Is it time to replace Koppen?

[captain stone]

How about both Kaczur and Light moving inside with Vollmer at LT and Levoir at RT. Neal may retire and Mankins may be a FA. I do like the idea of drafting the center from Florida or Johnson from Alabama but there are alot of needs. I have to agree with you on Richie O'Burger being a fourth rounder. He's too small to play guard and was an overdraft.

Mankins MUST be re-signed (& Wilfork, too); he's 2nd-team All-NFL, for Ganja's sake.

Memo to Bill & the Kraftys: Sign These Two Men. ASAP.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Interesting point and one that should not be overlooked if correct.

I go back to Alabama when thinking of the best zone blockiong OG in this draft, Mike Johnson.

In the 2011 draft BB may have a shot at Steve Wiesnooski's kid the center for Penn State, he has future "nasty" beast written all over him. And I love nasty on the O Line. I wish Vollmer had more nastiness in his play.

Vollmer may not appear to have a nasty temperament but he does a real good job of keeping Tom brady's jersey clean. Better than a lot of guys we have, really. And he does finish his blocks and drive guys to the ground. I've seen his pancakes. He just rides guys to the ground. It looks very technical.

This was a great draft selection. I can't believe how much flak the press gave BB for it. When I saw the physical tools that the kid had reading the scouting reports and looking at the vids, I thought he had a lot of upside and athleticism. When I saw the kid play in games, my eyes confirmed it. Vollmer is a stud.

Mankins MUST be re-signed (& Wilfork, too); he's 2nd-team All-NFL, for Ganja's sake.

Memo to Bill & the Kraftys: Sign These Two Men. ASAP.

Seriously, we cannot afford to fill BOTH OG positions at once as well as a new NT, unless you consider Brace to be a stirring success and Connolly an upgrade over Mankins.

Who is this Pouncey kid? Is he that good? Can he play OG in a pinch, as well as center?

Maurkice Pouncey Scouting Report - 2010 NFL Draft Prospect

He's ranked #77 overall currently. That looks like late 2nd round, early 3rd round area. But depending on how he does at the combine his stock could rise fast. At 6'5 318 lbs, he is big for a center which could mean he would hold up better against stronger, more athletic DT/NTs. Hmmm.

 

[TriplecHamp]

We cannot replace every posistion with a high pick, Koppen has been nothing short of solid and he was a pro bowler two seasons ago, talk to me at the end of next season.

 

[mayoclinic]

Who is this Pouncey kid? Is he that good? Can he play OG in a pinch, as well as center?

Maurkice Pouncey Scouting Report - 2010 NFL Draft Prospect

He's ranked #77 overall currently. That looks like late 2nd round, early 3rd round area. But depending on how he does at the combine his stock could rise fast. At 6'5 318 lbs, he is big for a center which could mean he would hold up better against stronger, more athletic DT/NTs. Hmmm.

NFLdraftscout ranks Pouncey #38, which is probably more accurate. 77 sounds low. He's considered a low 1st/mid 2nd rounder right now, as far as I can tell. And I definitely think he could play OG for us, much as Buffalo used Eric Wood this year.

Koppen is a weakness against bigger DTs and doesn't have the power to run block effectively, but he's a great line general and technician. We have bigger weaknesses. But I'd seriously consider Pouncey in the 2nd round as an OG, with a plan to eventually move him back to center.

 

[Kontradiction]

NFLdraftscout ranks Pouncey #38, which is probably more accurate. 77 sounds low. He's considered a low 1st/mid 2nd rounder right now, as far as I can tell. And I definitely think he could play OG for us, much as Buffalo used Eric Wood this year.

Koppen is a weakness against bigger DTs and doesn't have the power to run block effectively, but he's a great line general and technician. We have bigger weaknesses. But I'd seriously consider Pouncey in the 2nd round as an OG, with a plan to eventually move him back to center.

Yep. He can play OG as well as C. I agree with how you would use him as well. He'd be a good, short term solution for the RG problems but is best used as a center.

 

[alvinnf]

I would like to find Koppen's replacement before he needs replacing.

 

[IcyPatriot]

We need to replace everyone ... so we can have new people to complain about and then replace.

 

[WhiZa]

I would like to find Koppen's replacement before he needs replacing.

That's why I wanted Wood last year (pun intended)

Get a guy who can play RG right away and move to center in a pinch

 

[mgteich]

The issue is the same as last year. We are willing to draft a center in the second round, as long he can be a starting RG right now.

I think that if Pouncey has those skills, we should again want to draft him the second.

I also this that we should be prepared for him to be drafted in the first. Both Mack and Wood were drafted in the first last year, after many posted wanted them in the second. I don't see why we should expect any difference this year.

NFLdraftscout ranks Pouncey #38, which is probably more accurate. 77 sounds low. He's considered a low 1st/mid 2nd rounder right now, as far as I can tell. And I definitely think he could play OG for us, much as Buffalo used Eric Wood this year.

Koppen is a weakness against bigger DTs and doesn't have the power to run block effectively, but he's a great line general and technician. We have bigger weaknesses. But I'd seriously consider Pouncey in the 2nd round as an OG, with a plan to eventually move him back to center.

 

[mayoclinic]

I also this that we should be prepared for him to be drafted in the first. Both Mack and Wood were drafted in the first last year, after many posted wanted them in the second. I don't see why we should expect any difference this year.

Why should we waste a potential impact pick in the 1st round on a mere center when we can waste it by trading out of the 1st round altogether?

 

[BionicPatriot]

Yes, it is. Last year Koppen was ate up by Williams and Hampton. This year the QB sneak was all but give up on because of the lack of power in the middle. the only player in the middle 3 (LG-C-RG) we have worth a damn these days is Mankins. Neal is too banged up and Koppen has become soft.

I pray for a replacement so we can actually think about running up the middle again.

 

[Defsoul]

They have some young guys in place in Connolly, Wendell and Ohrnberger (IMO he seems to small as a guard), so I don't think you have to draft a successor.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

We have bigger weaknesses. But I'd seriously consider Pouncey in the 2nd round as an OG, with a plan to eventually move him back to center.

Love this. I don't want a rookie C in there snapping to Tom if that can be at all helped. I think I remember Koppen missing a few plays at one point this year, and things were flat out disorganized.

I could see most fans being happy with something like this:
--Resign Mankins
--Draft Pouncey and maybe another "value" guy
--Start Light, Mankins, Koppen, Pouncey, Vollmer in 2010
--2011 draft, pick up more value at either G or T.

in seasons beyond that, say farewell to Light + Koppen and move Vollmer over, insert Pouncey at C, and then insert ??? at RT + RG. Obviously you'd need to plan this carefully to avoid having a really weak right side if, for instance, both Light and Koppen leave in 2011.

 

[State]

With fellow BC alumnus Matt Tennant? Matt Tennant | Boston College Scouting Report - 2010 NFL Draft Prospect

I'm thinking there are several teams looking to draft him before the fourth round, such as the Giants and the Falcons, who'd like to have him re-join his QB buddy. BC has such a good rep with the NFL at developing OL talent...that's another draw.

He's 6'4" with room to gain weight to be a little larger than Koppen, whose shoulder may be preventing him from being the kind of run blocker he was just several years ago.

 

[captain stone]

There is precedence there: Koppen replaced Woody during '03.

Tennant's fate will be decided at the Combine & pro day. He needs to lift at least 30, and his long/high jumps need to be above average in order to prove that he can effectively play against the bigger DTs. And if his body appears to be able to gain another 15 lbs, his status as a top 64 pick will be greatly enhanced.

 

[DaBruinz]

Maybe we can take an OG in the second round with the intention of sliding him over to C when Koppen's contract expires.

The problem is that the talent at center in the draft and in free agency is very low. Not sure that any of the ones available would really fit..

 

[carolinatony]

RG is first.

What he said.
I know I know there are none out there but a John Hannah clone would be nice