ICB's Training Camp Competition Previews: RT

icecoldbruschi · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 9608 Location: Titletown

OT: Nick Kaczur vs. Ryan O’Callaghan vs. Sebastain Vollmer vs. Mark LeVoir

Over the past decades, the Patriots offensive line has seen its share of turnover, but despite that, they have remained one of the best in the league, mainly due to the coaching of Dante Scarnecchia. “Scar” is known as one of the best offensive line coaches in the business and we have seen our share of Pro Bowlers under his watch. The whole has typically been greater than the some of its parts, as we have never had a dominant player the likes of Orlando Pace or Alan Faneca, yet we keep succeeding. Matt Light, Logan Mankins and Dan Koppen have all been to Pro Bowls during their careers here, including in the 2007 season where they only allowed 21 sacks and led to Tom Brady and Randy Moss setting all sorts of records. There has been some speculation that the line was exposed by the Giants in Super Bowl XLII, as 48 sacks were allowed by the very same unit last year. It remains to be seen as to the cause of those sacks, as many blame Matt Cassel’s inability to get rid of the ball.

Despite some heavy criticism over the past few years as well as some heavy competition, Nick Kaczur has been able to keep his job at RT. Personally, I have felt that it has been unwarranted. While he is certainly no Pro Bowler, he suffers from playing on one of the best lines in the game and not performing up to their standard. The fact that Kaczur has continued to keep his job despite his struggles and has yet to be benched speaks to Belichick’s faith in him.
Odds to Start: 50%

In this same poll last season, Ryan O’Callaghan actually had a better shot at winning the starting job according to this forum. O’Callaghan stepped in nicely his rookie year and had a respectable performance. He is more of a run blocker and more of the traditional RT than Kaczur, but he has yet to win the job. After being out with an injury last season, people have seemingly forgotten about him, but he is definitely in contention to win the job.
Odds to Start: 5%

Sebastain Vollmer was taken in the second round this past April out of Houston. Vollmer was proven to be an accomplished pass blocker in Houston’s aerial attack, leading many to believe that he would be Matt Light’s successor at LT rather than a RT. However, comments by Bill Belichick have suggested that his future is at RT. Although Vollmer is not an accomplished run blocker by any means, scouts say that portion of his game is improving and very underrated. Rookies have started on the offensive line here before, so I doubt that will work against him.
Odds to Start: 30%

Mark LeVoir played a bit at both tackle spots last season and performed well enough to get another contract with the team. LeVoir came over from the Rams last offseason, an offensive line that was pretty dreadful and not much was expected to contribute much, but provided protection when called upon. Much of his influence on this battle will be affected by offseason surgery, which apparently may have the ability to land him on PUP for the start of the season, although you can never tell with the little information we receive about injuries from the team.. If healthy, LeVoir is definitely in the mix for a starting spot.
Odds to Start: 15%

My Prediction: This may be the most wide open training camp battle of them all. To be honest, I think that all of these guys have legitimate shots at starting next season. In the end, I think that Kaczur will once again win the job. His biggest competition should come from Vollmer and he will be right behind him on the depth chart all season looking over Kaczur's shoulder.
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dhunt2402 · Joined: 24 Nov 2007 Posts: 16674 Location: The District

GO SEBASTIAN VOLLMER

I think even if he doesn't start this year, the writing is on the wall for Kaczur, this will be his last year as a starter, and that's a best case scenario for him.
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Grachuus · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 6:50 pm Post subject:

GoldenboyGB · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 10451

Nick Kaczurs job to lose. Simple as that Ryan has came in and played well look at that 07 finale against the Giants where he played pretty decently against Strahan.

Kaczur might be the weakest link on the line and he gets bashed quite alot and by myself but he does a pretty damn good job at times.
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redwhite&blue · Joined: 27 Jan 2009 Posts: 1984

Too bad for Mark LeVoir that he's having to rehab an offseason surgery. This is his battle to lose should he be healthy. He's missed all minicamps so far and it doesn't feel like he'll be completely ready for the start of training camp or maybe even preseason or opening night of the regular season. Sad

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Shock6822 · Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 8101

Kaczur's job to lose, but I'd expect Vollmer to get enough grooming snaps, etc. 2010 likely Vollmer's unless he messes up royally.
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ElReyDeLosReyes · Posted: Tue Jun 23, 2009 10:03 pm Post subject:

When I think Nick Kaczur now and days, I just always picture Michael Strahan eating him alive in the Superbowl.

Either way, I expect him to start.
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SoxNats07 · Joined: 21 Jul 2007 Posts: 10015

finn54 · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 11821

I want Vollmer to win the job, but i don't see how Kaczur loses his job. He's pretty underrated IMO (in contrast with Neal and Koppen being overrated).
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Billy Spikes · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 26276

I would like to see Vollmer wins the starting RT job but i think that given the depth the Patriots have at the position they might want to hold off starting Vollmer for a year, maybe work on improving his run-blocking ability during the year so he could be a better player next year when he starts.

finn54 · Joined: 06 Jan 2007 Posts: 11821

Billy Spikes · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 26276

Good points about Mankins, i suppose that he might be our best lineman with Neal/Light close behind, but i have seen him getting pushed around at times, not often but it happens... no one is perfect though and i agree that Mankins has everything you look for in a lineman and plays up to his ability.

Also depending on how often a player gets hurt i would say it might and might not matter... in Neal's case il have to agree it does matter because we can't have Billy Yates starting as many games as he did the past 3 years [11 starts, 7 last season], it does lower Neal's value as a player.
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GoldenboyGB · Joined: 05 Apr 2007 Posts: 10451

Billy Spikes · Joined: 12 Jul 2008 Posts: 26276

I disagree, i think he has gotten the job the past few seasons because there were just no other options out there who the coaches consider good enough to replace him... yes, he isn't "absolute crap" and no one said he was but throughout his career he was bad in pass-protection.

I will say that surprisingly he played at a higher level in 2008 than he did in previous years, giving up 3 sacks in 14 games but overall he showed throughout his career that he struggles with pass-protection.

I cannot tell you how many times i have seen Brady get hit and forced to release the ball early because Kaczur got beat by his man.

And he is only above-average at run-blocking.
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