OL

[CreepCreep2014]

So this is starting to get a little interesting on the OL. We finally know that Thuney will be playing inside, but where? I keep seeing NE is going to try and put him at C and get more athletic. Pretty interesting when you have Stork who took you to a SB and Andrews who took you to 10-0 before Stork came back. Now we have Mason, Jackson, Cooper, Kline all on the inside. Solder, Mason, Thueny, Cooper, Vollmer?. Then again NE is going to rotate guys anyways...this is going to be an interesting watch through camp...

 

[BigKen]

It all depends on what Scarneccia can do with each guy. I wouldn't be surprised if Cooper and Thuney actually ended up playing tackle during the preseason. Everyone knows that BB likes versatility.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

So this is starting to get a little interesting on the OL. We finally know that Thuney will be playing inside, but where? I keep seeing NE is going to try and put him at C and get more athletic. Pretty interesting when you have Stork who took you to a SB and Andrews who took you to 10-0 before Stork came back. Now we have Mason, Jackson, Cooper, Kline all on the inside. Solder, Mason, Thueny, Cooper, Vollmer?. Then again NE is going to rotate guys anyways...this is going to be an interesting watch through camp...

Yeah I don't see Thuney coming in and starting over Stork and Andrews at center. If so I'd have to say that was a waste of a draft pick.Versatility is a great thing but so is a solid G or T that can fill in at another position. Not picking a guard that may be your starting center
$#@% in BB we trust I guess?

 

[CreepCreep2014]

I hear what you guys are saying, but I keep seeing Thuney at C and Stork moving to G. I mean anything can happen. I think Cannon is on this team. Scar loves the kid for some reason.

Ken that would be interesting to see if Cooper can play OT. Maybe a backup plan for Volly next yr? Never really thought of that. As for Thuney, both Scar and Nick C said he is playing on the inside and he was drafted for that. I still think Stork gets moved. Not sure when, but I can see it happening.

 

[Southieinnc]

Patriots are lying as usual. Thuney can play anywhere. We'll mix and match and see what works best.....

Joe Thuney, North Carolina State (OG-C)

There are more impressive specimens in college football than the 6-4, 304-pound and short-armed Thuney, but he showed up remarkably well in most of the testing drills at the NFL scouting combine, which appeared to back up the game tape that showed an agile, light-footed and very smart blocker who spent time at every position for the Wolfpack. He was an All-America left tackle, handing tough assignments such as first-round prospects Shaq Lawson and Noah Spence, and yet Thuney probably projects to guard or center in a zone scheme in the NFL. He's not en elite athlete but the kind of player you root for with intelligence, work ethic and mental toughness.

 

[Southieinnc]

From Broncos board.....

In the line of fire

Seems they are sweating their OL.
Read the article - talks of lack of OL coaching.
This will be a good year for the 10-0 line that gets coached by Scarnecchia!!!!!

 

[cdumler7]

From Broncos board.....

In the line of fire

Seems they are sweating their OL.
Read the article - talks of lack of OL coaching.
This will be a good year for the 10-0 line that gets coached by Scarnecchia!!!!!

The OL is honestly the biggest question mark on my team. Same as last year. 4 new starters with quite a few of them very young obviously leaves this all up in the air. I do like our chances to have an improved OL though as this will be the 2nd year in the system with 2 QB's that don't require some hybrid system like Manning did last year. We also added a FB that could help with the Run Blocking and get back from injury a guy that our coaches are giddy about in Heuerman for the TE position because of his blocking ability. So there is hope but I do worry the first 8 weeks could be a bit brutal as they learn to play together.

 

[BigKen]

The OL is honestly the biggest question mark on my team. Same as last year. 4 new starters with quite a few of them very young obviously leaves this all up in the air. I do like our chances to have an improved OL though as this will be the 2nd year in the system with 2 QB's that don't require some hybrid system like Manning did last year. We also added a FB that could help with the Run Blocking and get back from injury a guy that our coaches are giddy about in Heuerman for the TE position because of his blocking ability. So there is hope but I do worry the first 8 weeks could be a bit brutal as they learn to play together.

OL is always a question when new guys or rookies are involved. Can the new guys blend in with the established line? Can the rookies first make the transition from college to the high octane NFL? Preseason is the best time for the coaching staff to be able tom see adjustments and to see if the skill they thought they saw in a college standout are skills that can be upgraded to play in the NFL. The Patriots generally will make switches as often as possible to see if any of their rookies have versatility and if they can play. This year, Johnathan Cooper will also be a question as to where he can play best, if at all in the Pats offense.

The Broncos probably have more questions, but Pats have a few themselves.

 

[Southieinnc]

The OL is honestly the biggest question mark on my team. Same as last year. 4 new starters with quite a few of them very young obviously leaves this all up in the air. I do like our chances to have an improved OL though as this will be the 2nd year in the system with 2 QB's that don't require some hybrid system like Manning did last year. We also added a FB that could help with the Run Blocking and get back from injury a guy that our coaches are giddy about in Heuerman for the TE position because of his blocking ability. So there is hope but I do worry the first 8 weeks could be a bit brutal as they learn to play together.

Scarnecchia approach invaluable in 'sink or swim' world of NFL line play

 

[cdumler7]

Scarnecchia approach invaluable in 'sink or swim' world of NFL line play

Good article. I do think it shows the ridiculous attitude of players in today's NFL. Players are not the best coaches usually. They don't usually have the mind to handle all that a coach is required to do. That doesn't mean that there are not some coaches around the league that are not qualified for their job but I do think a good number of them know what they are doing.

I also do think Scarnecchia is one of the better OL coaches in the league. Us Bronco fans keep hoping Gibbs will come out of retirement for a couple of years as our OL has gone downhill since he retired. I'm hoping that 2nd year in this system for many of them though we can finally start seeing them shine. Past players have said the ZBS is one that takes a year or two to actually get down. Thankfully some of the guys we brought in like Okung and Stephenson are coming from teams that played a ZBS so it won't be quite as foreign to them.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Was reading today that Andrews was getting plenty of reps at C. Seems Stork could be the odd man out. I believe all 3 (Stork, Andrews, Thuney) all got reps. I would have to think that a SB winning C in just his 3rd yr has some trade value. I believe Jacksonville lost their starting center...Going to be interesting to see how this plays out, not just at C, but across that whole OL.

 

[Southieinnc]

Was reading today that Andrews was getting plenty of reps at C. Seems Stork could be the odd man out. I believe all 3 (Stork, Andrews, Thuney) all got reps. I would have to think that a SB winning C in just his 3rd yr has some trade value. I believe Jacksonville lost their starting center...Going to be interesting to see how this plays out, not just at C, but across that whole OL.

Giardi: Can’t evaluate players during OTAs

OTA's are training event - not competition for a spot.

 

[BigKen]

Stork is extremely versatile. He plays all three line positions and all three very well.
People forget that he moved over and played guard against the Bills and then played
RT against the Texans. It was Fleming who gave up the sacks to Clowney.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Stork is extremely versatile. He plays all three line positions and all three very well.
People forget that he moved over and played guard against the Bills and then played
RT against the Texans. It was Fleming who gave up the sacks to Clowney.

This is a good problem to have. Stork, Andrews and potentially Thuney are 3 quality linemen. I'd hate to lose any of them.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

So with Mason back we are getting some more depth, which is nice. He was backing up Cooper at RG today. From what I read Kline, Thuney, Karas will be fighting for the LG spot, Cooper, Mason, Jackson, Karas fighting for the RG spot and Andrews and Stork at C. I am liking the battler. Apparently Karas has been working at all 3 inside pos. Have not heard much about the OT. So prob assume Solder and Volly are set and ready to go with Cannon (puke) and Fleming as the back OT. Going to be a good battle for the OL, which is prob a good thing!!

 

[ohiopatsfan]

I think Waddle will get the nod over Cannon at tackle. Also, with his position flexibility, Thuney will get a look at both center and tackle as well as guard.

 

[BigKen]

Word from Quick Slant was that Cooper has the inside track at RG. Remember, no one is in pads, but Coop has been far and away the best at everything they've been asked to do.

Surprise of the Camp is Devin Lucien. Totally blew away everyone when he broke away from Logan Ryan and literally left him 15 yards in his wake. Even BB was shocked at the breakaway speed........extremely fast.

Cyrus pulled up with a slight pull of his hammy. Guy on QS says that Ryan may be replaced by the rookie. So far, again without pads, he's been outstanding in both man and zone coverage.

 

[CreepCreep2014]

I think Waddle will get the nod over Cannon at tackle. Also, with his position flexibility, Thuney will get a look at both center and tackle as well as guard.

I thought the same on Thuney, but there have been no reports of him even taking reps at OT. I remember both Scar and BB or Cas said he was an inside guy and that was it. I keep forgetting about Waddle, as I hope he comes through so we can be done with Cannon. I honestly think it will be between Mason, Thuney and Kline for the LG spot...then again we play 10 OL a game...LOL

 

[CreepCreep2014]

Word from Quick Slant was that Cooper has the inside track at RG. Remember, no one is in pads, but Coop has been far and away the best at everything they've been asked to do.

Surprise of the Camp is Devin Lucien. Totally blew away everyone when he broke away from Logan Ryan and literally left him 15 yards in his wake. Even BB was shocked at the breakaway speed........extremely fast.

Cyrus pulled up with a slight pull of his hammy. Guy on QS says that Ryan may be replaced by the rookie. So far, again without pads, he's been outstanding in both man and zone coverage.

Was Cyrus today?? I didn't see that.

I keep hearing that both Lucien and J.Jones are the surprises of camp right now. Then again we got no pads on (like you said). So it will be interesting come camp. I still think it's Ryan job in the end with Jones getting in on that slot coverage, leaving Chung back.

Not shocked about Cooper. He was a top 10 pick for a reason.