Possible Replacement at Left Tackle...

[Dirk Diggler]

With Vollmer playing so well in New England, Matt Light could be available for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2006 and 2007 season. Would you be in favor of that move? Discuss...

http://www.nfl.com/players/mattlight/profile?id=LIG425673

[Dallascrushers]

there has to be some reason why he is on the bench...I think we should go with youth and get a tackle in the draft and resign levi jones to keep depth (unless Samuels returns then I don't know maybe move Levi to right tackle and still draft a tackle in the first round)

[flock53]

With Vollmer playing so well in New England, Matt Light could be available for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2006 and 2007 season. Would you be in favor of that move? Discuss...

http://www.nfl.com/players/mattlight/profile?id=LIG425673
I thought about him (light) myself, then thought about Vollmers upside . Why not trade our 1st (probably high) for Vollmer and their 1st. That would give them 2 high draft picks and we would still have a 1st and our LT for years to come. He is massive and played REALLY well v/s Freeny. Then hopefully Jordan Shippley, Ingram or Tony Pike is there. Then if not Ingram, Legarret Blount from Oregon will fall to top of 2nd to grab, he reminds me of S.Jackson.

[Dallascrushers]

there is no way New England would trade vollmer at all

[Dallascrushers]

why is their even a wide receiver on the wish list...as well as tony pike...I know pike is good, but he isn't the future for this franchise...I do like the ingram idea a lot...he is a monster

[Dirk Diggler]

there has to be some reason why he is on the bench

He wasn't benched, he got hurt. But Vollmer is playing so well, Light might get Wally Pipped.

[Dirk Diggler]

there is no way New England would trade vollmer at all

Exactly. If Vollmer continues to play at this level, he's a top 5 LT. And you don't trade those dudes for all the picks in the world.

[Oldskool]

He's 31 years old already. No thanks.

[flock53]

He's 31 years old already. No thanks.
Hurry and check his age???? Hes not 31 in football age and the wear and tear. Could have 5 elite years in him.

[Dallascrushers]

yea but we need to get younger you know?

[flock53]

why is their even a wide receiver on the wish list...as well as tony pike...I know pike is good, but he isn't the future for this franchise...I do like the ingram idea a lot...he is a monster
WR, cause if we gut and have no Moss or Randel El, maybe trade Kelly for a younger OL. Shippley is an awesome route runner always gets open, faster then you think and awesome returns. I wouldnt burn a HIGH 1st on him but if we trade back he could be BPA. I just threw out names , not necessarily in that order.

[Oldskool]

Hurry and check his age???? Hes not 31 in football age and the wear and tear. Could have 5 elite years in him.

Hurry and make assumptions? I've known that Light has been in the league for 9 years for a while.

There are few players that are worth a 2nd or 3rd round selection. Light simply isn't one of them. NE may fleece the Raiders for a bonehead selection like that, but this team needs to get younger and more talented at every spot on the O-line.

A 2nd or a 3rd can get you a 10 year starter, not someone that will last a few years at best. At this point id rather have Jones at LT and have the team use its draft selections wisely and selecting young, talented O-lineman.

[flock53]

yea but we need to get younger you know?
GOOD IS GOOD and if you dont have to worry about that for 4-5 years. You could still draft young (in later rounds) and groom them.

[flock53]

Hurry and make assumptions? I've known that Light has been in the league for 9 years for a while.

There are few players that are worth a 2nd or 3rd round selection. Light simply isn't one of them. NE may fleece the Raiders for a bonehead selection like that, but this team needs to get younger and more talented at every spot on the O-line.

A 2nd or a 3rd can get you a 10 year starter, not someone that will last a few years at best. At this point id rather have Jones at LT and have the team use its draft selections wisely and selecting young, talented O-lineman.
Sorry my bad thought you were talking Vollmer.

[Dallascrushers]

good point

[flock53]

Vollmer is 25 years old

[That Redskins Fan]

no... no no and no

[flock53]

no... no no and no
OK............... Why???????????????

[rdskns n 05]

No more old dudes!!!

[Skins-Canes-Mounties]

Would I recommend signing him if they cut him? Yes

Would I recommend giving up anything better than a 5th rounder for him? No.

He would be a short term fix only. You should be drafting a quality 8 year starter for a first or second and a solid player with a third.

[flock53]

Exactly. If Vollmer continues to play at this level, he's a top 5 LT. And you don't trade those dudes for all the picks in the world.
How do you put him top 5??????? And yes you do trade. He was 2nd rd #58, if you give a top 10 and they still have Light to use and find another in 2nd or later rounder, it makes since. In the stock market (or fantasy football) its called buying low selling high

[Adam291]

I know people who are Pats fans, and none of them thought Light was very good, especially after last season. They were thrilled when Light lost his starting job.

[chow184]

I thought about him (light) myself, then thought about Vollmers upside . Why not trade our 1st (probably high) for Vollmer and their 1st. That would give them 2 high draft picks and we would still have a 1st and our LT for years to come. He is massive and played REALLY well v/s Freeny. Then hopefully Jordan Shippley, Ingram or Tony Pike is there. Then if not Ingram, Legarret Blount from Oregon will fall to top of 2nd to grab, he reminds me of S.Jackson.

I'm sorry but the new england FO didn't just get off the short bus.

you're talking about a rookie LT that shut down dwight freeney and has been a beast since he stepped onto the field. Vollmer has shown the athletic ability to match up with nearly any DE and the technical ability to shut them down.

vollmers trade value would probably be a 1st and a third alone.

Light on the other hand should probably go for a 3rd or a 4th,maybe more maybe less depending on how well he comes back from injury.

[Spartacus87]

I've already heard talk that the Patriots will consider moving Light to RT when he comes back from his injury and keeping Vollmer at LT, if he leaves the bench at all. He's just lost a step over the last year or two.

[Vicious]

Hurry and check his age???? Hes not 31 in football age and the wear and tear. Could have 5 elite years in him.

Portis is that you?

[Chicken Fried]

I thought about him (light) myself, then thought about Vollmers upside . Why not trade our 1st (probably high) for Vollmer and their 1st. That would give them 2 high draft picks and we would still have a 1st and our LT for years to come. He is massive and played REALLY well v/s Freeny. Then hopefully Jordan Shippley, Ingram or Tony Pike is there. Then if not Ingram, Legarret Blount from Oregon will fall to top of 2nd to grab, he reminds me of S.Jackson.

I believe Ingram is a sophomore. Unless he redshirted, he won't be eligible. If he were, he would go top 5. He's the best back in years.

[mithong1]

how in gods name did NE find their franchise LT with a second rounder =(

[RedskinsTime]

Don't trade away draft picks.

[Dirk Diggler]

How do you put him top 5??????? And yes you do trade. He was 2nd rd #58, if you give a top 10 and they still have Light to use and find another in 2nd or later rounder, it makes since. In the stock market (or fantasy football) its called buying low selling high

I said he's playing like a top 5 pick, like a franchise LT. He may not be worth that as of today but if he continues to play this well through the end of the season, he'll have that type of value.

[flock53]

I believe Ingram is a sophomore. Unless he redshirted, he won't be eligible. If he were, he would go top 5. He's the best back in years.
Best back in years???? Im not sure on his status, BUT TOP 5?? Most teams have thier rb (or 2). Top rbs fell mid/late round last year. AP wasnt even top 5 even tough coming off injury. Every team top 10 are teams needing A LOT. Maybe Pats use it w/ the Raiders pick, but I see Rbs falling again.

[flock53]

I said he's playing like a top 5 pick, like a franchise LT. He may not be worth that as of today but if he continues to play this well through the end of the season, he'll have that type of value.
If he continues to progress, does that make him worth trading our 1st straight up? Cant scream no old players with him and hes shown himself at least one year so Id have more faith in him over a true rook.
Its 1 yr in BUT glad we didnt end up with A.Smith. Draft is a crapshoot for the most part and we all know about our FO.

[Jeff in D.C.]

how in gods name did NE find their franchise LT with a second rounder =(

A great GM & scouting department + luck. Three things this team doesn't have right now.

[Jeff in D.C.]

With Vollmer playing so well in New England, Matt Light could be available for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2006 and 2007 season. Would you be in favor of that move? Discuss...

http://www.nfl.com/players/mattlight/profile?id=LIG425673

Light could be a decent short term fix who could buy them a couple years to find a franchise LT, but as SCM said I wouldn't give up anything higher than a 5th for him given his age and possible injury status.

[Jeff in D.C.]

I thought about him (light) myself, then thought about Vollmers upside . Why not trade our 1st (probably high) for Vollmer and their 1st. That would give them 2 high draft picks and we would still have a 1st and our LT for years to come. He is massive and played REALLY well v/s Freeny. Then hopefully Jordan Shippley, Ingram or Tony Pike is there. Then if not Ingram, Legarret Blount from Oregon will fall to top of 2nd to grab, he reminds me of S.Jackson.

Don't forget about Jahvid Best & C.J. Spiller. And fortunately for the Skins, looking at rosters around the league the only teams I see that might be taking a RB within the first 2 rounds next year are the Texans, Chargers, and perhaps Bucs, which would leave a solid RB available in the 2nd. I'd be thrilled if they can come away with a QB, RB, & stud LT with their first 3 picks.

[flock53]

Don't forget about Jahvid Best & C.J. Spiller. And fortunately for the Skins, looking at rosters around the league the only teams I see that might be taking a RB within the first 2 rounds next year are the Texans, Chargers, and perhaps Bucs, which would leave a solid RB available in the 2nd. I'd be thrilled if they can come away with a QB, RB, & stud LT with their first 3 picks.
Best had that wicked concussion and Spiller is small. I dont favor small backs, not in our division. Ingram is a Jones-Drew clone and Blount is like a S. Jackson. I favor bigger backs or small ones that are thick. More names out there, Jonathan Dwer plays in that triple option and plays at a FB distace from QB.

[rlkmwyatt]

why is anybody worried about a LT. We now have Levi Jones. Sign him for the next few years and draft somebody in the 3rd or 4th , if Samuels is not back, to bring up to speed. Use the 1st for a RB, maybe or get a quality safety. We have plenty of WR's, TE's, backup RB's. We have a QB, Colt not JC, to see if he can get the job done. There will also be quality free agent QB's in February (maybe even pennington, if he gets healthy)
The D-line is good for a couple years with the vets and young talent on the roster. LB's are solid but do need depth. DB's could use some help (bye bye Rogers???) and yes we could use a little safety help.
Now the OLine. If that line is so bad then why did Betts bust 114 yards against Denver? and how many times does JC run to the D and get sacked because he freaks out. I do think the oline could make some upgrades but it is not as bad as everybody keeps trying to say. A good QB and hard hitting RB's and that line would be quality, but no definitely not the best, yet. But quality lines allow you to score and give your D a rest.

[Riggo-toni]

Light is a proven commodity. Levi Jones has played one good game over a vastly overrated defense.
If we're drafting near the top and going for a franchise QB, Light is definitely worth a 3rd, maybe even a 2nd. If there are no decent QBs available but a franchise LT might be on the boards, you forget Light and draft the next Chris Samuels.

[SkinsTribeVA]

How to Build/Rebuild a Team 101
Step One: Do not trade early or middle round draft picks for 30+ year-old players.

Although if New England were to cut Matt Light, I'd be alright with picking him up as long as we also draft a franchise LT. Those two could duke it out for the two tackle positions with Light mentoring the youngin. Re-sign Levi--him and Heyer would make a good backup combo.

[stevemcqueen1]

I thought about him (light) myself, then thought about Vollmers upside . Why not trade our 1st (probably high) for Vollmer and their 1st. That would give them 2 high draft picks and we would still have a 1st and our LT for years to come. He is massive and played REALLY well v/s Freeny. Then hopefully Jordan Shippley, Ingram or Tony Pike is there. Then if not Ingram, Legarret Blount from Oregon will fall to top of 2nd to grab, he reminds me of S.Jackson.

Ingram isn't eligible for the draft. Why don't we just spend that first on a better LT prospect in this year's class?

[Madison Redskin]

A 2nd or 3rd rounder for a guy who is going to be 32 next season? No thanks. I see the Daniel M. Snyder School of Football Mismanagement continues to produce fine graduates.

[Big "Pimpin" Chief]

he is good talent, but he is too old...we need to look long-term when it comes to the o-line...so if we go for a free agent or a trade, it'd have to be someone with equal or greater talent, but younger

[flock53]

Why do most people continue to think the ONLY way to build/rebuild is the draft? NOT TRUE. Some people look strictly at age and say no way regardless of talent, CRAZY. You take in consideration of whats called intangibles: leadership, experience, etc. Im not saying trade 4 M. Light and what to give cause he could be used up by his coach and cut. To absolutely say no is idiotic, hes got some left and is coming from the last team known as a dynasty, his intangibles are awesome and would bring a winning attitude and fire with him, THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES. When U lose 4 so long, you need to change the mindset also, its going to be that rookies, regardless of talent are not going to want to play for this crappy owner/team and will bring in a bad attitude right off the start, so I ask you, HOW CAN YOU REBUILD W/ THAT?

[SonnyJ]

I wouldn't go putting Vollmer in the Pro Bowl just yet. If Vollmer were blocking for Campbell, Freeney would have had about 8 sacks. He was consistently blowing by Vollmer, but Brady would casually avoid him. Not to mention that Vollmer got A LOT of help.

Vollmer is a functional LT for Brady - not so sure about someone less deft at avoiding pressure in the pocket. Think you could say the same about Light - see how the Patriot OL gave up almost 50 sacks last season.

[dcoles11]

Why do people make trade threads? What percent of these proposed trades ever happen?

Way too much speculation.

[Dirk Diggler]

I wouldn't go putting Vollmer in the Pro Bowl just yet. If Vollmer were blocking for Campbell, Freeney would have had about 8 sacks. He was consistently blowing by Vollmer, but Brady would casually avoid him. Not to mention that Vollmer got A LOT of help.

Vollmer is a functional LT for Brady - not so sure about someone less deft at avoiding pressure in the pocket. Think you could say the same about Light - see how the Patriot OL gave up almost 50 sacks last season.

We must have been watching a different game. There's a difference between a DE blowing by a LT and getting pressure and a player who gets steered right past the QB and out of the play. I saw much of the latter last night. I also didn't see Vollmer getting any help in the 2nd half once he established that he could handle Freeney. And the type of help Vollmer did get in the first half was sliding protections - rather than getting chipped by TEs or RBs.

Vollmer has been far better than "functional." He's played at an exceptionally high level for over a month now. Not saying it continues for another week, month, or decade - just that if it does, he's a stud LT which to me - is the second most important position on a team.

[SonnyJ]

We must have been watching a different game. There's a difference between a DE blowing by a LT and getting pressure and a player who gets steered right past the QB and out of the play. I saw much of the latter last night. I also didn't see Vollmer getting any help in the 2nd half once he established that he could handle Freeney. And the type of help Vollmer did get in the first half was sliding protections - rather than getting chipped by TEs or RBs.

Vollmer has been far better than "functional." He's played at an exceptionally high level for over a month now. Not saying it continues for another week, month, or decade - just that if it does, he's a stud LT which to me - is the second most important position on a team.

I was just re-watching the game on NFL Network with my son. Freeney was getting around Vollmer with ease. Brady would just step up or move away. That doesn't happen in DC.

And he was getting plenty of help in both halves. There was one play that Freeney abused Vollmer with a spin move, but Mankins man had stunted to the middle, leaving him free. He came over and gave Freeney a shot. Freeney still almost got there.

Hey, blocking Freeney in Indy is a tall task for anyone. No shame in needing help. But if Vollmer performed like that with a QB like Campbell behind him, everyone would be complaining about how much he sucks.

[TotalRecall]

Nooooooo, Matt Light stinks.

[BadKarma]

What Snyder should be doing is taking a look at the intangibles that the Pats use to draft Olineman and trying to emulate. Clearly the best Oline of the decade, they build consistently through the draft and keep ending up with studs in the mid to late rounds.

[Jeff in D.C.]

What Snyder should be doing is taking a look at the intangibles that the Pats use to draft Olineman and trying to emulate. Clearly the best Oline of the decade, they build consistently through the draft and keep ending up with studs in the mid to late rounds.

Wrong - the last thing we need is for Danny to continue playing GM. What Danny should be doing is putting together a list of possible GM's, and once a GM is in place let the GM take a look at what the Pats have done, not Danny.

[Spartacus87]

What Snyder should be doing is taking a look at the intangibles that the Pats use to draft Olineman and trying to emulate. Clearly the best Oline of the decade, they build consistently through the draft and keep ending up with studs in the mid to late rounds. They also have a QB who is arguably the best in the league at feeling the pass rush around him (either him or Manning, it's pretty much a toss-up on personal preference).

That makes a big difference in making their mid-round guys who are a little rough around the edges, end up looking like studs.

[BadKarma]

Wrong - the last thing we need is for Danny to continue playing GM. What Danny should be doing is putting together a list of possible GM's, and once a GM is in place let the GM take a look at what the Pats have done, not Danny.

I am convinced Danny has read "Moneyball" (http://www.amazon.com/Moneyball-Art-Winning-Unfair-Game/dp/0393057658) and is just waiting for us to win a SB ring to reveal that him and and his crack staff of nerds have been working on the football equivalent - Snyderball. Ofc its all under wraps and top secret right now with things not looking so good with all the pick trading and 2nd round TE selections. Just you wait tho, one day..

[BadKarma]

They also have a QB who is allowed to call pass protection AUDIBLES and a coach who understands how to run an offense.

Changed it to reflect how I feel, totally understand our offensive deficiencies and am not the biggest fan of #17 either but think a lot of it comes down to coaching and scheming, i.e making in game adjustments to pick up blitz's and help out a banged up OLine, all of which seem to be getting a little bit better now that Zorn the wonderchild has been handcuffed.

[stevemcqueen1]

Tony Ugoh also looked like a pro-bowler his first season. Now he looks like he might get cut. I'd wait and see before I'd shoe Vollmer into the pro-bowl.

[Jeff in D.C.]

Changed it to reflect how I feel, totally understand our offensive deficiencies and am not the biggest fan of #17 either but think a lot of it comes down to coaching and scheming, i.e making in game adjustments to pick up blitz's and help out a banged up OLine, all of which seem to be getting a little bit better now that Zorn the wonderchild has been handcuffed.

Campbell missing WIDE OPEN receivers isn't coaching and scheming, it's incompetent QB play. Missing wide open receivers can cost a team 10-14 points a game, if not more. There have been plenty of times when Jason has had time to throw and has made a boneheaded decision.

[Mercuryrising]

OK............... Why???????????????

What part of "He is 31" do you not understand?

We don't need a quick fix, we need to build with youth.

[Spartacus87]

Changed it to reflect how I feel, totally understand our offensive deficiencies and am not the biggest fan of #17 either but think a lot of it comes down to coaching and scheming, i.e making in game adjustments to pick up blitz's and help out a banged up OLine, all of which seem to be getting a little bit better now that Zorn the wonderchild has been handcuffed. Two things (and I don't want this to become a Campbell thread, Lord knows there's more than enough of those, but just for discussion sake here):

1- Wasn't Campbell in charge of the line calls last season? I thought I heard that, and then this year they changed it to built in protection schemes depending on the play call, to take that load off of Jason.

2- While I agree that there's been plenty of times that I've questioned Zorn's offense and particularly his play calling, and I think our o-line is truly garbage (like bottom 5 in the NFL), Jason's made his own mistakes at times too. Case in point: the fumble in the season opener in New York, when Samuels pushed Umenyiora upfield around him, but Campbell neglected to step up into the few yards of pocket in front of him, while Osi was able to just go right up and knock the ball out of Campbell's hand before taking it back for 6.

You don't see Brady fall into plays like that the way Campbell does every so often. When Vollmer would get beat by Freeney, Brady had enough sense about it to slide around and get out of Freeney's way to find a receiver. I mean obviously there's zero comparison between Tom Brady and Jason Campbell, but going back to your original point about the Patriots' o-line and their drafting, Brady does a lot to help make that line look better with his pocket presence. It's not so much that they're finding studs in the 4th and 5th rounds.

[BadKarma]

Campbell missing WIDE OPEN receivers isn't coaching and scheming, it's incompetent QB play. Missing wide open receivers can cost a team 10-14 points a game, if not more. There have been plenty of times when Jason has had time to throw and has made a boneheaded decision.

Trying not to not let this derail into another JC bashing thread but I tend to subscribe to the theory that Jason's deficiencies are attributable to past coaching philosophies designed to limit turnovers as well as this particular WCO being ill suited for his skill set and Zorn micro managing him to the point of failure. No doubt he isn't Tom Brady or Peyton Manning but we stand about as big a chance of bringing one of those in here as we do Snyder selling the team.

Joe won with average QB's because he utilized his players' particular skill sets and put them in the positions from which they could succeed. Our particular WCO is totally dysfunctional without pass protection cause our route calling and protection schemes are totally inappropriate for the level of pressure JC is getting which would be less of a problem with proper coaching.

I just dont like the idea of dumping off the 6'5 230 lb 5th year vet so we can turn around and spend our 1st round pick on a rookie QB that wont help us win next season especially if he is on the IR all season. Its probably best we let a qualified GM come in here and tell us that we scrap this WCO business and go back to a more traditional offense which suits the team better.

[BadKarma]

2- While I agree that there's been plenty of times that I've questioned Zorn's offense and particularly his play calling, and I think our o-line is truly garbage

Agree we need help on the OLine but my opinion of this group changed last week with the Bronco game, think we finally used them in a way that took into account their shortcomings and saw some gameplanning / coaching. i.e more short routes for JC, better rush selection etc, the occasion HB screen etc.

JC is an awful WCO QB but not someone without value to this team under the proper coaching / scheming, much like even this current OLine can be semi functional with proper playcalling. When you change personnel and coaching up every season or two its hard to get enough continuity to figure out whats wrong with the team but if the playcalling is there and we can manage to pull off a convincing win in Dallas on Sunday I think the prioritys on this team and this board are going to shift more correctly to the FO & coaching staff as opposed to the player / personnel.

[squatch66]

we really need to use our draft picks on young guys along the line. light might be good but he will bring along with him a veteran salary that we can save on by using the pick that we would send to them for a cheaper younger player.

[HailGreen28]

Recognizable name? Check
On the downside of his career? Check
Old? Check
Relatively expensive? Check
Would the signing make a splash? Check

Hope Danny doesn't see any articles about Light.

[stwasm]

With Vollmer playing so well in New England, Matt Light could be available for a 2nd or 3rd rounder. He made the Pro Bowl after the 2006 and 2007 season. Would you be in favor of that move? Discuss...

http://www.nfl.com/players/mattlight/profile?id=LIG425673

For once, couldn't we hold onto our draft picks and use them to develop our own talent instead of coveting other teams' players who may be a product of the system in which they play?

[DiscoBob]

Maybe we should have just saved our 2nd rounder last year and drafted a Tackle ourselves? Guess who was around at our 2nd round pick (it starts will Voll and ends with mer)

[PorkSkins]

Maybe after everyone goes and watches the movie "The Blind Side" we can collectively agree where we need to look, the draft. Let's find a young hungry lineman who will be proud to wear the burgundy and gold.

[Dirk Diggler]

I was just re-watching the game on NFL Network with my son. Freeney was getting around Vollmer with ease. Brady would just step up or move away. That doesn't happen in DC.

And he was getting plenty of help in both halves. There was one play that Freeney abused Vollmer with a spin move, but Mankins man had stunted to the middle, leaving him free. He came over and gave Freeney a shot. Freeney still almost got there.

Hey, blocking Freeney in Indy is a tall task for anyone. No shame in needing help. But if Vollmer performed like that with a QB like Campbell behind him, everyone would be complaining about how much he sucks.

I dont deny the QBs importance in finding his spot, stepping up, getting rid of the ball on time, etc. He's as important as any lineman when it comes to pass protection and Brady is exceptional in this regard. And I agree that Campbell leaves MUCH to be desired when it comes to the aforementioned qualities. Point taken that JC would have been hit more and maybe even sacked a few times if he was the Pats QB.

But Brady threw the ball 42 times on Sunday night. He also had the time to go deep all night. He was pressured a handful of times by Freeney, and hit only once or twice. That is just an exceptional performance in pass protection. Freeney in Indy is the single most difficult challenge a lineman can draw. I think you are giving Brady way to much credit here.