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Reiss on the OL situation:
Trickle-down effect on Vollmer, Fells - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Sounds very familiar, except that I think McDonald is a lock.
1. Vollmer should slide right into the starting right tackle spot, pushing Marcus Cannon into the top backup tackle role. Vollmer is the swing tackle, as he'd likely be the first option to move to left tackle in the event of injury to Nate Solder. It doesn't look like there would be another tackle on the roster, meaning the Patriots would likely keep 5-6 interior options for a total of 8-9 linemen.
2. The locks in that interior group include starting left guard Logan Mankins and starting center/right guard Dan Connolly, with fourth-year center/guard Ryan Wendell also appearing safe. That leaves center/guard/takle Nick McDonald, guard Donald Thomas and center Dan Koppen for 2-3 possible spots, with McDonald's versatility potentially giving him an edge. All of this doesn't factor in the possibility of Brian Waters reporting to camp, which could further threaten someone like Thomas and Koppen for a spot.
Trickle-down effect on Vollmer, Fells - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston
Sounds very familiar, except that I think McDonald is a lock.