Belichick's Faith In Our Interior OL

[AzPatsFan]

You overlook the fact that Nick Kaczur is here and still under contract for 2011. He was a starter at both RT and LT, and when drafted was considered a possible Guard. So he backs up Solder, or helps the transition along with Levoir who also has been an occasional spot starter. He backs up Connelly/Cannon and helps the transition there as well.

You don't have to rely on anybody of the interior subs, who haven't played. .

 

[captain stone]

It is clear that Belichick and Dante have considerable faith in our interior line.

After all, Belichick went though four rounds without drafting an interior lineman. There were many available at 73: Cannon, Rackley, Moffitt and Boling. Rackley and Moffitt were picked immediately after the patriots picked at 73 and 74, so this seemed a reasonable match of quality and draft position.

We have Cannon. That's great. But it is clear that Belichick was willing to go without a top interior line addition. He passed on OG/OC at #73 and #74, and then immediately traded away our #92 and #125, not even waiting to see who was available at #92.

Personally, I think that this means that Belichick sees a future somewhere among Koppen, Connolly, Wendell, Orhnberger and Austin. This seems to be true no matter how long Mankins stays.

I fear that Bill's faith is unfounded.

Koppen is in decline; Connelly is better-suited as a #3 G;
and the rest are dime-a-dozen JAG stiffs.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

I fear that Bill's faith is unfounded.

Koppen is in decline; Connelly is better-suited as a #3 G;
and the rest are dime-a-dozen JAG stiffs.

I agree, and I am terrified for Tom sometimes.

But in looking at the stats, it's worth noting the Patriots gave up the 4th-fewest sacks, and tied for 3rd-fewest QB hits.

There's more to line play than just sacks and hits. But in rush average, they were 11th. They were among the league leaders in fewest rushes for negative yards for runs up the left, right, and center. They ranked around the top 10 for long runs (10+ yards) to the left and right, though fell back to the 20s when looking at up-the-middle runs.

I'm not saying we don't need to upgrade the OL, especially the interior. But it's amazing how productive this group was, and I feel they've overachieved significantly. Dante and O'Brien with his play-calling deserve some of that credit as well.