Stork and Lafell Practicing today.

[RobertWeathers]

Right now the center is the only O-lineman that doesn't get rotated off the field at some point, unless injuries get in the way.

Some would argue that you not rotate centers, as the center-QB exchange would suffer. I disagree. You still need a top dog and a backup, but a 75%/25% split would keep legs fresher late in the year.

So I say gradually rotate Stork in, then at some point he plays the bulk of the series, but still not all.

Agreed but in 2001 & 2002 BB rotated in Mike Compton over Damien Woody for shotgun snaps b/c he sucked at them.

It has happened.

 

[mgteich]

We will 6 interior linemen, 3 starters and 3 backups. This is one more player than "normal". However, given that we have 3 rookies, a career sub and 2 players starters coming off injuries, I think that 6 is fine. I would note that at least one will be inactive each week.

 

[mgteich]

Exactly, and then you have Fleming that apparently was a victim of a numbers game rejoining the team and playing decent in the same week he was promoted from the PS, Cannon, Vollmer playing solid LT.

1) For how many games has Vollmer being "playing solid LT"?

2) For how many games has Fleming been a solid starter?

3) When do we expect Cannon to be back?

BOTTOM LINE
Belichick is likely looking for an OT.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Shaq!!

 

[RobertWeathers]

1) For how many games has Vollmer being "playing solid LT"?


BOTTOM LINE
Belichick is likely looking for an OT.

If we count Sunday and 5 or so games in 2009 then a ton

 

[mgteich]

Even asking the bolded part of your question implies you have paid absolutely no attention to the tackle position the last three weeks.

How does Stork coming back affect the situation at OT?

We need an OT.

 

[Mack Herron]

left guard Shaq Mason and defensive end Rufus Johnson were absent from today's practice. It's unclear why Mason and Johnson were out. Mason didn't suffer any noticeable injuries against the Colts, and Johnson has been a healthy scratch for three consecutive games.

Brandon LaFell, Bryan Stork return to practice, Shaq Mason, Jabaal Sheard among four absentees

 

[juny]

Brandon LaFell, Bryan Stork return to practice, Shaq Mason, Jabaal Sheard among four absentees

*** Slater *** not one of the absentees

 

[Oswlek]

*** Slater *** not one of the absentees

Remember when Slater damn near had his arm torn off in the 2009(?) preseason? I would have put my house on it that his season was finished, but he was back by the beginning of October, throwing his body around with reckless abandon. Tough dude.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

*** Slater *** not one of the absentees

And neither is Hightower

 

[Marqui]

And neither is Hightower

Good, they're gonna need him.

 

[Kontradiction]

Jojo LaCatch...

No kidding. Looking forward to seeing more of this between Brady and Lafell.

 

[BradyFTW!]

If there was ever a week we could've used Stork, it's this one. Oh well, I'm just glad he's back. Hopefully concussions don't become a chronic issue for him, both for his career's sake and that of his long term health.

 

[BradyFTW!]

So when Stork inevitably returns, what are we going to do with Andrews? He's played great and I don't think just letting him go is a viable option.

Do you put him and Kline in a rotation at guard? Does he become the backup center? Trade bait?

I would guess that they keep him. Usually a dedicated backup center is a luxury, but with Stork's injury history I think it's a luxury worth spending a roster spot to keep.

If he can play guard and be an all-purpose backup, all the better. I do worry that he might be lacking a bit in strength to play guard, but he doesn't look any smaller than Wendell as far as I can tell, so maybe not.

 

[Oswlek]

And neither is Hightower

He practiced last week, so this isn't a surprise.

 

[varjao]

1) For how many games has Vollmer being "playing solid LT"?

2) For how many games has Fleming been a solid starter?

3) When do we expect Cannon to be back?

BOTTOM LINE
Belichick is likely looking for an OT.

1) 1 , but I was more projecting than making a statement.

2) 1, but I used the term decent which is something more or less ok

3) no idea

Regarding your bottom line, even though this is what I want, I don't think it's going to happen, not counting practice squad material like this kid they signed today, I don't think there will be a trade or they will bring a FA from the streets like Svitek. Let's see. Of course if another lineman goes down with an injury than everything changes.

 

[mihap]

Signing FB on PS and absence of shaq Mason concern me. Hope that he is not injured

 

[dannydyn]

Is Lafell eligible to play Sunday?

Also, I don't like that Sheard is absent.

 

[BlueThunder]

I'd rather see a completely healthy OL group, but if injuries are to happen, now is the time. Hate to see our OL be depleted in Dec/Jan and try to scramble to bring players up to speed during playoffs or just prior. All 3 rookies are getting good experience and Stork/Cannon should be back shortly.

 

[turkeyneck]

Remember when Slater damn near had his arm torn off in the 2009(?) preseason? I would have put my house on it that his season was finished, but he was back by the beginning of October, throwing his body around with reckless abandon. Tough dude.

Maybe he's got the Bruschi runner-joint gene.