Player Signing Center Garrett Bradbury released by Vikings [update: signed by Pats]

[Wozzy]

I'm sure scheme and coaching played a part, definitely. Bradbury was on the trade market for 1 year, $4.9M, up to $5.2M in incentives, I believe, before MIN cut him. That implies his market shouldn't be much, if at all higher than $5M. I doubt he signs the type of contract that guarantees him a starting spot, or even a roster spot if push really comes to shove. If Sow (or Robinson or JAndrews or Ben Brown or any draft pick) is good enough they can very easily take the starting spot over him. If they can't beat Bradbury out... well that doesn't exactly paint a glowing picture of their career outlook. If Sidy Sow or JAndrews in year 3 of their rookie deals can't beat out Bradbury, we probably have to start looking at them as guys who probably aren't long term pieces anyway.

Sow isn’t a candidate for center, Jake Andrews and Cole Strange are. Ben Brown is just a camp body unless things go terribly wrong.

Tackle is a bigger need for sure but signing a guy for one doesn't really have anything to do with the other. Actually, better OL play can only HELP the LT so even if it doesn't improve the talent there, it helps make whoever is playing that spot better than it otherwise would have been,

The Pats had a lot of free agent money available, but it’s not an endless well… plus there are only 90 cam roster spots to fill. Kraft isn’t going to spend and spend… we know this.

 

[signbabybrady]

This might be an innovative solution to LG. Instead of just playing one player at the position, play 2 at LG. Brilliant

 

[TomPatriot]

just released by Vikings. would be a solid addition to Pats

Meh. He’s marginally better than Ben Brown is now. Need to draft a C.

 

[varjao]

Well left tackle is the bigger need we all know that but...but..but....let me tell you something...all the other positions are needs as well, the only clear set position going into next season, right now, is RT because they just signed a dude. Yeah, I'm looking at you Onwenu, really, if he is traded or something else happens, are any of you losing any sleep over it? Maybe not all his fault, maybe he just got caught up in that mess last year, actually it was such a mess I don't even recall what position any of the OL they drafted last year originally plays, because if I recall correctly, that wonderful coaching staff/GM drafted a RG, a RT, put them to play different positions, shuffled all around, put the stable RG with contract extended in market money to play out of position, apparently, just because he was making the most money (thats what stupid managers do in the industry as well, get people who are making the most money, because they are specialized in something, and put them to lead people or manage, or perform other difficult jobs, just because they have big salaries, doesn't mean they are wizards though or are a fit for that new requirement).

Now, you don't have a LT, the LG position is up in the air (and if you sign a legit LG no one will lose any sleep either over Strange or Sow or whomever is the LG, no Center, RG was stable now it's just this mess (see above), and RT Ok for now.

Really, if they go to week 1 with 5 new players in the O-line chances are there will be bether O-line performance than any of this **** we have been seeing lately.

So if Bradbury, that is a player with years starting in a tier well above Jake Andrews that I never saw playing, is available, even if he is not in his best form, I don't care, get that player unless you are set on a Center in the draft, and that guy is clearly a 3rd rounder or below, so he might need sitting and learning for a while. There's not really alternatives, either that or they are set on Strange. Really, Jake Andrews? People are still talking about Jake Andrews? That dude is here for what, 2 or 3 years, never played, injuries, guys like this don't suddenly turn that page, we should move on, they should give him a training camp last chance and if he doesn't blow them away cut and never look back, actually the fact he is here shouldn't prevent them from drafting a Center if a good opportunity presents itself and then you cut Bradbury as well if you need. My point is, the current O-line is no reference for anything, they should look at all alternatives and try everything, maybe with better method than Mayo and company, but still, the situation is really critical.

 

[TommyD4207]

His Pass Blocking blows no thanks.

Beggars can't be choosers. He's a roadgrader in the run game. Maybe Marrone could coach him up some.

He's be right there with Moses as our best lineman even if that didn't happen.

 

[PatsFan2]

Beggars can't be choosers. He's a roadgrader in the run game. Maybe Marrone could coach him up some.

He's be right there with Moses as our best lineman even if that didn't happen.

So telling how bad we were last year.

 

[hornetfb85]

Bradbury is fine. I’d like to draft Jake Majors in the 4th or so.

 

[PatsFan2]

Bradbury is fine. I’d like to draft Jake Makors in the 4th or so.

Majors??

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Jake Andrews is the big question mark for me. Can he be a starter. If so, it frees Strange to be LG.

J Andrews played LG in 2023 before being injured all last year.

 

[mike_usagisan]

J Andrews played LG in 2023 before being injured all last year.

So maybe he could be LG? It's weird how many of these pieces we have and we really don't know how good any of them are.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Do we have anyone who was here when Jake Andrews was a rookie? He got hurt really early in camp last year if I recall and I believe the offensive staff is entirely turned over since he was a rookie. Might be very, very limited knowledge on staff as I think it's only the assistant OL coach from last year still here, who didn't get much time with JAndrews last year.

I do think McDaniels probably has a good enough relationship with BB though that he can dial up the phone and get good info though, it just won't be first hand from McDaniels or the offensive staff themselves for a lot of guys.

Marrone worked with Bill O'Brien last year. McDaniels would not call BB about J Andrews.

 

[rochrist]

I wouldn't mind him for depth at least.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

So maybe he could be LG? It's weird how many of these pieces we have and we really don't know how good any of them are.

Strange, Sow, and J Andrews were injured last year. It was a bit unusual. Robinson did not inspire any confidence, other than stonewalling bull rushers, but he could take a Y2 jump. Lots of balls in the air. BB liked Sow, Strange, and J Andrews so stay positive.

 

[Urgent]

Brown ranked 54th out of 64th last year at center per pff overall. Also 54th/64th as a pass blocker and 38th/64th as a run blocker.
Robinson ranked 128th out of 135th last year at center per pff overall. 106th/135th as a pass blocker and 127th/135th as a run blocker.
Sow ranked 134th out of 135th last year at center per pff overall. 127th/135th as a pass blocker and 129th/135th as a run blocker.

Bradbury ranked 33th out of 64th last year at center per pff overall. 55th/64th as a pass blocker and 14th/64th as a run blocker.

This is helpful.
I am assuming the Robinson and Sow ratings are guards, not centers. And they are awful.
So Bradbury would upgrade center from 54th to 33rd? That's significant.
I know PFF ratings are not end-all, but pretty much all analysts point to the NE line as abysmal.
33rd is like a low-end starter, as opposed to 54th which is low-end practice squad, should not be on the field.

Yes, they need to draft one of Mays, Major, McLaughlin, or Monheim. But better to go into the draft with a viable candidate at the position.
You don't know if you are going to get one of them.

They've put so much draft capital into the offensive line - Wynn, Strange, Wallace, Robinson, Sow, Mafi, Andrews... Almost none of it has worked out.

 

[Steve102]

Majors??

 

[JohnJH]

I suspect that the reason why he hasn't been signed by the Patriots yet, is because the team doesn't believe that at this stage that he's any better than what they already have. Additionally, there will be a Center who within no more than two years of being drafted on Day 3 of the draft, will be able to step in and be a quality starter (or perhaps better). And signing him now would just be a waste of money.

Yes, I understand that they have the money to spend. However, a few million here and a few million there does add up. I'm all for spending money, but only if the upside if worth it.

 

[WhatJustHappened]

Now THAT is a guy we can use!
If he has 33" arms...of course.

 

[hornetfb85]

Majors??

Damn autocorrect

 

[Steve102]

Now THAT is a guy we can use!
If he has 33" arms...of course.

Do you mean The Six Million Dollar Man?

 

[crownontherocks]