Big Man Blues

At the moment, few positions on the Patriots depth chart are receiving less attention than the offensive line. Although their job is not a sexy one, the big men up front are the pendulum that powers the clock.

Recently Mike Rodak of ESPN wrote “The Patriots enter training camp with uncertainty at both guard positions”. Way to understate it Mike. Listen, Logan Mankins is an angry beast on the interior line, but he may very well miss training camp. Rehabbing a knee is always slower with the big guys so don’t expect a Wes Welker like return to top form. It will be a gradual ascension that gets Mankins back on the field, and eventually back to dominance.

Brian Waters was an excellent addition, but he was excused from mandatory mini-camp, and I for one am questioning his desire to make another long run. Is Robert Gallery really the guy that is going to step up and solidify the middle if either Mankins or Waters are not ready or able?

History says no. He was a flop in Oakland. He is certainly not terrible, but he has definitely failed to live up to his touted ability at every stop in his career. A perfect example of his value or lack thereof, is the fact that Seattle (yes the Seahawks) cut him one year into a three year deal. They think so highly of him that they are paying him to play against them. Here’s hoping Brian Waters finds his motivation, and Mankins eats his spinach, otherwise Brady is going to find it much more difficult to find Gronk and company down field.