The Camp Battle for Center

[mgteich]

All you gotta do is watch Forged in Foxboro Ep. 2.

Jared Wilson is all over that video. They don't even show Garrett Bradbury once. They think they've got something here.

While I 100% agree, veterans like Moses and Bradbury don't need the reps, evaluation or the publicity. They should get some reps and then sit the rest out.

The staff (and we) are evaluating the backups day-by-day.

Most of us have begged for a consistent first-string OL, working together. We have it in Campbell, Strange, Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses. If they keep working together, the coaches should have them ready for the season.
=================
The staff seems to be trying out Wallace, Wilson and Sow as the IOL backups, with Brown and the Robinson's on the outside looking in
If that works, then the focus moves back to OT. That doesn't mean that Wallace can't still be a backup at RT. It DOES mean that, barring injuries or surprises, we have 8 for the 53-man roster, and Lowe makes 9.
=========

 

[UGAPatsfan]

I believe that while he was at UGA, he only played OC 1 season, correct?

He was but Van Pran was there before and he was just outstanding.

 

[Ring 6]

While I'm a little skeptical of bench presses being a reliable proxy for overall NFL play strength, I completely agree that rookie linemen usually need a year or two to get stronger and fitter. Hopefully, because he went to a football factory (instead of, say, UTC), he's in better shape than most

I think that OL play more as rookies than any other position.

 

[Salsalife]

Not yet.....hold on.....not yet....Monday begins the competition i.m.o. Tell me Monday what it looks like...

 

[Ring 6]

While I 100% agree, veterans like Moses and Bradbury don't need the reps, evaluation or the publicity. They should get some reps and then sit the rest out.

The staff (and we) are evaluating the backups day-by-day.

Most of us have begged for a consistent first-string OL, working together. We have it in Campbell, Strange, Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses. If they keep working together, the coaches should have them ready for the season.
=================
The staff seems to be trying out Wallace, Wilson and Sow as the IOL backups, with Brown and the Robinson's on the outside looking in
If that works, then the focus moves back to OT. That doesn't mean that Wallace can't still be a backup at RT. It DOES mean that, barring injuries or surprises, we have 8 for the 53-man roster, and Lowe makes 9.
=========

You are saying they don’t need the reps and should sit out and at the same time saying the most important thing is they work together as a unit???????

Moses and Bradbury have not played in this system. They need every rep they can get.
Football players get better by playing football not by watching and resting.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

Today at camp (2nd day) Wilson took some first team reps behind both Bradbury at center and Strange at LG.
One fumbled snap reported.

 

[Thelonious]

Well, it ain't a Battle of Titans, that's for sure.

 

[Family]

Today at camp (2nd day) Wilson took some first team reps behind both Bradbury at center and Strange at LG.
One fumbled snap reported.

I think it's more a battle between Bradbury and Strange for who doesn't suck the most, and then Jared Wilson steps in for the loser.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I think it's more a battle between Bradbury and Strange for who doesn't suck the most, and then Jared Wilson steps in for the loser.

Could be. Or it could be that the coaches know Wallace can't play tackle, and they don't believe Wallace can back up the guard position either. One thing the coaches do know, Robinson sucks.

 

[rkarp1]

Could be. Or it could be that the coaches know Wallace can't play tackle, and they don't believe Wallace can back up the guard position either. One thing the coaches do know, Robinson sucks.

what and why? could you possibly know about Wallace? he was a rookie with poor coaching, working in a questionable offensive scheme. he played he played 70 snaps. he broke his leg and missed the next 11 games. he rehabbed his ass off to get back onto the field and played in the last 2 games.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

what and why? could you possibly know about Wallace? he was a rookie with poor coaching, working in a questionable offensive scheme. he played he played 70 snaps. he broke his leg and missed the next 11 games. he rehabbed his ass off to get back onto the field and played in the last 2 games.

It was only a possible outcome. Wallace might end up a good guard. I think Wallace's days playing tackle are over, the 2024 draft really really sucked as Wolf reached on almost every pick except Maye.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

In the walkthrough today, Wilson took first-team reps at LG, C and RG. Having one guy who can back up all three interior positions is very valuable, and paradoxically perhaps reduces the chances of his becoming a starter right away.

 

[jdlboot14]

I haven't heard anything about Brown, Sow or Robinson during practice. Nor Lowe or Conley.
It's been all about Wilson, Wallace, Jacobs.

Seeing how Brown finished the year at Center, after coming in cold, I thought he'd be a consideration as a IOL backup. But since they're working Wallace inside, he might be the versatile OL that can backup any spot.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

During the two 11-on-11 periods, the Patriots started the same offensive line they’ve been using this offseason with Campbell (left tackle), Cole Strange (left guard), Garrett Bradbury (center), Michael Onwenu (right guard), and Morgan Moses (right tackle).



After three snaps, however, Wilson was inserted into the lineup at left guard, replacing Strange. He was there for two snaps before moving to center, replacing Bradbury. Wilson played there for two snaps before moving to right guard, and then replaced Onwenu for two more snaps.



After six snaps at all three interior offensive line positions, Wilson went back to the sideline. He rotated through the offensive line twice during the first team period and then twice again during the second and final 11-on-11 walkthrough period.



It’s clear that the Patriots like Wilson, who was considered one of the best centers in the draft, and that he could push a veteran for a starting job.

Patriots rookie offensive linemen one of biggest surprises in camp

Will Campbell isn't the only rookie offensive linemen shining. Jared Wilson has been one of the biggest surprises in Patriots training camp

www.masslive.com

 

[DaBruinz]

It was only a possible outcome. Wallace might end up a good guard. I think Wallace's days playing tackle are over, the 2024 draft really really sucked as Wolf reached on almost every pick except Maye.

Yes. They know this from the 99 offensive snaps he took the entirety of last season *smh*
40 at LT and 59 at RT.. Yeah.. SO TELLING..

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Yes. They know this from the 99 offensive snaps he took the entirety of last season *smh*
40 at LT and 59 at RT.. Yeah.. SO TELLING..

BTW - It was a joke, but I appreciate you don't have a funny bone in your body.

 

[Zuma]

BTW - It was a joke, but I appreciate you don't have a funny bone in your body.

You have been saying Wallace at G for a while

 

[Wozzy]

In the walkthrough today, Wilson took first-team reps at LG, C and RG. Having one guy who can back up all three interior positions is very valuable, and paradoxically perhaps reduces the chances of his becoming a starter right away.

He has the earn the backup job first. Playing multiple positions across the interior is the fastest path.

 

[SlowGettingUp]

He has the earn the backup job first. Playing multiple positions across the interior is the fastest path.

Seems like he is a lock for the backup position. Given he wasn't here in the Spring, rotating him through the top interior line at this early stage speaks highly of his football skills.

One of the commentators (Bedard?) said that if we see him getting 50% of the snaps at center we know he is a serious candidate to start.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

You have been saying Wallace at G for a while

Yes, moving Wallace to guard was my pediction, you are correct and I was right (thanks for pointing that out ). That was based on Wallace looking awful at tackle and predraft scouting reports. I have not seen Wallace at guard, as it is only training camp, so it is possible that Wallace is as bad at guard as he was at tackle. Either Vrabel and crew are serious about Wallace at guard, or only doing an early check in camp to see if he can be a competent guard or not. I do not know what Vrabel's coaching team's intention or assessment is.