Patriots, LeVoir reach contract extension

Mike: Do you see them extending LB Gary Guyton anytime soon? If they're going to the unusual step of locking up ERFAs, why not extend Guyton, too?

A lot of fans questioned why Kaczur (now LeVoir) and not

Wilfork. Extending contracts is like taking a quiz, you do the

easy ones first.

I wonder if thise means the team is shopping O'Callaghan? I can't see them keeping 5 OT on their 53...

What is stephen neals contract status?

That was a good sign for them. It looks like the offensive tackles for at least the next two seasons are set with Light (2 years), LeVoir (3 years), Vollmer (4 years), and Kaczur (4 years) all signed to multi-year deals. The great thing about LeVoir, Vollmer, and Kaczur is that not only have they shown they can play on the right side, but they have all been somewhat successful also on the left side. LeVoir is also a replacement for Hochstein in some ways as a potential extra tight end, a role he performed last season. The fullback role may be a tougher one for him to project to. Vollmer, the same, tight end should be doable while fullback isn't.

@ Jim Keddy --

Nice analogy.

I liked what I saw of LeVoir last season, so this is good, IMHO.

If LeVoir goes to Reserve/PUP Sept. 1st, and the Pats keep nine O-line guys to start the regular season (though they might only keep eight), by my count, there are now 8 guys competing for four backup jobs (with one of them to be bumped when LeVoir comes off PUP).

Four are G/C (maybe hypothetical on the "Center" capability for a couple):
Ohrnberger (R)
Wendell (1-yr on P/S)
Connolly (2-yrs on P/S)
Hochstein (6-yrs in NE)
One is G (only): Yates (4 yrs w/ NE)
Three are T:
Vollmer (R)
O'Callaghan (2 yrs, last one on IR)
Britt (2 yrs active w/NE)

Who stays and who goes? Pick any four.

Hochstein = gone to the farm Team in Denver
Yates = Is he any good?
Tell me more MM.

yes, except that Hochstein's been traded and you've forgotten Bussey, who apparently has some versatility as both guard and tackle. of the backups, i'm figure Vollmer and Ohrnberger are locks. as for the other two, I'm guessing they'll go with O'Callaghan and Yates, both of whome have been around for some time, know the system and have started games in the past. I guess Yates' status depends on Ohrnberger's ability to play center. If they judge he's not a reasonable backup center, then Connolly or Wendell makes it. As it stands, I'm guessing Wendell goes back to the practice squad and Bussey goes on IR with a dubious injury - seems they do this with someone every year that they don't want to cut outright.

@ Bungeeman --

Yeah. My bad. I just had a couple minutes between projects, saw this post and commented in haste. Didn't get a chance to scroll down to the Hochstein news till later.

I've not been impressed with what I've seen Yates or Connolly. In my mind, they'd be first to go. But, y'know, there may be factors mitigating in their favor that I've not seen/heard about.

@ Dave --

Didn't forget about Bussey. Just assuming that, since his participation has been so limited (and the opportunities to evaluate him so limited), he seems more likely at this point to go to the P/S, or maybe to IR.

Agree that Vollmer's probably a lock. With him and LeVoir on board, that's two tackles who wouldn't necessarily be good long-term fills at G, if the need arose. So, it seems to me that the other two spots would have to go to G and C, which would appear to leave Britt and O'Callaghan on the outside (though O'Callaghan might have P/S eligibility left after being on IR all last year). Also agree that Ohrnberger is likely to stick, but he's a G who MAY be able to play some C. That would seem to point to the last guy as someone who's primarily a C who can also fill at G. That would be down to Wendell and Connolly, leaving Yates on the outside. As I said, I've not been impressed with Connolly, but Wendell has very little experience, so that might be a toss-up.

They might Carry O'Callaghan if LaVoir goes on the PUP and deal with that roster spot problem after 6 weeks.

I'm sure they like O'Callaghan's play. It was considered a lil bit of a gamble when they drafted him, not because of his abilities but he had shoulder problems in college and missed substantial time I believe. Those same shoulder problems have followed him to NE and the NFL. He just can't stay healthy enough to keep over another close to equal quality player I'd imagine.

The thing that still amazes me is that NE claimed LaVoir from the RAMS who had an absolutely awful offensive line. He comes here and steps in almost day one as the swing tackle last year. Also played a fair amount and played well. No wonder the Rams stunk, they have a tackle who can play and release him when their line stinks.