George Bussey analysis

Mike-

Who are the bench OL that these three young OL players and what year are their contracts up? Could all 3 really make the team? With luck one or two might make the practice squad, but seems a big risk. Is BB just playing the percentages figuring one or two of three will be good enough? Seems surprising unless he is willing to cut lose a few now on the roster.

Mike-

Who are the bench OL's that these three young OL players will complete with and what year are their contracts up? Could all 3 really make the team? With luck one or two might make the practice squad, but seems a big risk. Is BB just playing the percentages figuring one or two of three will be good enough? Seems surprising unless he is willing to cut lose a few now on the roster.

Wow Dante has 3 new Lineman to teach...and all 3 of them were reaches..great...keep saying it in BB we trust.

I'll bet not all these linemen make the team too...

I'd like to have seen another LB . But, although it seems strange for a team that needs linebackers right away to draft three -- count them three -- offensive linemen when the team has full complement, remember the MOST important asset the Patriots have for the next 5+ years is Tom Brady. Let Dante coach these boys up for the future. Without a fully protected Brady, the Pats go no where .

Mike, we know you're a big fan of the PFT draft guide. Can we get their analysis of these guys? Just curious if they're throwaway picks (i.e. less than a 10% chance of being starters) or legitimate players (i.e. a 30-40% of eventually being solid starters, 60-70% chance of being a solid backups).

Thanks

This guy will be the best Offensive Lineman since John Hannah! In BB we trust!

we need a new RB and some rushers not more developmental players...

Those of you criticizing the Pats for taking three OL prospects probably should have perused this line from Mike's analysis a bit more closely...

"But of the 14 offensive linemen on the roster, 11 have contracts expiring at the end of the 2009 season."

Pretty self-explanatory, no?

Actually, claude, no. While 11 guys have expiring contracts, they still take up roster spots while they're here. The last two linemen taken are probably headed to the practice squad. Maybe they'll stay there, maybe someone will sign them, but either way, they probably won't be on the team, and probably won't be ready to contribute the year when all these expiring contracts come up. I think they just took developmental prospects i n the hope they can turn them into something down the line, and moved Hobbs in the process to clear some money to pay guys they already have and possibly Jason Taylor.

Most valuable asset on team is Brady. The team has to have as many viable options at protecting him that they can. Last 2 seasons have disappointed because Brady wasn't protected when it mattered most. If these guys become: a viable backup this year, a practice squad player, and a PUP/IR guy this year with an eye on them becoming pieces on 2010 that's fine. The Pats have a couple of guys who seemingly have slipped in their value to the team & quite a few who are FA's after season. All that means OL is an area of need that needed to have it's foundation strengthened.

On another note this draft is more about the '10 & '11 rosters than it is '09. Before the draft if you looked at all NFL rosters at full strength, the Pats are top 5 & certainly playoff contenders. The draft for BB is now almost like an MLB draft where you get guys who will be starters & contributers 4-5 years from now. Not week 1 of '09. Don't forget they now hold 4 picks in the first 2 rounds next year. Valuable chips considering #2 picks can be used in trades for very good current NFL players & having those make it easy to trade a late 1st rd pick that their's will most certainly be. Maybe the Julius Peppers deal(or even Jason Taylor) can be revisited now? The pats shed more $$ with the trade of Hobbs.

The best drafts start from the inside out. Ever since the 2007 Superbowl, it has been apparent that the Patriots need better offensive linemen, but this was not acknowledged by many who comment on the Patriots. I don't know whether these are the ones who will improve the team, because they are projects to some extent, but I applaid the draft.

It's cheaper to rotate in fresh young players than two pay second contracts to the vets, it's part of Bill's method of maximizing every dollar of the salary cap. Some established veterans are getting cut.

Now the Patriots draft two NT's. They have Wilfork, probably the best NT in the league, who says he wants to stay in New England. Yes, he's in his walk year, but they still have him and start on the basis that they will keep him. In the meantime, there is no question that they are approaching an emergency at LILB. Tedy Bruschi is about done. At most he has the one year left, and that one year is not likely to be at an All-Pro level. But not one ILB in the draft. What ARE they doing?

All 3 OL taken (not including long snapper from Hawaii) play multipe positions on the line. Vollmer played both strong side and weak side Takle. Ohrnberger played both Guard and Center and Bussey played both Guard and Tackle. Pretty evident getting young and having players that can lineup in multiple positions. Not saying these guys will be great pros but if they develop into solid players and are cheap then it will be a good draft. As for Vollmer, I think BB has a contact at Houston much the same as he has a relationship with Pat Hill when they reached and drafted Mankins. I remeber thinking what the hell and Kiper was beside himself. We all know how that turned out.

The Pats OLine is getting old. Bob hit it right on the head & I have been saying the same thing in these predraft blogs. The OLine was literally worn down by the 4th quarter of the Superbowl against the Giants. They really needed to look at getting younger on the OLine. Look at how often Neal has been injured. Light has been one of the best at his position & has certainly done a good job protecting Brady, but his time is close, especially with the younger Pass Rushers in the AFC East that are about to come into their prime & will be taking advantage of Light's Age. No offense to Light, He has taken a beating at his position, not unlike a running back that's carrying the ball 25-30 times in a game for 5+ years, & then they are usually out of the league.