Held Hostage by the OT Position 2025

[State]

Similar concern. Third year. Maybe LT is upgraded enough. Probably not in obvious passing situations. And Morgan Moses playing most or all the season seems unlikely. So Onwenu gets moved out again?

I’ve had a Jerry Maguire moment. Instead of drafting shiny new toy Drake Maye, this important OL concern should have been addressed first.

Teams are built from the inside-out.

 

[State]

I’m still disappointed that local giant from BC Ozzy Trapilo was taken a little earlier than expected. Bears took him at 56 in the second round. The mocks often had him lasting until the early third when we picked.

The former RT is seeing starter reps at LT. Having him on the Pats would have completely changed the dynamic.

And taking a kicker at 166 was inexcusable. When viable options at RT or RG were available. UConn’s Chase Lundt is a 6’8” RT who could be developed or Kansas’s Bryce Cabeldue, a RAS superstar like Cole Strange who wasn’t invited to the Combine but shone brightly at his pro day. He is a natural RG, allowing the fall back of Onwenu being moved out.

 

[Mike the Brit]

What do the following 14 gentlemen have in common?

Ben Brown
Lester Cotton
Demontrey Jacobs
Michael Jordan
Nick Leverett
Vederian Lowe
Chuka Okorafor
Michael Onwenu
Layden Robinson
Tyrese Robinson
Levitus Smith
Sidy Sow
Cole Strange
Caedan Wallace

The answer is that they are all offensive linemen who, to the best of my research, took snaps during the 2024 Patriots regular season. How many of them belong on an NFL roster?

The constant switching from one inadequate player to the next reminds me of nothing so much as a compulsive gambler who thinks he can bet his way out of debt. Last season's Patriots offensive line coach is now the offensive line coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, so those outside the Patriots don't blame him. But the man who churned all of those players in and out is still in charge of personnel.

That is the sign of a deeply dysfunctional organization. Perhaps Vrabel, McDaniels and Marrone can fix it. For Drake Maye's sake, I hope so.

 

[farn]

I’m concerned w the OL situation as well. Without improved play there, very little can be expected when NE has the ball. A few of those guys need to stand out this season if success is in the cards.

 

[Water Boy]

I hear the frustration. I miss the old days where BB and Scar could plug and play a no name UDFA into the mix and the team not miss a beat. Fast forward to today where we've drafted numerous players in the top or heart of the draft (Strange, Sow, Mafi, Wallace, Robinson) and still no solution at LG. WTF?

 

[KCSVEN]

I’m still disappointed that local giant from BC Ozzy Trapilo was taken a little earlier than expected. Bears took him at 56 in the second round. The mocks often had him lasting until the early third when we picked.

The former RT is seeing starter reps at LT. Having him on the Pats would have completely changed the dynamic.

And taking a kicker at 166 was inexcusable. When viable options at RT or RG were available. UConn’s Chase Lundt is a 6’8” RT who could be developed or Kansas’s Bryce Cabeldue, a RAS superstar like Cole Strange who wasn’t invited to the Combine but shone brightly at his pro day. He is a natural RG, allowing the fall back of Onwenu being moved out.

Trapilo is taking reps due to injury. Marcus Bryant would be taking starter reps if Campbell got hurt, would that completely change the dynamic?

Chase Lundt is getting terrible write ups. Meanwhile Marcus Bryant getting 2nd team reps. Bryant is 6' 7" and 320 and Lundt is 6' 7" and 304.

Early returns suggest they got the developmental Tackle and the best one in the later rounds.

They were looking at Savaiinaea or Henderson and Henderson was left. The need for playmakers is as big or bigger than the need for a guard.

They drafted a LT #4 overall, they signed a 10-year vet for RT, they drafted a developmental tackle, they drafted Wilson who will start at guard and likely long-term center.
They turned over 3 of the 5-line positions. You can't argue they've not tried to address this, you can argue the people they chose but they spend a ton of time scouting and analyzing, way more than you or me, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

6% of 6th round picks and 4% of 7th round picks ever become starters. 3 of the final 64 picks will one day be starters on average, not great starters but starters. Not worth complaining about a kicker.
Taking a kicker in those rounds increases odds of success. It is far from inexcusable.

The take to not draft Drake Maye is just nutty at this point.

 

[mgteich]

I’m concerned w the OL situation as well. Without improved play there, very little can be expected when NE has the ball. A few of those guys need to stand out this season if success is in the cards.

I also am concerned. But I don't think that anyone needs to stand out in order for us to succeed.

If our OL is even NFL quality, we are in playoff contention. 25th best would be a major, major improvement. 20th best would be great. NEXT YEAR, the OL will still be the top priority. Perhaps, we can improve to being an average line.

We have improved talent at four of the OL positions and even Onwenu should be better playing between Bradbury and Moses instead of Brown and Jacobs.
===========
CAMPBELL, WILLIAMS, BRADBURY, MOSES are major improvements.
Even having STRANGE for more than a couple games is an improvement, even as a top backup IOL.
Add Onwenu and we have an OK set of six OL's. It's been awhile! Of course, it might take some time to gel and healthy is NOT guaranteed.
=========
WHERE WE ARE
CENTER - Last year's starter is arguably our #4 center and is not likely to make the 53. Brown COULD beat out Strange or Bradbury.
GUARD - Wilson, Strange, Onwenu and the 4 kids (Wallace, Sow, Robinson, Robinson) is a lot of competition for backup spots.
TACKLE - Campbell and Moses and pray for health. Yes, I know that we have Lowe, Bryant and Jacobs.

 

[Uptown]

Yes, the OL could be upgraded at certain spots (perhaps every spot), but taking Drake Maye was the 100000% correct decision. The QB position is of the most importance.

 

[mgteich]

I hear the frustration. I miss the old days where BB and Scar could plug and play a no name UDFA into the mix and the team not miss a beat. Fast forward to today where we've drafted numerous players in the top or heart of the draft (Strange, Sow, Mafi, Wallace, Robinson) and still no solution at LG. WTF?

Strange SHOULD start at LG. At worst, he should be the Game Day backup behind our youngster that you don't seem to have much respect for.

Strange was drafted too early, but he was an OK starting LG when healthy.

 

[Huckleberry1]

What do the following 14 gentlemen have in common?

Ben Brown
Lester Cotton
Demontrey Jacobs
Michael Jordan
Nick Leverett
Vederian Lowe
Chuka Okorafor
Michael Onwenu
Layden Robinson
Tyrese Robinson
Levitus Smith
Sidy Sow
Cole Strange
Caedan Wallace

The answer is that they are all offensive linemen who, to the best of my research, took snaps during the 2024 Patriots regular season. How many of them belong on an NFL roster?

The constant switching from one inadequate player to the next reminds me of nothing so much as a compulsive gambler who thinks he can bet his way out of debt. Last season's Patriots offensive line coach is now the offensive line coach of the Cincinnati Bengals, so those outside the Patriots don't blame him. But the man who churned all of those players in and out is still in charge of personnel.

That is the sign of a deeply dysfunctional organization. Perhaps Vrabel, McDaniels and Marrone can fix it. For Drake Maye's sake, I hope so.

I think they have their starting OL, and I don’t see any significant changes to it unless there are injuries to fill in. Left to right it will be Campbell, Wilson, Bradbury, Onwenu, and Moses. This has been the shape for most of camp, and it will return to it next practice. The media either missed it or is simply talking past Vrabel’s pre scrimmage press conference where he said they were splitting up the OL for the night solely for that scrimmage, as they have to be able to adapt to playing beside different people when injuries strike. This OL is far from perfect, and it will never live up to the expectations some here foist upon it, but it’s a hell of a lot better than last years dogshit OL. Felger, Mazzerotti, Sam, and State will continue to shriek and cry every time a block is missed, but that’s just who they are, hysterical children who don’t understand that building something takes time and patience, but barring significant injuries this OL will be much better than last year’s was, and much better than it is today by the time Thanksgiving rolls around.

 

[Family]

While the OL is a work in progress I feel there has been significant upgrade on the left side. And Moses, despite his age, is an upgrade from anything last year as well. Plus there should be better coaching.

It's not going to be completely rebuilt in one year, but I don't know how much more could be expected from year to year.

 

[State]

Yes, the OL could be upgraded at certain spots (perhaps every spot), but taking Drake Maye was the 100000% correct decision. The QB position is of the most importance.

The Jets took Sam Darnold and Zach Wilson when they had glaring holes on their OL

They learned. School of hard knocks.

Olu Fashanu is their franchise LT who is looking dominant at this time in TC. Even when they had a giant hole at QB.

And it turns out with Darnold that he’s a good QB. If he has protection.

It all starts up front.

 

[State]

Plus there should be better coaching.

I thought so too. But there are decisions that make me scratch my bald pate.

Why not include Sidy Sow, who can be an nfl starter, at the open competition at LG? His natural and accustomed spot?

Why give up on Cole Strange as a guard? It’s like musical chairs with him.

In fact SF Steve this morning in his 53 man projection forgets about Sow entirely.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I hear the frustration. I miss the old days where BB and Scar could plug and play a no name UDFA into the mix and the team not miss a beat. Fast forward to today where we've drafted numerous players in the top or heart of the draft (Strange, Sow, Mafi, Wallace, Robinson) and still no solution at LG. WTF?

It helped when you had a) QB who was the greatest pre-snap reader/protection caller and quick passer in NFL history to mask the o-line deficiencies and b) receivers like Brown, Branch, Faulk, Vereen, White, and JE11 who got open vs man to man coverage.

Yes, Scar was a great coach but lets not dismiss the other dynamics which made those o-lines look better than they actually were.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Patience, folks. Campbell/Wilson/Bradbury/Onweno/Moses is an NFL quality o-line. They need time to gel.

Until we start hearing projected starters go to IR this is a decent group.

There will be growing pains and injuries where starters may miss a game or two. It's when reserves start playing entire seasons in when we should be worried.

 

[mgteich]

I thought so too. But there are decisions that make me scratch my bald pate.

Why not include Sidy Sow, who can be an nfl starter, at the open competition at LG? His natural and accustomed spot?

Why give up on Cole Strange as a guard? It’s like musical chairs with him.

In fact SF Steve this morning in his 53 man projection forgets about Sow entirely.

I think you read too much into the OL cross-training.

Personally, I see no reason to give up on Strange at LG. Wilson needs reps at both center and OG if he is to be a GameDay backup at those positions. The same is true of Strange.

BTW, we need a backup LG, and both Strange and Wilson are likely better than Sow.

Sow is being given the chance to make the 53 as a GameDay backup at RG (and perhaps LG). I agree that he seems unlikely to make the 53 at this point.

 

[gobesmug]

Similar concern. Third year. Maybe LT is upgraded enough. Probably not in obvious passing situations. And Morgan Moses playing most or all the season seems unlikely. So Onwenu gets moved out again?

I’ve had a Jerry Maguire moment. Instead of drafting shiny new toy Drake Maye, this important OL concern should have been addressed first.

Teams are built from the inside-out.

Dumb take. You aren't winning anything without a starting QB.

The Browns never made it to the playoffs with a HOF LT and having multiple Probowl and All Pro players across the line at the same time.

Heck they won ZERO games despite having a HOF LT, a multiple All Pro LG, and a Pro Bowl RG.

A great oline wins nothing without a QB. A great QB can still win with a weak oline

 

[State]

Trapilo is taking reps due to injury. Marcus Bryant would be taking starter reps if Campbell got hurt, would that completely change the dynamic?

Chase Lundt is getting terrible write ups. Meanwhile Marcus Bryant getting 2nd team reps. Bryant is 6' 7" and 320 and Lundt is 6' 7" and 304.

Early returns suggest they got the developmental Tackle and the best one in the later rounds.

They were looking at Savaiinaea or Henderson and Henderson was left. The need for playmakers is as big or bigger than the need for a guard.

They drafted a LT #4 overall, they signed a 10-year vet for RT, they drafted a developmental tackle, they drafted Wilson who will start at guard and likely long-term center.
They turned over 3 of the 5-line positions. You can't argue they've not tried to address this, you can argue the people they chose but they spend a ton of time scouting and analyzing, way more than you or me, I'd give them the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.

6% of 6th round picks and 4% of 7th round picks ever become starters. 3 of the final 64 picks will one day be starters on average, not great starters but starters. Not worth complaining about a kicker.
Taking a kicker in those rounds increases odds of success. It is far from inexcusable.

The take to not draft Drake Maye is just nutty at this point.

This is not going to age well.

And Bryant is not cerebral enough. Can’t develop that. Logan Brown, if he can learn anger management and control his diabetes, has a lot more to work with.

He ended up not being drafted. A shocker. And another missed opportunity with the former five star high school recruit with ideal nfl length and athleticism.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Strange SHOULD start at LG. At worst, he should be the Game Day backup behind our youngster that you don't seem to have much respect for.

Strange was drafted too early, but he was an OK starting LG when healthy.

I just don’t get this Cole Strange support. I think he’s been a liability since day 1, his play and health is part of the reason why there is a big hole at the position. If he was reliable or any good they wouldn’t be trying to fill the position with someone better off the street or through the draft. Blows me away that going into his 4th year we are having this debate.

 

[mgteich]

Patience, folks. Campbell/Wilson/Bradbury/Onweno/Moses is an NFL quality o-line. They need time to gel.

Until we start hearing projected starters go to IR this is a decent group.

There will be growing pains and injuries where starters may miss a game or two. It's when reserves start playing entire seasons in when we should be worried.

Add Strange as a backup at LG and C and I agree that that we have a serviceable IOL Strange is also NFL quality. So, barring injuries, we have a below average NFL quality OL, plenty good enough for a playoff run.

Is SIX NFL quality OL's enough for a long season? I have little confidence in the rest. Should any be in the NFL? Personally, I don't know about Wallace and Robinson. Perhaps, they can be developed.