Caeden wallace

VJCPatriot · Apr 11, 2026

n1997y said:
Neither. I’m not completely satisfied with our depth at IOL. But it’s not really a serious concern as far as I’m concerned. I’m expecting two backups on the roster for IOL so Brown and Wallace may be all we need. Wallace is the real question in my mind. I think Brown has shown himself to be a solid backup player at IOL. Maybe he could be improved upon, but you’re not going to have starter quality players at backup all over the roster and Brown is spot starter level imo. Wallace has not been called on to show his stuff in live fire situations at IOL. If/when he is he may pass or fail. I expect Vrabel and Marrone to figure out which it will be before he’s thrown into the fire, and to find a better replacement if they think he’s not up to the challenge. So I’m fairly confident another acceptable backup IOL player will emerge.

I’m figuring the five OL starters will have four backups, probably two OTs and two IOL. There may be flexibility to be considered, like Wallace could perhaps cover both OT and OG but I’m not sure how well he can snap the ball. That flexibility is also a little less important now than it used to be, because of the PS, and that’s another reason I’m not terribly concerned about depth at IOL.

Agreed. There will always be a Ben Brown caliber IOL you can pick up during the roster cut season.

Decent Guards are very fungible. Unless they are special, you don't need to go out of your way to draft one high. Strange remains a mistake. BB thought all guards are like Logan Mankins just because he got lucky once. It did not justify the Strange reach.

I'm not against drafting guards in the middle rounds, say around 3-5 range. I don't value them as 1st round additions. You reserve those early picks for premium positions such as LT, EDGE, WR.

mgteich · Apr 11, 2026

VJCPatriot said:
Wallace is looking like a bust. But he probably should have been tried out more at RT, his natural position.

Why is that still not a possibility?

Could he still be backup RT?

mgteich · Apr 11, 2026

VJCPatriot said:
Agreed. There will always be a Ben Brown caliber IOL you can pick up during the roster cut season.

Sure, quality backups are always available during roster cuts.

We have needed OL's for many years. Is it simply gross incompetence that we continue to not be able to get them?

Vrabel was SOOO unable to find an IOL that he started Wilson at LG instead of C.
========
OPTIONS
1) We didn't need IOL's last year. We were well satisfied with starting Wilson and having Wallace as the #2 backup. We didn't see the NEED for anyone better than Wallace.
2) No IOL's were available that were better options than Wallace.

VJCPatriot · Apr 11, 2026

mgteich said:
Why is that still not a possibility?

Could he still be backup RT?

They can still try giving him a shot in camp. But it's usually hard for a guy to catch on if he never gets started. Early injuries might have shot his chances. We will also very likely be drafting at least TWO OL in the upcoming draft who have a good chance of knocking him off the 53.

VJCPatriot · Apr 11, 2026

mgteich said:
Sure, quality backups are always available during roster cuts.

We have needed OL's for many years. Is it simply gross incompetence that we continue to not be able to get them?

Vrabel was SOOO unable to find an IOL that he started Wilson at LG instead of C.
========
OPTIONS
1) We didn't need IOL's last year. We were well satisfied with starting Wilson and having Wallace as the #2 backup. We didn't see the NEED for anyone better than Wallace.
2) No IOL's were available that were better options than Wallace.

Never said the OL construction was due to incompetence. We need to remember that Vrabel just took over last season and the lack of talent on the offensive side was due to POOR drafts over the past decade leading up to his tenure.

The OL managed to hold together during the regular season but it was more a matter of Drake Maye being a mobile QB than the OL actually being good. Drake ate a TON of regular season sacks and ate the most sacks EVER during a postseason run.

We're just lucky he's still in one piece. He was nursing an injury leading up to the Superbowl from all the hits he took. The playoffs showed us that OL is still a huge need and I expect the Patriots to add more during the draft on top of the Vera-Tucker signing.

mgteich · Apr 11, 2026

VJCPatriot said:
Never said the OL construction was due to incompetence. We need to remember that Vrabel just took over last season and the lack of talent on the offensive side was due to POOR drafts over the past decade leading up to his tenure.

The OL managed to hold together during the regular season but it was more a matter of Drake Maye being a mobile QB than the OL actually being good. Drake ate a TON of regular season sacks and ate the most sacks EVER during a postseason run.

We're just lucky he's still in one piece. He was nursing an injury leading up to the Superbowl from all the hits he took. The playoffs showed us that OL is still a huge need and I expect the Patriots to add more during the draft on top of the Vera-Tucker signing.

let's clarify.

You said that Brown-level IOL backups are always available around the time of the cuts.

I was exploring that concept. I do NOT believe that serviceable backup OL's are easily available at the time of the cuts.

We can blame the 2024 inability on the incompetence of Mayo. I asked why Vrabel didn't find those backups last year? Why do we think that someone better than the so-far useless Wallace will be available and that Vrabel will recognize the player with that ability?
==============
I do agree that we are lucky that Maye is still in one piece. There are many words to describe the decision to not sign anyone better than Wilson to start at LG. For those who think that no one was available for a one-year contract who might have been a better LG than Wilson, I know of a portfolio of Everglades land and bridges stocks for sale.
===========
To be clear, the 2025 OL was OK at OT with Love as backup, and at C with Brown at backup. Onwenu and Moses were expensive, experienced and solid. We had one OL hole after the 2025 draft and we ALL KNEW that we had one hole. Yes, Vrabel signed no one and relied on Wilson, with Brown backing up at LG, C and RG. Vrabel also must have relied on a lot of prayer.

PatMan · Apr 11, 2026

Ross12 said:
From reddit - I think we figured out why Caedan is on the roster... see below... Look familiar? We all know what this means, people...

Someone needs to send this to Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini immediately... "Vrabes does this with everyone!"

Ross12 · Apr 11, 2026

PatMan said:
Someone needs to send this to Mike Vrabel and Diana Russini immediately... "Vrabes does this with everyone!"

Investigator: “This photo here?”

Mike: “Basic blocking technique. Showing her how to engage the defensive end.”

Investigator: “and this one? A hug?”

Mike: “Not a hug, I’m putting a spin move on her. She’s doing a good job getting her arms on me to keep me away from the QB. Though the refs might call holding here, still some stuff to clean up on this rep.”

Investigator: “and these shots? In a hot tub?”

Mike: “Come on man we just went through a whole set of OL drills, you need to hit the tub after that and relax the muscles. Basic conditioning. Everyone knows that.”

captain stone · Sunday at 8:52 PM

mgteich said:
Sure, quality backups are always available during roster cuts.

We have needed OL's for many years. Is it simply gross incompetence that we continue to not be able to get them?

Vrabel was SOOO unable to find an IOL that he started Wilson at LG instead of C.
========
OPTIONS
1) We didn't need IOL's last year. We were well satisfied with starting Wilson and having Wallace as the #2 backup. We didn't see the NEED for anyone better than Wallace.
2) No IOL's were available that were better options than Wallace.

What's option 3?

Because the first 2 are ********.

rkarp1 · Monday at 8:58 AM

sure it can be done. look at Onwenu for case in point
but the OL issues start and end with the missed draft capitol of JAndrews, Sow, Mafi, Strange, Hines, Steubber, Sherman, Herron, Woodard, Cajuste, Froho. Thats a lot of capitol that simply did not work out here, be it coaching, scheme or injury.

p8ryts · Monday at 10:23 AM

rkarp1 said:
sure it can be done. look at Onwenu for case in point
but the OL issues start and end with the missed draft capitol of JAndrews, Sow, Mafi, Strange, Hines, Steubber, Sherman, Herron, Woodard, Cajuste, Froho. Thats a lot of capitol that simply did not work out here, be it coaching, scheme or injury.

JAndrews and Froholdt are still starting in the league, Strange did well in Miami last year and Herron was competent at times. Don't know about the rest.

rkarp1 · Monday at 11:40 AM

p8ryts said:
JAndrews and Froholdt are still starting in the league, Strange did well in Miami last year and Herron was competent at times. Don't know about the rest.

I specifically said it did not work out "here" for those players

Wozzy · Monday at 12:15 PM

rkarp1 said:
sure it can be done. look at Onwenu for case in point
but the OL issues start and end with the missed draft capitol of JAndrews, Sow, Mafi, Strange, Hines, Steubber, Sherman, Herron, Woodard, Cajuste, Froho. Thats a lot of capitol that simply did not work out here, be it coaching, scheme or injury.

Mid to low round draft capital outside of Strange.

Strange was part of one of the better OLines in the AFC in 2021. Owner coach dysfunction torpedoed them after that. He was a good player here, he got hurt. He was a good player in Miami last year and got a decent “show me” contract from the Chargers this season. If he can stay healthy another season he’ll prove he’s back and get a better deal.

Froholdt worked out fine, they were so deep they had to expose him while trying to sneak him to the practice squad and he immediately got snatched up. He’s been starting ever since. Andrews has played well since he left, he just needed to stay healthy and get an opportunity… wasn’t happening here with David
Andrews.

Otherwise the rest of these guys were end of the draft dart throws. There was an avalanche of crap that happened to have back to back 4 win seasons. Collaboration wasn’t good. But Vrabel and Cowden turned it around in one offseason and found some draft success.

Family · Monday at 12:26 PM

rkarp1 said:
thing is...Wallace played really well at P State.
he also played early on his rookie season prior to injury
missed most of the season. came back the last 2 games
last season he was switched inside.
seemingly a young, low cost OL, that can perhaps move around at 4 positions. staff kept him all of last season on the 53, so they must see something.
big offseason/preseason for him.

Agree with everything, but I'm not sure they saw anything in Wallace, because it was anyone before him to dress. Even players just signed.

They messed up last year with Jake Andrews. Mafi, and maybe they regretted the quick hook, so decided to give Wallace another camp.

I think that's all it is.

mgteich · Monday at 12:28 PM

Family said:
Agree with everything, but I'm not sure they saw anything in Wallace, because it was anyone before him to dress. Even players just signed.

They messed up last year with Jake Andrews. Mafi, and maybe they regretted the quick hook, so decided to give Wallace another camp.

I think that's all it is.

a bit more

Vrabel used a roster spot for Wallace for an entire year.

VrabelJr · Monday at 12:40 PM

Wozzy said:
Mid to low round draft capital outside of Strange.

Strange was part of one of the better OLines in the AFC in 2021. Owner coach dysfunction torpedoed them after that. He was a good player here, he got hurt. He was a good player in Miami last year and got a decent “show me” contract from the Chargers this season. If he can stay healthy another season he’ll prove he’s back and get a better deal.

Froholdt worked out fine, they were so deep they had to expose him while trying to sneak him to the practice squad and he immediately got snatched up. He’s been starting ever since. Andrews has played well since he left, he just needed to stay healthy and get an opportunity… wasn’t happening here with David
Andrews.

Otherwise the rest of these guys were end of the draft dart throws. There was an avalanche of crap that happened to have back to back 4 win seasons. Collaboration wasn’t good. But Vrabel and Cowden turned it around in one offseason and found some draft success.

Great post. A lot of people here don’t know Froholdt went on to become one of the top 10 centers in the league.

rkarp1 · Monday at 4:17 PM

Family said:
Agree with everything, but I'm not sure they saw anything in Wallace, because it was anyone before him to dress. Even players just signed.

They messed up last year with Jake Andrews. Mafi, and maybe they regretted the quick hook, so decided to give Wallace another camp.

I think that's all it is.

perhaps
that said, Wallace appeared to be the 4th OG in a 3 OG rotation.
It was also his first year playing the position, after injury limited him to 3-4 games his rookie season.
in theory, last season was his rookie season
the staff kept him on the 53 all season. why? because Jake Andrews, Sow and Mafi failed? I doubt that

rkarp1 · Monday at 4:19 PM

VrabelJr said:
Great post. A lot of people here don’t know Froholdt went on to become one of the top 10 centers in the league.

yet he didn't get any time at OC here
also, he left here and spent 2 years in Cleve, before finding success in Ariz.

Family · Monday at 5:24 PM

mgteich said:
Vrabel used a roster spot for Wallace for an entire year.

Yes. It's common with high developmental draft picks, especially offensive line.

Third round is high for a guard.

rkarp1 said:
perhaps
that said, Wallace appeared to be the 4th OG in a 3 OG rotation.
It was also his first year playing the position, after injury limited him to 3-4 games his rookie season.
in theory, last season was his rookie season
the staff kept him on the 53 all season. why? because Jake Andrews, Sow and Mafi failed? I doubt that

He wasn't the 4G because when a guard went down someone off the practice squad moved up, and Wallace still did not dress.

Yes they jumped too early cutting high (lower than Wallace) picks, that sort of blew up.

Again it's common to wait a third year on a high pick especially guard.

rkarp1 · Monday at 5:28 PM

Family said:
Yes. It's common with high developmental draft picks, especially offensive line.

Third round is high for a guard.

He wasn't the 4G because when a guard went down someone off the practice squad moved up, and Wallace still did not dress.

Yes they jumped too early cutting high (lower than Wallace) picks, that sort of blew up.

Again it's common to wait a third year on a high pick especially guard.

aside from Ben Brown, who otherwise played OG after Onwenu and Wilson?

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