Tons of VET O-line still available.

[captain stone]

Does Shaun O'Hara (former NYG OC) make sense?

Yes, if he can pass a physical.
WalterFootball.com: 2011 NFL Free Agents - Centers

 

[SanAngeloState]

You don't want Waters.

Why not. He is good. I'd like to see them get rid of light, he is useless and mankins, he is expensive.

 

[goheels22002]

Why so little love for Dan Connolly? He did well last season and has the experience with this group. Was his concussion more severe than has been reported? Connolly and Cannon make a nice one-two depth chart at RG with size and youth. Going out for a veteran free agent doesn't make a lot of sense since the O-line is such a chemistry and work-as-a-unit proposition. Maybe a guy who could develop and give the Patriots four or five years and be part of the post-Light line when he retires would be good, but developing from within seems like the best way to go.

 

[Haley]

Why so little love for Dan Connolly? He did well last season and has the experience with this group. Was his concussion more severe than has been reported? Connolly and Cannon make a nice one-two depth chart at RG with size and youth. Going out for a veteran free agent doesn't make a lot of sense since the O-line is such a chemistry and work-as-a-unit proposition. Maybe a guy who could develop and give the Patriots four or five years and be part of the post-Light line when he retires would be good, but developing from within seems like the best way to go.

Yeah, I was wondering about this too. I kind of miss Dan, Dan, the Baker's Man, Running with that bread as fast as he can!

 

[BaltimorePatsFan]

Why so little love for Dan Connolly? He did well last season and has the experience with this group. Was his concussion more severe than has been reported? Connolly and Cannon make a nice one-two depth chart at RG with size and youth. Going out for a veteran free agent doesn't make a lot of sense since the O-line is such a chemistry and work-as-a-unit proposition. Maybe a guy who could develop and give the Patriots four or five years and be part of the post-Light line when he retires would be good, but developing from within seems like the best way to go.

I completely disagree. IMO Dan Connolly is a good backup but not starter material.

 

[captain stone]

I'm OK w/ Connolly as the starting RG this year, though most of us would like to see Cannon
(or someone else better) eventually replace him, if not this year then next year.
Connolly would then become a very servicable backup G/C.

My issue is the need to replace the undertalented midgets Wendell & OBurger.
Quinn Ojinnaka isn't the answer, either.
The answer could be/should be one of the vet C/Gs released this past week.

 

[mgteich]

If Belichick thinks that one of the vet OG/C can be had for a reasonable price for a backup, he will sign one of them. The price may be too high for Belichick.

One of Ohrnberger or Wendell is gone in any case. Connolly is likely to start at RG with Cannon as his backup.

So, we're left with finding a better backup center than Wendell. This player would be the Game Day interior line backup and would need to be able to start at C and in both guard spots. Belichick has get Wendell because he likes him as an inexpensive choice in those roles.

I'm OK w/ Connolly as the starting RG this year, though most of us would like to see Cannon
(or someone else better) eventually replace him, if not this year then next year.
Connolly would then become a very servicable backup G/C.

My issue is the need to replace the undertalented midgets Wendell & OBurger.
Quinn Ojinnaka isn't the answer, either.
The answer could be/should be one of the vet C/Gs released this past week.

 

[Synovia]

I completely disagree. IMO Dan Connolly is a good backup but not starter material.

He was a pretty decent starter last year, so what happened in the last couple months?

 

[jmt57]

Some of the notable Vet FA Guards available:

Harvey Dahl - 30 - Falcons
Justin Blalock - 27 - Falcons
Brian Waters - 34 - Chiefs
Leonard Davis - 32 - Cowboys
Derrick Dockery - 30 - Redskins
Deuce Lutui - 28 - Cardinals
Evan Mathis - 29 - Bengals
Rich Seubert - 32 - Giants
Floyd Womack - 32 - Browns
Max-Jean Gilles - 27 - Eagles
Leroy Harris - 27 - Titans
Justin Smiley - 29 - Jaguars
Trai Essex - 28 - Steelers
Chester Pitts - 32 - Seahawks
Scott Mruczowski - 29 - Chargers
G/T Quinn Ojinnaka - 27 - Pats
G/T Pat McQuistan - 28 - Dolphins


Some of the notable Vet FA Tackles available:

Matt Light - 33 - Pats
Jammal Brown - 30 - Redskins
Sean Locklear - 30 - Seahawks
Ryan Harris - 26 - Broncos
Jared Gaither - 25 - Ravens
Max Starks - 29 - Steelers
Ryan O'Callaghan - 28 - Chiefs
Langston Walker - 31 - Raiders
Flozell Adams - 36 - Steelers
Shawn Andrews - 28 - Giants
Marc Columbo - 32 - Cowboys
Kevin Shaffer - 31 - Bears
T/G Ryan Cook - 28 - Vikings
Khalif Barnes - 29 - Raiders

 

[Metaphors]

If Light doesn't re-sign, I would expect us to keep Kaczur. Counting on solder starting and ahving LeVoir as the first off the bench is simply not acceptable.

Then Belichick shouldn't have drafted Solder. There have been 15 tackles drafted in the top 20 the last 5 years:

D'Brick 16 games/16 starts
Joe Thomas 16/16
Levi Brown 13/11
Jake Long 16/16
Ryan Clady 16/16
Chris Williams 9/0
Branden Albert 15/15
Gosder Cherilus 16/13
Jeff Otah 12/12
Jason Smith 8/5
Andre Smith 6/1
Eugene Monroe 15/13
Trent Williams 14/13
Russell Okung 10/10
Anthony Davis 12/12

Any doubt that Tyron Smith will be starting for Dallas game 1? Yet it seems the conventional wisdom is that a rookie tackle can't possibly be expected to start for the Pats...even though Light, Kaczur and Vollmer have all done it. I know there weren't any mini-camps or OTAs, but is Solder that unskilled or mentally slow that he can't pick up what he needs in the next 6 weeks?

As for Mark LeVoir, he is 29 with ideal tackle size and 3 years in the Pats program (including 32 active games and 2 starts). Not only is that acceptable, that is a downright luxury having that type of player on the roster.

Light may be re-signed and I'm not against the move. However, that would change my mind completely about drafting Solder. You just don't draft 1st round non-QBs to sit. If Solder needed a year of development to start, draft him in the 2nd or 3rd round.

 

[Off The Grid]

Why so little love for Dan Connolly? He did well last season and has the experience with this group. Was his concussion more severe than has been reported? Connolly and Cannon make a nice one-two depth chart at RG with size and youth. Going out for a veteran free agent doesn't make a lot of sense since the O-line is such a chemistry and work-as-a-unit proposition. Maybe a guy who could develop and give the Patriots four or five years and be part of the post-Light line when he retires would be good, but developing from within seems like the best way to go.

WTF are you talking about???

Dan Connolly ~ "Zoomer" to his friends ~ is clearly a Kick Return Specialist.

Brother Dan perpetrates the immortal "Loaf of Bread" Carry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufkHymQEuqc&NR=1

 

[Haley]

WTF are you talking about???

Dan Connolly ~ "Zoomer" to his friends ~ is clearly a Kick Return Specialist.

Brother Dan perpetrates the immortal "Loaf of Bread" Carry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufkHymQEuqc&NR=1

Nothing puts a smile on my face quite like watching that clip.

I love the longer version of it too where you get to see Brady's stunned face after the fact.

 

[Off The Grid]

Nothing puts a smile on my face quite like watching that clip.

I love the longer version of it too where you get to see Brady's stunned face after the fact.

Right!!

That's the one I THOUGHT I had...

HERE it is...

‪Dan Connolly #63 Returns Kick Off‬‏ - YouTube

 

[Frick]

Who led the league in rushing last year? UDFA. What were our 2 leading rushers last year? UDFA's. And last year, 23 of the invitees to the Pro Bowl were, surprise, UDFA's! There's a darn good chance that one of the O-linemen that Bill brought in that were undrafted, might be able to start from day 1 at the right Guard position.

A rookie sandwiched between Koppen and Vollmer will get the best instruction possible, along with Dante's teaching. Let's not panic over bringing in a bunch of veterans.

On the left side with Crumpler gone we have no choice but to bring Mankins back to help Solder make it through his first year. Please, let's stop panicing and talking about throwing money all over the place. At Koppen's age and with his injury history, let's keep Connolly free to fill in.

As far as Ohrenberger and Wendell, if you can't beat out Connolly, who the majority of people don't think is someone they want starting every day, then every year we should be using low draft choices and UDFA's to upgrade.

 

[Haley]

Right!!

That's the one I THOUGHT I had...

HERE it is...

‪Dan Connolly #63 Returns Kick Off‬‏ - YouTube

Nonono, this is the one you want

‪Dan Connolly 71 Yard Kickoff Return vs Packers 12/19/2010‬‏ - YouTube

OXYGEN SOMEBODY!

Gotta get that incredulous look from Brady in there at the end where he looks like he's thinking, "did that just happen?"

 

[DaBruinz]

Some of the notable Vet FA Guards available:

Harvey Dahl - 30 - Falcons Signed by the Rams
Justin Blalock - 27 - Falcons
Brian Waters - 34 - Chiefs
Leonard Davis - 32 - Cowboys
Derrick Dockery - 30 - Redskins
Deuce Lutui - 28 - Cardinals
Evan Mathis - 29 - Bengals
Rich Seubert - 32 - Giants
Floyd Womack - 32 - Browns
Max-Jean Gilles - 27 - Eagles
Leroy Harris - 27 - Titans
Justin Smiley - 29 - Jaguars
Trai Essex - 28 - Steelers
Chester Pitts - 32 - Seahawks
Scott Mruczowski - 29 - Chargers
G/T Quinn Ojinnaka - 27 - Pats
G/T Pat McQuistan - 28 - Dolphins


Some of the notable Vet FA Tackles available:

Matt Light - 33 - Pats
Jammal Brown - 30 - Redskins
Sean Locklear - 30 - Seahawks
Ryan Harris - 26 - Broncos
Jared Gaither - 25 - Ravens Signed by the Raiders
Max Starks - 29 - Steelers
Ryan O'Callaghan - 28 - Chiefs
Langston Walker - 31 - Raiders
Flozell Adams - 36 - Steelers
Shawn Andrews - 28 - Giants
Marc Columbo - 32 - Cowboys
Kevin Shaffer - 31 - Bears
T/G Ryan Cook - 28 - Vikings
Khalif Barnes - 29 - Raiders

Nice List..

 

[captain stone]

Some of the notable Vet FA Guards available:

Harvey Dahl - 30 - Falcons
Justin Blalock - 27 - Falcons
Brian Waters - 34 - Chiefs
Leonard Davis - 32 - Cowboys
Derrick Dockery - 30 - Redskins
Deuce Lutui - 28 - Cardinals...re-signs
Evan Mathis - 29 - Bengals...signs w/ Philly
Rich Seubert - 32 - Giants
Floyd Womack - 32 - Browns
Max-Jean Gilles - 27 - Eagles
Leroy Harris - 27 - Titans
Justin Smiley - 29 - Jaguars
Trai Essex - 28 - Steelers
Chester Pitts - 32 - Seahawks
Scott Mruczowski - 29 - Chargers
G/T Quinn Ojinnaka - 27 - Pats
G/T Pat McQuistan - 28 - Dolphins


Some of the notable Vet FA Tackles available:

Matt Light - 33 - Pats...re-signs
Jammal Brown - 30 - Redskins
Sean Locklear - 30 - Seahawks
Ryan Harris - 26 - Broncos
Jared Gaither - 25 - Ravens...signs w/ Faiders
Max Starks - 29 - Steelers
Ryan O'Callaghan - 28 - Chiefs
Langston Walker - 31 - Raiders
Flozell Adams - 36 - Steelers
Shawn Andrews - 28 - Giants
Marc Columbo - 32 - Cowboys...signs w/ Doofins
Kevin Shaffer - 31 - Bears
T/G Ryan Cook - 28 - Vikings
Khalif Barnes - 29 - Raiders...re-signs

Thought I'd give this list an update, off the top of my head.