Minicamp Updates - day two

[crowell33]

George Bussey getting reps with the first team at LG. Ohrnberger and Larsen have not. Interesting.

 

[BradyManny]

George Bussey getting reps with the first team at LG. Ohrnberger and Larsen have not. Interesting.

I think first team is mildly misleading - Hoyer was in at that point with the other 1's, as well as Wendell at center. Bussey wasn't the only 2 to get a chance to run w the 1's. Also, it was LT according to PFW.

George Bussey got a lot of reps at left tackle, many with a group that included John Wise, Connolly, Ted Larsen and Mark LeVoir. Bussey got some team reps at left tackle late in the workout with a group that included Kaczur at left guard, Wendell at center, Neal at right guard and LeVoir at right tackle. There seems to be a nice battle developing between Wendell and Connolly (and maybe others) for that versatile interior backup role.

But it is interesting that Ohrnberger seems absent from the OL on the 2nd string. Larsen/Welch etc are ahead of him?

 

[patchick]

But it is interesting that Ohrnberger seems absent from the OL on the 2nd string. Larsen/Welch etc are ahead of him?

I'd say Orhnberger has been conspicuous by his absence in reports of line groupings. He was a kind of peculiar draft pick to start with -- very different from the Patriot OL prototype. There was a lot of speculation they'd move him to center, but no sign of that either as far as I can see. :confused2:

 

[BradyManny]

I'd say Orhnberger has been conspicuous by his absence in reports of line groupings. He was a kind of peculiar draft pick to start with -- very different from the Patriot OL prototype. There was a lot of speculation they'd move him to center, but no sign of that either as far as I can see. :confused2:

I want to say he may have taken some reps at C last TC and preseason, but am not sure...I might just think that only because of the speculation around him playing center.

But I agree, his absence is a little bit alarming. Or surprising, at least, given some first year guys seem ahead of him.

 

[Patspsycho]

Don't think we should read too much into line groupings this early.

 

[Gwedd]

Don't think we should read too much into line groupings this early.

Agreed. If it keeps up during TC, then that's another thing. For now, the Pats are likely just looking at different combos to see what's what.

 

[Kontradiction]

Don't think we should read too much into line groupings this early.

Agreed, but Bussey is someone who I have a lot of interest in watching. When I brought up drafting a OG with either our first and second round pick, it turned into a big thing with me and Box and his rationale for not drafting a OG was Bussey. He's someone who I'm taking interest in.

 

[BTTA]

Go ahead, make fun. He holds the Patriots and NFL record for average number of punts per game.

Punter for the New England Patriots is not a tenured position. Ask Brooks Barnard ... Brooks Barnard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[captain stone]

Observations from Patriots practice - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

It's no wonder Dante wasn't happy; he might've just realized that these guys aren't any good.

 

[mgteich]

It is very early. Lots of combinations will be tried by the time we get to the 3rd preseason game when it really does matter which group you practice and play with. The competition is just beginning.

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There are lots of folks to choose from. They don't all need to look good. Even with Mankins gone, there are seven returnees: five starters (Light, Kaczur, Koppen, Neal and Vollmer) and the two backups (Connolly and LeVoir). Connolly and LeVoir seem to be perennial JAG backups, which is fine. They are good enough for us to have the luxury of carrying a developmental lineman or even two on the 53 man squad.

Unless there is a great surprise, the rest of the players are competing for inactive positions and Practice Squad positions.

Ohrnberger, Bussey and Wendell were here last year and two will likely win the roster spots. Welch and Larsen could take the spots with solid performances or end up on the Practice Squad.
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Bussey is interesting since his strength is his play on the left side, at LT and LG. Bussey could sneak in to the 4th OT position if Kaczur moves to guard.
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And yes, Ohrnberger is conspicuous by his lack of mention. As has been said, he was a curious choice. Belichick liked him a lot, and one presumes dante did also. It seems early to give up on him.

One has to believe that we didn't draft a guard because dante liked what he had in Connolly, Bussey and Ohrnberger.
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THE EARLY LINES (without Mankins)
starters: Light, Kaczur, Koppen, Neal, Vollmer
game day backups: LeVoir, Connolly
inactive 53 man roster: Bussey, Orhnberger
Practice Squad: Wendell, Larsen, Welch

 

[Patspsycho]

Agreed, but Bussey is someone who I have a lot of interest in watching. When I brought up drafting a OG with either our first and second round pick, it turned into a big thing with me and Box and his rationale for not drafting a OG was Bussey. He's someone who I'm taking interest in.

I will keep an eye on him in training camp. When the pads are put on is when I wet my pants over things like groupings, slots, and formations.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Go ahead, make fun. He holds the Patriots and NFL record for average number of punts per game.

OK, thanks, I will. If you can't laugh at the Patriots' punting, what can you?

Not a record you want the Patriots holding, but I guess that you can't blame old Brooks directly that the team couldn't convert on third down. Must just have been bad vibes ...

 

[BradyManny]

Don't think we should read too much into line groupings this early.

Fair enough. There are no guarantees they go into camp with these same groupings - they may be putting an emphasis on getting reps for new guys or rookies.

 

[captain stone]

THE EARLY LINES (without Mankins):

starters: Light, Kaczur, Koppen, Neal, Vollmer
game day backups: LeVoir, Connolly
inactive 53 man roster: Bussey, Orhnberger
Practice Squad: Wendell, Larsen, Welch

Unless he completely poops his pants, I expect (hope?) that Larsen makes the 53 as Koppen's primary backup.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Not a record you want the Patriots holding, but I guess that you can't blame old Brooks directly that the team couldn't convert on third down. Must just have been bad vibes ...

Maybe they figured that Brooks was so good punting, it didn't matter if they converted or not? :bricks:

 

[mgteich]

Unless you have some secret information, Larsen has a long way to go to beat out Connolly for a roster spot as backup center.

BTW, I want Larsen to make the team.

However, no may how we cutm it, we have a starting center and a backup center (and even a Practive Squad center in Wendell). So, I think you ahve it backwards. Larsen is a 6th round prospect who is expected to make the Practice Squad and could make the team.

After all, as of right now, there is NO ONE but Connolly that dante would trust as the Game Day backup center and guard. And why should we believe that Larsen has already passed Ohrnberger in the depth chart?

Unless he completely poops his pants, I expect (hope?) that Larsen makes the 53 as Koppen's primary backup.

 

[patchick]

And why should we believe that Larsen has already passed Ohrnberger in the depth chart?

No objective reason whatsoever. Subjectively, I believe Larsen has far greater potential.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

You may be right, although Moss will look at the Mankins and Brady situations very closely, and his decision to switch agents in an effort to drum up maximum cash would seem (at least at first blush) to indicate that he's not going to play the "cheapest house in the neighborhood" game that the Patriots prefer.

However, I think Moss saying it explains why people would think it, and that's what I was responding to.

Maybe he's trying to drum up non-football money to help make up for the discount he'll take when he signs with the Pats?

 

[captain stone]

No objective reason whatsoever. Subjectively, I believe Larsen has far greater potential.

What she said...

 

[mgteich]

always a strong argument

What she said...