New England Patriots: How the Offensive Line Will Be Reshaped in 2011 and Beyond
The New England Patriots offensive line has long been one of the premier groups in the league, and won the John Madden "Most Valuable Protectors" award in 2010 for their excellence in protecting Tom Brady. With a group of linemen that is largely in flux, though, a group that has been one of the cornerstones of New England's success over the past few years is now in question.
There are several factors that have contributed to the rapid changes on the offensive line. Let's examine some of the circumstances behind the changes, and how those changes will affect the Patriots offensive line moving forward.
Erik Frenz is the co-host of the PatsPropaganda & Frenz podcast. Follow Erik on Twitter @erikfrenz.
Key Departures and Decisions
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Steve Neal. Logan Mankins. Matt Light. Dan Koppen. Four starters in 2010, all of whom could be gone by the end of the 2011 NFL season—assuming, of course, we have a season.
Neal has already retired. Mankins was tendered for one year, and has been slapped (he would say, in the face) by a franchise tag. Matt Light's contract expired in 2010, and who knows if he'll be back in 2011. Dan Koppen's contract expires in 2011, as well.
As for the short-term, the only notable holdovers from 2010 to 2011 are Sebastian Vollmer, Dan Connolly and Dan Koppen. Vollmer has been a lock at right tackle, and Connolly proved he can start if need be (while also proving he can return kicks). Beyond that, there's a lot of question marks in the group.
The Patriots will need to decide on many of their offensive linemen in the coming years; is re-signing them worth it, or will there be someone ready to step in?
If there weren't very many pressing needs now, there probably will be more than one need come 2012.
Matt Light
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As mentioned previously, Matt Light's contract expired after the 2010 season. He has said that he will do what's best for him; whether that's to stay in New England or go where the money is remains to be seen. Even if Light is back for another year, his age is a concern. At 33 years old, his best years are clearly in the rearview mirror.
Even still, Light has been the blind side protector for Tom Brady off the edge since the franchise quarterback played in his very first game. The level of rhythm and rapport between these two is very high. Who knows how easily that can be replaced, if at all.
Nate Solder
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One look at Nate Solder's 6'8", 319-pound frame would have most offensive line coaches drooling.
Notwithstanding his frame, Solder has been largely considered a project at left tackle. He has only played left tackle for roughly two and a half years, so it's safe to say he has yet to even begin to reach his potential. It's hard to believe the Patriots would have drafted him if they weren't confident in his ability to start if need be.
In fact, the value of Solder is his coachability. The Patriots do, after all, have one of the best offensive line coaches in the league on their side. Dante Scarnecchia has made more out of less in the past.
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Ted Larsen
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The one that got away.
As a compensatory sixth-round pick, not much was expected of Ted Larsen. So, when he was unceremoniously cut from the team before the 2010 season began, no one took much note.
The Patriots front office has certainly taken notice of Larsen's success since joining the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has turned out to be a viable starter for the Bucs. It's hard to ignore what could have been with Larsen, and important to remember that perhaps they wouldn't have had such a pressing need on the interior of the offensive line had they not released Larsen.
Logan Mankins
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Mankins' situation needs no regurgitation. He's unhappy that he's been slapped with the franchise tag, and feels he's been ignored in terms of getting his due contract extension for the past two offseasons. The Patriots, meanwhile, are just doing what they can to keep ties with their best interior offensive linemen.
There's no denying the level of play Mankins brings to the table at guard. He hasn't missed a game due to injury since being drafted in the first round in 2005.
The Patriots must decide quickly how important it is to keep him around. Even if he is forced to play through the franchise tag in 2011, the long-term situation is critical.
Replacing him would be a tall order, even for a guard. It's not just about the level of play, but the level of intensity he brings on every play. He is extremely aggressive and plays angry. Losing him also means losing that mentality, and that extra shot of piss and vinegar.
Marcus Cannon
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As a result of missing out on Ted Larsen and with the retirement of Steve Neal, the Patriots still had a need at guard. Marcus Cannon played tackle at TCU, but figures to play guard in the NFL. His 6'5", 358-pound frame will make him a proverbial "cannon" in the running game, blasting through defensemen to open up holes up the middle.
The risk on Cannon, though, is that he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma just before the draft. It is very treatable, though, and according to Aaron Wilson of National Football Post, Cannon is expected to recover smoothly after his final chemotherapy treatment on June 29.
Key Back-Ups
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The Patriots have long excelled at keeping talented offensive linemen around as depth. How they keep their secrets so well is a mystery. The names will never jump off the page (simply because...well, they're back-up offensive linemen) but guys like Dan Connolly, Mark LeVoir and others are fully capable of contributing if need be.
Could Belichick have his eye on one—or possibly even more—of those back-ups to contribute in 2011, or even beyond? Connolly could be a stop-gap at either guard spot, as he proved last year in filling in for both Logan Mankins and Steve Neal with no noticeable dip in play.
As mentioned earlier, Scarnecchia is a master of making something out of nothing on the offensive line. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Patriots put it in his hands, so to speak.
Conclusion
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The Patriots have already begun to address the growing concern on the offensive line. Sebastian Vollmer was a fixture at right tackle, but has shown the ability to play various spots. He could even play left tackle, though it's not his strong suit. He also filled in at right guard when Steve Neal was injured in 2009.
As mentioned, drafting two offensive linemen this year signals the Patriots approaching that time of transition on the offensive line. You can never be too safe, especially when protecting a franchise quarterback like Tom Brady.
With that in mind, keeping Logan Mankins becomes substantially more important. Very few, if any, match his temperament and the attitude he brings to the offensive line. He's something of an "enforcer" and really gets the rest of the guys fired up.
As for the young offensive linemen, they will all be solid students for "Dante University" and will be the building blocks of the offense for a long time to come.
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