Patriots interested in center De La Puente?

[Huckleberry1]

Thank god that PFF isn't making the evaluation judgements for the NE Patriots...

Thanks to Fantasy Football more and more posters are using PFF as if it has any credibility when it has absolutely none. I wish they would install a feature that would censor key words and acronyms instead of poster's, that way every time a poster uses these morons as a source for their information it would be blocked.

 

[Jimke]

I'm surprised that the Patriots have had only two pre-draft contacts
with offensive linemen.

 

[Brady6]

The problem at center is the same as it is at WR, they have to be able to read defenses and see the game the same way Brady does and be able to make adjustments and be on the same page as him at all times. They essentially Qb the offensive line so any center they bring in or draft has to have those qualities to be successful in New England. We can look at the physical attributes of the free agent centers and draft prospects at the position all we want but they are looking at the mental capabilities of every candidate just as closely as the physical attributes. I am all for Richburg or Swanson et al...if they meet that criteria but honestly have no idea who does or doesn't clear that bar.

Excellent points made here, the ability to read the defense is essential for our center. I would say that Bryan Stork is the most NFL ready center from a technique and awareness perspective, but someone like Manx could probably provide a better evaluation on that.

At the end of the day the Patriots could roll with –

- LT – Solder
- LG – Mankins
- OC – Connolly
- RG – Cannon
- RT – Vollmer

I am confident that Cannon could play well at RG personally, and Connolly has proven effective at OC in the past. Personally, I would be more inclined to do that than spend big on De La Puente.

 

[captain stone]

I could live with that starting 5, provided that Bill also drafts Connolly's & Mankins' eventual
replacements, and that Wendy is no longer a member of this team.

 

[mayoclinic]

Excellent points made here, the ability to read the defense is essential for our center. I would say that Bryan Stork is the most NFL ready center from a technique and awareness perspective, but someone like Manx could probably provide a better evaluation on that.

At the end of the day the Patriots could roll with –

- LT – Solder
- LG – Mankins
- OC – Connolly
- RG – Cannon
- RT – Vollmer

I am confident that Cannon could play well at RG personally, and Connolly has proven effective at OC in the past. Personally, I would be more inclined to do that than spend big on De La Puente.

I could live with that starting 5, provided that Bill also drafts Connolly's & Mankins' eventual
replacements, and that Wendy is no longer a member of this team.

That's sort of been my default expectation for the OL. It takes pressure off needing an immediate starter. There are a number of good OL prospects who could be available day 3 (Trai Turner, Russell Bodine, Cameron Fleming) if not earlier in the draft. Building some quality depth and future starting capability would be a reasonable start.

 

[woolster22]

I could live with that starting 5, provided that Bill also drafts Connolly's & Mankins' eventual
replacements, and that Wendy is no longer a member of this team.

one of the three get drafted this year, one replacement via FA next year, a draft replacement next year, and one of the three will be back.

 

[DaBruinz]

This is why I'm hoping they go bigger for a C in the draft. Swanson is 6'5" and 312.

Has Dan Koppen given any hints that he might return to football? I know he moved back to RI after losing last year to injury.

Koppen has retired. He's coaching HS football this year, I believe.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

Please let this happen...please.

 

[patsfan-1982]

I think he could be a bit of a upgrade but not a whole lot, super star QB's like Brady. Manning and Brees make bad OL men look good and good ones look great

 

[Patriot Missile]

Excellent points made here, the ability to read the defense is essential for our center. I would say that Bryan Stork is the most NFL ready center from a technique and awareness perspective, but someone like Manx could probably provide a better evaluation on that.

At the end of the day the Patriots could roll with –

- LT – Solder
- LG – Mankins
- OC – Connolly
- RG – Cannon
- RT – Vollmer

I am confident that Cannon could play well at RG personally, and Connolly has proven effective at OC in the past. Personally, I would be more inclined to do that than spend big on De La Puente.

I could live with at line too. What I can't live with is another season of injuries. We need depth.

 

[patfanken]

I don't think that's what's happening here, Ken. This is different - and more justified. Ryan Wendell is not that good, and maybe he's fine for the regular season against weaker competition, but I do not feel comfortable going into January and February with him.

I don't know the first thing about De La Puente, but after Wendell got his rear completely handed to him in the AFCCG, I can't look at him as anything other than depth, and have to be open for replacements.

Listen, BM, no one was more surprised that Wendell won the C competition in 2012, and I was equally surprised when after the season, all the so called ratings sites had him so high in their rankings. I'm just as surprised to see him ranked so low now. Now I know enough about OL blocking schemes to understand how interrelated their responsibilities are. Its never about 5 individuals blocking on the OL, its a unit, ideally moving as one. All too often, a mistake by one person could make another person look bad. Its not always easy for a lay person to evaluate individuals

From what I can see, there is no question he's undersized and can be occasionally taken advantage of by big strong DTt's, but from everything I've read, he was also a big factor in the success of the running game. So I won't be upset that much if Wendell is back at C and Connolly and his cap number is gone. Nor will I be upset if Wendell isn't signed, and Connolly plays C. We might gain something in pass protection and lose something in the run game. Maybe moving Cannon to RG might make up for some of that.

Like everyone else, I'd love to upgrade the C position, but I'm not at all excited about what's there in FA, and while there may be a couple of guys who we could draft that might ULTIMATELY be upgrades, I'm not sure I'd want to trust a rookie to come in and be that upgrade right away.

Outside of Mack, is there a Center out there who WOULD be someone to get excited about. BDLP seems like a decent guy, but he has the same weaknesses Wendell is accused of having, but isn't as good a run blocker. Where's the upside there. I'd just as soon trust a guy who knows the offense.

It is interesting to see how the Pats eventually decide to fill this need. Will they re-sign Wendell. Do they think they have Wendell's replacement on the roster...maybe one of the PS guys?, Or will they go to the draft. I'm not that concerned because there are a couple of solutions that won't cost much, yet will leave us with an adequate, if not ideal, Center

Frankly, I thought Connolly's play at C was much stronger, we re-signed him to play the position, injuries forced him to G, it's time to move him back. He's a little bigger, and a little better. But, then we have to worry about guard, so either way, interior line is a position where we are going to have to add personnel that was not on our 53 last year, and it isn't about shiny toys. It's about beefing up the front so we don't get smoked by a decent DL, a problem that has ruined several winters for Patsfans.

Connolly's size makes him a more sturdy link in pass protection, but he's not the run blocker that Wendell is. If Connolly does move to C, maybe Kine is ready to step up as a back up.