Can I say it now? Vollmer is our new LT!

[RobertWeathers]

While I think it is way too early to consider Vollmer our starting LT, I do think that it should be pointed out that Vollmer is a rookie second round draft pick (that most experts panned us for overdrafting by 3 rounds or more) that has stepped in and out performed most expectations thus far.

I think this speaks volumes to BB's philosophy of drafting players that fit your system regardless of how others see them.

In college Vollmer played in a zone blocking scheme and excelled.

Maybe after an offseason in Woicik and Dante will get Vollmer should be stronger, quicker and ready for major playing time at LOT.

Couldn't agree more, Ochmed. You are spot-on IMO.

The arguement that Light will be grabbing pine for the rest of the season b/c Vollmer has locked up the starting LT job is a stretch. Its way too early to annoint him as such. What is just as silly is Kazur should be demoted and Vollmer asked to play as postion he has yet to play this year in RT during the most difficult stretch of the season.

 

[JFK]

Pryor might be our second best pick up in the draft IMO. The talent in front of him is what keeps him from playing more.

 

[Synovia]

The arguement that Light will be grabbing pine for the rest of the season b/c Vollmer has locked up the starting LT job is a stretch.

I don't think hes locked it up, but if he plays well in Indy and Miami, I wouldn't be surprised to see him continue to start. BB has shown a tendency to ride the hot hand.

 

[patsfan-1982]

Or, they figured that weakening two positions by putting Kazcur at Left and Vollmer at right is worse than just weakening Left. Its easier to give Vollmer TE help than it is to give both tackles help.

Or, they figure Light will be back in a couple weeks and theres no reason to screw up Kazcur's mechanics and footwork.

sounds good to me

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don't think hes locked it up, but if he plays well in Indy and Miami, I wouldn't be surprised to see him continue to start. BB has shown a tendency to ride the hot hand.

I don't disagree. IMO the differenciator for Vollmer is how well he moves piles in the running game. If hes pancake-blocking people on sweeps and off-tackles, then it certainly needs to be considered.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Couldn't agree more, Ochmed. You are spot-on IMO.

The arguement that Light will be grabbing pine for the rest of the season b/c Vollmer has locked up the starting LT job is a stretch. Its way too early to annoint him as such. What is just as silly is Kazur should be demoted and Vollmer asked to play as postion he has yet to play this year in RT during the most difficult stretch of the season.

 

[Deus Irae]

Mark Sanchez was rookie of the month in September....

 

[zoostation]

EEEEEEASY..You're sounding like a Jets fan

 

[MoLewisrocks]

EEEEEEASY..You're sounding like a Jets fan

No, a JETS fan would have that confused with rookie of the year. DI's point is small samples can be terribly misleading. Which is why some threads belong in the PS.

 

[Kontradiction]

But he has certainly looked good.
If we had a crappy LT, this would be the start of the Vollmer era.
However, we have a Pro Bowl LT so Vollmer has a ways to go to unseat him.

Vollmer has played well for a rookie. I have to give him that. However, he is still extremely raw. Yesterday, he had several false start and holding penalties. Give him another year and the guy is going to be a beast. But this year is Light's year once he comes back.

 

[HarkDawg]

The way he got abused yesterday (two blatant holding calls because he lost the guy he was blocking), I would still be using pencil when putting him as the starting LT in your depth chart. Vollmer shows promise, but has not shown he deserves to keep the starting job when Light returns.

you neglect the injury he sustained prior to those calls. He was hurt so he tried to cheat a bit.


Vollmer for LT:singing:

 

[Synovia]

Yesterday, he had several false start and holding penalties. .

All after he got hurt. The guy was playing on one leg; of course hes gonna try to get off early, and grab onto some people.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

No question that SeaBass is a serious force with his run blocking. Saw him clear out several guys over the last 2 games. What happened to the rest of the OL run blocking Sunday???

 

[mesoslo]

Vollmer has played well for a rookie. I have to give him that. However, he is still extremely raw. Yesterday, he had several false start and holding penalties. Give him another year and the guy is going to be a beast. But this year is Light's year once he comes back.

maybe the best way to manhandle a pass rusher is to hold him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

No question that SeaBass is a serious force with his run blocking. Saw him clear out several guys over the last 2 games. What happened to the rest of the OL run blocking Sunday???

Yea there was some weirdness going on with the line yesterday. Koppen had a FS and Mankins had a couple as well. I believe one was an illegal procedure and a illegal man downfield.

Thankfully, those are addressable...

 

[Kontradiction]

maybe the best way to manhandle a pass rusher is to hold him.

I disagree. IMO, tripping is the best way to manhandle a pass rusher.

 

[patfanken]

Pryor might be our second best pick up in the draft IMO. The talent in front of him is what keeps him from playing more.

Actually he's probably provided the most consistent rookie production this year...from game ONE. In fact if you changed his name to Ron Brace, it would seem like a perfect draft with just about everyone but McKenzie pitching in, and the sixth round pick being inactive.

Its kind of amazing when you think about it. The Pats drafted TWELVE players to a veteran championship contender. Well not only have NINE of those players made the team, SEVEN have carved out significant roles. Prior to the draft, if you had asked me, I would have said MAYBE 5 rookies stick with this draft, and MAYBE 3 will have made significant contributions in their first years.

What even more special is how the Pats did at the BOTTOM of their draft. Pryor (6th), Ingram (6th), Edelman (7th) have ALL exceeded anyone's expectation just to make the team...let alone making successful contributions.

Brace is the only disappointment so far, and he's still has plenty of time to make his mark

 

[MassPats38]

I like Vollmer's downfield blocking, but I wouldn't anoint him starting LT just yet. The Titans and Bucs are not playoff caliber defenses, thus the only question he answered is whether he can block bad defenses. That does not make him better than Light.

And I do agree his holding penalties were called after he appeared to tweak his ankle. I thought those penalties reflected smart football as it is better to take the hold rather than let a pass rusher tee off on Brady.

With that said, LT is the most important position on the line, and I suspect you do not just walk on and assume that position. There were plenty of complaints against the offense selection when Light went out and Vollmer came in against Denver. When you keep help in the backfield, you have fewer options as far as plays you can call. Vollmer did not suddenly evolve in two games to the point he does not need help. Denver - better defense; Bucs - poor defense.

I believe Vollmer has tons of potential, but that means NFL level coaching on blocking techniques. Maybe he will one day take over for Light, but that time is not now.

 

[wilfork is beastin']

seabass played well before he got hurt, overall he had a solid game. even though he got flagged twice and gave up a sack he had a lot of good blocks, including the one which let welker run into the endzone

 

[Synovia]

I like Vollmer's downfield blocking, but I wouldn't anoint him starting LT just yet. The Titans and Bucs are not playoff caliber defenses, thus the only question he answered is whether he can block bad defenses. That does not make him better than Light.

Contrary to popular belief, the LT does not play against the opponent's entire defense, and merely plays against the DE (or LB) across from him. Tenessee may suck, but Kyle VandenBosh does not.