2008 Position Review: Offensive Line

Matt Light

The Pro Bowl tackle started for the eigth straight year, going all 16 for the third year in a row.  While he had a few lapses in pass protection, overall, he played good football yet again.  He’s not going to Canton, but he sure knows how to get the job done, and is a leader in the locker room.  Outlook: Light will be 31 this season, and expires after 2010.  At which point he will be turning 33 (in June), so I think the Patriots will take a wait and see approach on any extension talks.  But it sure is nice having the big guy around.  Grade: B+

Logan Mankins

I can’t put my finger on exactly why, but Logan Mankins really took a step back in 2008.  Not to say he was bad, he just wasn’t at his usual level.  While he still made some of the bone crushing blocks we are used to, he seemed to struggle at times with the mental aspect, but hopefully he can wipe that off heading into 2009.  Outlook: Mankins, at 26, is still one of the best young guards in football.  However, he expires after the 2009 season, so look for extension talks to begin at any time.  Locking up Mankins in the range of 5 years and $25 million would be a steal in my opinion.  Grade: B-

Dan Koppen

Dan Koppen, like Mankins, took a small step backwards in 2008.  Although he may not have been as effective as years past, he still did a great job directing the line, and started all 16 games.  Outlook: Koppen is signed through 2011 at a reasonable price, and is still relatively young (will still be 29 at season’s start), so there is no rush to find his replacement just yet.

Stephen Neal

Most people are going to say that Neal didn’t have a great season, was injury ridden, etc etc.  Now while injuries are a problem with Neal (hasn’t played all 16 since ‘05), Neal came back mid-season and really improved the line.  With Neal in the lineup, Matt Cassel’s sacks were cut by more than half.  How bout that? Outlook: Neal will be a free agent after the season and will be 33 by the end of the year.  While I wouldn’t rule out the Patriots resigning him, the Patriots should probably begin to groom a replacement for him.  Grade: B

Nick Kazcur

In his first three years as a starter, Nick Kazcur never really did anything special.  Unless snorting prescription pills is considered special.  2008 was another one of those years for Kazcur.   He can stick with average d-lineman and does a servicable job in pass protection.  But it seems every time he faces a good pass rusher, he lets up a sack.  Outlook: Kazcur also expires after 2009, and considering his off the field issues and limited effectiveness on the field, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Patriots looked in another direction.  Grade: C+

Mark LeVoir

Mark LeVoir actually filled in for Kazcur in the two games he missed.  He can play both tackle position, and performed very well in the two games he started.  Outlook: LeVoir definitely will be a member of the Patriots for the next few years.  While I’m not sure he will ever become a full-time starter (although the way he filled in I certainly wouldn’t rule it out), I think he will be an integral part of the offensive line for years to come. Grade: B+

Billy Yates

Billy Yates started the first seven games of the year for an injured Stephen Neal.  While he showed some signs of life run blocking, he really struggled to pass protect, and was very inconsistent.  Outlook: Yates is signed through 2009 and will have to once again prove himself in training camp.  However, he is currently still the Patriots top backup interior lineman.  Grade: C-

Russ Hochstein

Hochstein played in 15 games with two starts for the Patriots in 2008.  He played well in spot duty as a guard/center.  However, he may have made his biggest impact as a fullback, where he at times played an integral role as a lead blocker.  Outlook: Hochstein may be a free agent, but even at 31, I’d fully expect him to be resigned.  Grade: B

Wesley Britt

Played in two games for the Patriots in 2008 in spot duty.  Outlook: Britt is a free agent and may be signed to a one year deal to compete in training camp, otherwise he will likely walk.  Grade: Incomplete

Ryan O’Callaghan

The 6′8″ offensive tackle, and a favorite of mine, was injured for the entire season.  Outlook: O’Callaghan is signed through 2009 and will get the chance yet again to prove he can start for the Patriots.  I’m not sure if he will be extended though.  Grade: Incomplete

Dan Connolly

The guard/center played in one game for the Patriots and backed up multiple positions on the line, while spending some of the season on the practice squad.  Outlook: Connolly is signed through 2009 and will get the chance to earn a job as a backup interior lineman once again in 2009. Grade: Incomplete

Ryan Wendell

The rookie free agent center/guard spent the entire season on the practice squad, but showed some promise at times.  Outlook: Signed through 2009 on a future contract, Wendell will get his shot to prove his 53-man worthiness in training camp. Grade: Incomplete

Overview

While the Patriots line struggled to pass protect as a group at times in 2008, they were pretty consistent.  With all five starters returning in 2009, including the fearsome threesome (Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Stephen Neal) who all played and started all 16 games in ‘08, this group could see a renaissance of sorts.

Overall Grade: B