If he can step his game up a bit, he’ll be one of the highest scoring TEs in the NFL in 2008.Behind him comes David Thomas, who sat out last year with a broken foot. Although he has yet to see extended playing time, Thomas has exceptional hands (he’s one of the biggest reasons Vince Young was able to look so good in college). His fault lies in his blocking ability, which I hear has been improving. If Thomas is healthy, he’ll be a regular contributor in the passing game.Next up is Marcus Pollard, who has been a receiving TE throughout his career, but developed the “dropsies” in Seattle last season. How well (or poorly) he’s aged is of concern to the Pats, but he is exactly the type of player that could thrive in Belichick’s “do one thing and do it well” system. I expect some good things from Pollard this season.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 blockerExpected Cuts: Stephen Spach, Jonathan Stupar Offensive LineDan 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’CallaghanTo 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.
