Offensive line changes

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As Tom E. Curran reported yesterday, Dan Koppen's scheduled to visit the Titans this week, a move that only adds to the speculation that Koppen won't return to the Pats next season.

This, combined with rumors that Matt Light and Brian Waters are both considering retirement, leaves the Pats with some pretty serious turnover on the offensive line. And at a time when you'd hope for a little more stability for your all-time, Hall of Fame QB.

If Light and Waters both walk away, and Koppen presumably heads elsewhere, that's three starters from the Pats Week 1 line-up, and while Koppen barely played at all, it's still an interesting number.

But even more interesting than that? The fact that somehow, this isn't a major problem. That we're not sitting here all winter freaking out about what's going to become of this offensive line, and fearing for Tom Brady's life. That's a testament to Bill Belichick and his scouting department.

Over the last seven years, the Pats have drafted only three offensive lineman in the first two rounds of the draft, and they're three for three: Logan Mankins, Sebastian Vollmer and Nate Solder. All three figure to anchor what will still be a very effective in reliable O-line next season. Throw in the rescue of centerkick return extraordinaire Dan Connolly off the scrap heap from Jacksonville, and a could-be, 5th round steal in RG Marcus Cannon, and the Pats are still looking all right, no matter what happens with some of today's question marks.

Not sure how many teams would be prepared to deal with that kind of turnover, but not surpsied that Bill Belichick was.

Rich can be reached at rlevine@comcastsportsnet.com. Follow Rich on Twitter at http:twitter.comrich_levine

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