SEARCH NEILCORNRICH.COM
Friday, November 06, 2009
Why Steve Neal is the Patriots' first-half MVP
By Brian Macpherson
November 3, 2009
A funny thing happens when opposing teams line up with three defensive linemen in passing situations: None of the rushers ever seem to go up against Stephen Neal.
They attack Matt Light at left tackle. They attack Nick Kaczur at right tackle. They attack Dan Koppen in the middle. They even sometimes go after Logan Mankins at left guard.
But they never seem to go after Neal.
And for good reason, apparently: According to ProFootballFocus.com, a site that breaks down each player each week and awards grades on each play, Neal has been the best offensive guard in the NFL so far this season and, according to their point system, the Patriots' most valuable player on offense or defense.
The leaderboard:
Stephen Neal, RG, 17 points
Vince Wilfork, NT, 14.3 points
Tom Brady, QB, 12.5 points
Tully Banta-Cain, OLB, 10.5 points
Nick Kaczur, RT, 6.5 points
"I'm going to have to knock on some wood now," Neal said with a chuckle. "I'm just trying to get out there and practice just as hard as I can and go out there and play as hard as I can. Whatever happens, happens. I can't control it."
A look at the film from the Patriots' game against Denver -- according to the crew at PFF, Neal's best game of the season -- reveals that Neal consistently handled defensive tackles and defensive ends one-on-one. When asked to run-block, he consistently steered his assigned defenders away from the play. When asked to pass-block, he did that, too. He even got out on a couple of screens and threw a key block to spring Sammy Morris for a big gain.
It's tough to measure the effectiveness of offensive linemen without breaking down every play. The PFF crew, though, breaks down every play -- and it gives us a pretty good idea of how the Patriots' offensive linemen stack up across the NFL:
Guards
1. Stephen Neal, Patriots: 17 points
2. Jahri Evans, Saints: 16.3 points
3. Evan Mathis, Bengals: 14.2 points
35. Logan Mankins, Patriots: minus-0.4 points
(Mankins was charged with a minus-5.2 against Tampa Bay. Four of those negative points were penalty-related.)
The Patriots have had a terrific offensive line throughout their run of dominance this decade -- and along with Pro Bowler Matt Light, Neal has been a constant throughout.
But this season might be the line's best season yet. Brady has been sacked just eight times through seven games and is on pace for a career-low 18 sacks this season.
"Our job is to block for the running back and to not get the quarterback massacred back there," Neal said. "If we're not doing a good job, we're going to hear about it from you guys -- and everybody. We've got to go out there and do our jobs the best we can. I'm not going to catch any touchdowns, so I've got to block."
Popular Posts
-
Kenny Nosay February 29, 2024 When it comes to the NFL, only the best of the best, truly can compete in this league. Most of the NFL’...
-
By Austin Belisle September 14, 2017 Duct tape may prove a quick fix for leaky pipes, but as every DIY repairman knows, a patchwork ...
-
By Matthew Coller September 27, 2017 After spending big in free agency and spending their top two draft picks on offense, the Minneso...
-
By ALBERT BREER February 04, 2019 3. Patriots pass rusher Trey Flowers—who rapped with Meek Mill on stage at the Super...
-
By BILL REITER March 6, 2010 CLEVELAND | The Mercedes S550 pulls up to the hotel silver and sleek and shining with the gleam of money and po...
-
September 11, 2017 By Kyle Ratke A day before facing off against the New Orleans Saints to kick off the 2017 season the Minnesota Vik...
-
From Peter King's "Ten Things I Think I Think" February 15, 2010 6. I think these are the five unrestricted free agents who co...
-
By Steve Berkowitz January 19, 2011 College football still loses marquee coaches such as Jim Harbaugh to the NFL. But it increasingly is bec...
-
Ex-players like Jake Coker, who led the Crimson Tide to a national championship three years ago, join others who sell policies By ...
-
The Patriots signed defensive tackle Markus Kuhn to a one-year contract in April. The Associated Press By Rich Garven August 23, 2016...