The OL - A Minority View

[mayoclinic]

If Kazcur can make that transition, then that is a tremendous opportunity for BB to line up a real good run and pass blocking O Line.

This was discussed in detail 7 months ago:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/241015-right-guard-left-guard.html

You were one of the few people on the board who expressed strong belief that Kaczur might be better suited to guard (see post #15):

I think Volmer is an NFL ready OT in a zone blocking scheme. With coaching on technique and an increase in strength, I think he could become an above average starter in the NFL.

I do worry about elite speed rushers, coming off the end. I think Kaczur could excel on the inside. He is adept at drive blocking and has the flat back to succeed on the inside.

You certainly nailed the Vollmer part. Great call.

Moving Kaczur to RG makes a lot of sense:

1. We could still draft a 2nd/3rd round RG like Pouncey, Ducasse, Johnson or Asamoah and possibly a developmental RT prospect like Veldheer or Marinelli. But if Kaczur can play RG it takes pressure of needing a rookie to start right away. If the coaching staff and FO think Ohrenberger is developing sufficiently, we might not have to take an OG in the draft at all.

2. If Light/Vollmer gets injured (God forbid) we can always move Kaczur back to RT and let the rookie/Ohrnberger play RG, and be no worse off than we were. Great insurance policy.

3. If Kaczur succeeds at RG and we draft someone like Pouncey, we might be able to eventually move him back to centerand solve the Koppen issue. An interior OL of Mankins-Pouncey-Kaczur in 2011 would be potentially excellent. If we draft someone like Ducasse and Kaczur succeeds, we might be able to move him to RT.

4. Kaczur's $3.5M cap hit is easily defensible for a starting RG - it's almost exactly what Stephen Neal cost this year. So it fits within the existing salary structure of the team, which it doesn't if Kaczur is a backup OT.

5. If Kaczur fails at RG we're no worse off than we were - depending on a rookie to take over at RG, and hoping a developmental prospect develops for 2011 and beyond.

There are some issues about making the number of offensive linemen work out, depending on how many we draft. I count 10 OLs (not including Wendell or Bussey): Light, Vollmer, LeVoir, a developmental RT, Mankins, Koppen, Kaczur, a rookie RG, Ohrnberger and Connolly. But I suspect that can be sorted out in training camp.

I think it would be worth giving it a try.

 

[mgteich]

Let us presume that we at least TRY Kaczur at RG and understand that he could be a 2010 backup and even a 2011 RT starter.

Light, Mankins, Koppen, Kaczur, Vollmer
Ohrnberger, Wendell, Connolly, LeVoir, Bussey, free agent C/G, free agent OT

That's 12 and we can work it out in camp without any draftees. I do agree that a C/G would be a fine choice as a draftee and 6th and a developmental tackle could compete with Bussey. But the NEED isn't there.

BTW, I'm not sure Connolly is taking any longer for dante to develop than Neal.

This was discussed in detail 7 months ago:

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/241015-right-guard-left-guard.html

You were one of the few people on the board who expressed strong belief that Kaczur might be better suited to guard (see post #15):



You certainly nailed the Vollmer part. Great call.

Moving Kaczur to RG makes a lot of sense:

1. We could still draft a 2nd/3rd round RG like Pouncey, Ducasse, Johnson or Asamoah and possibly a developmental RT prospect like Veldheer or Marinelli. But if Kaczur can play RG it takes pressure of needing a rookie to start right away. If the coaching staff and FO think Ohrenberger is developing sufficiently, we might not have to take an OG in the draft at all.

2. If Light/Vollmer gets injured (God forbid) we can always move Kaczur back to RT and let the rookie/Ohrnberger play RG, and be no worse off than we were. Great insurance policy.

3. If Kaczur succeeds at RG and we draft someone like Pouncey, we might be able to eventually move him back to centerand solve the Koppen issue. An interior OL of Mankins-Pouncey-Kaczur in 2011 would be potentially excellent. If we draft someone like Ducasse and Kaczur succeeds, we might be able to move him to RT.

4. Kaczur's $3.5M cap hit is easily defensible for a starting RG - it's almost exactly what Stephen Neal cost this year. So it fits within the existing salary structure of the team, which it doesn't if Kaczur is a backup OT.

5. If Kaczur fails at RG we're no worse off than we were - depending on a rookie to take over at RG, and hoping a developmental prospect develops for 2011 and beyond.

There are some issues about making the number of offensive linemen work out, depending on how many we draft. I count 10 OLs (not including Wendell or Bussey): Light, Vollmer, LeVoir, a developmental RT, Mankins, Koppen, Kaczur, a rookie RG, Ohrnberger and Connolly. But I suspect that can be sorted out in training camp.

I think it would be worth giving it a try.

 

[carolinatony]

We could take Mike Iupati Idaho ,Vladimir Ducasse Mass or Mike Johnson Bama and solve the problem if we wanted.
I have wanted a Solid OG for years ala John Hannah.

 

[mayoclinic]

We could take Mike Iupati Idaho ,Vladimir Ducasse Mass or Mike Johnson Bama and solve the problem if we wanted.
I have wanted a Solid OG for years ala John Hannah.

We might have a solid OG for years. John Hannah is a whole different story.

 

[bucky]

I actually think OL was one of our strongest units this year. Next year's worst case OL scenario is to have at least 4 out of (Vollmer, Light, Kaczur, Mankins, Koppen) as starters. Possibly all 5. I don't know whether it would be Light or Kaczur moving to guard, whichever works best for Dante.

If this is the case, I'm perfectly fine with the last Guard spot being open competition between Connoly, Ohrenberger and Wendell. BB seemed to think that Ohrengerger would challenge for playing time after last year's draft. Obviously that did not come to pass, but I think he'll be given ever opportunity to win a job.

If we can upgrade either of those positions via FA or mid-round picks, that's fine. But using a first or second rounder on OL when there are so many other needs would be a travesty.