PFW note: O-Line shuffle at practice

[VJCPatriot]

I've watched the game over 3 times now and McMahon was horrible as was Yates and Martin struggled badly. With the exception of those three I thought the OL was not all that bad. McMahon is a definite 1st cut, Martin depending on the health of others is as well and Yates needs to pick up his game, overall he has been an ok back up G though in his career but he had a horrendous game the other night.

So Bently wants more than 1M per year. Is it worth it to offer him 1.5 to have him take over Neals RG spot??

 

[BPF]

Answer 1. Dante Scarnecchia

Answer 2. 3/5s of the old line are in camp working on getting better.

Answer 3. Light isn't far from returning (he said with crossed fingers in a prayerful voice). He was observing the walk through Monday morning and not in therapy, suggesting he'll be back before the season starts.

Answer 4. The reserves are getting a lot of work with the 1's, this is a pain now, but it means the overall depth will be that much better.

Answer 5. Dante Scarnecchia.

From BB's comments on the Big Show on WEEI yesterday it certainly doesn't sound like anyone is seriously injured:

http://www.allthingsbillbelichick.com/transcripts/2008/08aug12weei.htm

Massarotti or Merloni: How do you feel health-wise relative to other years? Because it seems like in the last week or so every day or every other day you've been able to take players off the PUP list. And it would seem that at this stage you are as healthy as you've been in camp in a long time.

Belichick: I think it's probably about the same as what it's been in the past on average. We've had guys come off the list – of course, we should, we had twelve of them on there to start, or whatever it was. It's good to get them back. We've got guys that are fighting through some bumps and bruises. We're going into our 21st practice today, and of course the preseason game with that, so that's a lot of work in a couple weeks; you would expect guys to be sore and have some bumps and bruises and that, but that's kind of normal and it's part of what the team needs to do, it needs to go through tough periods and develop some mental toughness and just fight through it and be able to maintain that level of focus and concentration even when they don't feel good, when they're tired, when they're sore and all that. So I think that's just part of camp and that's a necessary part. I'm not saying it's a fun part but it's necessary to build your team.

 

[BPF]

So Bently wants more than 1M per year. Is it worth it to offer him 1.5 to have him take over Neals RG spot??

Yes. Bentley is a 2-time Pro bowl player. Eventhough he has had 4 surgeries on his leg and hasn't played in 2 yrs, I would certainly entertain giving him an incentive laiden contract based on the # of plays/games he participates in. I think Bentley wants a 2 yr deal as well, he won't accept a 1 yr offer.

 

[Patriotis]

Yes. Bentley is a 2-time Pro bowl player. Eventhough he has had 4 surgeries on his leg and hasn't played in 2 yrs, I would certainly entertain giving him an incentive laiden contract based on the # of plays/games he participates in. I think Bentley wants a 2 yr deal as well, he won't accept a 1 yr offer.

Considering these two facts I would sign him.

6. The Patriots are having a difficult time gaining depth for their offensive line, having to sign Barry Stokes first and now John Welborne. It will be interesting to watch their line play during the preseason. The Pats will be active claiming players this summer and as a 16-win team last year, will claim more than the teams who won 4 and 5 games. Amazing, right?

10. It seems like there are a lot of teams looking for offensive lineman this time of the year, more than normal.

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/2008/08/the-diner-morning-news/

 

[jimleehunt]

Thanks for the replies ,y'all. (thats how we say it here in NC). Dante is the man. Hes done it year in, year out. I remember when he had a lot less to work with than this group, and always had a solid unit. The Pats are loaded, but the ol is the only unit im at all concerned with. (providing toms ankle is 100%). With sey healthy, the dl will be beastial-im bettin the best we've ever had. lbs will be improved,especialy if AD can stay at olb,and i see meriweather being amuch bigger contributer. cbs imho are the least important units on any nfl team,offense or defense,nowadays. if the other units are strong, you can get by with mediocre cbs. theres really not a single so-called shutdown cb in the nfl. Ive probably still got some post-SB jitters-but you know every team will be gunnin for the Pats this year-even more than they will for the giants. plus,theres a poss. the pats could make another 16-0 run-other that at sd and indy-skeds pretty soft-so the bullseyes on the pats jerseys will be big. doesnt take a genius to figure teams will try to copy the giants and exploit our ol. of course,very few teams can bring that kind of pressure consisitently-and if bradys ankle stays healthy-he will destroy those that try.i also agree with others that the pats will run more. losing sammy morris was a big blow last year. with morris back plus jordan, the pats should be much better. okay, im feelin much better. lets just cut august off the calendar and start the season NOW.

 

[Patriotis]

So Bently wants more than 1M per year. Is it worth it to offer him 1.5 to have him take over Neals RG spot??

Maybe a deal like Jordan got with lots of incentives will get it done.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/08/jordan_has_ince.html

 

[BPF]

I've watched the game over 3 times now and McMahon was horrible as was Yates and Martin struggled badly. With the exception of those three I thought the OL was not all that bad. McMahon is a definite 1st cut, Martin depending on the health of others is as well and Yates needs to pick up his game, overall he has been an ok back up G though in his career but he had a horrendous game the other night.

As I said, there it is. The next block he makes will be his first of this season.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/08/jimoh_signed_mc.html

Jimoh signed; McMahon released
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff August 13, 2008 02:13 PM

The Patriots announced the signing of veteran cornerback Ade Jimoh today. To make room for Jimoh on the roster, the team released first-year offensive lineman Pete McMahon.

Jimoh will wear No. 43.

 

[BPF]

Maybe a deal like Jordan got with lots of incentives will get it done.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/2008/08/jordan_has_ince.html

We better make our move with him because according to Clayton the market will start to heat up for him.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blo...ton_john&campaign=rsssrch&source=john+clayton

Bentley in driver's seat: Interest in former Browns center LeCharles Bentley is heating up and he could be on a roster before the start of next week. Bentley visited the Lions Tuesday and has had a lot of calls from other teams. Now that more than half the league is breaking from training camp mode this week, it's the time when veterans such as Bentley can start finding teams. Stay tuned.

 

[Pats726]

Sometimes the best move is no move..which is what I think of what they should do with Bentley.