Vrabel: “I don’t think we have a very deep team”

[stcjones]

I don’t disagree with him, especially in regards to the offensive line… And a few other key positions… But what do we do now to address that is the question… Hopefully we can pick up some additional offensive line help during team cut downs…..


After the game last night during his post game interview Vrabel shocked everyone by saying the following:


One area in particular he seems to be concerned about is his team’s depth. He didn’t sugar-coat his feelings either.
“I don’t think we have a very deep team,” Vrabel said when asked about personnel usage in the upcoming preseason finale versus the Browns.
“We have to make sure that we’re preparing our football team and that we’re doing everything that we can that we keep our best players available. If that means playing Thursday as part of preparation, then that’s what we’ll do. I have not made that decision yet, but I would say that that’s something that I’m confident in with where we’re set up currently.”

 

[Uptown]

Easy fix…we’ll just allocate one of our 37 receivers to different positions of need on the roster. Suddenly, we’re deeper than the Mariana Trench.

 

[Thelonious]

One of Vrabel's strengths, maybe his main one, is unflinching honesty. His comment on teh depth is an example. The bottom ... half? ... of the roster has been looking worrisomely weak. It seemed to me (haven't checked any numbers) that we were quite lucky last year in the injury department. If we do not have similar luck this year, against a significantly stronger schedule, it could be a disappointing season. The team has definitely gotten better in the Vrabel years at the top of the roster in most areas, but below that, no one can honestly say that "the rebuild is complete." Depth could become more of a problem once a greater portion of cap goes to such players as Drake, Gonzo, and so on. I am not pressing any panic button, but this is an issue.

The only broad takeaway, in my mind, is that we MUST continue in draft-and-develop mode to keep the prospects coming and to keep overall salaries under control. The corollary to this is that we must resist the temptation to expend resources snatching at shiny, expensive "sure thing" (short term) objects, as I feel we did in the case of AJ Brown. We are not, and may never be, given shifting resources, in "one player away" mode. Trying to buy your way out of problems with splashy acquisitions is toxic JeteThink: no thanks.

 

[n1997y]

I think it’s true, but maybe not as true as popular wisdom has it despite Vrabel’s comments fueling that view.

I think Vrabes knows we have a lot of young unproven players and he is turning up the heat on them, putting them under pressure to see who steps up and who wilts.

Of course he wants more and better depth. What HC doesn’t want his backup DL to be able to manhandle the Eagle’s starting OL? He just saw we’re not there yet. But remember during the season hopefully when we see our backups playing it will be one of them surrounded by starters, not an entire lineup of backups. So things are not as dire as they may seem. Vrabel’s comments have to be viewed in context. He’s not throwing in the towel on every backup that played last night.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I think it’s true, but maybe not as true as popular wisdom has it despite Vrabel’s comments fueling that view.

I think Vrabes knows we have a lot of young unproven players and he is turning up the heat on them, putting them under pressure to see who steps up and who wilts.

Of course he wants more and better depth. What HC doesn’t want his backup DL to be able to manhandle the Eagle’s starting OL? He just saw we’re not there yet. But remember during the season hopefully when we see our backups playing it will be one of them surrounded by starters, not an entire lineup of backups. So things are not as dire as they may seem. Vrabel’s comments have to be viewed in context. He’s not throwing in the towel on every backup that played last night.

This where the development dilemma comes in. They will have to determine which young players are worth keeping to continue developing, and which to cut bait in favor of bringing in veteran depth to replace, essentially giving up on those platers, unless you can get them to the practice squad. We will find out soon enough.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Cb, wr, and ot are gonna be better this year, liking these spots

S, qb, te seem very similar to last year and positions im ‘ok’ with. Te might be better with raridon.

iol, dl, lb are the concerns. Though id like to see if van wroten may be able to help, if so i think iol is good with him and brown once hes back. And did we hear any further on daquon jones and shaq Thompson? They could definitely help the other spots imo.

Edge is very tbd , so many developing pieces. I think the DEPTH might be ok here but without knowing too much about landry the ‘starter’ situation is iffy.

 

[borisman]

This list isn't 100% accurate but we have cap space and a lot of these available vets can be had on one year deals.
We're a contender so this is a place to go to if you want to chase a ring. No, I am not referring to LeBron.

2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Best Available Free Agents

Find out the best available NFL free agents for 2026. Tracking NFL free agency, where top free agents sign, & the top free agent contracts.

www.sharpfootballanalysis.com

 

[Wozzy]

Injuries are piling up, at offensive line with Bryant, at ILB with Muma and Jacobs last night. They need to get and stay healthy, even if that means playing the 4th string this week.

 

[stcjones]

Injuries are piling up, at offensive line with Bryant, at ILB with Muma and Jacobs last night. They need to get and stay healthy, even if that means playing the 4th string this week.

I think you were 100% right… I wouldn’t play any of the starters obviously or the guys who are going be next in line….. I’m honestly not sure why they do a third preseason game to begin with… And a lot of people would say we shouldn’t have any!

 

[mgteich]

Cb, wr, and ot are gonna be better this year, liking these spots

S, qb, te seem very similar to last year and positions im ‘ok’ with. Te might be better with raridon.

iol, dl, lb are the concerns. Though id like to see if van wroten may be able to help, if so i think iol is good with him and brown once hes back. And did we hear any further on daquon jones and shaq Thompson? They could definitely help the other spots imo.

Edge is very tbd , so many developing pieces. I think the DEPTH might be ok here but without knowing too much about landry the ‘starter’ situation is iffy.

Vrabel is rolling the dice with the youngsters this year. Obviously, there is roster room for a veteran addition, even at the backup level, especially if Landry starts on PUP.
Jones, Ponder, Jacas
and then?

If Landry is available as one of the 4, then this group is fine. If not, it is not.

 

[sb1]

Gotta think we’ll be busy on cutdown day seeing what’s out there on the waiver wire. Gonna be tough since we’re #31 in priority…

 

[Football2007]

I think it’s true, but maybe not as true as popular wisdom has it despite Vrabel’s comments fueling that view.

I think Vrabes knows we have a lot of young unproven players and he is turning up the heat on them, putting them under pressure to see who steps up and who wilts.

Of course he wants more and better depth. What HC doesn’t want his backup DL to be able to manhandle the Eagle’s starting OL? He just saw we’re not there yet. But remember during the season hopefully when we see our backups playing it will be one of them surrounded by starters, not an entire lineup of backups. So things are not as dire as they may seem. Vrabel’s comments have to be viewed in context. He’s not throwing in the towel on every backup that played last night.

This. And it applies to every team in the league too.

 

[Ring 6]

Cb, wr, and ot are gonna be better this year, liking these spots

S, qb, te seem very similar to last year and positions im ‘ok’ with. Te might be better with raridon.

iol, dl, lb are the concerns. Though id like to see if van wroten may be able to help, if so i think iol is good with him and brown once hes back. And did we hear any further on daquon jones and shaq Thompson? They could definitely help the other spots imo.

Edge is very tbd , so many developing pieces. I think the DEPTH might be ok here but without knowing too much about landry the ‘starter’ situation is iffy.

I don’t think our OL depth is as bad as it’s made out to be COMPARED TO OTHER TEAMS.
Depth is a combination of players who are unproven and players who have proven they aren’t good enough to start.
We have a first round pick backing up OT. We have a guy who was a starter last year and has been for many years backing up IOL. We may also have Broen who was reliable last year. Behind that we have question mark guys fighting to make the team. Look around the league, who has OL8, OL9 and OL10 that are any less of a question?Keeping in mind that an old dude who can’t play anymore, is hanging around on a roster bit you know his name is probably worse than a kid you’ve never heard of.

 

[DarrylS]

This list isn't 100% accurate but we have cap space and a lot of these available vets can be had on one year deals.
We're a contender so this is a place to go to if you want to chase a ring. No, I am not referring to LeBron.

2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Best Available Free Agents

Find out the best available NFL free agents for 2026. Tracking NFL free agency, where top free agents sign, & the top free agent contracts.

www.sharpfootballanalysis.com

Bobby Wagner & Matt Milano could beef our LB weakness.

 

[Ring 6]

Vrabel is rolling the dice with the youngsters this year. Obviously, there is roster room for a veteran addition, even at the backup level, especially if Landry starts on PUP.
Jones, Ponder, Jacas
and then?

If Landry is available as one of the 4, then this group is fine. If not, it is not.

I know it seems thin but last year if you consider White/Ponder one player because ponder took over when white was traded
EDGE snaps were like this.
1 677 Landry
2 639 Chaisson
3 338 white ponder
4 280 Jennings
5 27 Swinson

The 4th isn’t a very big role. And mostly the snaps from the 4th guy were mop up or injury related.

 

[Real fan 02]

I don’t disagree with him, especially in regards to the offensive line… And a few other key positions… But what do we do now to address that is the question… Hopefully we can pick up some additional offensive line help during team cut downs…..


After the game last night during his post game interview Vrabel shocked everyone by saying the following:


One area in particular he seems to be concerned about is his team’s depth. He didn’t sugar-coat his feelings either.
“I don’t think we have a very deep team,” Vrabel said when asked about personnel usage in the upcoming preseason finale versus the Browns.
“We have to make sure that we’re preparing our football team and that we’re doing everything that we can that we keep our best players available. If that means playing Thursday as part of preparation, then that’s what we’ll do. I have not made that decision yet, but I would say that that’s something that I’m confident in with where we’re set up currently.”

Agreed. Also looking around the league beyond the starters really no team has tremendous depth. I love Vrabel's honesty and that's what I love about him.

However wolf also made comments during the halftime interview with the Courtey's he eluded to the fact the eagles have had a few drafts to build up depth to thier roster. The patiots will need at least another draft in order to as well

 

[Uptown]

On the bright side; not only do the Dolphins not have any depth..they don’t even have starters (Achane aside)..

 

[p8ryts]

One of Vrabel's strengths, maybe his main one, is unflinching honesty. His comment on teh depth is an example. The bottom ... half? ... of the roster has been looking worrisomely weak. It seemed to me (haven't checked any numbers) that we were quite lucky last year in the injury department. If we do not have similar luck this year, against a significantly stronger schedule, it could be a disappointing season. The team has definitely gotten better in the Vrabel years at the top of the roster in most areas, but below that, no one can honestly say that "the rebuild is complete." Depth could become more of a problem once a greater portion of cap goes to such players as Drake, Gonzo, and so on. I am not pressing any panic button, but this is an issue.

The only broad takeaway, in my mind, is that we MUST continue in draft-and-develop mode to keep the prospects coming and to keep overall salaries under control. The corollary to this is that we must resist the temptation to expend resources snatching at shiny, expensive "sure thing" (short term) objects, as I feel we did in the case of AJ Brown. We are not, and may never be, given shifting resources, in "one player away" mode. Trying to buy your way out of problems with splashy acquisitions is toxic JeteThink: no thanks.

He was certainly honest about his early timeout. Defense was dogs--t.