With their first pick on the 2011 NFL Draft’s third day, the Patriots have surprised the world again – selecting Marcus Cannon (OL, TCU). Cannon was recently diagnosed with non-hodgkins lymphoma, but is expected to be near 100% by the start of the season.
Cannon was a consensus 2nd round pick before the medical issues. Selecting him in the 5th round provides an incredible possible reward with minimal risk.
Cannon can play multiple positions on the line, but we would expect him to be used at the guard position, which has been in flux due to Stephen Neal’s retirement and Logan Mankins’ contract situation.
At 6’5″ and 350+ pounds, Cannon is one of the bigger players that will ever grace a New England sideline. Cannon is a great run-blocker, but is slow at times to get into his sets and recognize blitzes and stunts – two of the reason we see him playing guard.
Cannon does show some good feet inside and is nimble enough to move around on pulls and screens. He can improve his balance out in space, as he tends to lunge at times.
Tags: Draft Picks, Marcus Cannon
Great pick and if he is healthy could be a starter for several years. Because of his health, he may miss part or all of the 2011 season but if he comes back healthy is 2012, he should start right away. He and Mankins (if he is signed long-term) would be a good pair of starting guards.
I think it’s a great pick, at comparatively little risk. A 5th round draft choice, originally thought to be worth a 2nd round choice, costing a lot less against the salary cap for the next 5 years or so. If he doesn’t work out, it will be no worse than all the other round 4 and 5 draft choices that don’t make it across the league.
Herzlich is still available.
Looks like the Pats are gearing up to play some old school football. OL and running backs would love to become more of a ground team hope these lineman pan out.
Great Observation! Great strategy when other teams want to play ‘Let’s clog all those passing lanes’ in those cold weather playoff games. I’d love to see these guys come in and then have Gronkowski go in motion to the “fullback area” and lead the RB into the hole!
Dante will work 10-15 lbs. onto Solder, and work 10-15 lbs. off Cannon…both meeting somewhere around 335 lbs. Then, they’ll really learn how to play and we’ll have something special on this line. Should be fun to watch develop.
One word….SICK
Agreed, great picks.That being said, I want Mankins in a Pats uuniform.
I still think John Moffitt would have been better in the third round but I hope this works out-
Where are all the freaks? “Where’s our guard, where’s our line, where’s our pick???”
Well, here’s your guard…
We still have free agency, and I think they have plans to bring in a player, or more, to help on defense…on the outside. So, I’ll remain calm and watch the magic.
notice the linemen getting not just bigger but alot taller..solder..cannon…vollmer in 5yrs 6’6 1/2 ” qb will be looking over them and tossing lasers.Good pick,feel much better about the overall draft after a nights sleep.
I think he may be a little over weight. But Bill will work on that haha…
Cannon needs to lose 15. and Solder needs to gain 15.
I love the upgrade to the offensive line in this draft. That, not their outside pass rush, was their #1 need.
They’ve at least got some youth at OLB and end that might develop. They’ve at least got the bodies to play the next couple of seasons. They didn’t even have that on the o-line.
another great value for 2012..i’m not a doctor but i’ll play one here at nepd, most reports indicate that he will not be able to play in 2011..look for him to spend 2011 season on the IR or physicallu unable to perform roster..
will chris carter be there at 159 ? or will the pats go for rbeal okla ?
Beal, Elmore and Herzlich.
On another note, why is no one talking about Carson Palmer and what hes doing!? He is quitting on his team. We all have jobs where the environment is not geat, or a boss we dont like, if you ask me he is quitting on his team. If I am a veteran on that team im angry at palmer. I cant believe what hes doing.
Great pick here by the pats. cannon may need to go through medical treatment during this upcoming season, thus, may not contribute that much. But I can see him being a sold contributor or a starter come 2012.
Pats grade so far would be a B-
They said he will be done with treatment by the start of the season, they said..
Bill’s Idea: Draft small quick running backs and HIDE them behind a line with an average height of 6’6….good idea…
Hope your right about the whole medical thing. there has to be something there for that kid to fall about 100 picks. But the whole huge lineman/tiny running-back thing sounds good to me.
pats stayed away from the really small RB’s in this draft. and there was a lot of them.
The reason they stayed away is because Cancer can always reappear. It’s something he’ll have to watch for the rest of his life. That said, I think it’s a great pick.
Who cares?
If anyone should “quit” it’s him…putting up with that freak show for so many years…terrible management etc…
I hope he’s quitting out of spite! They (the franchise) deserves it.
Cash;
The Bengles “SUCKER”ed Carson Palmer into another contract when he wanted 2leave last time…..they swore up & down that they would run thing’s differently and that they would actually take initiative to build a contending team, they did not. They as usual run from any success they have and go the opposite way. Carson almost didn’t re-sign with them in the first place, they B/S’d him into a long term deal when he didn’t even want 2 sign a small two year, never mind signing period.
He wanted out long ago!
They should respect the fact that he even resigned again in the first place, trade him to a place like MIAMI and let him be.
Good for him for leaving!
Yeah except all the announcers are saying his a second round talent. I think he is a steal here. They are talking about the Pats o line, perhaps the biggest in the NFL.
Probably the best player on the board at the time-
A good pick I think-
Great pick–if he gets over the medical issue, he’s a complete steal. Second round talent, hard worker, very aggressive. Can play all over the line, other than center.
Great Pick, Gets healthy he will contribute this year.
Huge guy, hope he can move. Its the 5th round so it is what it is. Glad they got someone at a position that they need