Thoughts On The Offensive Line

[mgteich]

I expect an extension for Thuney, freeing up $7M or so of cap room.

CANNON
I would think that Cannon should either be extended, cut or traded. If he isn't part of the future, we might re-sign Newhouse for the small change that he has been making, and draft a RT with our first pick, pick 23 or a tradedown. This would free up a net of $4M or so of cap room.

THE DRAFT
We would draft a top RT, an interior OL, and perhaps another OL.

OT: Wynn, draftee, Cajuste, Newhouse, (Cannon), Cunningham
C: Andrews, Ferentz, draftee
OG: Thuney, Mason, Froholdt, draftee

 

[Patsgofor4]

Cannon’s play last year didn’t come close to justifying his cap number, although I wonder how much his early season shoulder injury affected his play the rest of the year. If he is willing to take a salary cut, I would keep him. Otherwise, sign Daryl Williams and let him compete with Cajuste for the RT spot.

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Wow OT is really weak

 

[AQPE]

Other than Thuney and Mason, with Wynn’s injury history and considering Scar’s retirement, this is a tire fire. They need Andrews to come back and be healthy, Mason to turn it around, and (as mgteich stated) to draft 2 more to go with Froholdt and Cajuste. The others are highly replaceable to say the least.

Am looking forward to the draft to say the least after this week.

OT: Can someone please put Kraft and Tom Sr. in isolation, there seems no way to get them to STFU with the stupid unhelpful remarks.

 

[mgteich]

Other than Thuney and Mason, with Wynn’s injury history and considering Scar’s retirement, this is a tire fire. They need Andrews to come back and be healthy, Mason to turn it around, and (as mgteich stated) to draft 2 more to go with Froholdt and Cajuste. The others are highly replaceable to say the least.

Am looking forward to the draft to say the least after this week.

OT: Can someone please put Kraft and Tom Sr. in isolation, there seems no way to get them to STFU with the stupid unhelpful remarks.

Where you and I disagree is that I think that we will have a very good line in 2020 and over the next few years. Sure, we are indeed in transition, especially if Cannon goes. I do think that it is just possible that Cannon will stay, and be the worthy starter that he has been in the past. It is OK to have 5 youngsters as the backups.

 

[AQPE]

OK, I like your optimism, mgteich. It will definitely be interesting to see the impact of the new coach on this group.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I still don’t think they keep Thuney.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I wouldn’t cut Cannon unless we draft a tackle in Round 1. Injuries destroyed our OL and FB’s last year. I’m hoping for good health.

I think top pick will be used on DL or LB

 

[Deus Irae]

CANNON
I would think that Cannon should either be extended, cut or traded. If he isn't part of the future, we might re-sign Newhouse for the small change that he has been making, and draft a RT with our first pick, pick 23 or a tradedown. This would free up a net of $4M or so of cap room.

Cannon's one that people have talked a lot about in the past year. If he's healthy, the smart play is to keep him as the starter for 2020. It makes the most sense, cap wise. His dead money to savings ratio is much better after this upcoming season, his actual salary is a good deal for a starting RT, and his current deal already takes him until he's 33 years old, so the Patriots probably don't want to add more years onto the contract of an oft-injured and aging right tackle.

But, the Patriots being the Patriots, it wouldn't shock me to see them threaten to cut Cannon in the hopes that he'll take a cut.

 

[Triumph]

Wynn really isn't that good of a LT. A whole lot of hype for a mediocre player. Wynn, Harry K, Sony, Malcolm B and Easily. Pats are on a run of bum luck drafting in round 1.

Draft another LT and move Wynn to RT assuming that he doesnt land on PUP or IR. His 3rd year on the team and hopefully 2nd year actually playing.

 

[farn]

I don’t think Wynn is the problem. I still have faith that if he stays on the field, he’ll be a good player.

If the OL ends up being Wynn-Thuney-Andrews-Mason-Whomever it’ll be fine. But there are many IFs... will Wynn stay healthy, will Thuney remain, how is Andrews’ health and was Mason injured ?

 

[Water Boy]

The O line is the biggest mystery to me as far as need is concerned.
There are question marks with every position.

LT - Wynn -can he stay healthy and improve?
LG- Thuney - are we really going to keep him at that cap number?
C - Andrews - I think everyone is being highly optimistic when they assume he'll play this season
RG - Mason - He did not look good last year, I think Injury and lack of Andrews hurt him
RT - Cannon - was definitely not healthy - had some sort of sickness during the season.

Backups
OG - Froholdt - who knows
OT - Cajuste - even bigger question mark.
OT - Newhouse - I thought he played decent at RT

To me the biggest weakness of our line last year was the absence of Andrews. If he is questionable I think OC is a position that we need to prioritize in the draft.

 

[TomPatriot]

Don’t sleep on Eluemunor.

 

[Doctor DDS]

I think the current OL, if healthy, compares favorably talent wise to the majority of lines the team has put together over the past 20 years. Though I assume they will look a little worse statistically like they did in 2008 without Brady behind center. Andrews, Thuney and Mason are all very good players and Wynn and Cannon are more than serviceable right now. Hopefully one of the draft picks from last year is good enough to become a rotational player and become a starter the following year. Assuming health, this is one of the units I am least worried about.

 

[p8ryts]

I expect an extension for Thuney, freeing up $7M or so of cap room.

CANNON
I would think that Cannon should either be extended, cut or traded. If he isn't part of the future, we might re-sign Newhouse for the small change that he has been making, and draft a RT with our first pick, pick 23 or a tradedown. This would free up a net of $4M or so of cap room.

THE DRAFT
We would draft a top RT, an interior OL, and perhaps another OL.

OT: Wynn, draftee, Cajuste, Newhouse, (Cannon), Cunningham
C: Andrews, Ferentz, draftee
OG: Thuney, Mason, Froholdt, draftee

The big issue is Andrews health. I really prefer to retain Thuney. Newhouse was a true soldier but we have to get better at that spot. I wish I had some idea of what Cunningham really is. I would still like Cesar Ruiz drafted at #1 for Andrews insurance and an improvement at backup IOL. So let's assume we will carry 10 OL with the expanded roster.
Wynn, Thuney, Andrews, Mason, Cannon
Cajuste, Froholdt, Ruiz and 2 players to be named later. Cunningham, Ferentz, Toran or draftee, unknown FA.

 

[ashley]

There are some questions on the line, that's for sure...can Wynn stay healthy, will Andrews be ok, will Cannon and Mason bounce back from disappointing years? I think there is potential on the line however and if Andrews can come back to full health, it will make a huge difference. With him Thuney and Mason, I think we are more than solid. Wynn will be good, just hoping he can stay healthy.
I think we have more pressing needs on this team, like tight end, linebacker and d-line.

 

[Patriot Missile]

I still don’t think they keep Thuney.

I think they do keep him and extend him. At He will be in his prime over the next 3 or 4 Seasons. Contracts given out to guards did not break the bank this offseason. Right now If they can get him to a Mason type contract it will be considered team friendly in the long run.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Figuring out the offensive line is the single biggest job bb has this offseason.

Wynn - I think he has the potential to be a solid lt, if he can stay healthy.

thuney - among the best in the nfl.

Andrews - the wild card. I do not know if he will be healthy next season. But since karras left, we need to draft a center/guard. Biadasz from Wisconsin in the third round would be a great fit,

mason - when healthy is a devastating run blocker and barely acceptable pass blocker.

cannon - for those two games a year, he is healthy, he is a good run blocker and average pass protector.

cajuste - if healthy becomes the third tackle/guard. If not healthy, a draft pick will be needed.

frodholtz - what little I saw of him, convinced me, he needs a lot of work before he can contribute. Again, a draft pick is needed here for competition. Eluenumor could be competition as well.

 

[PowerRunRevival]

The line was bad last year but I could see it being one of the best in the league. If they keep Thuney, Andrews is healthy, and Cannon has a bounce-back year then that's a very good line.

I expect that they will add at least one tackle and center in the draft as contingencies for Cannon and Andrews. If they plan on trading Thuney then I expect they will draft at least one guard as well.

With how bad the offensive line was last year I would be shocked if Belichick doesn't address it in the draft.

 

[mgteich]

The line was bad last year but I could see it being one of the best in the league. If they keep Thuney, Andrews is healthy, and Cannon has a bounce-back year then that's a very good line.

I expect that they will add at least one tackle and center in the draft as contingencies for Cannon and Andrews. If they plan on trading Thuney then I expect they will draft at least one guard as well.

With how bad the offensive line was last year I would be shocked if Belichick doesn't address it in the draft.

Yes, we will draft at least 2 OL's. We need quality draftees for all 3 positions.