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Patriots Stay Busy
- Thread starter cuppacoffee
- Start date
Texansphan
Football connoisseur
I know Pats think they can plug and play or fix anybody, but why would niner's ship this guy if he was even halfway decent? Unless they think he will fit their scheme better.
I hope this one comes back to haunt the Pats.
They think McGlinchey and Staley are better... and they get pick #95 for a 2015 seventh rounder
If healthy Brown is actually pretty good.
gs27
Veteran
Shocked by Patriots off-season, they have always done whatever is necessary to keep Brady protected while using next man up philosophy with WRs and RBs. This is the 1st year in a long time I wouldn't bet on Patriots winning 12+ games. Easy division but they will struggle out of the division.
Texecutioner
Hall of Fame
The Pats have not always done everything possible too keep Brady protected. Not sure where you got that from. Last year they had a below average Oline that allowed Brady to get hit all season long. If you had put any other non mobile QB out there that isn't a master at getting rid of the ball quickly they would have looked like one of the worst Olines in the entire league. They were improved the season before last when they won the SB, but the year before that they were probably the worst Oline in the league that year that almost got Brady killed. They've been poor the last 2 out of 3 years. They look to be improved on paper headed into this season though.
gs27
Veteran
O-Lines are going to go through peaks and valleys as players retire and the Patriots line over the last few years has certainly done that. My point is in the past they have always done what was in their control to keep their line as consistent as possible.
Not sure how you think they improved on paper by switching out Solder with Waddle or a 6'-2" rookie. Even Cameron Fleming would have been better but they let him walk also. Their line went from decent not great to the bottom of the toilet.
You look at the Brady tenure in New England and they always hung onto their top performing lineman. Sebastian Vollmer, Matt Light, Login Mankins, Dan Connolly, Marcus Cannon...... This year they let Solder walk without a replacement on the roster, then they draft a 6'-2" guard in the 1st round. Maybe Wynn will break the mold but I can't think of any 6'-2" LTs who have had great careers in the last 20 years. This is a line that was already not what it used to be. Won't be surprised if this is Brady's last year, and this is coming from a guy who has continually argued in support of continued Patriots success over the last five years when others have continually said the Patriots time was over.
Texecutioner
Hall of Fame
Mainly because Brady's ability to get rid of the ball so fast. Put any other QB back there, and the situation looks way different especially with the revolving door of receivers that have gone through NE over the last 5 years.
Soldier wasn't some top notch elite tackle for one. He had been pretty good for a number of years, but he struggled somewhat last season and his health had been a concern. He got over paid on this new contract and wasn't worth the Pats spending that. They've added more depth on the line now and their Oline is a zone scheme where several guys can swap from tackle to guard in rotation, so that's more important than having one major stud at tackle on their Oline to Belicheck.
Mankins was shipped out of there for pretty little compensation when no on even expected it so I have no idea why you mentioned him. He was the one guy that was an absolute stud for them. The rest were fairly good, but again it helps when you have a QB that gets rid of the ball in record time levels all throughout NFL history. You're right it isn't what it used to be. It hasn't been for at least 3 straight seasons though. I think they improve slightly this year from last season with the added depth. And I think Wynn was a great pick. He fits their scheme and what they do. He can play at LT and Guard. He's tailor made for their Oline.