5 Things You Didn't Know About The Patriots Offensive Line
1. Logan Mankins is a cowboy.
Logan Mankins grew up on a 10,000-acre cattle ranch. Perhaps it only makes sense that his college degree is in agriculture. Mankins worked as a farmhand on his family's cattle ranch in California. He and his father participated in a number of steer roping contests. In fact, if Mankins didn't end up in professional football, he has said in the past that he may have pursued a career in steer roping.
2.Sebastian Vollmer was late to the game.
Sebastian Vollmer grew up in Germany. He played soccer and swam as a kid, but never even set foot on a football team until he was 14. His lack of experience didn't matter much. He was recruited by the University of Houston in 2004. He spoke almost no English when he signed with Houston, but went on to get degrees in Communications and economics. Vollmer is now one of two German players in the NFL.
3. Marcus Cannon's cancer diagnosis
Marcus Cannon was a standout offensive lineman in college. He was diagnosed with cancer after taking his physical for the NFL combine. Weeks later, the Patriots drafted him in the fifth round of the 2011 draft. Cannon is cancer-free, and has played as a reserve on the team for the past two seasons.
4. Dan Connolly's NFL record
Dan Connolly set an NFL record for the longest kickoff return by an offensive lineman. The 6'4", 310-pound guard ran one back 71 yards during a second-quarter kickoff vs. the Green Bay Packers on December 19, 2010.
5. Just how large is Nate Solder?
Nate Solder is a very large man. But just how large? We may never know. The Patriots currently list him at 6'8" and 320 pounds. Two years ago, as a college senior at the University of Colorado, he was an inch taller than that. While slight changes in listing heights and weights are pretty common among athletes, there's no denying that Soldier hasn't always been that big. His freshman year, he stood 6'7" and weighed in at a measly 245 pounds.
