A theory on why the Pats ended with 3 IOLs

[ctpatsfan77]

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”).

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.

 

[oldrover]

 

[Hammer of Thor]

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.

 

[mgteich]

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.

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).
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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.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

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.

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.

 

[upstater1]

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.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

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

 

[Kontradiction]

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

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.

 

[farn]

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.

 

[Ras-IR Dowling]

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

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.

 

[NormZauchin]

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.

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.

 

[borg]

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

 

[signbabybrady]

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

Is this a real thing?

 

[Uptown]

Is this a real thing?

 

[jboston19]

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

 

[long distance]

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.

#ErnieAdamsneedsaraise

 

[jah]

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.

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.

 

[Miguel]

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.

This can be found in Article 25, Section 1

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

 

[Tony2046]

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

Woooo. I was wondering. Feel better now. Thanks

 

[Nehalem]

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.

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”).

Do you want to lose more draft picks?