Robert Gallery Retirement Causes More Problems for Patriots
The biggest problem for the New England Patriots this offseason has been with the offensive line. After having several issues to deal with, it got worse Saturday when offensive guard Robert Gallery decided to abruptly retire. Now the Patriots must find a way to protect their star quarterback.
Gallery’s sudden retirement Saturday was surprising not by the way he’s played but by the position he’s plays. The 32-year old lineman who signed with the Patriots earlier this offseason had struggled thus far throughout training camp including Saturday when he was easily handled by Vince Wilfork. While some questioned if the veteran would even make the 53-man roster, the Patriots need the depth he provided.
Through this offseason no position has caused the Patriots more headaches than the offensive line. Two of the key lineman, Logan Mankins and Sebastian Vollmer, have been on the physically unable to perform list while trying to recover from serious injuries. To make matters worse, veteran guard Brian Waters has been contemplating retirement all offseason and has yet to make a decision or report to camp.
Gallery’s retirement Saturday just caused another problem for the Patriots. The most important player on the Patriots is starting quarterback Tom Brady. There are still questions about whether either backup Brian Hoyer or Ryan Mallett can play at the NFL level. Because Brady is the most important player the makes his protectors, the offensive line, the second most important group on the team.
The Patriots are hoping that Mankins fully heal before the start of the season and Waters decides to report to camp. If that happens the Patriots offensive guard position, which has been solid for the better part of the last decade, should be fine. If not, there will be several decisions to make. Likely, the team will have to adjust by moving current lineman such as Dan Connolly and Dan Koppen around into unfamiliar positions.
With the issues the New England Patriots have had with getting offensive lineman on the field, this was the last thing the team needed. They’ve needed more bodies at the position and not less. But with Robert Gallery having made his decision to retire, the Patriots will have to move on without him. The team hopes Logan Mankins will return healthy and Brian Waters will decide to play one more season and the team will be fine. However, the Patriots very well could have a shaky line in front of Tom Brady in 2012.
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