What center is Belichick adding?

[DaBruinz]

Apparently, shifting Mason or Thuney is a better option at C than Karras.

As a veteran poster who knows that the Roster is far from set and that Belichick has cut players to send a message to them, this assumption on your part is ridiculous.

 

[DaBruinz]

IMHO, Solder is almost never 100%. I think that we always should have 4 OT's, especially with Fleming being used as a 6th OL. Waddle instead of Garcia seems right, and IMHO does NOT hurt the team.

It's rare that the Patriots don't carry 4 OTs. 4 OTs has been the rule, not the Exception.

 

[mgteich]

As a veteran poster who knows that the Roster is far from set and that Belichick has cut players to send a message to them, this assumption on your part is ridiculous.

I agree that the roster is far from complete.

I agree that Belichick always has a plan A, B, C and D. Since Waddle or Slater could have been cut for a day to prevent losing Karras, I conclude that we have a better option than him at center.

If Belichick has a veteran like Greco or Mangold ready to signed, then fine.

If Belichick is waiting to pick up someone on waivers, he has to have a better option in case there is no one worth picking up.

 

[patchick]

Some names to possibly consider:

Nick Mangold

Jeremy Zuttah

John Greco

Gabriel Ikard

…and, of course, Ted Karras.

Tim Barnes is one more veteran possibility

 

[Patsgofor4]

Greco makes the most sense...tough, experienced, has played both in the interior and at tackle. Lost his job to injury and FA additions. If this was a done deal, however, I would have expected that it would have been reported already. As we know, given that he is a veteran, he doesn't have to pass through waivers and was cut on Sept 1st.

 

[Uptown]

Wow

Cole Croston walked on at Iowa as a 225-pound O-lineman in 2012. Made the Patriots' 53-man roster yesterday.

 

[Ring 6]

is Croston a backup center?

Might be

 

[Ring 6]

Karras

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

Croston worked out at center during Iowa’s pro day

2017 NFL Draft: Who is Cole Croston? 5 things to know about the Iowa OT

 

[Uptown]

C- Brian Schwenke

 

[mgteich]

C- Brian Schwenke

I agree. I guess Scar doesn't. He has Ferentz and Karras (and Croston).

 

[supafly]

I agree. I guess Scar doesn't. He has Ferentz and Karras (and Croston).

And maybe even Thuney or Mason at center, as well.

 

[DarrylS]

The open question is whether Mangold is good and healthy enough to be a backup. Obviously, price is an issue.

Then there is the issue of motivation, he does not sound all that enthusiastic about becoming a Patriot..

Then there is the issue of keeping a guy who is exclusively a center on this team for insurance?? That does not sound right..

Former Jet Nick Mangold weighs in on possibility of joining Pats

"That would be awful difficult," Mangold said with a laugh. "I can assume, after years of all the battles that I've had with New England, I don't think Bill's all that fond of me."

But when told that's perhaps why Belichick could want a guy like him, Mangold said, "You never know I guess."

 

[Biffins]

Karras is on the practice squad. We took a gamble by cutting him and got lucky. If another team tries to sign him, they can put him on the roster.

 

[mgteich]

And maybe even Thuney or Mason at center, as well.

Yes, I indicated that before. However, I think that Belichick likes to have backups to positions, rather than moving starters, which, of course, he might do on an emergency basis.

The ideal with Andrews injured would be for someone from the PS to be the center for the next game (only one change, rather than two). Also, line cohesiveness is important. If only the center changes, then the tackles has the same player next to them.

 

[maineman209]

Wow

Cole Croston walked on at Iowa as a 225-pound O-lineman in 2012. Made the Patriots' 53-man roster yesterday.

Chris Hogan's story is a pretty good one, too.