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Tim Weisberg weighs in....
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/09-06/09-08-06/05sports.htm
http://www.southcoasttoday.com/daily/09-06/09-08-06/05sports.htm
The Patriots' offensive line is the most unheralded unit, but also the most vital to the team's success. And this season, they're poised to become household names, even if nobody ever actually brings them up.
"The communication is there. Everybody is on the same page," said center Dan Koppen, who returns to the line after missing the latter half of last season with a torn rotator cuff.
Injuries played a big part in the development of some of the linemen last season, accelerating the pace and versatility of the unit.
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Of course, any discussion about offensive line preparedness and consistency starts with O-line coach Dante Scarnecchia, who has been in charge of the unit since Belichick came aboard in 2000. Overall, Scarnecchia has coached offensive lines for 21 of his 37 seasons in the game. He has 25 NFL seasons under his belt, 23 with the Pats.
Under his guidance, the line has allowed fewer than 30 sacks in each of the last two seasons, while the team has ranked seventh in total offense both years. All the while, Scarnecchia has been throwing together patchwork lines to compensate for departed free agents and injuries while leading them with a hands-on approach. Only Belichick logs more hours in the bowels of Gillette Stadium than Scarnecchia.
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In addition to the starters, the offensive line also boasts some of the best depth on the team; reserve Russ Hochstein has started games at guard, center, and even tight end. And tight end Daniel Graham's blocking is so good, he's often referred to as the team's sixth offensive lineman.
Quarterback Tom Brady always speaks about his line in glowing terms, and that's not without reason; without them, he'd have been a pancake on the front of Jason Taylor's or Dwight Freeney's jersey a long time ago.
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Still, the pressure of protecting one of the greatest signal-callers in the game isn't lost on O'Callaghan.
"I understand that. I think about that," he said. "Tom's a great guy, a great football player, and it's my job to make sure nobody touches him. I take that very seriously."