Center Ryan Wendell "Secret Superstar"

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Here are several links on C Ryan Wendell, where columnist proclaim him as the best run blocking center in the NFL and a secret superstar for NE. Definitely something of interest and to look at. Give me your feedback and comments on what you think of the articles.

Y! SPORTS

Pro Football Focus calls center Ryan Wendell the New England Patriots' 'Secret Superstar' | masslive.com

 

[Oswlek]

I don't put much stock in what PFF says, even when it is complimentary of Patriot players.

 

[BradyFTW!]

There was a period last year where PFF had Wilfork ranked as a far below-average DT (he was third-worst in their DT rankings, as of November 2012).

Their evaluations of line play are even more useless than their evaluations of everything else.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Worst football site ever.

 

[Kontradiction]

[Mildly condescending comment made to pile on OP for using PFF]

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I don't put much stock in what PFF says, even when it is complimentary of Patriot players.

If they're willing to call any player on the JEST a "Secret Superstar," it makes them even more suspect.

After all, a JEST superstar would be something like a "Secret Mediocrity," or maybe just "Least Likely to Buttfumble."

 

[Off The Grid]

[Mildly condescending comment made to pile on OP for using PFF]

I couldn't've put it better, myself!!

 

[Joker]

I always get PFF and PFT confused when people use either one here...I don't really get all aflutter when I browse PFT but I haven't slummed the sewer of Pro Football Focus for years now. It's continued existence points to one axiom, throw enough crap at a wall a some is bound to stick.

 

[supafly]

PFF or not, Wendell proved himself to be a very capable center last season in my opinion.

 

[Huckleberry1]

PFF or not, Wendell proved himself to be a very capable center last season in my opinion.

I like Wendell but PFF is a joke, they named Kareem McKenzie the best player in football a few years ago.

 

[supafly]

I like Wendell but PFF is a joke, they named Kareem McKenzie the best player in football a few years ago.

No I'm not disputing that.

I'm just saying that I think Wendell had a pretty decent year. The position of center is one that's known well by Belichick, and in this offense I'd imagine that you have to use a nice combination of skill and smarts, along with good chemistry with the QB.

 

[mgteich]

Wendell is one of the Big Three for re-signing in 2014: Wendell, Ninkovich and Talib (some would add Spikes). I hope that an extension can come soon.

No I'm not disputing that.

I'm just saying that I think Wendell had a pretty decent year. The position of center is one that's known well by Belichick, and in this offense I'd imagine that you have to use a nice combination of skill and smarts, along with good chemistry with the QB.

 

[supafly]

Wendell is one of the Big Three for re-signing in 2014: Wendell, Ninkovich and Talib (some would add Spikes). I hope that an extension can come soon.

I could see either scenario being reasonable. Either we see him to a "fair" and likely somewhat lower than market value extension, or we finally end up using that higher round pick on an interior lineman/center that we've been discussing for the past couple/few years.

Either way, I personally wouldn't be too concerned about possibly losing him--at least at this point anyway. That could obviously change during this upcoming season, should he continue to show improvement.

That could also be related to my constant optimism pertaining to our offensive lineman, so take that opinion with a grain of salt. It's possible that I am undervaluing Wendell, as much as I think he was very good last year.

I do think however, that the potential is certainly there to sign Wendell to an extension while moving on from Dan Connelly's projected 2014 cap hit of over 4 million dollars.

 

[mgteich]

I would pay Wendell market value (or a a bit more). Who are the backups at center that you want to count on? Connolly is NOT a $4M center. The drop-off from Wendell to McDonald figures to be large.

The elephant in the room is that we need to prepare for 2015 when Solder, Connolly, and Cannon are all free agents. I expect that we will keep Connolly for 2014, even at $4M, unless Cannon can beat him out this year. We have one of the two beat OL's in the NFL. Belichick would like to keep it that way.

For 2013 (and presumably for 2014), we are saving money at RB and WR, and spending it on the OL.

That could also be related to my constant optimism pertaining to our offensive lineman, so take that opinion with a grain of salt. It's possible that I am undervaluing Wendell, as much as I think he was very good last year.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I would pay Wendell market value (or a a bit more). Who are the backups at center that you want to count on? Connolly is NOT a $4M center. The drop-off from Wendell to McDonald figures to be large.

The elephant in the room is that we need to prepare for 2015 when Solder, Connolly, and Cannon are all free agents.

Maybe, maybe not. IIRC, the team has to decide after this season whether to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract.

 

[supafly]

I would pay Wendell market value (or a a bit more). Who are the backups at center that you want to count on? Connolly is NOT a $4M center. The drop-off from Wendell to McDonald figures to be large.

The elephant in the room is that we need to prepare for 2015 when Solder, Connolly, and Cannon are all free agents. I expect that we will keep Connolly for 2014, even at $4M, unless Cannon can beat him out this year. We have one of the two beat OL's in the NFL. Belichick would like to keep it that way.

For 2013 (and presumably for 2014), we are saving money at RB and WR, and spending it on the OL.

Like I said, I certainly think it's reasonable to think that we may extend Wendell--but I think if we do, we may not be keeping Connelly at a 4 million cap hit for 2014 unless he restrucures.

Ryan Wendell's situation is the same as other other member of the team who's contract is expiring. I imagine they'd be fine with extending him if the terms are reasonable, which often means market value at its highest. I don't believe that they'd "pay him more" as you say.

 

[supafly]

I don't think you can necessarily say "we HAVE to keep so and so player when his contract is up due to not having an adequate replacement at the moment."

Situations change year to year. In the salary cap era (especially with a team and coach who pay great attention to value and refuse to overpay under any scenario) the object is to get as much out of the cheaper rookie pacts as possible.

If there's a rookie that may be a viable candidate for a round 1-3 pick in next year's draft, or even a player who is cost efficient like Nick McDonald who already has played the position and is continuing to progress and familarize himself here, they will be in the mix to replace Wendell if they can't agree to a fair contract with him.

Obviously we all hope that he stays, but it's definitely not a guarantee. At the moment we're getting maximum value from Wendell at a very reasonable cost. That pattern may/may not continue, but we can't afford to pay everyone on the offensive line in every offseason either.

 

[mgteich]

Just because there are a couple of top center prospects in the draft doesn't mean that he will be reasonably available to us. Personally, I would NOT want to go into the draft with McDonald and Connolly as my centers. As I said, if the issue is money, then I would consider paying Wendell a bit more and perhaps cut Connolly.

Unless Wendell is injured this season, I expect there is to be serious competition for his services. As far as value, Wendell may be worth as much to us as to any other team. We shall see.

However, I agree with your analysis. There are no OL's that we HAVE to have at any cost. IMHO, Vollmer came close, and we allowed him to look around for many weeks.

I don't think you can necessarily say "we HAVE to keep so and so player when his contract is up due to not having an adequate replacement at the moment."

Situations change year to year. In the salary cap era (especially with a team and coach who pay great attention to value and refuse to overpay under any scenario) the object is to get as much out of the cheaper rookie pacts as possible.

If there's a rookie that may be a viable candidate for a round 1-3 pick in next year's draft, or even a player who is cost efficient like Nick McDonald who already has played the position and is continuing to progress and familarize himself here, they will be in the mix to replace Wendell if they can't agree to a fair contract with him.

Obviously we all hope that he stays, but it's definitely not a guarantee.

 

[Oswlek]

I don't think you can necessarily say "we HAVE to keep so and so player when his contract is up due to not having an adequate replacement at the moment."

Situations change year to year. In the salary cap era (especially with a team and coach who pay great attention to value and refuse to overpay under any scenario) the object is to get as much out of the cheaper rookie pacts as possible.

If there's a rookie that may be a viable candidate for a round 1-3 pick in next year's draft, or even a player who is cost efficient like Nick McDonald who already has played the position and is continuing to progress and familarize himself here, they will be in the mix to replace Wendell if they can't agree to a fair contract with him.

Obviously we all hope that he stays, but it's definitely not a guarantee. At the moment we're getting maximum value from Wendell at a very reasonable cost. That pattern may/may not continue, but we can't afford to pay everyone on the offensive line in every offseason either.

Absolutely. Three years ago many of us (myself included) were looking at interior OL as a major position of need. Mankins was grumbling, Koppen has declined, Neal was moving on....

Yet, somehow, they plugged Connolly in when Koppen went down and he did fine. Then when Connolly had to move over Wendell proved to be a fine C himself. I can't speak for anyone else, but the team has earned my trust when it comes to the OL.

 

[mgteich]

Nice catch! I had forgotten about the 5th year option. We do indeed have Solder through 2015 if we exercise the option before May 2014.

Maybe, maybe not. IIRC, the team has to decide after this season whether to exercise the fifth-year option on his contract.