Will Pats cut Bradbury? [OG title mentioned a non-existent option bonus]

[One-If-By-Sea]

It all can be true, one staff was trying to develop Sow and Robinson and another staff is trying to develop Wilson. Posters are right because the current staff is trying to develop Wilson.

I feel pretty confident that if Wilson start at center that he will finish in the top half of all Centers.

I think the fact that Vrabel's staff is developing the player is a valid argument to what has changed and is reason for optimism related to Wilson. Having said that, Wilson did not look good at the end of the season. Usually players that are going to be good starters improve over the rookie year like Woodson did.

I feel really confident that if we sign Linderbaum he will have one All-Pro year after another which will help Drake shine. I am not sure finishing in the top half of centers is what we want for Drake.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

In my mind - they don’t have a GLARING need at center. It could be better, but Bradbury is at least somewhat OK, and they will give Wilson the chance to win that job, at which point the position should be fine. Conversely, they have a glaring hole at LG - Wilson wasn’t very good and they don’t have anyone much better rostered. They need to be spending their free agent dollars there.

I could see the argument for signing both a guard AND a center, but I can’t imagine they want to put that much into the OL when they also will be wanting to probably sign a TE, a WR, a LB, maybe multiple DEs, an extension for Gonzo… etc. It would also basically be relegating Wilson to a backup job immediately and for the near future.

The scenario I really like is signing a veteran LG and then McGovern for C. Leave Onwenu on a one year deal because with his past weight issues I'm not jumping at an extension. Looking ahead to 2027, you can put Wilson in at center and move McGovern to either guard spot that he's played before. Between how the veteran LG looks and Onwenu's situation you can play it as it goes while still getting immediate improvement.

 

[Ross12]

The scenario I really like is signing a veteran LG and then McGovern for C. Leave Onwenu on a one year deal because with his past weight issues I'm not jumping at an extension. Looking ahead to 2027, you can put Wilson in at center and move McGovern to either guard spot that he's played before. Between how the veteran LG looks and Onwenu's situation you can play it as it goes while still getting immediate improvement.

Big brain plan - sign both McGovern and Edwards off of Buffalo’s OL. Fix NE’s line and significantly weaken Buffalo’s line at the same time

 

[Stu Pidassle]

I agree.

But we thought we were developing Sidy Sow and Layden Robinson. Now PatsFans says we are developing Jared Wilson. We were wrong about Sow, we were wrong about Robinson, can you explain why PatsFans is right this time about Wilson?

Thankfully Patsfans does not make decisions for the team., LOL Development only works if there is talent worth developing. Even the best plan that ensures that all players maximize their potential in the NFL will fail if the wrong players are picked. Drafting is an inexact science, not every pick works out. If Wilson fails to take a step forward next year, chalk it up to a missed choice and move on.

 

[dliverey44]

I think the fact that Vrabel's staff is developing the player is a valid argument to what has changed and is reason for optimism related to Wilson. Having said that, Wilson did not look good at the end of the season. Usually players that are going to be good starters improve over the rookie year like Woodson did.

I feel really confident that if we sign Linderbaum he will have one All-Pro year after another which will help Drake shine. I am not sure finishing in the top half of centers is what we want for Drake.

I agree that Linderbaum will put together an all pro year, but LG is still a concern. I am not sure where you stand on the LG move to be made. But WIlson can't stay at LG and I don't think Ben Brown is much of an upgrade beside their lack of production I think a good vet would benefit Campbell. This is one of the reasons that I am leaning LG Edwards over Linderbaum, assuming money is similar.

If we move from Diggs, it would be possible to sign Lindy and Edwards. Redo Owenu with a 2 year extension to lower the cap number and then we are Looking at WC-Edwards-Lindy-Owenu-Moses/rookie and let Wilson and Brown back up OG/C along with any other rookies that join the fight.

 

[mgteich]

In 2024, we spent a 3rd round pick on a RT and expected him to start at LT, or at least have him develop into a LT.
In 2025, we spend a 3rd pick on a center and expected him to be a starter at LG.
=======
PERHAPS, Vrabel is planning to try to develop Wallace into a LG backup and Wilson as a center. Vrabel doubled down and apparently considers Wallace to be a LG.
========
BOTTOM LINE
Vrabel considered Wilson to be so good a prospect at LG that he cut Strange in order to develop Wilson as a LG. Vrabel even re-signed and extended a backup to Wilson, so that there would be no question with regard to who would start.

At center, Vrabel brought in a veteran starter on a 3-year contract and had Brown be his backup.
==========
WHY IS THE CONCLUSION
that Vrabel will have Wlson start this year at center after having him spend a year to learn the LG position (of course, Wilson was injured for much of the season). There is zero evidence that Vrabel will move from his 2025 plan to start and develop two rookies on the left side. He was the first coach to do this. He seemed OK with the results until they were injured.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I agree that Linderbaum will put together an all pro year, but LG is still a concern. I am not sure where you stand on the LG move to be made. But WIlson can't stay at LG and I don't think Ben Brown is much of an upgrade beside their lack of production I think a good vet would benefit Campbell. This is one of the reasons that I am leaning LG Edwards over Linderbaum, assuming money is similar.

If we move from Diggs, it would be possible to sign Lindy and Edwards. Redo Owenu with a 2 year extension to lower the cap number and then we are Looking at WC-Edwards-Lindy-Owenu-Moses/rookie and let Wilson and Brown back up OG/C along with any other rookies that join the fight.

I agree with most all of that. Two other options are AVT and James Daniels on lower dollar "prove it" contracts in addition to Edwards and Lindy, or a R1 rookie at RG or LG. I think the IOL needs a young strong guy, not a weak guy like Strange, or a 3rd or 4th rounder with warts. I think Drake will be fantastic if the IOL can maintain room for him to step up. A collapsing pocket is bad news for Drake.

Redoing Onwenu's contract to add 2 more years also has to drop the yearly amount and I don't know if that will happen. Might have to cut him and resign him once no-one pays him at the level we are paying. Onwenu is OK, not great, and overpaid. I know PatsFans loves Onwenu.

 

[mgteich]

Redoing Onwenu's contract to add 2 more years also has to drop the yearly amount and I don't know if that will happen. Might have to cut him and resign him once no-one pays him at the level we are paying.

The yearly amount is $17M. I agree that cutting him makes sense. Or we can simply allow his agent to speak to other teams.
==========
I strongly disagree with extending Onwenu in order to lower his average compensation. There is ZERO owed to him. If we want to sign him (continue his contract) for $17M so bit. We can offer less and see what he would accept.

Are you suggesting that perhaps Onwenu is worth $8M a year so we should offer him a new contract for $24M/3 years.

For me, the real question is what he worth for 2026. If we cannot sign him to an amount acceptable, he should go as soon as we sign a free agent RG.

 

[dliverey44]

I agree with most all of that. Two other options are AVT and James Daniels on lower dollar "prove it" contracts in addition to Edwards and Lindy, or a R1 rookie at RG or LG. I think the IOL needs a young strong guy, not a weak guy like Strange, or a 3rd or 4th rounder with warts. I think Drake will be fantastic if the IOL can maintain room for him to step up. A collapsing pocket is bad news for Drake.

Redoing Onwenu's contract to add 2 more years also has to drop the yearly amount and I don't know if that will happen. Might have to cut him and resign him once no-one pays him at the level we are paying. Onwenu is OK, not great, and overpaid. I know PatsFans loves Onwenu.

I am not overly fond of Owenu but he is a very good RG, sure he has issues but most players do. He is set to make 17.5M and honestly his play warrants that price, imo. I would not be opposed to trading Owenu (if possible) and bringing in AVT but I do think that is a downgrade.

Imo, Owenu is above average/very good RG. He has blocked multiple players on numerous occasions, he will peel off to pick up a late blitzer or stunt (not an easy thing to do and he does not always make the extra block) I have seen other good guards not accomplish this task, but I would say Owenu is on better at this than most OGs. He has a good anchor, but he does get rolled at times as does every OLman at some point. The biggest thing for me is that he durable, he has played at least 15 games in all but one season. He has also never had more than 4 penalties in a season according pro football reference. I do wish he had more mobility, but give me a slow guy that can block over a fast guy that is a below average blocker.

I am curious, why are you so down on Owenu??

I do think Maye will be amazing with a good/above average OL but I think it will help the run game significantly and open up more of McD's playbook.

 

[mgteich]

I agree that Linderbaum will put together an all pro year, but LG is still a concern. I am not sure where you stand on the LG move to be made. But WIlson can't stay at LG and I don't think Ben Brown is much of an upgrade beside their lack of production I think a good vet would benefit Campbell. This is one of the reasons that I am leaning LG Edwards over Linderbaum, assuming money is similar.

A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW
We played two rookies at LT and LG. The plan COULD very well be to continue that situation for another year and let them develop in their 2nd year, hopefully with more knowledgeable of our systems and more health.

Lowe and Brown would continue to be backups, although adding a backup veteran might happen at LT or LG. Presumably, we would draft RG and/or RT.

Surely, adding Lindenbaum would greatly increase the level of play of the line, even with no other changes. Consider Lindenbaum an upgrade to Bradbury. Both guards would better with Lindenbaum anchoring the OL.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I am not overly fond of Owenu but he is a very good RG, sure he has issues but most players do. He is set to make 17.5M and honestly his play warrants that price, imo. I would not be opposed to trading Owenu (if possible) and bringing in AVT but I do think that is a downgrade.

Imo, Owenu is above average/very good RG. He has blocked multiple players on numerous occasions, he will peel off to pick up a late blitzer or stunt (not an easy thing to do and he does not always make the extra block) I have seen other good guards not accomplish this task, but I would say Owenu is on better at this than most OGs. He has a good anchor, but he does get rolled at times as does every OLman at some point. The biggest thing for me is that he durable, he has played at least 15 games in all but one season. He has also never had more than 4 penalties in a season according pro football reference. I do wish he had more mobility, but give me a slow guy that can block over a fast guy that is a below average blocker.

I am curious, why are you so down on Owenu??

I do think Maye will be amazing with a good/above average OL but I think it will help the run game significantly and open up more of McD's playbook.

I am not down on Onwenu. I think he is overpaid and there are other options in FA for that money.

 

[dliverey44]

I am not down on Onwenu. I think he is overpaid and there are other options in FA for that money.

Welp I made an ass out of me because I assumed

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Welp I made an ass out of me because I assumed

It is all good. Only a message board - who cares?

 

[JoeSixPat]

Sign Tyler Lindenbaum at C

Draft Calem Lomu to compete for LG, RT of the future and backup LT.

Having a pro bowl C in his prime will be a huge help to the OL for years to come

To me this makes more sense than spending even more for a FA at LG as Lindenbaum would probably be at $18 mil compared to well in the 20s for pro bowl LG

 

[dliverey44]

Sign Tyler Lindenbaum at C

Draft Calem Lomu to compete for LG, RT of the future and backup LT.

Having a pro bowl C in his prime will be a huge help to the OL for years to come

To me this makes more sense than spending even more for a FA at LG as Lindenbaum would probably be at $18 mil compared to well in the 20s for pro bowl LG

I get your rational, but im willing to bet that Linderbaum gets in the 20's

 

[JoeSixPat]

I get your rational, but im willing to bet that Linderbaum gets in the 20's

The average of the Top 5 paid Cs in the league is around $15 million

If he got $18 million a season he would be THE TOP paid Center in the NFL

I don't think he would refuse such a deal and hold out for over $20 million when everyone knows the Ravens declined his 5th year option because it was around that much.

Those advocating for spending at LG or LT are going to cost you a lot more than Center, which to me is part of the reason why you get more bang for your buck with a pro-bowl vet at that position while we address LG and backup T through the draft.

 

[DaBruinz]

Could a MOD change the title of this thread since Bradbury doesn't have an OPTION to be picked up.....

@patchick @Ross12 @Ian

 

[DaBruinz]

The average of the Top 5 paid Cs in the league is around $15 million

If he got $18 million a season he would be THE TOP paid Center in the NFL

I don't think he would refuse such a deal and hold out for over $20 million when everyone knows the Ravens declined his 5th year option because it was around that much.

Those advocating for spending at LG or LT are going to cost you a lot more than Center, which to me is part of the reason why you get more bang for your buck with a pro-bowl vet at that position while we address LG and backup T through the draft.

Creed Humprhey currently gets 18M/yr AAV.. The number bandied around by the pundits for Linderbaum is 20+M. One reason is because his 5th yr option would have been over 23M because he was elected to the Pro-Bowl each of his 1st two years. The rumor is that Linderbaum was offered 20M AAV but turned it down. But you know how rumors are..

Linderbaum went 42 straight games w/o giving up a sack.. Which is a pretty amazing feat.


I disagree with you in regards to LG. The quality of player just isn't there in this free agency.. Which I why I laughed at Spotrac thinking that David Edwards, a mid-range LG, is going to get top 5 LG money..

 

[captain stone]

We have said this about too many interior linemen who ended up starting and playing well elsewhere, from Froholdt to Strange to Jake Andrews.

Granted, there were many who failed elsewhere and never were going to develop, and some who are already out of the league quickly (Layden Robinson), but there are others who did develop after not showing much as rookies.

Wiiilson's case is different in that he had a Zero track record in college at the position he played here. Didn't he start like only Thirteen games, total, in college, All at Center? We still don't know what we have with him, especially at LG.