Mafi - DT Conversion

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think over time Wolf and Mayo will hold there cards closer to the vest and not blurt out their intentions so easily. I think the coaches will change their minds and play Wallace at RT where he has mostly practiced so far. And Onwenu at RG.

You are probably right. Earlier I made the point that paying Onwenu a RT salary to play RG makes no sense, and trying to switch Wallace from RT to LT was very risky. It is not a strong start for Wolf if he is overpaying Onwenu and missing on his LT draft project.

 

[PatsFan2]

You are probably right. Earlier I made the point that paying Onwenu a RT salary to play RG makes no sense, and trying to switch Wallace from RT to LT was very risky. It is not a strong start for Wolf if he is overpaying Onwenu and missing on his LT draft project.

And our Former GM Boss didn't do him any favors saddled him with the 32nd ranked Offense. I know you wanted a Tackle over WR Polk but Wolf knows after QB the next best position is WR. That's the NFL Today give Wolf a chance I think C Wallace is going to surprise even You.

 

[PatsFan2]

You are probably right. Earlier I made the point that paying Onwenu a RT salary to play RG makes no sense, and trying to switch Wallace from RT to LT was very risky. It is not a strong start for Wolf if he is overpaying Onwenu and missing on his LT draft project.

You are a complaining that a two way player is getting paid too much Onwenu worked his butt off and got a nice pay day more power to him. IF Onwenu stays at RG and we find a decent RT we'll be actually better in the long run I love his girth at Guard Maye will be able to step up. Gotta surround a Young QB with Good Talent and it starts upfront.

 

[rkarp1]

You are a complaining that a two way player is getting paid too much Onwenu worked his butt off and got a nice pay day more power to him. IF Onwenu stays at RG and we find a decent RT we'll be actually better in the long run I love his girth at Guard Maye will be able to step up. Gotta surround a Young QB with Good Talent and it starts upfront.

I too see the OL as a "better unit" with Onwenu at RG and Wallace at RT.
I am hearing to much about Onwenu not being a good fit at OT for the scheme AVP wants to run.
also some have reported Onwenu not in the best physical shape, which given his new contract I find disappointing.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

And our Former GM Boss didn't do him any favors saddled him with the 32nd ranked Offense. I know you wanted a Tackle over WR Polk but Wolf knows after QB the next best position is WR. That's the NFL Today give Wolf a chance I think C Wallace is going to surprise even You.

I never wanted a tackle over Polk. I have clearly stated I wanted the Best Player Available over Polk. In this case I think that was a DB across from Gonzales. Cooper DeJean or McKinstry from AL for example.

C Wallace will surprise no-one. Trust the guys that know.

If the Pats spent in FA on defense, instead of being cheap bastards, they could have a Top 5 defense since they already had a Top 10 defense. The Pats won a SB in 2001 with a weaker offense and defense than they have in 2024. Do you think the Pats have a chance at a Super Bowl in 2024?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

You are a complaining that a two way player is getting paid too much Onwenu worked his butt off and got a nice pay day more power to him. IF Onwenu stays at RG and we find a decent RT we'll be actually better in the long run I love his girth at Guard Maye will be able to step up. Gotta surround a Young QB with Good Talent and it starts upfront.

No NFL team can overpay because a player worked his butt off or has wide girth. God help us.

Wolf said that Onwenu would be the RT and Wallace would be the LT. Why don't you believe what Wolf has said. You think Wolf was lying?

 

[Water Boy]

I too see the OL as a "better unit" with Onwenu at RG and Wallace at RT.
I am hearing to much about Onwenu not being a good fit at OT for the scheme AVP wants to run.
also some have reported Onwenu not in the best physical shape, which given his new contract I find disappointing.

Do we know if Wallace is any good at RT even?

It will be a major bummer if Onwenu disappoints after signing his big deal.

 

[rkarp1]

Do we know if Wallace is any good at RT even?

It will be a major bummer if Onwenu disappoints after signing his big deal.

Wallace spent 4 years at RT, so it being his natural position, I would assume he is fine at RT.
I also assume the Pats offense will be vey run heavy, and having Sow/Andrews/Onwenu on the interior will allow them to be road graders. Mafi, Robinson and Leverette pushing them and spelling them. I like the way the interior shapes up.
Wallace at RT should be fine. Okorafor should be fine at LT. I assume Anderson as the swingman.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

I am hearing to much about Onwenu not being a good fit at OT for the scheme AVP wants to run.

But same can be said of Robinson - he's allegedly a road-grader type OG with limited lateral movement skills. Makes that pick even more curious.

If they are happy with Chuks Okorafor backed up by Anderson at LT, and Wallace at RT, then with Sow at LG and Onwenu at RG, then Mafi might well be a cut here given that Leverett and Robinson are both likely ahead of him at guard. (Assuming Strange is on IR for at least half the season here). We don't know if Anderson is fully recovered yet. If not, and they want to retain the possibility of Onwenu staying at RT if only for depth purposes, then maybe they need another guard on the roster.

Clearly the position with most moving parts and most uncertainty here.

 

[Wozzy]

But same can be said of Robinson - he's allegedly a road-grader type OG with limited lateral movement skills. Makes that pick even more curious.

If they are happy with Chuks Okorafor backed up by Anderson at LT, and Wallace at RT, then with Sow at LG and Onwenu at RG, then Mafi might well be a cut here given that Leverett and Robinson are both likely ahead of him at guard. (Assuming Strange is on IR for at least half the season here). We don't know if Anderson is fully recovered yet. If not, and they want to retain the possibility of Onwenu staying at RT if only for depth purposes, then maybe they need another guard on the roster.

Clearly the position with most moving parts and most uncertainty here.

When it comes to year two players it’s a wait and see proposition, this is true for Mafi or Jake Andrews or even Sow.

If these guys spent the offseason eating doughnuts and loafing off then they’ll regress. If they spent the offseason getting stronger and working on their craft they’ll be better. The year two jump is arguably the most important one.

Mafi played more last year than Leverett or Jordan did, saying he’s in danger of being cut is complete guesswork.

 

[WazzuWheatfarmer]

It's way too early to write this guy off as a Guard. His size strength gives him a chance to be a contributor if he has the drive. But yeah, if all else fails, its not a terrible idea to try him at NT on defense. I'm just not sure how big of a need there is to use a roster spot on that position in today's NFL. I think his best route to the roster is still as an O-Lineman.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Mafi played more last year than Leverett or Jordan did, saying he’s in danger of being cut is complete guesswork.

Until pads come on everything here is guesswork. But when Onwenu played tackle in these practices, Leverett apparently played RG, which is some small indication.

 

[Zuma]

NFL Notes: Minicamp Saw More from Maye

www.patriots.com

Onwenu spent time at both guard positions at minicamp and at right tackle earlier in the spring. Rookie Caedan Wallace manned the right tackle spot while free agent addition Chuks Okorafor was at left tackle. It's possible that Mayo and the staff are still searching for the best five options, and moving Onwenu inside could allow that to happen. Sidy Sow, who played a lot of right guard as a rookie and earlier in the spring, spent Wednesday's practice on the left side.

 

[Water Boy]

Questions:

RT Onwenu > RT Wallace? - presumably yes for the time being
G Onwenu > G Sow, Robinson Mafi, etc. - presumably yes.
G Sow, Robinson, Mafi > RT Wallace - TBD

I assume this will determine whether Ownenu plays RT on a regular basis or not.

 

[Wozzy]

Until pads come on everything here is guesswork. But when Onwenu played tackle in these practices, Leverett apparently played RG, which is some small indication.

They’re installing a new system, it will be better to have vets knowledgable in the system taking the first reps.

Maye has a lot more upside than Brissett, I still want Jacoby taking the first reps until Maye proves he has passed him by.

Leverett and Jordan are career backups, they’re not good, they’ve never been good. If they’re starting this line is terrible and the collaboration station screwed up this off-season beyond comprehension.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Leverett did OK protecting Brady:

>>In limited action in 2022, Leverett played well holding down Tampa’s left guard spot. While Brady makes life easier for his lineman, he allowed zero sacks and just four quarterback hits in 482 pass-blocking snaps.

He's played Center too, so gives some versatility.

 

[Wozzy]

Leverett did OK protecting Brady:

>>In limited action in 2022, Leverett played well holding down Tampa’s left guard spot. While Brady makes life easier for his lineman, he allowed zero sacks and just four quarterback hits in 482 pass-blocking snaps.

He's played Center too, so gives some versatility.

He was a bench player who was called into service due to injuries, and when everyone got healthy was replaced by a 2nd round pick rookie. He hasn't played a single offensive snap since. If he was good, if there was good tape on him anywhere he wouldn't have signed here for the vet minimum.

 

[mgteich]

He was a bench player who was called into service due to injuries, and when everyone got healthy was replaced by a 2nd round pick rookie. He hasn't played a single offensive snap since. If he was good, if there was good tape on him anywhere he wouldn't have signed here for the vet minimum.

I missed it.

When did the vet minimum increase to $1,775,000? Is that the new mumber for 2024?

 

[SlowGettingUp]

I missed it.

When did the vet minimum increase to $1,775,000? Is that the new mumber for 2024?

No.

For 4-6 year vets it is $1.17 million.

What's the NFL League Minimum Salary for Rookies & Veterans?

What is the minimum amount an NFL player is paid?

sports.betmgm.com

Nick Leverett | NFL | Spotrac.com

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

www.spotrac.com

 

[Wozzy]

I missed it.

When did the vet minimum increase to $1,775,000? Is that the new mumber for 2024?

You obviously don't know how NFL contracts work... Nick Leverett was only guaranteed 575K.

A couple hundred grand is small change hidden in the seat cushions. To put it in perspective, Mike Onwenu who has never made a Pro Bowl or All Pro team just got 36.5 Million guaranteed at the exact same age as Leverett and Mike (checks notes) was actually a starter last year. Mafi started more games than Leverett did.

You'd better wait and see if Leverett makes the 53 man roster first before you start spending that 1.7 million...