The Future of the O-Line – A Think Piece
So it looks like the Patriots have bought into playing Tom
Brady for at least the foreseeable future.
I love it. I wouldn’t have it any
other way.
I’m a loyalty guy. I
was a Drew Bledsoe guy back in the day.
Once you are my guy I will go to war for you. Tom Brady is my guy. I’m willing to ride this thing into the
ground with him as long as he retires a Patriot. (I’m even ok that Jimmy G is lighting up the
world in San Francisco. He is making our
draft pick compensation worse by the day and I don’t care because we get to
keep Brady)
In order to keep Tommy Boy upright and healthy for as long
as possible, we need to make sure this offensive line is all set. I’ve always said that a team is never done
building its O-line. There always seems
to be another piece that needs replacing.
If you ignore the problem long enough, it all falls apart. There is no easier way to destroy a team than
allowing the O-line to deteriorate.
Let’s take a look
Right Tackle – Marcus Cannon, LaAdrian Waddle,
Cameron Fleming
- Marcus Cannon was placed on season ending injured reserve, but he should be around long term. He just signed a big contract. Waddle has been injured too but his season is not over. He is a free agent after this season. Cameron Fleming fell pretty far on the depth chart, but he has contributed in the past in a reserve role/spot starting. He is also a free agent after this season. (The Patriots have great depth here and most other teams would crumble when facing a run of injuries like this)
Right Guard – Shaq Mason
- A fourth round pick in 2015, Mason seems to have locked this spot down. They say he is great run blocker, and improving as a pass blocker. I have not really noticed him this year, and that is a good thing.
Center – David Andrews
- Undrafted out of Georgia in 2015, he eventually defeated Bryan Stork for the job. He is signed through 2020. When he was out with an illness, we all noticed.
Left Guard – Joe Thuney
- Second year man drafted in the third round last year. He is signed through 2019. Much improved over last year. He was good for a holding call per game last year, and I have not noticed him much since. (Once again, that is a good thing)
Left Tackle – Nate Solder
- He has been a great replacement for Matt Light after being drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft. He is a free agent after this season, and we can’t franchise him.
Analysis: All things considered, we have a good group
here. Solder is a priority free agent,
and he will be for most of the league too.
There is a shortage of Tackles, and the ones that hit the market are
getting PAID.
If they can get him back (It really needs to be a priority)
it looks like the Pats can keep this group together through 2019 at least. Continuity is key. If they can’t get Solder back, it could be
trouble.
They also need to rebuild depth a little bit. Tony Garcia was a good draft pick, but missed
this whole year. Ted Karras has
potential at all three interior line spots, but he was not great when stepping
in at center. Cole Croston is apparently
a guy too.
I’d like to see them address the tackle depth again in the
draft, but otherwise I think it is steady as she goes for a while.
