Stephen Neal

The unit hasn’t missed a beat with Dan Connolly replacing the retired Stephen Neal at right guard. Left guard Logan Mankins, who held himself out for the first six weeks of 2010 over the lack of a contract extension, was made the highest paid guard in the NFL and is locked up for seven years.

Continue reading "Run Game Gaining a Lot of Ground"

RG Stephen Neal retired, LT Matt Light is a free agent, and Pro Bowl LG Logan Mankins is hoping a win in the Brady vs. the NFL lawsuit breaks the franchise tag chains and makes him a free agent.

Continue reading "Patriots On the Run in 2011 and Beyond"

in someone to challenge Hoyer. Offensive Line

Matt Light, Logan Mankins (RFA), Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, Nick Kaczur, Mark LeVoir, Rich Ohrnberger, Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Wendell, George Bussey, Dan Connolly Need: 3 

Continue reading "Position by Position"

Of those six, three re-signed. And OG Stephen Neal re-signed as well, which is a bonus. 

Most recently Bodden unexpectedly came back. He was wooed by Houston but ultimately returned for four years, $22.5 million. So Bodden got the payday he was searching for and remains on a playoff-caliber team, something that wasn’t guaranteed with the rising Texans. 

Continue reading "Can't Keep Them All"

as I turned off my laptop and turned on my tv, I learned the Patriots reached an agreement with OG Stephen Neal. While not an elite player at his position, he's been solid for the Pats for years at right guard. Now New England has to get Logan Mankins signed.

Continue reading "Quick Update"

ve I hope go nowhere: CB Leigh Bodden, RB Kevin Faulk, K Stephen Gostkowski, G Logan Mankins, and G Stephen Neal. As for everyone else (DE/LB Derrick Burgess, DE Jarvis Green, P Chris Hanson, LB Pierre Woods, RB Chris Taylor, and TE Ben Waston; LB Junior Seau retired) , the Pats can do better, although I would make an exception for Green. 

Continue reading "Home Takes Priority"

The Pats can do better. 

OG Stephen Neal – Immediately after the Wild Card loss, Neal floated the idea he might contemplate retirement. The Patriots would make it worth his while to come back, but if Neal hangs it up, New England can depend on Dan Connolly. 

Continue reading "Free Agents"

a starter, and B. a league elite player. So that eliminates RB Kevin Faulk, G Stephen Neal, and LT Matt Light, even with his two Pro Bowl selections. 

So with all the turnover on the roster, who becomes the new core of the team? Brady is a given. Offensively we’ve seen the skill players change through the Championships so I’m not including WRs Randy Moss and Wes Welker because the Pats won with Troy Brown and David Patten before. Running back didn’t matter either, as New England upgraded from Antowain Smith to Corey Dillon. 

Continue reading "The Core"

pattern? 

The starting offensive line of LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins, C Dan Koppen, RG Stephen Neal and RT Nick Kaczur have been together long enough to develop the continuity needed to become cohesive. And if Pro Bowl selections mean anything (Light 2006 and 2007, Mankins in 2007), then there are quality players on the line. 

Continue reading "On the Run"

But maybe the ideals promoted by Democrats and Republicans should be applied to the Patriots.

G Stephen Neal and OT Oliver Ross returned to practice after six weeks on the physically unable to perform list. Neal's return to the starting lineup in place of Rich Hochstein should galvanize a fractured offensive line that allowed 20 sacks in five games.

Continue reading "Change We Need Is Coming"

More Maroney and Cheese, please!  - Yeah the O-line is missing Stephen Neal for now, but I want to see if Laurence Maroney picks up where he left off. Four of his last six games, including playoffs, Maroney gained over 100 yards. He was quick to the hole and got a lot of tough yards in the process. I don't care about his stutter-step as long as Maroney is breaking long runs.

Continue reading "Hours Until Kickoff: Week 1"

G Stephen Neal was placed on the physically unable to perform. T Ryan O'Callaghan has a worse fate, sent to injured reserve and ending his 2008 season before it started.

Considering the disappointing performance of the offensive line, losing a starter for at least six weeks and an experienced reserve with starting experience for the year has me a little worried. The right side of the line takes a hit without these two since O'Callaghan played well in place of RT Nick Kaczur and Neal did a admirable job. Keep in mind that's the weaker side and now will be the target of opposing defenses as G Billy Yates must face the challenge.

Continue reading "Less Competition, More Intensity"

hink he better sit this one out because he won't be safe in the pocket.

Both LT Matt Light and RG Stephen Neal were not seen at today's practice. Reserves Ryan O'Callaghan, Billy Yates and Russ Hochstein also didn't make an appearance. That means another patchwork O-line for Friday night's game.

Continue reading "A Brady Cameo"

RT Nick Kaczur is playing to remain a starter. And RG Stephen Neal, still on PUP, won't be able to hold off his challengers.

The ground game:Last season an inspired Baltimore shut down the Patriots rush attack. This game lacks importance, but the challenge is still there for the line and running backs. Watching LaMont Jordan and BenJarvis Green-Ellis will be particularly interesting.

Continue reading "Near and Favre"

an explanation to follow:

Offense

LT Matt Light
LG Logan Mankins
C Dan Koppen
RG Stephen Neal
RT Ryan O'Callaghan
QB Tom Brady
RB Laurence Maroney
FB Heath Evans

Continue reading "Looking too far ahead"

players were on the physically unable to perform list:DL Jarvis GreenCB Ellis HobbsOT Nick KaczurOG Stephen NealOT Oliver RossLB Mike VrabelLB Bo RuudWR Wes WelkerC Ryan WendelDL Mike WrightRB BenJarvis Green-Ellis

Continue reading "A dozen PUP-ies"

Pierre Woods was one. Stephen Neal was a college wrestler and had never played football before. Both are on the Patriots roster because after they were passed on, New England brought them in as rookie free agents and both have found jobs with the team.

Continue reading "Rookie Free Agents"

? The Pats didn't have the league's best offense in spite of Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, and Nick Kaczur. Quarterback Tom Brady doesn't throw 50 touchdowns without time in the pocket.

Continue reading "Draft Review"