Fitzy: Source tells him that if Abdul Carter is available at 4 the Eagles will offer AJ Brown for the pick

[Steve102]

As long as he's doing this. We don't need him to block we need him to make plays.

Disagree. All 11 guys have jobs to do. WRs have to block.

 

[Ring 6]

Vrabel literally said that quote last week:

"... but I think to give him an opportunity to compete at center and build off of what he did at the end of last year."

Sounds a lot to me like he'll get a chance to compete for the job at center.

I get I didn't go to college, I'm not an English major, and I've never claimed to be smart. Lord knows I've also had my own share of bad takes, etc. However, in this instance, I'm just working off of a quote that came directly out of the guy's mouth barely a week ago.

Coaches use “compete” in other context than competing for a starting job.

You are taking an off the cuff comment way too literally.

I’m simply looking at the roster and saying he can’t possibly mean he is going to take his best LG and best C and make them fight it out for C and let a worse guy play LG. I give Vrabel credit for being smarter than that.

But whatever, feel free to interpret the comment however you want, you haven’t persuaded me to think it means more than when I heard it.

 

[Ring 6]

And I hear you on the fact both guys might end up starting if that's how it plays out, especially if no one else pans out at guard. But you're inferring there's no shot for Strange to compete at center and that's not at all what Vrabel said. And recently, no less.

Let me clarify.
The best lineup is Strange at LG and Bradbury at C.
When camp starts that’s where they will line up and strange will also take snaps at C.
If Bradbury ****s the bed Strange could move over but they aren’t starting camp with those guys both at C and someone else at LG.

Strange doesn’t have to “compete” for C because he already has a job at LG.

 

[Ian]

Let me clarify.
The best lineup is Strange at LG and Bradbury at C.
When camp starts that’s where they will line up and strange will also take snaps at C.
If Bradbury ****s the bed Strange could move over but they aren’t starting camp with those guys both at C and someone else at LG.

Strange doesn’t have to “compete” for C because he already has a job at LG.

I think it all hinges at guard. If someone steps up and proves they can play at a level where Strange would be at, that would allow them to move Strange to center in the event he also outperformed Bradbury. But if not, guard it is. Either way, he'd compete with Bradbury in the former scenario, which - as Vrabel said - he would get the opportunity to do.

 

[Ring 6]

I think it all hinges at guard. If someone steps up and proves they can play at a level where Strange would be at, that would allow them to move Strange to center in the event he also outperformed Bradbury. But if not, guard it is. Either way, he'd compete with Bradbury in the former scenario, which - as Vrabel said - he would get the opportunity to do.

We don’t have a LG that could do that. LG was a much bigger liability than C last year and we have added no one.
Bradbury is a capable C, Strange is a capable G who got a chance last year to show he could also play C.
I don’t think it’s any more complicated than that.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I’m not against Campbell, but he’s taking a step up. It’s still a challenge.

I would imagine Kugler and Houghtaling will probably spend more time coaching him.

Vrabel has two assistant OL coaches, which is fantastic.

I think he’s going to get significantly bigger and stronger in an NFL program, and he has all the intangibles you want in a prospect. I’ll be very happy if they take him.

 

[Triumph]

 

[Rob0729]

Well then you should follow the conversation instead of jumping n and acting like you know what it’s about.
The comment at question was that the team has too many new players so it needs time to jell.
It wasn’t about time to build a team, but if it were, those teams are also great examples of why the Patriots ought to be able to win now.

And I addresses why the examples you used of the Pats can win now was flawed. The Texans had three #1 picks and more from the Browns. They were able to build quickly because of.

The Patriots have a good shot to be a 7-9 win team this year. That would be a great year. Anything more is gravy. To say they should be a playoff team is unrealistic expectations especially in the AFC. They could be a playoff team, but even a lot of best case scenarios do not have them making the playoffs.

 

[Ring 6]

And I addresses why the examples you used of the Pats can win now was flawed. The Texans had three #1 picks and more from the Browns. They were able to build quickly because of.

The Patriots have a good shot to be a 7-9 win team this year. That would be a great year. Anything more is gravy. To say they should be a playoff team is unrealistic expectations especially in the AFC. They could be a playoff team, but even a lot of best case scenarios do not have them making the playoffs.

And I showed you the patriots and Texans had the exact same # of picks in round 1,2 and 3 over the prior 4 years. They also didn’t have enough cap space to bring in 10 new starters.

7-9 wins would not be a great are, it would be mediocrity.
They play 8 games against teams that won 5 or fewer games and none look like they improved a lot. Wining less than 10 games against that schedule would be a major underperformance given the resources they had and used to improve.

 

[Rob0729]

And I showed you the patriots and Texans had the exact same # of picks in round 1,2 and 3 over the prior 4 years. They also didn’t have enough cap space to bring in 10 new starters.

7-9 wins would not be a great are, it would be mediocrity.
They play 8 games against teams that won 5 or fewer games and none look like they improved a lot. Wining less than 10 games against that schedule would be a major underperformance given the resources they had and used to improve.

Strength of schedule means nothing at this point. Who cares. I guarantee you that many of those teams will win more than five games.

And you showed me nothing. You misrepresented the facts to twist your argument. In 2022, the Texans had two first round picks (3 and 15) and two second round picks. And in 2023 they had two of the top 3 picks in entire the draft who turned into the OROY and DROY. The Pats don’t have that much draft capital to turn things around.

I mean if you are going to use bogus “facts” to make a specious argument, we are done.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Steelers would trade Pickens if a strong offer presents itself.
Per Schefter
Watch out for Pats and Bills.
I wouldn’t rule it out.
I know a lot of the people on this boards head would explode.

That’s because he’s a total piece of ****. If you want a team full of assholes he’s as good a start as you will get. I wouldn’t give up a 2045 7th round pick for him.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

If a LG emerged that was better than Bradbury, Strange could be moved to C but that’s not where we are.

Maybe after the draft the LG will emerge.

 

[Ring 6]

Maybe after the draft the LG will emerge.

We shouldn’t be drafting a G early.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

We shouldn’t be drafting a G early.

Lots of posters argue we should draft Campbell at #4 if he is an All Pro guard.

 

[Ring 6]

Lots of posters argue we should draft Campbell at #4 if he is an All Pro guard.

Lots of posters say lots of rungs that aren’t in touch with reality

 

[Real fan 02]

Disagree. All 11 guys have jobs to do. WRs have to block.

I'm just being humorous of course he would have to do his job. But.. I'd have to think if your being honest like I know you are.. you wouldn't be upset if he was on the roster...

 

[Real fan 02]

I don't see how Vrabel's comments can be construed any other way. That's a lot of praise while directly referring to his performance at that specific position last season.

As for Bradbury, they had to take some chances to build quality depth, and they wisely spent a little more to do that. As we know, that offensive line was in tough shape last year, and center in particular, especially after Jake Andrews went down. Didn't leave much margin for error and David Andrews getting hurt was one of the unluckiest things we saw last season. Couldn't really afford to lose him because his backup was already hurt. All things considered, Brown did a serviceable job, but they're essentially starting over. They absolutely needed to make sure they added guys who could contribute.

But yes, if Strange outperforms him (and Jake Andrews), I'm sure he'll get the nod. Performance always trumps money. Unless someone gets hurt or they don't have anyone they believe can step in and play well at guard. But if that's how things look come August, that would definitely be concerning. Guard's a position they've at least had plenty of bodies for, and if Onwenu is healthy, it should only be left guard they're worrying about.

Ian,

I also made mention in my conversations with @One-If-By-Sea .. that depth on the OL particularly C is vital as the C touches the ball each snap. So IMO camp will determine who can handle the snap and make sure the snaps good and directly in drake's hands, who can hold up the best against Williams, kyhiris, Barmore, white when they are rushing inside. Whomever gets knocked on thier ass the least at C will likely be starting week 1. I'm adding a little humor to my point.. but you get what I'm saying.

 

[Steve102]

I'm just being humorous of course he would have to do his job. But.. I'd have to think if your being honest like I know you are.. you wouldn't be upset if he was on the roster...

I really don’t like the guy. He’s not a complete football player. He’s the antithesis of what they say they want on this roster.

 

[Real fan 02]

I really don’t like the guy. He’s not a complete football player. He’s the antithesis of what they say they want on this roster.

Totally get it. His talents are undeniable but your right character is huge and that's what Vrable has built tough, smart high character guys. Speaking of character Milton Williams is definitely a huge high character guy.

 

[Steve102]

Totally get it. His talents are undeniable but your right character is huge and that's what Vrable has built tough, smart high character guys. Speaking of character Milton Williams is definitely a huge high character guy.

He (Vrabel) talks about "football character" and that's different from Belichick's "character" guys. To me, football character is the guy who's going to play at 100%, and do all the little things necessary to be a complete football player. This guy is athletic and can make plays, but he decides when and how he's going to do it, and not 100% of the time.