knock downs are much more important. If a QB has to hurry his throw and get it off before a receiver has time to run his route, or is hit as he is throwing, that can have a much greater effect, especially if it happens over and over during the course of a game or season.

Going off the top of my head I think I'd rate the Saints, Ravens, Dolphins, Jets, Bengals, and Giants ahead of the Patriots, as well as possibly the Falcons, Eagles and Cowboys. The offensive line of the Patriots is somewhere in the top ten, but #2 seems to be too high for them.

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

If the line is a healthy

Light
Mankins
Koppen
Neal
Kaczur/Vollmer

I've got no problem with the ranking, although I want to see more focus on first and second down run blocking. Without Mankins, I don't think you could rank them at all. It'd have to be like Vegas taking a bet off the board.

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

Rediculous rating for the Pats O-line. Do I believe stats or my own lying eyes? Besides using sacks as a measuring device....if Brady wasn't...well Brady....the number of sacks would increase dramatically and would result in a more true rating.

What would this rating mean for Maroney's running abilities?????? We always see that "they were in the backfield when he took the handoff"....etc...

What this means, if true, is that most posters on this board would have their heads explode from the suckiness of the O-line if they were fans of most any other team except the Saints.

Nah.....this guy was smoking something when he came up with this....

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

O-lines with really good QB's are hard to rate because they make quick decisions ala Brees, Brady and Manning. For years, people would rate the Colts line mediocre, yet they were one the top teams in least sacks allowed. Ditto with the Saints. However, the only difference between these two teams is that the Saints are pretty good at run blocking.

Looking at the list, my rankings as follows:
1. Saints (we'll see how they do without Jamaal Brown)
2. Giants (I think their line is pretty balanced all around but struggle against elite rushers like Ware)
3. Denver (depends on if their tackles are healthy)
4. Ravens (inconsistent pass blocking but very good run blocking)
5. Patriots (weak run blocking but arguably one of the best pass blocking lines considering how much they throw)

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

lol @ the Jets being #7, this poll is a joke, does he really think the loss of Fanaca downgrades the whole line? oh wait nvm

lol

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

You make a very valid point. The Jets at #7 is higher than they belong.

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

why thank u

Re: Jason Cole: Patriots #2 O-line in the NFL
 

You won't last here long....