New England Patriots Don't Need Much Help on Offense

Stephen Spach was signed last year in emergency, didn't really do much, and will likely be released by the team (and re-signed in case of emergency). Rookie TE Jonathan Stupar is also on the fringe. Expect both of these tight ends to be released, and a blocking tight end signed in their place.

Needs: A blocker

Expected Cuts: Stephen Spach, Jonathan Stupar

Offensive Line

Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Logan Mankins, Billy Yates, Stephen Neal, Oliver Ross, Russ Hochstein, Gene Mruczkowski, Dan Connolly, Jimmy Martin, Matt Light, Wesley Britt, Nick Kaczur, Ryan O'Callaghan

To wrap up this discussion, we dive into the biggest question mark for the Patriots: the offensive line. After performing brilliantly all season long, they were exposed as a tired, slow group against the Giants in the Super Bowl. Add in a couple injuries and the fact that Nick Kazcur's availability for the season is unknown, and the Pats have some work to do.

On the left side of the line, Matt Light stands as one of the league's top left tackles. He's strong, fundamentally sound, and intelligent, but he looked like the slowest of the bunch in the Super Bowl.

Next to Light is Logan Mankins, a player the Patriots were criticized for drafting so early (32nd overall). Of course, the Pats saw something in Mankins, and now the rest of the league sees it, too. He's easily one of the top five (if not the best) left guards in the game.

At center, Dan Koppen will be snapping to Brady once again. After stepping in as a rookie starter (due to injuries) in 2003, Koppen started 46 consecutive games on the way to back-to-back Super Bowl championships. He is a cornerstone of the offensive line, and will not be replaced for a long, long time.

The right side of the line is of more concern. Nick Kaczur may face a personal-conduct penalty from the NFL, and no single player has shown the consistency to be a lock at either the RG or RT positions. Assuming Kaczur can play, he will most likely split time with Ryan O'Callaghan at tackle, while Stephen Neal (if healthy) remains in the guard spot.

The problem with the right side is that there are too many "what-ifs". Injuries have plagued the offensive line (notably the right side), off-field issues are arising, and consistency of play has been an issue. The Patriots need at least one "lock" on the right side, either at guard or tackle.

Regardless of these needs, don't expect the OL to be any worse than a top-five group. The Patriots have shown an ability to be extremely successful with a patchwork offensive line in the past few years.

Needs: A right-side starter

Expected Cuts: Jimmy Martin, Ryan Wendell. I expect most of last year's backups to be with the club again this year

Well, that about does it for the offensive side of things. What do you think? There aren't many needs here, just a blocking tight end and some right offensive-line help. I completely expect this group to deliver similar results to last year's record-breaking offense.

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