New England Patriots Links 7/13/11 - Will Fred Taylor Return or Retire?

I feel that it is time to cut ties with the older backs: Morris and Taylor. I like BJGE, Woodhead, and the two rookies will play hard like every other Patriot. I would like to see a FB in the mix if possible, but double TE’s does offer the additional blocking for short yardage runs.

You wish guys like Fred Taylor and Teddy Brushi could be / would be integrated into the PAT’s coaching staff. It just seems like both of them would be outstanding teachers and motivators while easily gaining the respect and admiration of the current players.

Just look

I strongly believe that the PATS should introduce and implement an OL rotation just as they use on the DL. The advantages are significant.

1 Players get to rest
2 Players are game ready when injuries force more playing time by others
3 Players can be coached on the sidelines, view photographs, hydrate, etc.
4 Players can be used toward their strengths (run blocker vs pass blocker)

Number 4 has the added benefit of deception since a defense cannot automatically assume that said player(s) indicate a sure run or pass play. Yet, the skill set is there to maximize the play selection made.

I don’t see it the same way regarding line chemistry if a rotation system is integral to their practices from day one. Familiarity would be achieved with that type of commitment. I don’t see great separation between many of the OL players thereby allowing a rotation to work. Even Mankins was admirably replaced by Connelly during his absence. Vollmer filled in nicely for Light at LT. Connelly can easily rotate with Koppen. The new rookie may be capable of playing some RT and/or RG in a lesser involved rotation as he learns the system.

I toss it out as a discussion point, only..

As for “pace”, I think the rotation timing is easy to achieve without disrupting pace if that is the desired outcome. First downs, particularly those that occur on receptions and runs of 15 or more yards offer easy OL substitutions while the chains are moving down the sidelines. Again, if this is a practiced feature of the offense and integral to the system and the offensive design, it would flow fluidly as all the OL players and the QB would be well schooled and on the same page. Clearly the DL does it, and that side of the ball requires the same type of familiarity and communication – perhaps even more since the D is playing a “reactionary” game versus the O which is executing their called plays.

Agreed. It would be a new approach. However, though others are certainly more invested in the NFL’s history, but I am of the impression that Jimmy Johnson started the “true” DL rotation with Leon Lett and company. Yes? No?

Someone starts a trend, and, if successful, the ‘copy cat’ mentality kicks in very soon after. I thought BB’s 4-3 was fairly unique until many teams switched to it after his success making the draft a far more complicated effort. Yes? No?

I could be wrong on both accounts, but I do feel that bold moves with success dictate change in these leagues where parity at every level demands some sort of edge – typically developed by some coach.

Take for example Buddy Ryan’s absurd D during the Bear’s 1985 Super Bowl. No one had desinged anything as wild as that blitzing package. It worked. It clearly did not have legs, but its short term success was rewarded. Ryan was thinking out of the box. He had the personnel, and he went for something dramatic.

Hence, an OL rotation seems no different where a coach decides to make such a dramatic change.

Just OneOpinion ….

Nicely put. Your reasoning makes it clear that a OL rotation just won’t work.

Let’s hope the PATS and Mankins reach a long term deal based on this discussion. If this rookie (Solder sp?) is a solid contributor, along with Mankins and Vollmer, the PATS could have three massive, talented OL locked up for Brady’s remaining tenure with the PATS.

I do think they need a much stronger, beefier Center to anchor the OL and to counter the huge NT’s that are being employed by many teams. Koppen seems small at this stage.

Any chance there’s a large Center available before for this coming season in the free agency market???

It just seems odd that the PATS have not drafted a big center to develop along with Vollmer and now Solder and Cannon. Add in Mankins and that is one massive front line.