Do we retain both Connolly and Koppen ... Koppen is the better center and Connolly is more versatile ... I think we should retain both but I don't see either one worth more than @1.5 million/year.
Koppen has been the starting "field coordinator" on one of the most consistently fine offensive lines in the NFL for a few years. He's been an above average pass-blocker and a very good run-blocker (his early-season loss held BGE back a bit). His cap hit with the Pats for 2011 (including pro-rated signing bonus) was close to $4.5M. Even at age 33 coming off a broken ankle, there's a decent chance that some team will offer him something in that $4.5M/yr neighborhood. It may or may not be discounted slightly because of the injury, but he has no significant injury history other than that - no back problems AFAIK - and a break is probably viewed as easier to recover from than a high-sprain.
Connolly has proven that he's a very capable starting guard AND center, again, on one of the best OL in the league. He's been very solid in run-blocking at guard and pretty stout in pass-pro at both guard and center. His run-blocking from the center spot wasn't quite up to Koppen's level when he first took over, but improved significantly as the season wore on and as he worked through his own injuries. An offer from another team in that same $4.5M/yr range, or even substantially higher, would not be surprising to me at all.
I'd guess the Pats would keep one, but not both, given their free agent market value, and the younger, more versatile Connolly would seem the better choice. But neither seems likely to stick around for a mere $1.5M. Indeed, both are legitimately worth considerably more. Losing both would leave Brady and the offense dependent on Wendell, McDonald (possibly Donald Thomas, if he can snap) and, potentially, a rookie draftee at the keystone OL position. Seems doubtful at this point - especially with Brian Waters' intentions unresolved - that the Pats would let Connolly walk.
