We Have SOME Clarification On The OL?

[203Pat]

You said 1’s and 2’s… stop lying.

And now he isn't. Cry more.

 

[mgteich]

I think the Patriots are trying to build their program up from ground zero. Strange isn’t one of “their guys,” he was from the previous regime. More importantly he is in a contract year, coming off a serious knee injury and if Vrabel’s history in Tennessee proves anything he likes massive offensive linemen.

Jared Wilson is massive for a center, big for a guard, bigger than Strange, cheaper than Strange for the next 4 years on a cost controlled contract.

Spending on a guard now when you don’t have to isn’t smart, especially if Sow is healthy and can step in there tomorrow. The Pats cap for next year is swelling. You can find guards, they’re out there.

Strange will want to start, and Vrabel has been adamant about wanting players who want to be here. Pretty simple….

So, your choice with regard to transitioning to Vrabel's guys is to keep an injured Sow instead of Strange. I'm not a buyer. Sow's best chance to have a future in the NFL is for him to be on the Practice Squad.
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We can have 3 IOL backups if we wish. WALLACE seems a lock at this point. We can have one or two more. I would choose STRANGE and either ROBINSON or BROWN (if BRADBURY is really as limited as he has looked so far). IMO, there are much better uses of a 10th OL spot than Sow. I would rather have a 5th OT or carry only 9 OL's than have Sow on the 53.

 

[mgteich]

I will never understand the "he started games so he can't be a JAG" argument. There are plenty of players on every single team every single year who start games for teams who are JAGs. Strange started (and was drafted) in 2022 because Bill bungled the guard position and had to fill a hole he created. Then the next year Bill took 3 IOL in the middle of the draft which wasn't exactly a vote of confidence in Strange.

I don’t think Strange was a bad player. I think he was thoroughly average. He struggled against good defensive linemen and held his own against average ones. He certainly wasn't worthy of a first round pick because he was just a guy. Now he is just a guy coming off a major injury which barely even makes him roster worthy.

To me JAG is a season veteran who is usually a backup and can be depended on to start if needed. Having JAG's at the bottom of the roster is a very good thing.

 

[203Pat]

To me JAG is a season veteran who is usually a backup and can be depended on to start if needed. Having JAG's at the bottom of the roster is a very good thing.

A guy like Ted Karras was a JAG. A versatile backup who could start if needed, and that is mainly what he was here for. To me, he and Strange were about the same level of player, but people always seemed to elevate Strange because of his status as a first-round pick. Post-injury, I don’t think Strange is at even a JAG level anymore and is now a fringe roster type.

 

[signbabybrady]

He ran with the ones for under a week and by most reports has been passed out by Ben Brown at backup center and losing reps at backup LG to Wallace. Keep up.

Brown is an actual center and Strange is a guard who can fill in at center. I even made the same mistake a few posts back but we shouldn't automatically assume Brown is ahead of Strange just because Brown is ahead of him as a center. It could just mean he snaps better and not necessarily block better.

With the info we have I think both making it is still very much on the table. As Wozzy has been pointing out you can look at Strange and say they've been moving him around and he doesn't really have a place or you can say they are building up his versatility.

Bottom line is we are barely putting out a top 5 that we all trust so I would hesitate to make too many assumptions about our depth right now it could shake out multiple ways that would not surprise me.

Everyone's opinions can vary but similar to WR we aren't talking about world beaters and I'm more concerned that very few seem to actually be separating themselves from the pack. Wilson and Boutte seem to have established themselves with the top group but not much else.

 

[signbabybrady]

A guy like Ted Karras was a JAG. A versatile backup who could start if needed, and that is mainly what he was here for. To me, he and Strange were about the same level of player, but people always seemed to elevate Strange because of his status as a first-round pick. Post-injury, I don’t think Strange is at even a JAG level anymore and is now a fringe roster type.

I think the opposite was more true of Strange. People have and still continue to hold his being a reach against him. Post injury is another story we obviously saw very little last year and so far he's seemingly at least been moved to second string.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I will never understand the "he started games so he can't be a JAG" argument. There are plenty of players on every single team every single year who start games for teams who are JAGs. Strange started (and was drafted) in 2022 because Bill bungled the guard position and had to fill a hole he created. Then the next year Bill took 3 IOL in the middle of the draft which wasn't exactly a vote of confidence in Strange.

I don’t think Strange was a bad player. I think he was thoroughly average. He struggled against good defensive linemen and held his own against average ones. He certainly wasn't worthy of a first round pick because he was just a guy. Now he is just a guy coming off a major injury which barely even makes him roster worthy.

A "thoroughly average" player is not a JAG. It appears as though there are only two types of players to you, All Pros and JAGs. JAGs are players that can be replaced by any other player, Just Another Guy. Strange could not be replaced by any other player. You will never understand the "he started games so he can't be a JAG argument" because you do not understand what a JAG is.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

To me JAG is a season veteran who is usually a backup and can be depended on to start if needed. Having JAG's at the bottom of the roster is a very good thing.

JAG means Just Another Guy. JAG is not a season veteran. JAGs are swapped in and out.

 

[mgteich]

Brown is an actual center and Strange is a guard who can fill in at center. I even made the same mistake a few posts back but we shouldn't automatically assume Brown is ahead of Strange just because Brown is ahead of him as a center. It could just mean he snaps better and not necessarily block better.

With the info we have I think both making it is still very much on the table. As Wozzy has been pointing out you can look at Strange and say they've been moving him around and he doesn't really have a place or you can say they are building up his versatility.

Bottom line is we are barely putting out a top 5 that we all trust so I would hesitate to make too many assumptions about our depth right now it could shake out multiple ways that would not surprise me.

Everyone's opinions can vary but similar to WR we aren't talking about world beaters and I'm more concerned that very few seem to actually be separating themselves from the pack. Wilson and Boutte seem to have established themselves with the top group but not much else.

Let us presume that we have starters Wilson, Bradbury and Onwenu, noting that Wilson is also a backup or even a starting center.

STRANGE can backup at all three positions, but is most needed at LG, especially if Wilson moves to center if Bradbury doesn't look good.
WALLACE is a backup at both OG spots
BROWN is a backup center
ROBINSON is a backup right guard who MIGHT be develop into a 2026 starter (ditto for Wallace)

IF THERE IS AN INJURY, WHAT WANT TO DO
to WILSON: I would start Strange
to BRADBURY: I would start WILSON at center and Strange at LG (but it might be better to play BROWN and leave WILSON at LG)
to ONWENU : I would start WALLACE (but ROBINSON may be a better choice)

The ODD MAN OUT could be STRANGE, BROWN or ROBINSON or both BROWN and ROBINSON

My WAG for odd man out is BROWN.

 

[signbabybrady]

Let us presume that we have starters Wilson, Bradbury and Onwenu, noting that Wilson is also a backup or even a starting center.

STRANGE can backup at all three positions, but is most needed at LG, especially if Wilson moves to center if Bradbury doesn't look good.
WALLACE is a backup at both OG spots
BROWN is a backup center
ROBINSON is a backup right guard who MIGHT be develop into a 2026 starter (ditto for Wallace)

IF THERE IS AN INJURY, WHAT WANT TO DO
to WILSON: I would start Strange
to BRADBURY: I would start WILSON at center and Strange at LG (but it might be better to play BROWN and leave WILSON at LG)
to ONWENU : I would start WALLACE (but ROBINSON may be a better choice)

The ODD MAN OUT could be STRANGE, BROWN or ROBINSON or both BROWN and ROBINSON

My WAG for odd man out is BROWN.

Interesting. 2 notes: Wallace sucked at RT but still deserves that on his versatility list. And seems like Brown is the least versatile but also the next best snapper behind Bradbury which muddies things a bit.

PS I can't remember a year where I've been so indecisive and this goes for WR too. I just can't split the difference in the last few spots.

 

[captain stone]

IOL backups (pick 2-3)
Strange, Wallace, Brown, L. Robinson

Strange69, and how now Brown, Sow.

Wallace & Laydown, Robinson both ****ing Suck, same as the nepo-tards who drafted them.

 

[203Pat]

I think the opposite was more true of Strange. People have and still continue to hold his being a reach against him. Post injury is another story we obviously saw very little last year and so far he's seemingly at least been moved to second string.

I get what you're saying as far as the opposite perspective on Strange. I do think there is an obvious degree of disappointment as to how his career has panned out here, but as far as Strange potentially starting, it seems like some people are trying to will it into existence as a last grasp to justify the draft status.

Brown is an actual center and Strange is a guard who can fill in at center. I even made the same mistake a few posts back but we shouldn't automatically assume Brown is ahead of Strange just because Brown is ahead of him as a center. It could just mean he snaps better and not necessarily block better.

With the info we have I think both making it is still very much on the table. As Wozzy has been pointing out you can look at Strange and say they've been moving him around and he doesn't really have a place or you can say they are building up his versatility.

Bottom line is we are barely putting out a top 5 that we all trust so I would hesitate to make too many assumptions about our depth right now it could shake out multiple ways that would not surprise me.

Everyone's opinions can vary but similar to WR we aren't talking about world beaters and I'm more concerned that very few seem to actually be separating themselves from the pack. Wilson and Boutte seem to have established themselves with the top group but not much else.

Reading the tea leaves at the center this offseason makes me think the current staff doesn't view Strange as a center much, if at all. They re-signed Ben Brown, drafted a center, and then signed one in free agency. One or two of those moves I would say maybe they think he can be a backup at center if need be, but that is a decent investment into the position if they thought there was already a guy on the roster who could play the position. With that being said, it seems like Strange's only real chance to make the roster is at LG. Maybe the plan is to let Wilson get his feet wet at guard and then transition him into center later in the season once he gets the playbook down, and that keeps Strange in the mix for a backup LG spot, but he would still need to beat out Wallace, which is no lock either.

A "thoroughly average" player is not a JAG. It appears as though there are only two types of players to you, All Pros and JAGs. JAGs are players that can be replaced by any other player, Just Another Guy. Strange could not be replaced by any other player. You will never understand the "he started games so he can't be a JAG argument" because you do not understand what a JAG is.

To me thoroughly average is a JAG. If other people feel differently about what constitutes a JAG I won't argue the semantics of it but to me Strange is "just a guy". If me calling him a JAG offends you then fine, he was an average football player who could start games but isn't really a "plus" level player at his position.

 

[signbabybrady]

I get what you're saying as far as the opposite perspective on Strange. I do think there is an obvious degree of disappointment as to how his career has panned out here, but as far as Strange potentially starting, it seems like some people are trying to will it into existence as a last grasp to justify the draft status.

Reading the tea leaves at the center this offseason makes me think the current staff doesn't view Strange as a center much, if at all. They re-signed Ben Brown, drafted a center, and then signed one in free agency. One or two of those moves I would say maybe they think he can be a backup at center if need be, but that is a decent investment into the position if they thought there was already a guy on the roster who could play the position. With that being said, it seems like Strange's only real chance to make the roster is at LG. Maybe the plan is to let Wilson get his feet wet at guard and then transition him into center later in the season once he gets the playbook down, and that keeps Strange in the mix for a backup LG spot, but he would still need to beat out Wallace, which is no lock either.

To me thoroughly average is a JAG. If other people feel differently about what constitutes a JAG I won't argue the semantics of it but to me Strange is "just a guy". If me calling him a JAG offends you then fine, he was an average football player who could start games but isn't really a "plus" level player at his position.

You can count me as one who has been trying to will it into existence unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working lol. I still find it hard to believe he doesn't wind up one of our better backups but even that is hard to predict. Other than Wilson joining the starters who amongst our depth has truly stepped up and grabbed a stronghold on their role?

 

[mgteich]

Strange69, and how now Brown, Sow.

Wallace & Laydown, Robinson both ****ing Suck, same as the nepo-tards who drafted them.

Most of us enjoy your nicknames, but who are your picks for IOL backups?

 

[captain stone]

So, your choice with regard to transitioning to Vrabel's guys is to keep an injured Sow instead of Strange. I'm not a buyer. Sow's best chance to have a future in the NFL is for him to be on the Practice Squad.
=========
We can have 3 IOL backups if we wish. WALLACE seems a lock at this point. We can have one or two more. I would choose STRANGE and either ROBINSON or BROWN (if BRADBURY is really as limited as he has looked so far). IMO, there are much better uses of a 10th OL spot than Sow. I would rather have a 5th OT or carry only 9 OL's than have Sow on the 53.

Why is Wallace a lock? Dude ****ing Sucks. If he can't beat-out VD Low, Jacobs, Conley & Jellybean Bryant for one of the two backup OT gigs then there's no place for him on this 53 and to waivers he must go.

 

[203Pat]

You can count me as one who has been trying to will it into existence unfortunately it doesn't seem to be working lol. I still find it hard to believe he doesn't wind up one of our better backups but even that is hard to predict. Other than Wilson joining the starters who amongst our depth has truly stepped up and grabbed a stronghold on their role?

It seems like we have a good idea on 4/5 starters on the offensive line (provided all are healthy in week 1), but I agree the backup spots are still in flux. If Strange hadn’t suffered that injury last year (late in 2023), I would give him a better shot to make the roster, but for a guy who was viewed as more of an athlete than a physical guard to have a major knee injury, you have to think that zapped some of that athleticism. When you look at how much investment has been made into IOL by 3 consecutive regimes, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of confidence in Strange.

 

[captain stone]

Most of us enjoy your nicknames, but who are your picks for IOL backups?

Strange69, Ben Brown & Siddy the Sow. I'd give Alec Lindstrom more consideration if I had more of him to evaluate.

I'd also consider Jack Conley before I would either Wallace or Robinson, that's how little I think of them... though they're still way better than the two blocking dummies Ty Robinson & Messy Butler.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

To me thoroughly average is a JAG. If other people feel differently about what constitutes a JAG I won't argue the semantics of it but to me Strange is "just a guy". If me calling him a JAG offends you then fine, he was an average football player who could start games but isn't really a "plus" level player at his position.

Offends me? Dude, this is an Internet message board.

JAG is a Bill Parcells' term to indicate a player who is easily replaceable. A starter, Strange or any other starter, can be replaced but there will most likely be a dropoff in performance (unless the starter is horrible) so starters are most likely not "easily replaceable". "Easily replaceable" are the guys that are swapped in and out with very little change in performance. Parcells defined the term. You are using the term incorrectly. @mgteich is using it incorrectly as well.

 

[n1997y]

Cole Strange got more work in on Monday behind Mike Onwenu at right guard, which has been the case in recent practices. Perhaps the goal is to see if he can handle the versatility on both sides, possibly giving him an opportunity as Vrabel and the coaching staff continue trying to figure out thier depth chart. …

He ran with the ones for under a week and by most reports has been passed out by Ben Brown at backup center and losing reps at backup LG to Wallace. Keep up.

He’d be a truly unique talent if he could play LG and RG at the same time.

Of course he’s losing reps at LG if he’s taking reps at RG.

 

[mgteich]

He’d be a truly unique talent if he could play LG and RG at the same time.

Of course he’s losing reps at LG if he’s taking reps at RG.

Both Strange and Wallace can backup at both OG roster spots. That seems a good thing to me.