Fleming expected to sign with Dallas.

[TheFlyingWedge]

As far as free agent tackles go - the Patriots may have had 3 of the top 5 who were available - arguably the top 3. Tackles don’t grow on trees and don’t come cheap.

 

[50-yard-line]

That's interesting considering two years ago their OLine was one of their strengths - their run protection was ridiculous. Depth is power.

Yeah, and then all those 1st round draft pick OLmen wanted to get paid.

 

[luuked]

Cam Fleming was listed as the starter at RT in the Super Bowl but I didn’t realize Waddle had an injured ankle and don’t recall him on the injury report.

He suffered an ankle sprain at the end of November that made him miss some time and then suffered a knee sprain against the Titans which made him sit out the AFCCG.

He remained a limited participant throughout the SB practice week and then got cleared off the injury report eventually (as everyone else). To me it looks like he never really fully recovered to the point where he was comfortable.

 

[maineman209]

Where are the visits from other available O-lineman

WHAT "other available OL" (specifically OT)? Was there a long list of "available" quality OT that I missed somehow?

 

[maineman209]

Cam Fleming was listed as the starter at RT in the Super Bowl but I didn’t realize Waddle had an injured ankle and don’t recall him on the injury report.

2017 New England Patriots Injuries | Pro-Football-Reference.com

 

[BTTA]

I hope Bill Belichick knows a hell of a lot more about the potential of Croston, Garcia, Jelks, and Tobin than we do.

Gee, I wonder what the odds are on that?

 

[TinhWoodhead]

there goes any hope of 19-0

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Austin Howard is still out there. Plays primarily on the right side, but would add a bit of flexibility, and is good fall back option after missing out on Fleming.

 

[captain stone]

The Patriots started off free agency with a gaping hole at left offensive tackle
and enter the final stages with the same hole. I hope Bill Belichick knows a hell of a lot more about the potential of Croston, Garcia, Jelks, and Tobin than we do.
There will be a lot of wailing on this forum if Bill's judgment is wrong and Brady
gets injured.

I guess you missed Waddle being resigned. But then again you might just be trolling.

I don't consider Waddle a serious candidate to become our starter at LT, unless Bill has given him a contract commensurate with that of a starter, which i obviously hope that he hasn't done.

 

[captain stone]

Boy, I took for granted how good we had it when we had Fleming and Waddle as backups.

You guys can rag on Fleming all you want, but our OL in general, not to mention lack of depth, scares me.

Well now Bill has been given the opportunity to not only fix the LT position for the rest of his & Brady's careers, but also to acquire newer, better backups than he's had the last couple of years.

 

[mgteich]

I don't consider Waddle a serious candidate to become our starter at LT, unless Bill has given him a contract commensurate with that of a starter, which i obviously hope that he hasn't done.

Someone will start at LT. It won't be a draftee simply because Waddle wasn't paid enough.

Of course, this is a non-issue if Waddle has incentives (especially for parts) in his contract.