Move Marcus Cannon at right guard, trade him, or continue to use him as a backup?

[Brady6]

We need a backup OT. Cannon has performed well in that role for a couple of years. I see no reason for moving him in what likely will be his last season with the patriots.

My thinking is that it might be a good idea to see what we have in Cannon before he enters UFA next season. This is a player who was consider an early round talent that slipped due to the cancer situation, so he has a ceiling that is higher than a backup (in my opinion). Should we continue to use him at as a backup he will move on in UFA to be a starter and if he develops into a top tier, starter (which is possible) it will be regrettable that we allowed him to walk out the door.

As with all backups, he will have the opportunity to compete for a starting job in camp. I don't think that he will be our starting RG. To out it another way, we need a better RG than Cannon and Cannon at RG would leave us with a bigger hole at backup OT.

I cannot understand why so many feel Cannon could not be an excellent right guard, there are very few cases in the NFL when a tackle cannot convert to guard with a high success rate; the switch the other way is very difficult. If Cannon can play right tackle at a high level, he can absolutely move inside and play right guard at a high level. As far as the hole at backup offensive tackle if there was an injury you could move Cannon outside and insert the backup guard at right guard in his place so that is not nearly the issue you see it to be.

Cannon allowed 1 sack all season in pass protection and had a positive grade as a run blocker, overall PFF ranked him in the top ten of all right tackles last season, you do not put that type of player back on the bench and run players like Dan Connolly or Ryan Wendell out there.

 

[mgteich]

I understand that you believe that Cannon will beat out either Wendell or Connolly for a starting job. That's fine. We're all entitled to our opinions.

In any case, if we have all three back (which seems a strong possibility), we will have 6 players competing for five starting positions plus one of the Game Day backup positions. That is why we have camp competition and the preseason. Belichick finds out who he will give more reps to. Of course, this depth chart can change as the year progresses.

I see no reason to guess with regard to the Game One depth chart. Suffice it to say that I am fine with our "starting" six plus Kline, Cave/Barker and possibly a draft choice. It is alos possible that we will sign a veteran JAG like Svitek.

My thinking is that it might be a good idea to see what we have in Cannon before he enters UFA next season. This is a player who was consider an early round talent that slipped due to the cancer situation, so he has a ceiling that is higher than a backup (in my opinion). Should we continue to use him at as a backup he will move on in UFA to be a starter and if he develops into a top tier, starter (which is possible) it will be regrettable that we allowed him to walk out the door.



I cannot understand why so many feel Cannon could not be an excellent right guard, there are very few cases in the NFL when a tackle cannot convert to guard with a high success rate; the switch the other way is very difficult. If Cannon can play right tackle at a high level, he can absolutely move inside and play right guard at a high level. As far as the hole at backup offensive tackle if there was an injury you could move Cannon outside and insert the backup guard at right guard in his place so that is not nearly the issue you see it to be.

Cannon allowed 1 sack all season in pass protection and had a positive grade as a run blocker, overall PFF ranked him in the top ten of all right tackles last season, you do not put that type of player back on the bench and run players like Dan Connolly or Ryan Wendell out there.

 

[RayClay]

Connolly and Cannon are both in the last year of their contracts. I think that we will keep them both, certainly through camp.

Belichick must decide what do at center, and what draftees/backups to bring in. We already have several backups from last year's team: Cave, Kline and Barker (also Zusevics, Devey and Mattes). We might even draft an OT who is a prospect at RG.

Draft is supposed to be deep at tackle. Moving tackles to guard could beef up our weak middle.

 

[Brady6]

I understand that you believe that Cannon will beat out either Wendell or Connolly for a starting job. That's fine. We're all entitled to our opinions.



In any case, if we have all three back (which seems a strong possibility), we will have 6 players competing for five starting positions plus one of the Game Day backup positions. That is why we have camp competition and the preseason. Belichick finds out who he will give more reps to. Of course, this depth chart can change as the year progresses.



I see no reason to guess with regard to the Game One depth chart. Suffice it to say that I am fine with our "starting" six plus Kline, Cave/Barker and possibly a draft choice. It is alos possible that we will sign a veteran JAG like Svitek.

Wendell and Connolly were really bad last season. Wendell allowed 37 QB disruptions and Connolly allowed 32. I would prefer to see them both replaced, or at least dropped to backup roles.

 

[mgteich]

I understand that.

And are you still one of those who thinks that one drafts a 4th or 5th round draft choice who should be expected to be better than these veterans?

We can draft the players. However, I don't think that they will beat out Connolly or Wendell.

Wendell and Connolly were really bad last season. Wendell allowed 37 QB disruptions and Connolly allowed 32. I would prefer to see them both replaced, or at least dropped to backup roles.

 

[mgteich]

I agree. I would like us to draft a RT with the idea of him backing up at RG and RT.

Draft is supposed to be deep at tackle. Moving tackles to guard could beef up our weak middle.

 

[Joker]

Marcus Cannon was a consensus 2nd round pick before his diagnosis for cancer. He is 6'5" and 350 lbs' with quick, nimble feet. THIS is his time. Connolly goes, Cannon moves into the RG spot. We need a center. Wendell is a former UNDRAFTED FA that has worked his way into the starting lineup by a combination of durability and smarts. He's undersized at 6'2" and 300 pounds and lacks the upper body strength of a blue chip lineman. We NEED a center with pedigree. Any one of the top three I'm fine with.

 

[supafly]

I don't think Cannon will be going anywhere, so the "trade him" option is totally out of the equation.

The question about where to play him will need to be answered when we get a clearer picture of whether or not we're going to attempt to keep one/both of Connelly, Wendell.

In a perfect world, we'll have him to compete for snaps at RG, while still being one of our first guys in as a backup role when needed. He can provide versatility at either role, and that's a good thing.

 

[supafly]

I agree. I would like us to draft a RT with the idea of him backing up at RG and RT.

This is something that's been talked about for awhile, and would make a lot of sense in my opinion.

Most assume an interior draft selection, but that is not written in stone by any means.

 

[DaBruinz]

Keep Cannon around, definitely.

Starting RG? Not if the Pats use their first pick to draft Xavier Su'a'Filo...and they just might do that.

It's extremely unlikely that the Pats use their pick on Su'a'Filo. He doesn't have the measureables they tend to look for in their 1st round O-linemen.

Head over to the Draft Forum and you'll see what I mean.

 

[DaBruinz]

I think Cannon played very well at RT last year and I would leave him there. I never really thought he looked good at guard.

You need 3 tackles in this league and one of them needs to play both sides in our case that guy is Volmer. I wouldn't do it this offseason but if anything I would trade Volmer next offseason and keep Cannon but that decision would be for next year. For this year you need all 3. If Volmer bounces back and has a healthy year then you probably keep him and let Cannon walk but if Cannon fills in again and is good again you resign him as he would likely be cheaper and you move Volmer or carry both until Volmers contract ends again as you need 3 tackles.

You consistently need 4 OTs in this league. The Pats have needed to use 4 OTs in something like 10 of 13 seasons with BB as the HC...Last year, alone, the Pats put 2 OTs on the IR in Vollmer and Zusevics. They also had 2 OTs on the Practice Squad in Jordan Devey and R.J. Mattes.

Zusevics has been a forgotten man because he can't seem to stay healthy. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Pats add an OT/OG later in the draft if they don't replace Connolly.

 

[meatface]

I'd really like to see what Cannon can do at RG, the worst case scenario is that he isnt successful and he moves to being the backup RG, but I really think we should see what he can do as an interior lineman. Cannon overcoming Cancer is such a great story and I think he definitely has the ability to succeed as a Guard.