The improved Offensive Line

[kkpat]

We had the #1 offense in the nfl in 2010, because Brady had a great year. But, let's not ignore the performance our running backs, and the fine OL that support them and Brady.

We had a 1000 yard runner. We had a second running back who had over 1000 total yards.
We were #8 in rushing yards, #2 in rushing TD's.

Brady wasn't in the shotgun any more than in past years.

The tight ends gave us a much IMPROVED running game in 2010, in the end, a pretty good one.

Adding Waters, Ridley and Vareen will likely help our running game, as well as having Mankins for the whole season. However, it seem wrong to keep on saying how poor our ruinning game was in 2010. That simply isn't true.

I did not say we had bad running game in 2010.

When we really need the RB to take the pressure of TB or burn some time when a good team is coming back ferociously, they were not there. How many times did we see them simply give the ball back in less than a minute instead of getting few first downs and burn some time off or give some hard time to JETS "D" who are running at TB. How about scorching them for 20-30 yard runs or 3/4 first downs by run. When we are seriously under pressure, we could never count on running game. We always go for a throw.

 

[jmt57]

Hello Nasty: Waters brings Mankins-style edge to Pats' offensive line - WEEI | Christopher Price

Tom Brady once described left guard Logan Mankins as the sort of player “who plays until the echo of the whistle,” meaning there’s a bit of an edge to what he does.

So when Mankins described new Patriots offensive lineman Brian Waters as someone who “plays like I do,” you get some sort of idea of the player New England has acquired.

“He’s just a solid player,” Mankins said of the Pro Bowler. “He plays hard. He cleans out the pocket. That’s something we like to do here, hitting people. He’s a really good pass blocker, a good run blocker and he’s very consistent. He’s been a good player for a long time.

“That’s why I was a fan of him. He played like I do. We like that.”

“I’m glad he’s on this side, I’ll tell you that,” Patriots defensive lineman Vince Wilfork said. “As a rookie, I remember going against Brian and [Will] Shields — two tough Hall of Fame-type guards. I’m happy he’s here, I’ll tell you that.”

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I didn't know where to ask this, so I'll put it here...

Vollmer has now missed two weeks of practice. Who is going to be the third tackle after Solder and Light? I assume some interior guy has practiced out there, but who? I expected a roster addition at OT this week... did I miss something?

OK- somebody tweeted Reiss this same question today and he said Mankins is likely the emergency backup T.

 

[Patspsycho]

I did not say we had bad running game in 2010.

When we really need the RB to take the pressure of TB or burn some time when a good team is coming back ferociously, they were not there. How many times did we see them simply give the ball back in less than a minute instead of getting few first downs and burn some time off or give some hard time to JETS "D" who are running at TB. How about scorching them for 20-30 yard runs or 3/4 first downs by run. When we are seriously under pressure, we could never count on running game. We always go for a throw.

Tell that to Bill O'Brien. When he chokes, he defaults to the Woodhead empty formation which ends up with Woodhead either chop blocking a blitzer or flexing out for the hot read.

Or in other words: "TOO MUCH WOOD."

 

[RodThePat]

I did not say we had bad running game in 2010.

When we really need the RB to take the pressure of TB or burn some time when a good team is coming back ferociously, they were not there. How many times did we see them simply give the ball back in less than a minute instead of getting few first downs and burn some time off or give some hard time to JETS "D" who are running at TB. How about scorching them for 20-30 yard runs or 3/4 first downs by run. When we are seriously under pressure, we could never count on running game. We always go for a throw.

Actually, we ran the ball very effectively last season, and also had a pretty good mix of offensive formations, Brady was under center much more than he had been in the previous 3, 4 seasons.

In "pressure" situations they better put the ball on Brady's hands, he's the best player in the league and one of the best QB's of all time, if you need yardage, he's your best bet to get them. The team suffers if they are unbalanced offensively, but that's not a valid criticism of the 2010 Patriots.

 

[BTTA]

All this talk about being able to consistently drive the ball on the ground at times when the opposition knows that's exactly what we are going to do, and about consistently getting 5 yards on first down on the ground....there are very very few teams that do that in the course of a season. It just doesn't happen that often, and we talk here as if it is a basic standard to meet.

Given how good our passing attack has been, to have a running attack of that caliber would make the Pats offense perhaps the best in NFL history.

 

[BTTA]

I'm more excited about the potential improvement that comes from the addition of Waters to our OL than I am about any of the additions to our DL.

 

[Gunnails]

I'm skeptical of the Pats entire O line with exception to Mankins, and maybe Volmer. I expect them to be at least average to good, but I am not sure about a top 8 O line.

I feel the same way about the Jets O line, with the exception of Mangold and Brick.

 

[TheSolderKing]

I'm skeptical of the Pats entire O line with exception to Mankins, and maybe Volmer. I expect them to be at least average to good, but I am not sure about a top 8 O line.

I feel the same way about the Jets O line, with the exception of Mangold and Brick.

Mangold is legit and Brick is solid... I still take our O-Line over the Jests any day. Our only weakness is at C. We have great depth and we have 1 of the best o-lines in the NFL. I can't wait to see Waters over Connolly and I liked Connolly. Imagine Cannon fresh off the PUP after week 6 . It will be an early Christmas gift :rocker:


Vlad sucks you should worry about your Turnstile Guard. Your depth cannot compete w/ ours. your 1st string O-line is still inferior to ours.

 

[ausbacker]

Actually, we ran the ball very effectively last season, and also had a pretty good mix of offensive formations, Brady was under center much more than he had been in the previous 3, 4 seasons.

In "pressure" situations they better put the ball on Brady's hands, he's the best player in the league and one of the best QB's of all time, if you need yardage, he's your best bet to get them. The team suffers if they are unbalanced offensively, but that's not a valid criticism of the 2010 Patriots.

You're right that the Patriots ran the ball effectively last season. In the Jets game, O'Brien got away from that and played Woodhead far too much (IMO) given Green-Ellis was gashing the Jets at 9 carries for 43 yards.

 

[Fencer]

Thin on blockers

If you want to get worried, consider:

• The Patriots only have two healthy tackles.
• One of the two is a rookie who hasn't had a full off-season, and who has only practiced a few times on the side he's expected to play.
• The right guard will either be a new guy who doesn't play much right guard or a somewhat injured guy who isn't that great when healthy.
• The other of those two is effectively the backup to about 4 OL positions.
• The Patriots are light on blocking TEs as well.

 

[Lurks_All_Day]

Re: Thin on blockers

If you want to get worried, consider:

• The Patriots only have two healthy tackles.
• One of the two is a rookie who hasn't had a full off-season, and who has only practiced a few times on the side he's expected to play.
• The right guard will either be a new guy who doesn't play much right guard or a somewhat injured guy who isn't that great when healthy.
• The other of those two is effectively the backup to about 4 OL positions.
• The Patriots are light on blocking TEs as well.

2(Gronk) > delta tackle situation.
Now you can sleep tonight.
ed: just saw this on nfl.com:
Solder expected to fill in for Vollmer
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...older-expected-to-fill-in-for-injured-vollmer

 

[Fencer]

Re: Thin on blockers

2(Gronk) > delta tackle situation.
Now you can sleep tonight.
ed: just saw this on nfl.com:
Solder expected to fill in for Vollmer
NFL.com news: Solder expected to fill in for injured Vollmer for Patriots

One of the two Gronks is rather raw, especially as a Patriot ...

 

[Patriot_in_NY]

Re: Thin on blockers

One of the two Gronks is rather raw, especially as a Patriot ...

Yeah.......... let's mail this one in fellas.............. We're doomed.

Waters will be fine. He's a veteran pro (and better then Connelly by a lot). He's not a receiver..... he's a guard...... It's a plug and play position for a guy in the league for as long as he has. Plus he has familiarity in the system from KC (who runs a similar one). He'll be fine. Solder will get help with Wake.

 

[livinginthe past]

Re: Thin on blockers

I woke up this morning thinking just that.

"I'd really like to worry about something, but i'm kinda running low on inspiration"

I knew that Patsfans would be my saviour.

 

[Fencer]

Re: Thin on blockers

The problem isn't the starters.

But the consensus seems to be that the OL reserves are Connolly and Wendell, who are both nicked up, and who aren't good enough to play well when nicked up.

This is all more of a concern in the passing game than when rushing, because that's when OL are REacting. But, um, I would like Brady to have some time to throw ...

 

[supafly]

Re: Thin on blockers

I'm not 100% convinced Waters will play Mon night--barring injuries of course.

Yes it is something that we should be convinced about. Vollmer is likely out, hopefully that is not too long of a trend. Solder will be starting at RT, and he will be paired with Connelly (nicked up), or Waters (new to the team). That doesn't sound like a great thing, but Connelly should be okay, and Solder will be learning on the fly.

We've gotten through it before, so while it is something to keep an eye on, I imagine that there will be a lot of TE help and quick 3 step drops/screens/quick outs.