I still think that the right tackle position is Richardson's to lose.

Let him play 16 games and if there isn't a proof of growth, move him back to swing tackle and bring in someone else as a starter in 2011.

Asamoah doesn't need to be a bust for this to be good, imo. Mankins is a Pro Bowler. Waters and Weigman are not going to be around much longer. We need talent and depth. Let the coaches figure out where the pieces go. As I said before, Mankins played LT throughout college. He may prove to be more versatile than some may think. Pioli is familiar with Mankins and I trust him to make the right move either way. (BTW, I've got nothing against Richardson.) Time will tell.

To me, Richardson is still a good 80% tackle, but not really starter quality on a good line.

When he gets his hands on a defender, he neutralizes him almost every time and is a damn good run blocker. My problem with him is, he doesn't always have the mental ability to know who to block and is slow to react when he makes a mistake.

Maybe he just needs time and experience.

Or maybe he just doesn't have the ability to do so and that is why he fell on draft day and still struggles to know who to block.

I value line play as much as almost any poster (that doesn't know what Okungs balls taste like) and would prefer us to take a tackle in the third round or sign a vet to man th position if Barry doesn't show by years end he has that mental ability to take the next step.

I really like Asamoah and think he can play any of the three interior line spots effectively. He could be a good center IMO.

If he can do that, it could be HUGE for our line.

I'm amazed no one has asked the key question; "Can he play NT?"

I've brought this up several times in the past but Richardson started 40 games at left tackle for some pretty good Clemson teams.

For the past three years, the Chiefs have shuffled him back and forth from the left to the right sides of the line, which require a different skillset. I think Richardson is more than smart enough to be a right tackle and he has the size and strength to be dominant. He just needs more reps.

If he doesn't improve throughout the course of the 16 game season, look elsewhere for a starter. But hopefully, he'll continue to ascend.

Mankins played LT in College...blocked for David Carr and iirc only gave up like 2 sacks his entire career in college

I wouldn't doubt it if Belichick has certain deadlines in his mind when it comes to doing things. And, for Mankins, he might've said, "If this mother****er doesn't sign by Game One, he's dead to me." Because as soon as they beat Cincy, these rumors popped up... and notice how, as soon as they beat Cincy, the morning ink was barely dry concerning Monday Night Football when Belichick shipped Maroney's ass to Denver. He's also the guy who once shipped his starting safety (Lawyer Milloy) to Buffalo before the first game of the season.

I think the relationship between Mankins and the team is too fractured to repair, so I think they should just get it over with and trade him already. At this point, as a Pats fan, I'd take whatever help we can get in the form of players at the LB, CB, or RB position. Either big fish in an equal trade, or little fish with a draft pick, whatever.

This.

Maybe they ARE planning to move Waters to center after all. Or,.... maybe not.

This 2.

do you know how his starting career in Clemson ended?

He got benched for a true freshman iirc.

I have never liked him, but am definitely willing to give him a real chance. He is better than Ocal...that much is certain and that makes him our best RT at the moment so we might not have a choice.

Anytime you can get a pro bowl olineman I say do it, but that's just me.

Didn't sombedy say that only his first two years are guaranteed? Or something like that that makes him more easily 'get-ridable?'

That reporter thinks Kansas City (Missouri) is in Kansas. As a result, I hate him.

Pioli knew what he was doing in constructing this deal to where if he doesn't improve, he's gone. He has a $7.5 million roster bonus due to him in March 2011 if he's still on the team. He's not seeing that money either way. If he's good this year, they renegotiate that deal, if he's the same Cassel as last year, he's gone.