Cannon, Svitek and a rookie at RG; Connolly or Wendell at C

[mgteich]

Cannon (in his contract year), Svitek (easy re-sign) and a rookie at RG

I presume that we will choose between Wendell and Connolly at center.

Does this work for folks?

 

[TonyTucker]

No. They need an upgrade at C.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Depends if you're looking for an upgrade or a cheap way out with similar (good) play as this past year.

As an upgrade, perhaps, Connelly was a decent Center (a couple of years ago) and Cannon should be an upgrade at RG with how he played Tackle.

It would certainly be the cheap way out. We also have several PS/developmental guys in Kline, Barker, Cave who were all on the roster (or PS) all season other than occassionally being cut to go back to the PS. They survived all season, Barker on the 53 and Cave getting paid more than the PS minimum so they must like something about them.

I'm good with letting that group compete and spending the $$$/picks on defense, TE and one more WR. Would we be better with Alex Mack at Center and a #1 pick at RG ? Sure. But I wouldn't spend the resources there.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

If we want Brady to have the time to throw those deep bombs to Slater we need to upgrade the OC position to provide interior pass rush protection.

 

[mgteich]

If you don't spend serious free agent resources on the offensive line, then Brady may not have to throw bombs to Slater.

If we want Brady to have the time to throw those deep bombs to Slater we need to upgrade the OC position to provide interior pass rush protection.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I know this isn't about roster spots but an FYI on Cave, he was Notre Dame's long snapper for at least part of his time there, if he makes the team next year even as a backup it would be nice to save a roster spot by not having a dedicated long snapper.

 

[mgteich]

You only save a roster spot if Cave is good enough to be one of the two Game Day backups.
It is indeed a possibility, but I don't see it happening. Obviously, if Belichick thinks that Cave is ready to play, he won't tender or re-sign Aiken. We'll find out soon.

I agree that being a snapper helps Cave in his chance to make the roster. It seems that Kline and Svitek are our most likely Game Day backups.

I know this isn't about roster spots but an FYI on Cave, he was Notre Dame's long snapper for at least part of his time there, if he makes the team next year even as a backup it would be nice to save a roster spot by not having a dedicated long snapper.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

You only save a roster spot if Cave is good enough to be one of the two Game Day backups.

True but if he's a viable long snapper and was kept to play that position he's someone who could be a viable "extra" backup OL in case of an emergency as opposed to Aiken who is a LS only.

Anyway I don't want to take this thread off subject but Cave is someone who was expected to be drafted in around the 5th round so he intrigues me as somewhat of a sleeper.

 

[juny]

If we want Brady to have the time to throw those deep bombs to Slater we need to upgrade the OC position to provide interior pass rush protection.

I was hoping the deep bomb to Slater play was ripped out, burned, and forever banned from the play book.

 

[Kontradiction]

Cannon (in his contract year), Svitek (easy re-sign) and a rookie at RG

I presume that we will choose between Wendell and Connolly at center.

Does this work for folks?

Cannon at RG and Connolly at C has worked for me since prior to the 2012 season.

 

[patsfan-1982]

I think cannon is going to stay as the backup T I don't think he will be a full time player if he was a upgrade at RG he would have started there day one this season, they could Draft Travis Swanson, in the 2th or 3rd round to play C or Draft a G in the first or 2th but IMO Cannon starting anywhere on the OL is a big weakness I like him as insurance for Vollmer but not as a starter

 

[Ring 6]

True but if he's a viable long snapper and was kept to play that position he's someone who could be a viable "extra" backup OL in case of an emergency as opposed to Aiken who is a LS only.

Anyway I don't want to take this thread off subject but Cave is someone who was expected to be drafted in around the 5th round so he intrigues me as somewhat of a sleeper.

I disagree. I think you are either a regular player or a long snapper.
The risk of losing your long snapper to injury while they play on the OL is too big. Losing your long snapper can easily cost you the game because a bad play by the snapper is a disaster.

 

[stelfans]

Cannon was awful everytime he played inside last year and was much better at RT. I have no idea what people think they saw in him to slot him as a starter!!! at RG next year.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I disagree. I think you are either a regular player or a long snapper.
The risk of losing your long snapper to injury while they play on the OL is too big. Losing your long snapper can easily cost you the game because a bad play by the snapper is a disaster.

We have a disaster plan for long snapping (I think it's Ninkovich, if not probably Wendell) as the long snapper could get hurt long snapping. I get your point but if a guy is a legit long snapper who can be a backup OL in case of emergency I'd take that over a long snapper who can't do anything else in an emergency.

 

[superpats]

I always liked cannon at rg. His struggles at rg were more due to scheme problems rather than athletically. He was a little cloudy.on the complex schemes but that gets better with time. I think his time he spent at rt would have helped with that. So i would be for Himso start at rt in 2014. With conolly at center. Or sign an established center. I always had confidence in him as a rg. He reminded me a lot of carl nicks whom was one of my favorite players during 08 draft season. I believed he was bound to be most dominant guard since larry allen or Andre waters. lots of fine guards around nfl Were physical tackles. IYanda nicks osemele.

 

[Brady6]

Cannon (in his contract year), Svitek (easy re-sign) and a rookie at RG

I presume that we will choose between Wendell and Connolly at center.

Does this work for folks?

I have zero interest in Svitek, he gave us nothing in 2013 and was behind Kline by the end of the season.

I would go Cannon at RG and draft a player in the 2nd-4th round to be Mankins replacement long term.

LT – Solder, Vollmer, Cannon
LG – Mankins, Rookie, Kline
OC – Mack, Cave
RG – Cannon, Rookie, Kline
RT – Vollmer, Cannon, Zusevics

Zusevics and Kline of course aren’t locks, there could be another practice squad, or UDFA player that leap frog them.

 

[mgteich]

TACKLE
IMHO, we are set at OT. We have Solder, Vollmer and Cannon (who can also backup at RG.

LEFT GUARD
We are fine with Mankins.

UTILITY BACKUPS
We have Kline and Svitek who can play more than position. We also have Barker and Cave.

==================
RIGHT GUARD AND CENTER
We need two starters. For me, it is that simple. For many of us, Connolly and Wendell are
the defaults. The cost of Connolly is $3M and the cost of Wendell unknown. I presume that we will keep one of these, although keeping both may be the most reasonable approach. Personally, I would prefer a mid-level free agent or even Svitek to Cannon at RG. But, if we were going to do that, I would simply keep Connolly and find a center.

BOTTOM LINE
A cap hit of $5-$6M seems right for a starting RG and a starting C. Connolly can be extended and have a cap cost of $2M or so. That leaves $3M-$4M for a center. I think that this could be done.

 

[Ring 6]

We have a disaster plan for long snapping (I think it's Ninkovich, if not probably Wendell) as the long snapper could get hurt long snapping. I get your point but if a guy is a legit long snapper who can be a backup OL in case of emergency I'd take that over a long snapper who can't do anything else in an emergency.

Sure if the best long snapper can do something else in an emergency that's nice, but it won't get him a job unless he is a great long snapper. BB won't accept mediocre in that position for that possible little bonus.

 

[captain stone]

TACKLE
IMHO, we are set at OT. We have Solder, Vollmer and Cannon (who can also backup at RG.

LEFT GUARD
We are fine with Mankins.

UTILITY BACKUPS
We have Kline and Svitek who can play more than position. We also have Barker and Cave.

==================
RIGHT GUARD AND CENTER
We need two starters. For me, it is that simple. For many of us, Connolly and Wendell are
the defaults. The cost of Connolly is $3M and the cost of Wendell unknown. I presume that we will keep one of these, although keeping both may be the most reasonable approach. Personally, I would prefer a mid-level free agent or even Svitek to Cannon at RG. But, if we were going to do that, I would simply keep Connolly and find a center.

BOTTOM LINE
A cap hit of $5-$6M seems right for a starting RG and a starting C. Connolly can be extended and have a cap cost of $2M or so. That leaves $3M-$4M for a center. I think that this could be done.

Extend Connolly? I don't think so. In fact, I feel the opposite is true: demand he take
a pay cut or get released.
And there is nothing whatsoever reasonable about having both Wendy & Connolly return
and start in 2014, or having Wendy return at all.