A theory on why the Pats ended with 3 IOLs

I posted this over on reddit a couple of days ago.

From the CBA:

Active List: Beginning with the 2020 regular season, the Active List limit shall be increased from forty-six players per Club to forty-eight players per Club; provided, however, that such a Club’s Active List includes a minimum of eight players whose primary playing position is Center, Guard or Tackle (collectively, “Offensive Lineman”).

Click to expand...

In other words, they're expanding the gameday rosters by two players, but in order to take advantage of that, teams must dress a minimum of eight OLs. [If they dress <8 OLs, they can only have 47 active players.] In the past, the Patriots have typically dressed seven OLs (starting 5 + a 3rd tackle and a backup G/C). So one of the two new spots has to go to an OL.

ctpatsfan77 said:

I posted this over on reddit a couple of days ago.

From the CBA:



In other words, they're expanding the gameday rosters by two players, but in order to take advantage of that, teams must dress a minimum of eight OLs. [If they dress <8 OLs, they can only have 47 active players.] In the past, the Patriots have typically dressed seven OLs (starting 5 + a 3rd tackle and a backup G/C). So one of the two new spots has to go to an OL.

Click to expand...

oldrover said:

Click to expand...

ctpatsfan77 said:

I posted this over on reddit a couple of days ago.

From the CBA:



In other words, they're expanding the gameday rosters by two players, but in order to take advantage of that, teams must dress a minimum of eight OLs. [If they dress <8 OLs, they can only have 47 active players.] In the past, the Patriots have typically dressed seven OLs (starting 5 + a 3rd tackle and a backup G/C). So one of the two new spots has to go to an OL.

Click to expand...

While I agree with having 9-10 OL's, instead of 8-9, that isn't in any way required. Theoretically, we could have 8 OL's on the 55 man roster and suit up all 8. If there were injuries, Practice Squad players could be elevated (that is being made much easier).
=====
The Game Day roster will now include an additional IOL. One backup to cover both C and OG just was never a good idea. I really like the new requirement of 8 OL's. I believe that is safer to have a backup at OG, C and at OT.

mgteich said:

While I agree with having 9-10 OL's, instead of 8-9, that isn't in any way required. Theoretically, we could have 8 OL's on the 55 man roster and suit up all 8. If there were injuries, Practice Squad players could be elevated (that is being made much easier).
=====
The Game Day roster will now include an additional IOL. One backup to cover both C and OG just was never a good idea. I really like the new requirement of 8 OL's. I believe that is safer to have a backup at OG, C and at OT.

Click to expand...

It's not a "real" 55-man roster.

During the week, it's still a 53-man roster. However, prior to game day, teams can activate one or two PS players as an emergency fill-in for one game (or for a "cup of coffee"). The first two times they do this, the player slides right back to the PS after the game without having to go through waivers. The third time, they have to decide whether to keep the player on the 53 or send them through waivers to re-sign to the PS.

This really doesn't make sense to me unless they are designating who plays the interior line positions before the game. But there is no rule that you have an interior line at all. One man may hike the ball (hello Colts!!!!) and all the others on the line can be anywhere else. So you can designate anyone! Granted, they may have to have OL numbers, but even OLs can play special teams.

So give, say, Brandon King an OL jersey.

M. Onwenu may be converted to NT, so we only drafted two, not three.

One-If-By-Sea said:

M. Onwenu may be converted to NT, so we only drafted two, not three.

Click to expand...

At his weight, he certainly wouldn’t be a fit for what we’ve traditionally looked for at OG in the Belichick era. It’s either they think he can trim down without losing upper body strength or he’s making the conversion.

I think the recent IOL fetish is fun. For years, it was LT = $. BB realized the interior is key and has been investing for the last ten years, especially recently. On this team, if Mason returns to health, you have VG vets making decent $ in Thuney-Andrews-Mason.

One-If-By-Sea said:

M. Onwenu may be converted to NT, so we only drafted two, not three.

Click to expand...

He’s similar in weight to Ted Washington and heavier than wilfork. What a steal if he could actually convert over to NT and do it effectively.

KontradictioN said:

At his weight, he certainly wouldn’t be a fit for what we’ve traditionally looked for at OG in the Belichick era. It’s either they think he can trim down without losing upper body strength or he’s making the conversion.

Click to expand...

Drafting an interior offensive lineman and converting him to a defensive lineman would be just the sort of thing Belichick would do. He was very successful in turning Edelman from a quarterback to a wide receiver.

I’d pay just to watch the OL eat in the Pats cafeteria. Hope Kraft has Pats Force 1 fueled and ready to resupply if food shortages materialize

One-If-By-Sea said:

M. Onwenu may be converted to NT, so we only drafted two, not three.

Click to expand...

Is this a real thing?

signbabybrady said:

Is this a real thing?

Click to expand...

He did play D line his freshman year....

ctpatsfan77 said:

It's not a "real" 55-man roster.

During the week, it's still a 53-man roster. However, prior to game day, teams can activate one or two PS players as an emergency fill-in for one game (or for a "cup of coffee"). The first two times they do this, the player slides right back to the PS after the game without having to go through waivers. The third time, they have to decide whether to keep the player on the 53 or send them through waivers to re-sign to the PS.

Click to expand...

#ErnieAdamsneedsaraise

ctpatsfan77 said:

It's not a "real" 55-man roster.

During the week, it's still a 53-man roster. However, prior to game day, teams can activate one or two PS players as an emergency fill-in for one game (or for a "cup of coffee"). The first two times they do this, the player slides right back to the PS after the game without having to go through waivers. The third time, they have to decide whether to keep the player on the 53 or send them through waivers to re-sign to the PS.

Click to expand...

I still haven't seen this "actually a 53 man roster" thing anywhere else but Patsfans. All the searches I've done end up at the same article that calls it a 55 man roster.

Elijah said:

I still haven't seen this "actually a 53 man roster" thing anywhere else but Patsfans. All the searches I've done end up at the same article that calls it a 55 man roster.

Click to expand...

This can be found in Article 25, Section 1

https://nflpaweb.blob.core.windows....-Bargaining-Agreement-Final-Executed-Copy.pdf

One-If-By-Sea said:

M. Onwenu may be converted to NT, so we only drafted two, not three.

Click to expand...

Woooo. I was wondering. Feel better now. Thanks

upstater1 said:

This really doesn't make sense to me unless they are designating who plays the interior line positions before the game. But there is no rule that you have an interior line at all. One man may hike the ball (hello Colts!!!!) and all the others on the line can be anywhere else. So you can designate anyone! Granted, they may have to have OL numbers, but even OLs can play special teams.

So give, say, Brandon King an OL jersey.

Click to expand...

Active List: Beginning with the 2020 regular season, the Active List limit shall be increased from forty-six players per Club to forty-eight players per Club; provided, however, that such a Club’s Active List includes a minimum of eight players whose primary playing position is Center, Guard or Tackle (collectively, “Offensive Lineman”).

Click to expand...

Do you want to lose more draft picks?