The Patriots have extended center Dan Koppen's contract. Koppen was set to become a free agent after this season. ESPN is reporting a five year deal worth $19-$20 million.
The Patriots now have their top seven linemen signed through 2008. This includes starting linemen LT Matt Light (2010), LG Logan Mankins (2009), C Koppen, RG Stephen Neal (2009), and RT Ryan O'Callaghan (2009). It also includes T Nick Kaczur (2009) and G/C Russ Hochstein (2008).
This is a good, young line that should only get better with time as these players gain experience and familiarity with each other, with Tom Brady, and with the Patriots system in general.
While the Patriots have taken some heat for letting players like David Givens, Willie McGinest, and Adam Vinatieri walk, they are to be commended, in my opinion, for the recent extensions given to players like Koppen, Light, Richard Seymour, Jarvis Green, and Mike Vrabel.
With the line, Brady, Maroney, Ben Watson, and Chad Jackson all signed (relatively) longterm at this point, the Patriots should have a very strong offense for years to come. And with Belichick, Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, and Green also signed longterm, the defense also looks to have a bright future, although the linebacking corps and the secondary could obviously use some young blood in the coming years.
......................... 
