We Have SOME Clarification On The OL?

[mgteich]

It seems that we have some clarification on the OL. Seven seem fairly likely for now.
CENTER
Bradbury, Brown

GUARDS
Onwenu, Wilson

TACKLES
Campbell, Moses, Bryant
=============
STILL COMPETING (choose 1-3)
Wallace
Lowe
Jacobs
Strange
Robinson
Robinson
Sow

 

[signbabybrady]

I just can't get a read on how Vrabel feels about Strange. Obviously it looks like Wilson is giving him a run for his money.

But is Strange getting a little bit of vet treatment perhaps because of his knee? No one is suggesting Bryant has passed Moses yet we bury Strange.

Despite what we all perceive as a demotion to Wilson the last week or so Strange was an off-season award winner. I don't know if you call it a captain but they sent him out for the coin toss today which is usually something Captains do during the season. And then late in the game when Lindstrom got dinged up it was interesting to see Strange out there and then for Vrabel to use a timeout just to spare him the snap and sent Lindstrom back out.

I think maybe they still like Strange and Wilson is ascending.

 

[Wozzy]

I just can't get a read on how Vrabel feels about Strange. Obviously it looks like Wilson is giving him a run for his money.

But is Strange getting a little bit of vet treatment perhaps because of his knee? No one is suggesting Bryant has passed Moses yet we bury Strange.

Despite what we all perceive as a demotion to Wilson the last week or so Strange was an off-season award winner. I don't know if you call it a captain but they sent him out for the coin toss today which is usually something Captains do during the season. And then late in the game when Lindstrom got dinged up it was interesting to see Strange out there and then for Vrabel to use a timeout just to spare him the snap and sent Lindstrom back out.

I think maybe they still like Strange and Wilson is ascending.

Strange is in a contract year, Wilson is looking strong and the rookie is cheap.

Jacobs looks like he’ll stick. Sow might start the season on the injury list.

 

[rkarp1]

It seems that we have some clarification on the OL. Seven seem fairly likely for now.
CENTER
Bradbury, Brown

GUARDS
Onwenu, Wilson

TACKLES
Campbell, Moses, Bryant
=============
STILL COMPETING (choose 1-3)
Lowe
Jacobs
Strange
Robinson
Robinson
Sow

I think this is pretty accurate
I also believe McD wants to maul defenders in the run game. thats simply not Strange. it might be L Robinson
I believe Lowe is a lock or traded. he can play in the league at an effective level. teams need that player, including the Pats.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think this is pretty accurate
I also believe McD wants to maul defenders in the run game. thats simply not Strange. it might be L Robinson
I believe Lowe is a lock or traded. he can play in the league at an effective level. teams need that player, including the Pats.

I agree on Strange, he’s more of a technician than a power offensive lineman, I think they will try to get something for him, but his deal may make that untenable. I disagree completely on Lowe, I have never see him play a good game.

 

[Family]

I just can't get a read on how Vrabel feels about Strange. Obviously it looks like Wilson is giving him a run for his money.

But is Strange getting a little bit of vet treatment perhaps because of his knee? No one is suggesting Bryant has passed Moses yet we bury Strange.

Despite what we all perceive as a demotion to Wilson the last week or so Strange was an off-season award winner. I don't know if you call it a captain but they sent him out for the coin toss today which is usually something Captains do during the season. And then late in the game when Lindstrom got dinged up it was interesting to see Strange out there and then for Vrabel to use a timeout just to spare him the snap and sent Lindstrom back out.

I think maybe they still like Strange and Wilson is ascending.

I think the only OL locks (barring trade) are the starters Campbell/Wilson/Bradbury/Onwenu/Moses. Wallace is also highly likely to stick.

Bryant took a step forward, but when Lowe returns, and if Jacobs comes on, backup tackle is still up for grabs.

They keep Strange unless they can get something in return,. It won't be a dump.

I'm not sure where Sow stands.

 

[Triumph]

Still not sold on Willie Campbell.

He couldn't reach the fumble by Maye.

 

[Ross12]

I just can't get a read on how Vrabel feels about Strange. Obviously it looks like Wilson is giving him a run for his money.

But is Strange getting a little bit of vet treatment perhaps because of his knee? No one is suggesting Bryant has passed Moses yet we bury Strange.

Despite what we all perceive as a demotion to Wilson the last week or so Strange was an off-season award winner. I don't know if you call it a captain but they sent him out for the coin toss today which is usually something Captains do during the season. And then late in the game when Lindstrom got dinged up it was interesting to see Strange out there and then for Vrabel to use a timeout just to spare him the snap and sent Lindstrom back out.

I think maybe they still like Strange and Wilson is ascending.

One thing to keep in mind is that Strange's money (around $3.8M) is fully guaranteed. He seems like an unlikely trade candidate, so ultimately, they're paying him whether he's on the team or not. It'll come down to whether some other reserve guard is better than him and also worth paying to keep. Strange has guard/center versatility, and they used him on both the left and right side in the game, so IMO it would be wild not to keep a guy who can potentially fill all 3 spots if/when there's an injury, and whose cost is already baked in.

 

[mgteich]

One thing to keep in mind is that Strange's money (around $3.8M) is fully guaranteed. He seems like an unlikely trade candidate, so ultimately, they're paying him whether he's on the team or not. It'll come down to whether some other reserve guard is better than him and also worth paying to keep. Strange has guard/center versatility, and they used him on both the left and right side in the game, so IMO it would be wild not to keep a guy who can potentially fill all 3 spots if/when there's an injury, and whose cost is already baked in.

Sure, I'd rather keep Strange as a backup we can count on for this year. If staff is sold on Sow for the future, I suppose we could keep him, but I wouldn't.

However, I don't this contract is as huge a deal as folks make out. Someone will want him and a 7th for a 7th. We MIGHT even need to keep him for a day of two after the final cut and then make a trade.

 

[Thelonious]

I guess I'd say they have a shot at being an average O-line. Given recent O-line history for the Pats, I'd call that a really good state of affairs, a more positive outlook than we've had for some time.

 

[Family]

It seems that we have some clarification on the OL. Seven seem fairly likely for now.
CENTER
Bradbury, Brown

GUARDS
Onwenu, Wilson

TACKLES
Campbell, Moses, Bryant
=============
STILL COMPETING (choose 1-3)
Lowe
Jacobs
Strange
Robinson
Robinson
Sow

We're not far apart, but after reconsidering, Strange played RT yesterday. They're grooming him to be the primary backup at 3 positions. I think they keep him as the sixth OL. He'll have a chance to be more. Someone won't play every game.

I think you are right about Bryant. He has the inside track. It's probably one of two between Jacobs and Lowe, and then one of the rest.

Locks:

CENTER
Bradbury

GUARDS
Onwenu, Wilson

TACKLES
Campbell, Moses
=============

Likely:

Strange, Wallace, Bryant,

(choose 1-2)
Lowe
Jacobs
Brown
Robinson
Robinson
Sow

 

[State]

Only about Marcus Bryant. Kid's a lot better than I thought. Not a box of rocks.

Campbell is a nasty run blocker. Pass blocking is suspect. Such a short wingspan. But he's a tone setter in the run game.

And Jared Wilson is a complete player. I wish we had someone else in the pipeline at center so he could stay at LG.

Captain Stone is correct that Kobee Minor, the wasted pick as Mr Irrelevant should have been Ohio State's Seth McLaughlin.

 

[Ross12]

Center: Bradbury, Brown
Guard: Onwenu, Wilson, Strange, Wallace
Tackle: Campbell, Moses, Bryant, Jacobs

Bradbury starts at center but could lose his job to Brown at some point.

Strange is a 3 spot backup, able to cover either guard position or be the third center.

Wallace, for whatever reason, I think they like and want to keep developing. He becomes the fourth guard.

Bryant becomes a backup RT who might spell Moses from time to time or play as a sixth OL.

Jacobs becomes the swing tackle.

Sow goes on IR, Lowe gets traded, one of the two (maybe both) Robinsons go to the practice squad.

 

[Wozzy]

Sure, I'd rather keep Strange as a backup we can count on for this year. If staff is sold on Sow for the future, I suppose we could keep him, but I wouldn't.

However, I don't this contract is as huge a deal as folks make out. Someone will want him and a 7th for a 7th. We MIGHT even need to keep him for a day of two after the final cut and then make a trade.

Strange is trying out for all 32 teams, he needs to showcase that he’s healthy. The Pats can hold him if they see a hole behind the starters… frankly Sow is injured and none of the other interior line players look particularly good.

But either way… contract always comes into play. He needs to get paid after this contract ends. He probably thinks he can start elsewhere and likely can. So he’s only a one year rental or a trade candidate.

 

[Wozzy]

I think this is pretty accurate
I also believe McD wants to maul defenders in the run game. thats simply not Strange. it might be L Robinson
I believe Lowe is a lock or traded. he can play in the league at an effective level. teams need that player, including the Pats.

A smaller weaker Layden Robinson is a “maul defender” in your mind?

Strange is bigger, stronger, better… it’s up to the Pats if they want to hold onto him. It depends on the depth behind the starters.

 

[p8ryts]

Center: Bradbury, Brown
Guard: Onwenu, Wilson, Strange, Wallace
Tackle: Campbell, Moses, Bryant, Jacobs

Bradbury starts at center but could lose his job to Brown at some point.

Strange is a 3 spot backup, able to cover either guard position or be the third center.

Wallace, for whatever reason, I think they like and want to keep developing. He becomes the fourth guard.

Bryant becomes a backup RT who might spell Moses from time to time or play as a sixth OL.

Jacobs becomes the swing tackle.

Sow goes on IR, Lowe gets traded, one of the two (maybe both) Robinsons go to the practice squad.

I just can't buy Brown at Center.

 

[Ring 6]

I just can't buy Brown at Center.

Me either.

 

[mgteich]

Me either.

Me either.

The debate among posters seems to revolve around whether Strange is an OK BACKUP. I certainly think that he is. He can back-up at 3 positions with 1-2 more IOL backups. I think that we all expect 4 OT's.
========
I suspect that Strange and Wallace can be the IOL backups, but one more may be needed, or not.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I just can't get a read on how Vrabel feels about Strange. Obviously it looks like Wilson is giving him a run for his money.

But is Strange getting a little bit of vet treatment perhaps because of his knee? No one is suggesting Bryant has passed Moses yet we bury Strange.

Despite what we all perceive as a demotion to Wilson the last week or so Strange was an off-season award winner. I don't know if you call it a captain but they sent him out for the coin toss today which is usually something Captains do during the season. And then late in the game when Lindstrom got dinged up it was interesting to see Strange out there and then for Vrabel to use a timeout just to spare him the snap and sent Lindstrom back out.

I think maybe they still like Strange and Wilson is ascending.

This is a great post. Thanks for the insight.

 

[Urgent]

It seems that we have some clarification on the OL. Seven seem fairly likely for now.
CENTER
Bradbury, Brown

GUARDS
Onwenu, Wilson

TACKLES
Campbell, Moses, Bryant
=============
STILL COMPETING (choose 1-3)
Lowe
Jacobs
Strange
Robinson
Robinson
Sow

I think you want Wallace on this list.
Prospective starting line is Campbell Wilson Bradbury Onwenu Moses.
Bryant and Jacobs have been the backup tackles. Lowe has been out.
Both Lowe and Jacobs were pretty poor last year. A bad LT is probably more valuable than a bad RT so Lowe could come back and claim a spot over Jacobs.
Brown is clearly the backup C.
Wallace can backup G or T.
Strange can back up C or either G position and is a former first round pick. He offers versatility that Sow and the Robinsons don’t.
I’d go Bryant Strange Brown Wallace Jacobs behind the starters.