Sorry folks, I'm as diehard a Pats fan as their is(since 1984) but this getting nuts. The only African American O-linemen to be signed was Anthony Clement, but looks like he ended up on IR before the ink was dry on his contract. What's up with this! Are the Pats discriminating against non-white offensive linemen? I don't care what color the Pats OL is, if they can protect Brady, I'm happy.

submit already

Two words. One future draft pick: Andre Smith, Alabama. The Pats would definitely have to trade up to get him though. Already being compared to Orlando Pace and if your team is going to draft an OT in the top ten, he'd better be as good as Pace. A more likely scenario is getting some depth with 3rd and 4th rounders.

White people are more likely to be big and fat... OR, and I won't go into the fact that the "whitey" O-lineman are tryin' to protect their "Leader" Q-B from the on-rush of the "Black man" D-Lineman...no, that's just too far overboard...

of note: I can say these things because I can quote (and trully love) the works of Leroi Jones and better, Langston Hughes...and I'm voting for Obama

p.s. Maya Angelo sucks whatever her skin tone is

EDIT: If ANYONE actually believes anything I wrote in the first part...that would make Laz very sad...

Fear not Grogan, Billy Yates is African American. He's our starting RG until/if Stephen Neal returns.

Honest Question: Isn't Wesley Brit African American?
...my absolute fav lineman, unheralded, freak of nature size, We WILL see Brit this year, oh yes, We WILL

of note: Brit may be black, or I maight just be thinkin' about the kid on Different Strokes.....I always confuse the two

Excellent, excellent, excellent Question... My Honest Answer: 'cause most white people weren't stolen from their homeland, brought over in chains, and whipped into forced labor. Now that I say this, it makes the first part sound sarcastic, but it wasn't... In ALL "My Honest Answer" point, is, at times (read:not even close to ALWAYS), just an Honest cop-out...

[Quote]Why is it considered politically correct to address race from the minority perspective? Why is it ok to say "how come there aren't more black (fill in the blank with Quarterbacks, Coaches, etc.) people in these roles? Ask the question that way and everyone just goes, "yeah, why don't we?"

But if one were to ask "why aren't there more white running backs, wide receivers, cornerbacks, sprinters, heavy weight boxers, etc. etc. they would be perceived as being racist.

Why the double standard?[/Quote]

I really wasn't trying to make this a race issue, but how else can you address the O-line issues when you look at video of Patriot practices? I've been very concerned with this O-Line since the SB. The lack of depth is scary, because if Brady gets hurt, the Pats will look like a Pats team we would all like to forget.

ROFLOL... In relation to Al Davis's face anyway.

I don't know, being coached by Jerry Glanville is nothing short of horrid.

Honestly, this is the most stupid post I have ever seen. In case you didn't know, three African American linemen are on our team, Anthony Clement, Billy Yates, and Oliver Ross. The fact that you even brought this up shows your stupidity. Its called picking the best linemen for your team. If they happen to be black, or white, then they are just black or white. This does not, in any fashion, involve racial discrimination.

Anthony Clement, Billy Yates, and Oliver Ross

Sorry, I forgot about those all-pro's. But you can't count Clement, he was only brought in to be placed on IR.

[Quote]

I see what you mean but I still think it is actually sorta racist to assume that because they aren't performing and they are white that it is because they are white.

Could it be that the Pats just keep acquiring sucky O-linemen (draft, trade, FA, however . . .)???

Another way to look at it would be if half the guys were black this conversation wouldn't be happening. Then we'd all just say "why do they keep getting sucky guys."

.[/Quote]

I never said these players sucked because they are white, but the players they are bring in to fill holes on the O-line suck on an NFL talent level and of course they are all white. From the Globe: "McMahon has not appeared in an NFL game, and while Stokes (34) and Welbourn (32) have considerable experience, they are also the type of players who are available for a reason - their best days have passed them by."

You mean to tell me there isn't better talent out there besides these guys to defend the greatest Patriot of all time? And when you consider the % of white players vs. black in the NFL, it can easily be said that the largest talent pool out there is going to be African American. But the only recent signing of one took a trip to IR before he could finish reading the contract.

I'm sure Coach B goes to bed every night wondering how to get more black offensinve linemen on the team. By far the most moronic thread I've seen. Your initial post sadly says a lot about how you see the world. Save your BS for the appropriate blogs, and let the majority here talk football.

Okay, so I guess if I was to say that their are more talented black football players in the NFL vs. white, I'm automatically a racist. Hmmm. this entire time I thought I was just speakin the truth.

Everyone know's it's because African Americans are not smart enough to play OL. What the hell are you talking about Grogan. First you complain about the fact that there are no black players on the OL, and then you say that you don't care as long a Brady's protected. Which is it? I can't believe that we still throw racism into the conversation. Especially in sports. How about this. Why are there not more African American's in auto racing? The hillbillies that run that circut sure know how to keep the black man down. PONDER THAT!
LOL

Downright silly topic. The starting O-line is all white and the starting D-line is all black.

This oddity might possibly be due to the race-based drafting priorities of the league's 31 other general managers. Scott Pioli clearly drafts and picks up players who can play. Maybe white O-line and black D-line players were what was on the board at the time (although in fairness Pioli got to draft practically first when selecting all three top D-line players).

Pioli favors average-sized or worse O-linemen, the undrafted types like Steve Neal, the castoffs from other teams. White men can't block?

Hmm... Legislate Black OL for the Patriots. That's funny the whole starting DL is black. Their has to be a place for unathletic white-guy maulers/placekickers/punters/QB's & at all those pos. the Pats have plugged. All the QB's are (white are the Pats trying to say something there as well!!) The Punter & the Placekicker are white. Kyle Eckel & Heath Evans are both white & they are RB's should we just cut them b/c they are white just for good measure. We do have approx. 16 OL and only the following are black: Anthony Clement OL & Oliver Ross OL. Wow, let's not talk to loud or Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton might try to come in & investigate & try & may a quick buck on the Black name by trying to smear the Pats w/a black stroke so they can make millions off the deal. Next folks will say that they want to legislate a certain # of ethnicities for each NFL pos. What a joke if you are good enough any NFL team will bring you in for a look & hire you if you are coachable & willing to sign for what the Pats want you for. Maybe some of the reason that there isn't more Black OL is that they are ungrateful & don't want to play for the Veteran NFL Minimum?? Ever think about that one??

14 Blacks on Offense!! & 26 Blacks on Defense!!




12
Tom Brady
QB
31
6-4
225
9
Michigan


16
Matt Cassel
QB
26
6-4
230
4
USC


7
Matt Gutierrez
QB
24
6-4
230
2
Idaho State


5
Kevin O'Connell
QB
23
6-6
235
R
San Diego State


33
Kevin Faulk
RB
32
5-8
202
10
LSU


32
LaMont Jordan
RB
29
5-10
230
8
Maryland


39
Laurence Maroney
RB
23
5-11
220
3
Minnesota


38
Kyle Eckel
FB
26
5-11
245
2
Navy


44
Heath Evans
FB
29
6-0
250
8
Auburn


34
Sammy Morris
FB
31
6-0
220
9
Texas Tech


88
Sam Aiken
WR
27
6-2
215
6
North Carolina


10
Jabar Gaffney
WR
27
6-1
200
7
Florida


17
Chad Jackson
WR
23
6-1
215
3
Florida


2
C.J. Jones
WR
27
5-11
195
2
Iowa


81
Randy Moss
WR
31
6-4
210
11
Marshall


18
Matt Slater
WR
22
6-0
194
R
UCLA


15
Kelley Washington
WR
28
6-3
215
6
Tennessee


83
Wes Welker
WR
27
5-9
185
5
Texas Tech


87
Marcus Pollard
TE
36
6-3
255
14
Bradley


82
Stephen Spach
TE
26
6-4
250
3
Fresno State


86
David Thomas
TE
25
6-3
248
3
Texas


84
Benjamin Watson
TE
27
6-3
255
5
Georgia


63
Dan Connolly
C
25
6-4
313
2
Southeast Missouri State


67
Dan Koppen
C
28
6-2
296
6
Boston College


66
Lonie Paxton
C
30
6-2
260
9
Sacramento State


71
Russ Hochstein
G
30
6-4
305
8
Nebraska


70
Logan Mankins
G
26
6-4
310
4
Fresno State


60
Jimmy Martin
G
25
6-5
306
1
Virginia Tech


64
Pete McMahon
G
26
6-8
330
1
Iowa


61
Stephen Neal
G
31
6-4
305
7
Cal State Bakersfield


68
Ryan O'Callaghan
G
25
6-7
330
3
California


75
Barry Stokes
G
34
6-4
310
9
Eastern Michigan


74
Billy Yates
G
28
6-2
305
5
Texas A&M


65
Wesley Britt
OT
26
6-8
320
3
Alabama


69
Anthony Clement
OT
32
6-8
320
11
Louisiana-Lafayette


77
Nick Kaczur
OT
29
6-4
315
4
Toledo


72
Matt Light
OT
30
6-4
305
8
Purdue


76
Oliver Ross
OT
33
6-4
327
9
Iowa State


69
John Welbourn
OT
32
6-5
310
10
California






Defense


NO.
NAME
POS
AGE
HT
WT
EXP
COLLEGE


62
Titus Adams
DT
25
6-4
305
1
Nebraska


60
Steve Fifita
DT
26
6-0
312
2
Utah


90
Le Kevin Smith
DT
26
6-1
308
3
Nebraska


69
Zach West
DT
24
6-5
305
1
UTEP


75
Vince Wilfork
DT
26
6-2
325
5
Miami (FL)


97
Jarvis Green
DL
29
6-3
285
7
LSU


93
Richard Seymour
DL
28
6-6
310
8
Georgia


95
Kenny Smith
DL
30
6-4
303
6
Alabama


92
Santonio Thomas
DL
27
6-4
305
2
Miami (FL)


94
Ty Warren
DL
27
6-5
300
6
Texas A&M


99
Mike Wright
DL
26
6-4
295
4
Cincinnati


52
Eric Alexander
LB
26
6-2
240
4
LSU


54
Tedy Bruschi
LB
35
6-1
247
13
Arizona


98
Shawn Crable
LB
23
6-5
243
R
Michigan


59
Victor Hobson
LB
28
6-0
252
6
Michigan


53
Larry Izzo
LB
33
5-10
228
13
Rice


51
Jerod Mayo
LB
22
6-2
230
R
Tennessee


91
Bo Ruud
LB
23
6-4
234
R
Nebraska


96
Adalius Thomas
LB
30
6-2
270
9
Southern Miss


50
Mike Vrabel
LB
32
6-4
261
12
Ohio State


58
Pierre Woods
LB
26
6-5
250
3
Michigan


25
Fernando Bryant
CB
31
5-11
185
10
Alabama


27
Ellis Hobbs
CB
25
5-9
195
4
Iowa State


29
Lewis Sanders
CB
30
6-1
210
9
Maryland


28
Antwain Spann
CB
25
6-0
190
3
Louisiana-Lafayette


21
Jason Webster
CB
30
5-9
187
9
Texas A&M


22
Terrence Wheatley
CB
23
5-9
178
R
Colorado


24
Jonathan Wilhite
CB
24
5-10
185
R
Auburn


35
Mike Richardson
DB
24
5-11
190
1
Notre Dame


37
Rodney Harrison
S
35
6-1
220
15
Western Illinois


31
Brandon Meriweather
S
24
5-11
200
2
Miami (FL)


36
James Sanders
S
24
5-10
210
4
Fresno State


41
Raymond Ventrone
S
25
5-10
200
3
Villanova


26
Tank Williams
S
28
6-3
223
7
Stanford






Special Teams


NO.
NAME
POS
AGE
HT
WT
EXP
COLLEGE


3
Stephen Gostkowski
PK
24
6-1
210
3
Memphis


6
Chris Hanson
P
31
6-2
202
8
Marshall

[Quote]Downright silly topic. The starting O-line is all white and the starting D-line is all black.

This oddity might possibly be due to the race-based drafting priorities of the league's 31 other general managers. Scott Pioli clearly drafts and picks up players who can play. Maybe white O-line and black D-line players were what was on the board at the time (although in fairness Pioli got to draft practically first when selecting all three top D-line players).

Pioli favors average-sized or worse O-linemen, the undrafted types like Steve Neal, the castoffs from other teams. White men can't block?[/Quote]
Do you play fantasy football? Can you draft an entire team of all white players and expect to win? No you can't, because the talent pool available at WR and RB will force you to select an African American.
The players picked up thus far at O-line are bums, losers that can't cut it in the NFL. But these are the bums that are going to be protecting the franchise Tom Brady. If the Pat are going after the best available talent out there right now, then you can't say they're aren't better African American OL than these bottom of the barrell bums. And that my point, why are the Pats signing these losers to protect Brady, the only thing in common I see is their Race. Their height and weight can be matched by any African American.
As far as the the "white man can't block", Again, I never said white athletes are inferior to black. I just stated the absolute truth that the majority of players at almost every position in the NFL is black. So if your going to search for the best available talent, odds are your going to select an African American. Again, try an win fantasy football with an all-white team.

14 Blacks on Offense!! & 26 Blacks on Defense!!

Yeah I know there is, because as I have stated before, the majority of players in the NFL are African American! So if a team is looking to fill most positions in the NFL, the majority of players they look at are going to be African American. You can't tell me the latest group of OL signings are the best the Pats can pick up to protect Brady. And trying to save money by only hiring the vet minimum to protect the most important part of the Patriots team doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.