The new look OL

[SeoulSoxFan]

The little red dots in the last screenshot show the LOS, where Brady received the snap, where Brady is and where he ends up throwing it. I had to review this 10 times to make sure I wasn't screwing up the the original LOS. In sum, the Patriots essentially leave 8 in to block 4 rushers and simply can't buy Brady any time. The design of this play from the start was puzzling (what is Hooman supposed to be doing aside from watching Gronk's backside?) and the execution was abysmal.

 
Terrific analysis nazz.
 
Or should I say terrifying analysis. At this point it seems clear no single player or scheme is to blame. The whole kaboodle is in a shitshow mode. 
 
I cannot think of a single QB that will perform at a consistently high (or even average) level with that sieve. Christ. 

 

[nazz45]

:rex:
 

Sorry, Mark!

 

[mascho]

No worries man. Great minds and all...

 

[JerBear]

In fact, no one Patriot actually holds their block for more than a second aside from Gronk, completely away from the action.

Solder continues running his guy off completely out of the play, give him some credit!

 

[Stitch01]

Can we maybe start by telling blockers to just pick someone and block them if they find themselves standing around aimlessly?  That's sort of a recurring issue.

 

[IdiotKicker]

Can we maybe start by telling blockers to just pick someone and block them if they find themselves standing around aimlessly?  That's sort of a recurring issue.

This would imply they are capable of doing so. We haven't really seen that ability so far this year. It is really shocking.

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Fleming has missed practice two days in a row with a finger issue.  This has me terrified considering the other options at right gaurd.
 
Also the Wednesday practice was a walkthrough.  If a guy has an finger injury that could be played through, is it unreasonable to have expected him to take place in a walkthrough? 

 

[Number45forever]

Trade for an interior lineman?  They have draft picks and the need is severe, especially if injuries start coming up.  It might look stupid to trade for OL help a few weeks after dealing Mankins, but this season is close to being booted away in large part because of how the OL has played.  I know trades aren't all that common, but I haven't heard any rumor of even looking at trades as a way to help this situation.

 

[Stitch01]

I mostly agree, Ive suggested possibly using an asset roughly equal to what they got for Mankins to shore up the OL.  Cap number likely wont be close to Mankins, so it only really looks stupid at first glance. 
 
Id probably wait a couple more weeks though, one interior OL isn't going to fix this team right now.

 

[Toe Nash]

This would imply they are capable of doing so. We haven't really seen that ability so far this year. It is really shocking.

If you take out the plays that are miscommunications or bad assignments, I think you would see a level of play approaching average or at least acceptable. Not to mention you can scheme to provide extra blocking (yes, with the corresponding difficulty in receivers getting open).
 
I thought there were far fewer plays against the Chiefs where they were simply beat than we saw the week before. So I am somewhat optimistic about the line becoming OK once they can become more "cohesive" for lack of a better term.

 

[dynomite]

On the other hand, if they're going to add someone to the group the more time they have to learn the system and solidify everyone else's roles the better.

The problem is finding someone who's a) an upgrade and b) another team would part with.

For instance, would the Raiders be willing to part with FA acquisition C/G Kevin Boothe? Bad run blocker and good pass blocker, won 2 rings with the Giants. I'm not sure they'd be willing to just cut ties with him in the middle of the season though, especially if it will put their rookie QB at risk.

 

[tims4wins]

Not sure the best place to post this article, but it is about pressure and how it affects Brady.
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/96594/bradys-supposed-decline-linked-to-o-line
 
A couple of nuggets:
 
I'm not really sure how this is calculated, but apparently Brady is the most reliant on his offensive line amongst the better older, veteran QBs (Manning, Brees, Rivers, Rodgers)
 

 
Also, this chart is extremely telling: pressure rate since all the way back to '06
 

 

[Super Nomario]

Fleming didn't practice this week, so he's probably out for Sunday. Who starts? The Solder / Connolly / Stork / Wendell / Vollmer combo finished the game Sunday. We could see Cannon, Devey, or Kline sub in for one of the interior spots, though.

 

[tims4wins]

It's kind of crazy that Kline hasn't seen the field so far this year. I can't be the only one who thought he was serviceable (at worst) last year.

 

[dynomite]

I'll be surprised if Stork starts on Sunday. He just did so many things wrong on Monday -- giving away the snap count, misreading the defense, playing on his heels, etc.

I never thought I would say this, but... I would rather see Wendell back there. Shudder.

With an aggressive, incredibly talented Bengals front coming to town I think you need someone at C who has had "success" there. As much as I hate hate hated him as a pass blocker, the offense worked with Wendell at C and according to PFF he was one of the best run blocking C's in the game in 2012.

Has anyone seen on-field performance from Stork that justifies giving him another go at Center? (At least, justifies it happening this Sunday)

 

[Tony C]

The Football Central report graded Stork quite positively. It's true that he made two very obvious errors -- that play giving away the count and the other we got turned around/schooled. But at least someone who went through the tape play by play focusing on Stork gave him a good report.

 

[Tony C]

Not sure the best place to post this article, but it is about pressure and how it affects Brady.
 
http://espn.go.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/96594/bradys-supposed-decline-linked-to-o-line
 
A couple of nuggets:
 
I'm not really sure how this is calculated, but apparently Brady is the most reliant on his offensive line amongst the better older, veteran QBs (Manning, Brees, Rivers, Rodgers)
 

 
Also, this chart is extremely telling: pressure rate since all the way back to '06
 

 
Partly this is obvious -- a mobile guy like Rodgers will do better under pressure -- and partly shocking (that there would be such a difference btw Manning and Brady). And, more to the point, it accords with my impressions -- I see guys under pressure every week and most seem to do better than TB in dealing with it. The reaction on this board is more akin to somehow Brady is the only QB to have to deal with pressure.
 
The perfect storm is the decline in the Pats O-line combined with this weakness of Brady. Those charts seem to sum up the predicament very concisely.
 
On the flip side, I did like the article's note that neither the Bengals nor the Bills have great records in pressuring QBs. I'm beginning to get more optimistic about Sunday.

 

[Stitch01]

Not convinced that stat measures what it purports to measure.

 

[j44thor]

 
Partly this is obvious -- a mobile guy like Rodgers will do better under pressure -- and partly shocking (that there would be such a difference btw Manning and Brady). And, more to the point, it accords with my impressions -- I see guys under pressure every week and most seem to do better than TB in dealing with it. The reaction on this board is more akin to somehow Brady is the only QB to have to deal with pressure.
 
The perfect storm is the decline in the Pats O-line combined with this weakness of Brady. Those charts seem to sum up the predicament very concisely.
 
On the flip side, I did like the article's note that neither the Bengals nor the Bills have great records in pressuring QBs. I'm beginning to get more optimistic about Sunday.

 
Brees also has had Jimmy Graham and a decent WR corps. Manning has had really strong weapons his entire career.  It  is a lot easier to handle pressure when you know you have someone that has a high chance of winning his matchup regardless of the coverage.
 
Brady used to have that with Gronk/Hernandez/Welker.  Now he only has the sub 6' Edelman that he can consistently count on.  
A bad OL + a bad WR crew and Gronk that looks to be about 60% is just not a recipe for offensive success.

 

[DJnVa]

They mentioned on the broadcast last night that on some passing plays, the OL was firing out like they were run-blocking, which was slowing down the LBs.
 
Can anyone speak to this? Was this done often?

 

[Super Nomario]

They mentioned on the broadcast last night that on some passing plays, the OL was firing out like they were run-blocking, which was slowing down the LBs.
 
Can anyone speak to this? Was this done often?

They definitely did this some, but I'd have to look at the tape to see if there was something unusual beyond that. The offensive line typically acts like they're run-blocking in play action, as linebackers are often taught to key off offensive linemen when determining run or pass (you see a guard pull, it's a run; if he goes into a pass-blocking stance, it's a pass). There's a balance; the harder you sell the run fake, the more likely you are to fool the D, but you can make it harder to pass block once the D realizes what's going on.

 

[Shelterdog]

They definitely did this some, but I'd have to look at the tape to see if there was something unusual beyond that. The offensive line typically acts like they're run-blocking in play action, as linebackers are often taught to key off offensive linemen when determining run or pass (you see a guard pull, it's a run; if he goes into a pass-blocking stance, it's a pass). There's a balance; the harder you sell the run fake, the more likely you are to fool the D, but you can make it harder to pass block once the D realizes what's going on.

To expand on this excellent post the Pats have been running a lot of power based run action the party two years (pulling guards and what not) which is exceptionally effective when it works but a major problem when the DL ignores the fake and goes after the QB because the OL is really out of position: a lot of the bad sacks last year, particularly against cincy and Carolina, took place on run action where the defense didn't bite at all so the o line had no chance.

 

[Stitch01]

It seemed to me like last night they made a subtle adjustment where they were faking (and actually running) a lot more quick hitters to Ridley right up the gut where as last year they play faked off of slower moving run plays with pulling linemen with the heavy run action.

 

[PaulinMyrBch]

It can happen on the type of pass where they pointed it out last night. Short passes with quick release. If the line gets off the line (more than 1 yard I think) they are subject to be flagged for ineligible receiver downfield. So you won't see it much on normal passing plays for reasons listed above, and its just too easy for the lanes to the QB to be wide open. But on a short play, when you need the LB's to bite, fooling them for a split second is critical.

 

[JerBear]

To expand on this excellent post the Pats have been running a lot of power based run action the party two years (pulling guards and what not) which is exceptionally effective when it works but a major problem when the DL ignores the fake and goes after the QB because the OL is really out of position: a lot of the bad sacks last year, particularly against cincy and Carolina, took place on run action where the defense didn't bite at all so the o line had no chance.

That's what happened on the sack in the first quarter.  Solder was pulling across the formation which left Gronk 1-on-1 with the DE and no help at all.  He got overpowered and the play had no chance.
 
The intentional grounding was on Stork.  Here's a screen cap of the play.  Notice the ball halfway to Brady and Stork is the only one who moved.  He snapped it early and the OLine has no chance on either end crashing the line.

 

[Super Nomario]

So how good do we feel about the Solder / Connolly / Stork / Wendell / Vollmer line? Stork's had a couple mistakes each game but he seems to have mostly held up in the run and pass game. I was surprised to see Wendell at RG, where they usually have bigger guys, but since that spot usually matches up with smaller 3-techs (like Atkins last night), maybe that actually makes sense. It would be nice if one of the Fleming / Devey / Cannon / Kline group stepped up as another interior option, but with Solder playing better, vets at G, and Stork in the middle this group has a real chance at competence.

 

[Stitch01]

Much better than what they were getting, high likelihood they run into the same issues come playoff time that crushed other recent seasons.

 

[JerBear]

I'm interested to see what they do with the tackles.  I feel its clear that Solder and Vollmer are the starters and the best two tackles but they rotated in Cannon on a few series, both on the left and the right.  The typical mantra you hear with OLine is consistency and familiarity so it would seem counter-intuitive to randomly insert Cannon for a series here or there.  Getting real-game reps might be a reason but why?

 

[FL4WL3SS]

Anybody else notice that Stork's shotgun snap was pretty shaky last night? There were several snaps that were high and right that Brady had to catch with one hand.

 

[jsinger121]

Anybody else notice that Stork's shotgun snap was pretty shaky last night? There were several snaps that were high and right that Brady had to catch with one hand.

 
I didn't see it but I will take your word for it but its surprising consider the amount of time he was in shotgun with Florida State and Jameis WInston.

 

[Jettisoned]

I'm interested to see what they do with the tackles.  I feel its clear that Solder and Vollmer are the starters and the best two tackles but they rotated in Cannon on a few series, both on the left and the right.  The typical mantra you hear with OLine is consistency and familiarity so it would seem counter-intuitive to randomly insert Cannon for a series here or there.  Getting real-game reps might be a reason but why?

 
Probably keeps them fresher and allows them to perform throughout games where they're running a lot of plays at a high tempo.

 

[Phragle]

Notice anything?
 

 
I wonder if Solder's improvement has anything to do with the guards next to him.

• -7.8 overall, -6.9 pass blocking, and 10 pressures allowed with Cannon at LG
• 4.7 overall, 1.5 pass blocking, and 3 pressures allowed with Connolly at LG

 

[dynomite]

I'm going to need to take a look at the tape, but during the first play of the game I gleefully yelled "Look at that pocket!!!!!" And was met with concerned stares at the bar. Still, it just didn't look like the prior games.

I was particularly struck by a play in the 2nd half. The Bengals showed a weak side blitz pre-snap, then at the last moment shifted their personnel to the strong side (or perhaps vice versa, sorry for my spotty memory) and brought pressure from different places.

Shifts like these used to befuddle the O-line, and I imagine would be particularly difficult for someone like Stork. But everyone seemed to adjust on the fly.

Anyone else recall this?

 

[Ed Hillel]

 
Notice anything?
 

 
I wonder if Solder's improvement has anything to do with the guards next to him.

• -7.8 overall, -6.9 pass blocking, and 10 pressures allowed with Cannon at LG
• 4.7 overall, 1.5 pass blocking, and 3 pressures allowed with Connolly at LG

 

 
If only he had Mankins (-4.9 pass blocking, -4.3 overall, and 9 pressures from the Guard position), the Pats would be set! 

 

[Harry Hooper]

Anybody else notice that Stork's shotgun snap was pretty shaky last night? There were several snaps that were high and right that Brady had to catch with one hand.

 
 
I recall at least one play that was the opposite, a feeble wobbler that just barely got to Brady.

 

[Saints Rest]

ABout midway thru the 3rd, I said to myself that the Pats seemed to be killing it rushing up the middle but getting nothing on stretch plays.  Sure enough, a few minutes later, NBC pops a graphic showing 150+ yard up the middle with about 15 to the left and about 8 to the right.  Who can tell me why this is?  is it about schemes, RB's, or the OL?

 

[lambeau]

Chicago will be a good test for the OL. We can only hope Connelly and Stork will be recovered, since I don't think we want to see Solder and Devey going against Jared Allen and Jay Ratliff on the left side.
And at the other end of the line, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston are rotating at DE, but somehow Young leads the league in QB sacks and Houston leads the league in QB hits. And Stephen Paea has been pushing up the middle.

 

[Ed Hillel]

If someone can post this pic, that would be awesome:

https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/524366611151847424

 

[Tony C]

Stork and Connolly back practicing, Fleming, too. I presume Devey and Kline hit the bench? Fleming in a reserve role, too, considering his finger may still need recovery time.
 
Bears have some good D-linemen, so this is a welcome relief.

 

[dynomite]

If someone can post this pic, that would be awesome:


https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/524366611151847424

https://twitter.com/GregABedard/status/524366611151847424

link to tweet

Can't post from phone, but it's a picture of Devey standing in the end zone with the LOS at the Jets' 11.

Bedard explained it further on his twitter feed: this play was designed to be a quick screen to either Edelman or LaFell, but something went wrong -- in his opinion, the WR's fault -- and it was a blown play that led to a sack. Devey blocked appropriately for the screen play.

 

[Tony C]

Yeah, sure...but, still, this guy just shouldn't be on the field. He's the definition of a weak link. With 3 interior OL guys coming back, I hope this is the last we see of him this year. It remains a mystery why he's played so much and how he started over so many other guys.

 

[Tony C]

So what has happened to make the OL look as good as it did last week? They'd had a few good games and some real shaky games this year, but they were as crisp as could be against what was a legit Bears DL. Off the top of my head, I'd say we maybe know some things and other things remain a mystery, at least to me:
 
TE:
I think I know: Gronkowski has really struggled as a blocker this year, and last Sunday seemed to be his first strong game in that department. That was significant.
I don't know: if the Pats will feel comfortable enough with Wright's blocking to play him more. Hoo-man is so one-dimensional that he really holds back this offense (and he's not even that great of a blocker).
 
Tackles:
I think I know: Solder and Vollmer looked great -- as good as I've ever seen and in some ways perhaps more mobile. I'd be curious to see how PFF rated them.
I don't know:  What the fuck happened? Especially with Solder -- he hasn't looked injured, he's just looked bad or, more precisely, mediocre combined with a few really dumb plays a game. I'd like to guess he was injured, but he didn't particularly look injured, he just didn't look like himself. Whatever...let's just hope this Solder is the real Solder. I also don't know why Cannon continues to rotate in -- BB says he's earned it, but don't you just play your best guys? Is that a clue that health and/or conditioning have been/continue to be an issue with the two tackles?
 
Guards
I think I know: Connolly and Wendell meshed so well with Solder and Vollmer -- says something, I guess, about experience and having worked together. Maybe just that they're half-way through the season and it took that long to mesh.
I don't know: Why it is that Devey was starting? Why it is that Fleming started that one game? Or, for that matter, if once Fleming is healthy if he gets his spot back.
 
Center
I think I know: When Stork plays, the OL is better.
I don't know: Why, exactly? If there's one position at which experience would seem to be key, it's said it is C, and yet Stork seems to be the key addition. Add on that, in fact, if I saw one guy miss blocks last week it was Stork. He looks good enough to me, but not all-world. I'd be curious if, given that he's been solid, we're looking at the Pats' C for the next stretch of years. If so, this draft just got a whole lot better.
 
Coaching
I think I know: It's all about results, so right now DeGugs gets praise. The Pats get bowled over next week by the Broncos rather scary front 7 and we'll immediately ask why he can't get these guys to play consistently. Fun job being an NFL coach.
I don't know:  If DeGugs deserves blame for the first few weeks, praise for last week, or....is that just overrating how much a line coach matters?

 

[bakahump]

yea really puzzling about Stork.
 
When Stork plays they are a better line......yet Stork is usually good for 2-4 or so bonehead rookie mistakes a game (false starts...on the CENTER....hold...missed block Bad exchanges etc etc.....those his Shotgun Snaps seem to be on the money).
 
How does that compute?
 
One thing I think I noticed.....after one bonehead play vs Chicago (I think it was the False Start) he was talking to Wendell or Connolly while they watched the replay and Brady was getting the play.  It really looked like "What did I do wrong" kinda conversation.  Thats Great! I love that the kid is trying to figure out what happened and learn from it real time.  Its also cool that the Vets are seemingly able to help him with some of those growing pains.  Maybe they where just saying "that call was Bullshit" but I can hope it was more.
 
I wonder if part of the success might be the RG (Wendell??or it it Connolly....) Helping with the Protection calls like Brian Waters did during his year here??

 

[JerBear]

I think Solder is adjusting to DeGug's style, and DeGug is adjusting to what has worked for Solder before.  I looked at the stances and Solder isn't quite as wide as he used to be but he's closer than the beginning of the season.  
 
The primary advantage of Stork playing is that it frees Wendell and Connolly to play guard.  It seemed at times that the tackles were concerned about the interior lineman which was causing them issues with their assignments.  This isn't happening with the Solder, Connolly, Stork, Wendell, Vollmer lines. Stork is making mistakes but they aren't nearly as egrigious as Devey, Fleming, Cannon at Guard.
 
Devey was starting early because Stork got injured in the preseason so Wendell had to play center. Fleming got a start at guard because Devey was terrible and Wendell was injured. I don't know why they were the ones that got the calls but I don't watch practice. I think the 5 they started yesterday is the 5 they want to roll with.
 
I still have NO IDEA why they keep rotating Cannon into games for a series at each tackle position.  They can't need to rest the other guys, they are used to playing all the OSnaps.

 

[m0ckduck]

So what has happened to make the OL look as good as it did last week? They'd had a few good games and some real shaky games this year, but they were as crisp as could be against what was a legit Bears DL. Off the top of my head, I'd say we maybe know some things and other things remain a mystery, at least to me:
 
TE:
I think I know: Gronkowski has really struggled as a blocker this year, and last Sunday seemed to be his first strong game in that department. That was significant.
I don't know: if the Pats will feel comfortable enough with Wright's blocking to play him more. Hoo-man is so one-dimensional that he really holds back this offense (and he's not even that great of a blocker).
 
Tackles:
I think I know: Solder and Vollmer looked great -- as good as I've ever seen and in some ways perhaps more mobile. I'd be curious to see how PFF rated them.
I don't know:  What the fuck happened? Especially with Solder -- he hasn't looked injured, he's just looked bad or, more precisely, mediocre combined with a few really dumb plays a game. I'd like to guess he was injured, but he didn't particularly look injured, he just didn't look like himself. Whatever...let's just hope this Solder is the real Solder. I also don't know why Cannon continues to rotate in -- BB says he's earned it, but don't you just play your best guys? Is that a clue that health and/or conditioning have been/continue to be an issue with the two tackles?
 
Guards
I think I know: Connolly and Wendell meshed so well with Solder and Vollmer -- says something, I guess, about experience and having worked together. Maybe just that they're half-way through the season and it took that long to mesh.
I don't know: Why it is that Devey was starting? Why it is that Fleming started that one game? Or, for that matter, if once Fleming is healthy if he gets his spot back.
 
Center
I think I know: When Stork plays, the OL is better.
I don't know: Why, exactly? If there's one position at which experience would seem to be key, it's said it is C, and yet Stork seems to be the key addition. Add on that, in fact, if I saw one guy miss blocks last week it was Stork. He looks good enough to me, but not all-world. I'd be curious if, given that he's been solid, we're looking at the Pats' C for the next stretch of years. If so, this draft just got a whole lot better.
 
Coaching
I think I know: It's all about results, so right now DeGugs gets praise. The Pats get bowled over next week by the Broncos rather scary front 7 and we'll immediately ask why he can't get these guys to play consistently. Fun job being an NFL coach.
I don't know:  If DeGugs deserves blame for the first few weeks, praise for last week, or....is that just overrating how much a line coach matters?

 
As a watch-every-game-but-still-don't-really-understand-all-the-Xs-and-Os fan, offensive line play is the most opaque, puzzling aspect of the game. Until this year, the regular season O-line play has been so consistent that it rendered the subject semi-invisible-- I didn't know anything about it, but didn't really notice that I didn't know anything. This year has been a totally different story, with me seeking to understand the ramifications of things like 'Nate Solder's stance seems wider!'. 
 
Anyway, this is one of the best posts I've read here on the subject-- thanks. 

 

[dcdrew10]

 
The primary advantage of Stork playing is that it frees Wendell and Connolly to play guard.  It seemed at times that the tackles were concerned about the interior lineman which was causing them issues with their assignments.  This isn't happening with the Solder, Connolly, Stork, Wendell, Vollmer lines. Stork is making mistakes but they aren't nearly as egrigious as Devey, Fleming, Cannon at Guard.

 
I think this can't be stressed enough. I think Connolly and Wendell are competent enough when they don't have to worry about snapping the ball, getting their guy and hoping the guys on the side don't have to be helped and it ripples out to the tackles. I never played OL but I have to imagine that if you are worried about your assignment and the assignment of the guy next to you and if you are going to need to cover for him you are not the most productive player you can be. Stork is a better center than Devey, Flemming, and Cannon are guards and Wendell/Connolly are bigger upgrades at G than Stork is a down grade at C. He is supposed to be pretty strong, which was a weakness of Wendell.
 
Stork interview at the combine, basically just said the measurements doesn't mean anything, "I'm a football player" about 5 times. He even said "It is what it is" a few times and got a bit annoyed at the reporters.  http://www.colts.com/videos/videos/2014-NFL-Combine-Bryan-Stork---Florida-State/aaedc36b-fb82-4111-951f-687afc99aaf1

 

[Tony C]

Dang, he even threw in a "just do your job"...obviously playing up to BB.
 
(In re Devey, it's a broken record, but remember it wasn't just Stork's injury... Kline was healthy and Devey was ahead of him, too.)

 

[lambeau]

http://www.denverpost.com/broncos/ci_26818553/broncos-nfl-best-rushing-defense-paves-way-victories
 
Big challenge in run-blocking against Denver. We'll get an early sense of things if they can be 3rd and short, not 3rd and long. Denver's given up 71 first- half rushing yards in four games! Yikes.

 

[Saints Rest]

Being at the midpoint of the season, I decided to look back at the poll results, most of which were offered pre-Week 1.

Top 3 vote-getters for the interior 3 positions:  Connolly, Cannon, Kline.
Answer after 8 games (and I think the final answer, barring further injury):  Connolly, Stork (finished 5th), Wendell (finished 4th).
 
How many times does Brady get sacked:  Majority (50.5%) picked 21-31.
Answer after 8 games = 13, which pro-rates to 26.  
A bit more on sacks:

• Brady's career avg per season is about 31.
• Although the poll specifically referenced Brady, JG has been sacked twice so far, so the line has actually allowed 15 (pro-rated to 30).

My biggest question at the mid-point:  What happened to Josh Kline?  He got a lot of love around here, as evidenced both by the votes and also quotes like these in boston.com ("Josh Kline has been an absolute force in these drills. He's beat up on everyone, even notching a win over big Vince Wilfork at one point. Bill Belichick and Nick Caserio have been effusive in their praise of Kline this offseason,")
 
 

 

[lambeau]

Kline had that horrendous final preseason game against the Giants, which may have gotten him in the doghouse while they experimented with Devey and Cannon.
But he rotated in against the Bears, so I presume (and hope) he's the primary backup at guard, as Cannon is at tackle.
It will be interesting to see if they keep rotating Kline in to keep guys fresh, the way they seem to be doing at tackle--Cannon has played 29% snaps the past five games.