Props to Scar from Grantland

[QuantumMechanic]

Decent enough piece on Scar from Grantland:

Dante Scarnecchia, the Patriots' Forgotten Man «

 

[Huckleberry1]

Really good article, thanks.

 

[supafly]

One of the reasons why I would like to see another higher pick OL taken in the draft, coupled with an additional 4th/5th rounder too. I believe that we should be taking full advantage of Scarnecchia's talents while he's still around.

Of course the other side of the coin would be that some believe that we don't need to allocate a higher draft pick at OL, due to the fact that any old guy can be coached up by DS. I would rather see an additional higher round pick with significant talent taken myself again, though.

 

[ausbacker]

One of the reasons why I would like to see another higher pick OL taken in the draft, coupled with an additional 4th/5th rounder too. I believe that we should be taking full advantage of Scarnecchia's talents while he's still around.

Of course the other side of the coin would be that some believe that we don't need to allocate a higher draft pick at OL, due to the fact that any old guy can be coached up by DS. I would rather see an additional higher round pick with significant talent taken myself again, though.

It would be nice to see what Scarnecchia could do with Alex Mack should the Browns allow him to leave and the Patriots were in a cap position to sign him. With all respect to Connolly, the two are in different stratospheres when it comes to ability and execution. That would make Mankins' life so much easier.

 

[supafly]

It would be nice to see what Scarnecchia could do with Alex Mack should the Browns allow him to leave and the Patriots were in a cap position to sign him. With all respect to Connolly, the two are in different stratospheres when it comes to ability and execution. That would make Mankins' life so much easier.

No doubt, Aus.

My main concern and reason why I wouldn't really see that as much of a possibility would be the pay rate which would come with such a move.

I would imagine that Mack will be commanding one of the larger salaries on the OL free agent market myself. He is an awesome player for sure.

I think we'll have to resort to the draft myself, along with the decision on one or both Wendell/Connelly.

 

[ausbacker]

No doubt, Aus.

My main concern and reason why I wouldn't really see that as much of a possibility would be the pay rate which would come with such a move.

I would imagine that Mack will be commanding one of the larger salaries on the OL free agent market myself. He is an awesome player for sure.

I think we'll have to resort to the draft myself, along with the decision on one or both Wendell/Connelly.

No doubt supa. It'll be interesting to see what the Patriots do in regard to the OL. There's a definite need to improve the quality of play, especially through the A-Gaps.

 

[supafly]

No doubt supa. It'll be interesting to see what the Patriots do in regard to the OL. There's a definite need to improve the quality of play, especially through the A-Gaps.

Yeah, lots of options for sure.

Connelly could go to center as many have predicted, while Cannon could slide inside to RG. That may actually even point to another OT taken in the draft, where the high majority wouldn't agree with such a thought for obvious reasons.

I actually believe that either position of OT/OG could be taken with a relatively higher pick, due to all of the options that we could potentially explore.

I think it will come down to a decision being made with the usual velue placement on both Wendell/Connelly, where the possibility exists that none/one/both could be extended (I have a feeling that Connelly may be extended which would keep him for the future, while also lessening his 2014 cap hit).

Obviously, we'll have a much better idea once free agency plays out as to what we may do in the draft, but I am personally expecting an OL pick in rounds 1-3.

 

[supafly]

FWIW--I'm not exactly sure about our OL players who may be up and coming on the practice squad, along with any ideas of how Dante/Belichick may feel about their progress and readiness to step up.

I'm just pointing out the possibility that IF the right player comes up, we could in theory select another OT, as opposed to the OG/C that so many seem is much more possible. That would depend on free agency (Wendell/even Connelly--due to a somewhat bigger cap hit), and how the coaches may envision their offensive line for 2014. I'm not predicting whether it will be inside or outside, only that the odds are fairly good in my opinion, of an OL being taken in the higher rounds.

 

[DarrylS]

Scarnecchia is not forgotten among Patriots fans... we all really respect this man and the job he has done for a very long time.

 

[TomPatriot]

"Five fingers, one fist."

A great O line coach.

 

[goheels22002]

Dante Scarnecchia should be inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame after he retires.

Dante Scarnecchia is the only constant on the 1985, 1996, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007 and 2011 Patriots Super Bowl teams:

Dante Scarnecchia - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and every one of us should lobby the powers-that-be that pick HOF candidates and inductees to put him in when the time comes.

The most consistent feature of every New England Patriots team since Bill Belichick came in was a good to outstanding offensive line. And we know that some years it was difficult to grasp how good that line was with injuries to key players.