Bunting: Some love for 5th Rounder OG Bussey

[BPF]

Bunting has analyzed every round of the draft and today he took a look at the 5th Rd and liked one of the Patriots picks.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2009/05/nfl-draft-fifth-round-breakdown/

By Wes Bunting
Posted May 4, 2009 Email to a Friend Print This ShareThisNFL Draft: Fifth Round Breakdown
FROM WES BUNTING:

In day five of my NFL draft value and scheme breakdown, I take a look at the fifth round and discuss some of my impressions now that the draft is more than a week over. The mid/late rounds are where teams not only have a chance to add substantial depth to their rosters but also find a possible future starter. Here’s a look at teams that made the most of their picks – and a few that didn’t.


Picks I like from a scheme perspective…

OT/OG George Bussey, New England Patriots
A lot of people were left scratching their heads with the fifth-round selection of Bussey, but what the Patriots got was a versatile offensive lineman who has the ability to develop at a number of positions across the O-line. Bussey played left tackle at Louisville and is a smooth, fluid-footed lineman who has the body control to slide in space and mirror defenders laterally. He also understands leverage, can anchor at the point of attack and has the flexibility to kick inside to guard. He may need some time to develop, but he has plenty of guys to learn from on the Patriots’ offensive line and is the type of smart, coordinated athlete who could develop into a solid starting lineman for New England at some point in his career.

 

[BPF]

For those that have the time and interest you can read his breakdown on the other rounds here: The National Football Post | Draft 2009

 

[PatsChamp88]

For those that have the time and interest you can read his breakdown on the other rounds here: The National Football Post | Draft 2009

Cool thanks

 

[patchick]

I'm figuring they developed a fondness for Bussey while watching hours of tape of my pet OL, Wood. Sniff.

Here's wishing this year's 3 OL picks well after an uncharacteristic dry spell in OL drafting. Since the Mankins-Kaczur draft, the Pats have taken...

Ryan O'Callaghan
Dan Stevenson
Clint Oldenburg
Corey Hilliard
Mike Elgin

:scared:

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I'm figuring they developed a fondness for Bussey while watching hours of tape of my pet OL, Wood. Sniff.

Here's wishing this year's 3 OL picks well after an uncharacteristic dry spell in OL drafting. Since the Mankins-Kaczur draft, the Pats have taken...

Ryan O'Callaghan
Dan Stevenson
Clint Oldenburg
Corey Hilliard
Mike Elgin

:scared:

 

[letekro]

I'm figuring they developed a fondness for Bussey while watching hours of tape of my pet OL, Wood. Sniff.

Here's wishing this year's 3 OL picks well after an uncharacteristic dry spell in OL drafting. Since the Mankins-Kaczur draft, the Pats have taken...

Ryan O'Callaghan
Dan Stevenson
Clint Oldenburg
Corey Hilliard
Mike Elgin

:scared:

Mike Elgin was perhaps the greatest 215 pound lineman in NFL history.

 

[mgteich]

O'Callaghan did start. Also, this year we spent a 2nd, a 4th and a 5th. I don't think we've used a fourth or better since drafting Mankins and Kaczur. Perhaps we will do better.

But then, the question is value. We used a 32 and a 100 for Mankins and Kaczur. Had we been willing to use one of our 34/40/41 and our 97 this year, we could have had Britton or Unger and Luigs or Lang. We used the picks for other needs and drafted Vollmer and Ohrnberger later. We'll see whether we will need to use an even higher pick again next year or in 2011.

I'm figuring they developed a fondness for Bussey while watching hours of tape of my pet OL, Wood. Sniff.

Here's wishing this year's 3 OL picks well after an uncharacteristic dry spell in OL drafting. Since the Mankins-Kaczur draft, the Pats have taken...

Ryan O'Callaghan
Dan Stevenson
Clint Oldenburg
Corey Hilliard
Mike Elgin

:scared:

 

[patchick]

O'Callaghan did start. Also, this year we spent a 2nd, a 4th and a 5th. I don't think we've used a fourth or better since drafting Mankins and Kaczur. Perhaps we will do better.

But then, the question is value. We used a 32 and a 100 for Mankins and Kaczur. Had we been willing to use one of our 34/40/41 and our 97 this year, we could have had Britton or Unger and Luigs or Lang. We used the picks for other needs and drafted Vollmer and Ohrnberger later. We'll see whether we will need to use an even higher pick again next year or in 2011.

True, but remember how we used to think of the OL as Dante's Academy, full of day-2 picks and UDFAs coached up niftily -- the Neals and Ashworths and Koppens of the world? If we now find ourselves saying "well sure they've been flops but what do you expect after the first 100 picks," that's not a good sign. LT is clearly a day-1 position; RG shouldn't have to be.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I'm not so sure they were busts, the bar has been raised and they just couldn't get over it.

 

[Pats726]

I think those 3 that one year just were not up to snuff....do NOT forgget about Mark LeVoir who is with the team. He could be with Vollmer tackles of the future. I really think he is overlooked in talking about offensive linemen. Also, Ryan Wendell is being developed. Not sure he has a shot, but he's in the pipeline.

 

[VJCPatriot]

The Pats spent 3 picks on offensive linemen and they used a 2nd, a 4th, and a 5th. That's a bounty of picks. Dante is one of the best in the business. I think we should just relaxe and let Dante do his thing. Vollmer is an especially intriguing prospect, you just can't teach his size and agility. Polish up his technique and he could slide in at either Tackle spot in the near future.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think those 3 that one year just were not up to snuff....do NOT forgget about Mark LeVoir who is with the team. He could be with Vollmer tackles of the future. I really think he is overlooked in talking about offensive linemen. Also, Ryan Wendell is being developed. Not sure he has a shot, but he's in the pipeline.

So you think Vollmer and Levoir could be our starting LOT and ROT in the future?

 

[Pats726]

So you think Vollmer and Levoir could be our starting LOT and ROT in the future?

I think with Vollmer it is more possible than LeVior,,but certainly they will have back up roles in the future..again..it may be a few years..LeVoir was quite a surprise last year...no??

 

[mgteich]

LeVoir wasn't developed in the patriot system. He was on two other Practice Sqauds in 2006 and 2007 and incative for another team for 7 games in 2007. Someone recognized the talent developed elsewhere.

Wendell's just a scrub. Why didn't you mention Connelly. Wasn't he in the system?

It's been awhile since anyone graduated from Dante's academy. Another posted that the bar is higher now. What does that really mean? We accepted mediocre JAG's, but now that's not OK?

Dante doesn't have only 5th and 6th rounders and UDFA's this time. In addition to the usuaal free agent additions and late pick, Belichick has also used a 2nd and a 4th. I suggest that Belichick has a right to expect results. And yes, Dante still has LeVoir, and his prize recent graduate: Yates.

I think those 3 that one year just were not up to snuff....do NOT forgget about Mark LeVoir who is with the team. He could be with Vollmer tackles of the future. I really think he is overlooked in talking about offensive linemen. Also, Ryan Wendell is being developed. Not sure he has a shot, but he's in the pipeline.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

LeVoir wasn't developed in the patriot system. He was on two other Practice Sqauds in 2006 and 2007 and incative for another team for 7 games in 2007. Someone recognized the talent developed elsewhere.

Wendell's just a scrub. Why didn't you mention Connelly. Wasn't he in the system?

It's been awhile since anyone graduated from Dante's academy. Another posted that the bar is higher now. What does that really mean? We accepted mediocre JAG's, but now that's not OK?

Dante doesn't have only 5th and 6th rounders and UDFA's this time. In addition to the usuaal free agent additions and late pick, Belichick has also used a 2nd and a 4th. I suggest that Belichick has a right to expect results. And yes, Dante still has LeVoir, and his prize recent graduate: Yates.

Dante has continued to receive players similar to Hochstein, Ashworth, Gorin, and Yates. You listed them yourself, Connelly, the late round kids from 2007, Britt. The question is 'what has changed?'
-- Light, the best run blocking LT per Dr. Z a few years back. Three Super Bowls, Two Pro Bowls, 21 game winning streak, 19 game regular season winning streak, 18 game single season winning streak, etc. You'll note BB hasn't made a major effort to replace him despite all the whines coming from the forum. Check Joyner's POA success reporting in ESPN's AFCE blog for a look at last season.
-- Mankins, 1st round, Pro Bowl, a couple streaks, see the same AFCE blog notes.
-- Koppen, yep more of the same...
-- Neal, ditto...
-- Kaczur, favorite whipping boy, but ditto for him too...

BB spent a fourth on O'Callaghan in 2006, he's been an adequate reserve. BB spending a second on Vollmer is the first serious move since 2005 to draft talent for the O-line, the fourth for Ohrnberger looks exactly like an effort to build competition for the interior reserves - Bussey's fifth is a typical late round flyer that may payoff for someone else.

Up until last year BB's OL reserves have been Scarnecchia graduates and O'Callaghan. LeVoir may have been developed elsewhere, but you'll note NE scooped him up off waivers, he just didn't need the seasoning on the Practice Squad - though he had played in the offense before (Notre Dame). We'll see what this season brings, but O'Callaghan and Britt are in a fight for their jobs, Connelly made the roster late last season and he'll be part of the battle for the interior reserve slots (BB and Dante seem to be happy with the starters for this season).

 

[mgteich]

I think Dante is the best position coach in football, bar none.

I am reacting to the posts about developing backups and future starters.

I agree that the OL has played well, including ALL the starters. For me, the only blemish is having to depend on a wrestler who is often injured, as one might expect from someone who was never seasoned to play a full season of football. Neal is a fine player when he plays.

Ashworth and Gorin weren't much and they are long gone. Hochstein is a perfect backup. I'm not sure why we don't sign him to a long-term contract.

You call Britt, Yates, and Connelly successes; you missed Wendell. How do you measure success? I don't think that any will make the team, barring injuries. Do you? O'Callaghan was drafted late because of his concussion history. We were all suprised when he suffered a concussion. I hope that he will finally leave.

I think that Dante's developing of late round and UDFA's talent is somewhat overrated. HOWEVER, the developing of talented lineman is not. He just needs something to work with. He does great in developing talent like Light, Mankins, Koppen, Kaczur and yes, LeVoir. Belichick has given him something to work with this time, in Vollmer and Ohrenberger. I certainly hope that we have an uncapped year and that Mankins and Kaczur are RFA's instead of UFA's. If not, we may be starting a rookie at guard next year, if Neal isn't healthy and re-signed. But then, Dante has does fine with rookie starters.

BTW, O'Callaghan was a 5th rounder.

Dante has continued to receive players similar to Hochstein, Ashworth, Gorin, and Yates. You listed them yourself, Connelly, the late round kids from 2007, Britt. The question is 'what has changed?'
-- Light, the best run blocking LT per Dr. Z a few years back. Three Super Bowls, Two Pro Bowls, 21 game winning streak, 19 game regular season winning streak, 18 game single season winning streak, etc. You'll note BB hasn't made a major effort to replace him despite all the whines coming from the forum. Check Joyner's POA success reporting in ESPN's AFCE blog for a look at last season.
-- Mankins, 1st round, Pro Bowl, a couple streaks, see the same AFCE blog notes.
-- Koppen, yep more of the same...
-- Neal, ditto...
-- Kaczur, favorite whipping boy, but ditto for him too...

BB spent a fourth on O'Callaghan in 2006, he's been an adequate reserve. BB spending a second on Vollmer is the first serious move since 2005 to draft talent for the O-line, the fourth for Ohrnberger looks exactly like an effort to build competition for the interior reserves - Bussey's fifth is a typical late round flyer that may payoff for someone else.

Up until last year BB's OL reserves have been Scarnecchia graduates and O'Callaghan. LeVoir may have been developed elsewhere, but you'll note NE scooped him up off waivers, he just didn't need the seasoning on the Practice Squad - though he had played in the offense before (Notre Dame). We'll see what this season brings, but O'Callaghan and Britt are in a fight for their jobs, Connelly made the roster late last season and he'll be part of the battle for the interior reserve slots (BB and Dante seem to be happy with the starters for this season).

 

[mgteich]

I agree that RG's shouldn't require a top 100 pick. I would prefer getting the other positions in the top 100 when possible, although a RT is also a luxury in the top 100. There were a few guard/centers in this draft that I wanted us to draft in the top 100. How about you?

To me a left guard is much different than a right guard. Most LG's used to be LT's. They should be talented players.

True, but remember how we used to think of the OL as Dante's Academy, full of day-2 picks and UDFAs coached up niftily -- the Neals and Ashworths and Koppens of the world? If we now find ourselves saying "well sure they've been flops but what do you expect after the first 100 picks," that's not a good sign. LT is clearly a day-1 position; RG shouldn't have to be.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Hochstein is a perfect backup. I'm not sure why we don't sign him to a long-term contract.

He's primarily a Center now, he has struggled the last few times he took reps at Guard. As much as he's one of my Patriots heroes, he's got his work cut out to hold onto his job.

You call Britt, Yates, and Connelly successes; you missed Wendell. How do you measure success? I don't think that any will make the team, barring injuries. Do you? O'Callaghan was drafted late because of his concussion history.

Wendell survived on the Practice Squad and won't qualify as a success until he's made the roster. He's another pure Center as far as I can see. The first three have graduated from the Practice Squad to the roster - that's a success - and two of them have started, further success. Last season Yates struggled, I don't know why, if it was a nagging injury we're unlikely to find out, either way he's going to be in the crosshairs this season. I was surprised when they re-signed Britt and Yates, we'll see what Training Camp holds. O'C also had shoulder problems, we'll see how things work out for him after the surgery and a year off - I still wonder how well he could handle RG. Thanks for the correction on his draft round - it just highlights where Vollmer and Ohrnberger are likely to slot into this picture.

I think that Dante's developing of late round and UDFA's talent is somewhat overrated.

No, three Super Bowls and numerous postseasons relying on reserves he developed through the Practice Squad say differently. When he gets talent... :woohoo:

 

[AzPatsFan]

True, but remember how we used to think of the OL as Dante's Academy, full of day-2 picks and UDFAs coached up niftily -- the Neals and Ashworths and Koppens of the world? If we now find ourselves saying "well sure they've been flops but what do you expect after the first 100 picks," that's not a good sign. LT is clearly a day-1 position; RG shouldn't have to be.

Perhaps you overlooked the fact that Dante graduated several low round picks onto starting and reserve positions on the Pats. Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Britt and O'Calaghan. The new comers that you complained about, couldn't beat out their more experienced predecessors. Several are developing on other Teams. Time has past, and the Dante graduate keepers are getting into the latter years of their careers. Time to start training their replacements. Welcome matriculating Volmer, Ohrnberger, Bussey and Levoir, and wrestler Whaizname, shades of Stephen Neal.

 

[patchick]

Perhaps you overlooked the fact that Dante graduated several low round picks onto starting and reserve positions on the Pats. Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Britt and O'Calaghan. The new comers that you complained about, couldn't beat out their more experienced predecessors.

Is Billy Yates really so hard to beat out? 4 interior line draftees in a row failed to measure up to the Yates standard. And if the line depth was so rock-solid that a decent rookie had no chance at a roster spot, why did they keep drafting so many of them?

I'm not whining, just saying that there's been a dry spell with day-2 linemen that I hope to see change this year.