Player Signing Patriots hosting OL Greg Van Roten [Updated: Signed 8/17]

[DaBruinz]

I don't understand your math. Five starters and two backups at each of tackle, guard, and center makes for eleven.

5 Starting O-line
2 back-up OTs
2 back-up OGs
1 back-up C

That's 10. The Pats went with 9 last year with the back-up C also being a back-up at OG.

 

[mgteich]

I don't understand your math. Five starters and two backups at each of tackle, guard, and center makes for eleven.

The issue is IOL backups. There aren't 4 backups. There are 2. That reduces the 11 to 9, although a 5th OT is possible, perhaps Hudson for a game or two.'

C: backups are Brown and Van Rotun (certainly good enough to be the 3rd emergency center)
OG: Van Rotun and Brown

 

[DaBruinz]

The issue is IOL backups. There aren't 4 backups. There are 2. That reduces the 11 to 9, although a 5th OT is possible, perhaps Hudson for a game or two.'

C: backups are Brown and Van Rotun (certainly good enough to be the 3rd emergency center)
OG: Van Rotun and Brown

There can be TWO or THREE IOL back-ups. Particularly if you have an OG/OT combo player. Possibly someone like Crownover.

 

[n1997y]

I am tempted to pump the brakes on Van Roten. he is older than Moses, and making vet min.
will he stick around?
good gamble in a time of need, but once Brown and maybe Rupcich healthy, I don't think Van Roten sticks

The man is 36, in his 12th NFL season, joining a legit Super Bowl contender as backup after starting every game for the past three seasons.

Why would he not stick around for a shot at a ring?

He’s missed one game in the past five years! He’s the opposite of AVT, and now you’re inventing the idea he won’t stick around? SMH!

 

[n1997y]

Right. Because they want Brown available when he's ready. If Brown is not healthy by the end of camp, they will IR him with return like they did with Tavai last season.

Unlike Brown (if things stay this way) Ruprich will be available to anyone who wants him earlier. You don't do that if a player is in your plans.

So yes the team could bring him back if nobody else is interested, but since they handled his situation in this manner, this was a settlement and cut.

AFAIK Rupcich is still on IR and has not been given an injury settlement.

If you have information to the contrary please post a pointer to the source, because I just looked for such news and could not find anything.

So until he is released with an injury settlement this is all speculation. For now he’s under contract, on season-ending IR, andcwill be back in training camp next summer.

 

[Family]

AFAIK Rupcich is still on IR and has not been given an injury settlement.

If you have information to the contrary please post a pointer to the source, because I just looked for such news and could not find anything.

So until he is released with an injury settlement this is all speculation. For now he’s under contract, on season-ending IR, andcwill be back in training camp next summer.

You can't put a player on season long IR for a strained MCL as is being reported.

So unless Ruprich wants to sacrifice an entire year of his prime football years to get a hail mary chance here next year there will be a settlement.

But you're correct technically as things stand now.

 

[imahobgoblin]

What about Ben Brown last year or Ted Karras a few years back? If I waste my time and look it up there are many other examples. I'm talking about emergency second backup.

And Wilson was not horrible last year. He wasn't an all star, but he would have been one of the better backup guards in the league, if that were his role.

Just stop it.

Hey just so you know, this is 2026 and we are going into a new season. The past does not matter. Hence the Van Roten signing and not your stupid plan with Hudson. More manuvering is coming.

Willson was horrible last year. He has a grade of 49.9 (ranking 71st among 81 qualified guards) / 52.2 overall interior line grade.
Pass-Blocking Grade: 62.2 (ranking 44th at his position)
Run-Blocking Grade: 42.8 (ranking 75th at his position)
Pressures Allowed: 28 total pressures (including 4 sacks and 7 hits) over 784 offensive snaps.

That's reality. You stop it.

 

[n1997y]

5 Starting O-line
2 back-up OTs
2 back-up OGs
1 back-up C

That's 10. The Pats went with 9 last year with the back-up C also being a back-up at OG.

I think it will be 9.

5 Starting O-line
2 back-up OTs
2 back-up OG/C

Van Roten has started at both C and OG. Brown has started at both C and OG. That’s all they need on the 53. Carry a couple of OGs on PS, with Rizy as one of them so there’s also a C on PS.

That way they don’t need to dump Rupcich with an injury settlement so he can stay on IR, rehab thoroughly, and be fully recovered for camp next summer.

 

[mgteich]

You can't put a player on season long IR for a strained MCL as is being reported.

So unless Ruprich wants to sacrifice an entire year of his prime football years to get a hail mary chance here next year there will be a settlement.

But you're correct technically as things stand now.

The lead time is much longer than IR and other teams would be able to sign him several games before we will be able to sign him.

We are in trouble if we are Considering an injured Rupcich as part of our 2026 plans. I agree that no one else would likely sign a player of his level of play, especially when he needs to recover from injuries.

 

[Water Boy]

I don't like the sound of this;

Bradyn Swinson and Gabe Jacas both took advantage of LT Caleb Lomu’s low hands (think Vederian Lowe), swiped them down, and easily sped around him.

Keep in mind that Lomu is a late first round developmental Tackle. If it's technique related it's coachable and fixable. He's got the smarts and athleticism.

 

[Family]

The lead time is much longer than IR and other teams would be able to sign him several games before we will be able to sign him.

We are in trouble if we are Considering an injured Rupcich as part of our 2026 plans. I agree that no one else would likely sign a player of his level of play, especially when he needs to recover from injuries.

I'm not sure exactly what you are saying, but it seems we agree.