Practice squad

[Family]

Yup. It looks like Sow, Mafi, and Andrews are impressing so Ferentz is gone.

"Impressing" is a strong take of the team's opinion at this stage for at least Andrews and Sow, since Bill has never cut a rookie 4th rounder.

I understand you have this opinion, but the team traded for two OL at cutdown.

 

[Triumph]

How does Zappe's salary work now?

The Pats pay for his room at the Foxboro Motel and he gets $100 per diem.

Not bad. A 12 pack of Bud Light and a Costco chicken will only set him back $20.

 

[BTTA]

"Impressing" is a strong take of the team's opinion at this stage for at least Andrews and Sow, since Bill has never cut a rookie 4th rounder.

I understand you have this opinion, but the team traded for two OL at cutdown.

Both can be true. The rookies can be extremely impressive, and the team needs vets to man the jobs until they are ready.

 

[Family]

The Pats pay for his room at the Foxboro Motel and he gets $100 per diem.

Not bad. A 12 pack of Bud Light and a Costco chicken will only set him back $20.

Best value for a backup QB in the league!

 

[Family]

Both can be true. The rookies can be extremely impressive, and the team needs vets to man the jobs until they are ready.

But we don't know that. All we know is they added players last minute.

In fact, it seems Mafi has replaced Andrews on the depth chart despite being drafted later.

If one wanted to say the team finds Mafi impressive, that would be some evidence.

 

[mike_usagisan]

But we don't know that. All we know is they added players last minute.

In fact, it seems Mafi has replaced Andrews on the depth chart despite being drafted later.

Yeah, Mafi has certainly seemed to develop faster. But I think Andrews has the harder job of picking up the responsibilities of playing Center in the Patriots' system. That said, I'm not sure either has anything to do with the added OL, since they were both mostly Tackles.

The development of Sow is a better question, but he's changing position, so it might take him a bit longer to develop too. I think they'll figure out the depth of all their tackles pretty soon.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

"Impressing" is a strong take of the team's opinion at this stage for at least Andrews and Sow, since Bill has never cut a rookie 4th rounder.

I understand you have this opinion, but the team traded for two OL at cutdown.

Yes traded for two tackles, not guards. I look at tackles and guards separately.

Mafi and Andrews replaced Russey, Hines, and Ferentz. Those two must be impressing. Are they great players? We will see if the Pats sign Onwenu and how late they draft IOL next year and we will know.

Sow is still a question mark. Assuming T Brown and Reiff only have a few years left, we need 3 tackles, LT, RT, and a backup. We have Sow, Anderson, Wheatley, and Lowe. Hopefully we get three out of four, but may only get one or two. We will know how the Pats feel based on this year's RT playing time, cuts (they have to cut 1 or 2 OL in the next few weeks), and next year's draft. My guess is we will draft a LT in R1 or R2 next year and keep 2 of the existing 4 younger tackles long-term.

I think Mafi, Sow, and Andrews become starters with Andrews the biggest risk. I am hopeful for Wheatley as well. Lowe and Anderson look like backups to me.

 

[BTTA]

But we don't know that. All we know is they added players last minute.

In fact, it seems Mafi has replaced Andrews on the depth chart despite being drafted later.

If one wanted to say the team finds Mafi impressive, that would be some evidence.

We do have testimony from observers, including from another team, that Mafi looked very good in preseason. It is reasonable to see him as a starter in a year or two, and that would make it an exceptionally successful draft pick, given that he was picked 144 and most guys at that level are usually out of the league by their 3rd year.

 

[Family]

Yeah, Mafi has certainly seemed to develop faster. But I think Andrews has the harder job of picking up the responsibilities of playing Center in the Patriots' system. That said, I'm not sure either has anything to do with the added OL, since they were both mostly Tackles.

The development of Sow is a better question, but he's changing position, so it might take him a bit longer to develop too. I think they'll figure out the depth of all their tackles pretty soon.

This is all certainly possible, but far from the team is impressed yet by any except Mafi.

Yes traded for two tackles, not guards. I look at tackles and guards separately.

Mafi and Andrews replaced Russey, Hines, and Ferentz. Those two must be impressing. Are they great players? We will see if the Pats sign Onwenu and how late they draft IOL next year and we will know.

Sow is still a question mark. Assuming T Brown and Reiff only have a few years left, we need 3 tackles, LT, RT, and a backup. We have Sow, Anderson, Wheatley, and Lowe. Hopefully we get three out of four, but may only get one or two. We will know how the Pats feel based on this year's RT playing time, cuts (they have to cut 1 or 2 OL in the next few weeks), and next year's draft. My guess is we will draft a LT in R1 or R2 next year and keep 2 of the existing 4 younger tackles long-term.

I think Mafi, Sow, and Andrews become starters with Andrews the biggest risk. I am hopeful for Wheatley as well. Lowe and Anderson look like backups to me.

Your opinions are certainly possible, you can even say probable, but there is no evidence the team is impressed with anyone, but maybe Mafi.

As stated, rookie 4th rounders have always made the team, and Russey/Hines/Ferentz didn't exactly break out.

The offensive line was a mess. It's hard to really know what the team thinks of these young players yet, except Mafi.

 

[Family]

But I think Andrews has the harder job of picking up the responsibilities of playing Center in the Patriots' system.

Andrews is getting a little too much of a pass on this, not from you, but I read it everywhere.

Andrews was an UFA and won the center job. I think Stork started as a rookie, and there have even been others during Bill.

 

[PaulThePat]

In case there's anyone out there like me who knows very little about practice squad mechanics, I've found a decent list which should help:

- Practice squad players practice with the team. They do not play in games, unless they are elevated
- A player is now able to be elevated three times per season. To be activated a fourth time requires the player to be signed to the regular roster.
- Practice squad players are paid per week and can be released at any point during the season.
- Practice squad players are free to sign with other NFL teams (with the exception of the four players designated as protected that week, or the upcoming opponent as described below), but they have to be signed to the 53-man active roster of the acquiring team.
- A practice squad player cannot be signed to another practice squad unless he is first released or waived.
- A practice squad player can not sign with his team’s upcoming opponent, unless he does so six days before the upcoming game or 10 days if his team is currently on a bye week.
- If a practice squad player is signed to the active roster, he will receive a minimum of three weekly paychecks, even if he is released before spending three weeks with the new team.
- In order to be signed to a practice squad after being released, a player who is not a vested veteran must first clear waivers, and is subject to waiver claims by other teams.

Certainly hadn't heard about the "Protected" status. Are these ever announced? Also the rule about 3 elevations for free before the 4th means you have to add to the 53 man roster. Will be interesting to see how that's managed, with particular relevance I suppose to the Zappster.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Andrews is getting a little too much of a pass on this, not from you, but I read it everywhere.

Andrews was an UFA and won the center job. I think Stork started as a rookie, and there have even been others during Bill.

Yeah, I think there's already some questions about how he's not a more viable backup and possible starter to replace David Andrews yet. We'll have a much better idea on him by the end of the year, I think.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

This is all certainly possible, but far from the team is impressed yet by any except Mafi.


Your opinions are certainly possible, you can even say probable, but there is no evidence the team is impressed with anyone, but maybe Mafi.

As stated, rookie 4th rounders have always made the team, and Russey/Hines/Ferentz didn't exactly break out.

The offensive line was a mess. It's hard to really know what the team thinks of these young players yet, except Mafi.

Sow started the last two preseason games at RT and looked like he belonged. The Pats could have played Steuber or Reiff at RT and worked with Sow in practice. But the Pats chose to throw Sow in at RT, and then did it again in preseason game #3, which usually indicates that the player is impressing.

Sow and Mafi shined in training camp/preseason. Andrews not so much. We will see.

 

[upstater1]

Yes traded for two tackles, not guards. I look at tackles and guards separately.

Mafi and Andrews replaced Russey, Hines, and Ferentz. Those two must be impressing. Are they great players? We will see if the Pats sign Onwenu and how late they draft IOL next year and we will know.

Sow is still a question mark. Assuming T Brown and Reiff only have a few years left, we need 3 tackles, LT, RT, and a backup. We have Sow, Anderson, Wheatley, and Lowe. Hopefully we get three out of four, but may only get one or two. We will know how the Pats feel based on this year's RT playing time, cuts (they have to cut 1 or 2 OL in the next few weeks), and next year's draft. My guess is we will draft a LT in R1 or R2 next year and keep 2 of the existing 4 younger tackles long-term.

I think Mafi, Sow, and Andrews become starters with Andrews the biggest risk. I am hopeful for Wheatley as well. Lowe and Anderson look like backups to me.

For the last 2 years, all the first round values for tackles have been off the board before the 17th or 18th pick. I hope we'll be picking later than that.

But it's really hard to grab a bonafide 1st rounder value tackle.

It's smarter to take one in the 2nd round.

I'm convinced the Patriots wanted a tackle in 2022, but they were all gone by our first round pick, which triggered the trade down with Strange.

 

[Family]

Sow started the last two preseason games at RT and looked like he belonged. The Pats could have played Steuber or Reiff at RT and worked with Sow in practice. But the Pats chose to throw Sow in at RT, and then did it again in preseason game #3, which usually indicates that the player is impressing.

Sow and Mafi shined in training camp/preseason. Andrews not so much. We will see.

Steuber started at LT in the Green Bay game and Bill Murray was the backup right tackle. Not many other options.

And sorry Sow looked horrible that game too. The entire second quarter, the team left in Frisker to help Sow out blocking because he was getting burned in the first quarter. Watch the tape and let me know what you think.

Then they traded for two tackles.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

For the last 2 years, all the first round values for tackles have been off the board before the 17th or 18th pick. I hope we'll be picking later than that.

But it's really hard to grab a bonafide 1st rounder value tackle.

It's smarter to take one in the 2nd round.

I'm convinced the Patriots wanted a tackle in 2022, but they were all gone by our first round pick, which triggered the trade down with Strange.

2024 draft is supposed to be "tackle rich". I am not a draft guy, only repeating someone else's guess.

 

[Family]

We'll have a much better idea on him by the end of the year, I think.

Unless there's a ton of injuries I think Sow/Andrews will be permanent fixtures on the not suited up for the game list.

We might have to wait until next year.

 

[TomPatriot]

True, but unless the CBA prohibits it, his rookie contract can be reinstated if the Pats and Zappe agree. As it turns out, Bill is saving a few dollars by cutting Zappe and putting him on the ps, at least for the time being.

Bailey Zappe

Bailey Zappe contract and salary cap details, full contract breakdowns, salaries, signing bonus, roster bonus, dead money, and valuations.

www.spotrac.com

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Steuber started at LT in the Green Bay game and Bill Murray was the backup right tackle. Not many other options.

And sorry Sow looked horrible that game too. The entire second quarter, the team left in Frisker to help Sow out blocking because he was getting burned in the first quarter. Watch the tape and let me know what you think.

Then they traded for two tackles.

I watched the tape, previously responded to you in detail, and even posted play by play picture snapshots to explain Sow looked solid at Green Bay. If Sow looked bad at Green Bay, like you keep stating, Sow would not have started against the Titans. When Sow started against the Titans, you should have reassessed your Green Bay analysis.

 

[Family]

When Sow started against the Titans, you should have reassessed your Green Bay analysis.

Started over whom? The team was seriously limited by injuries, and they decided to move Reiff to guard for unknown reasons. Everyone assumed it was because the team was high on Sow. Maybe they just wanted to see him in game situation, and the plan was for Reiff to be a swing backup behind Brown/Anderson, and he wanted some guard work.

As it turned out it looks like I was right about how the team feels about playing Sow in a real game NOW. They've done whatever they could to avoid him playing.