Pre-Game Thread- Colts @ Pats

[Ross12]

It's going to be a very interesting decision. Onwenu has been really good at RG, do we move him to RT, where he would be our best option at that position. Did Cole Strange get benched because Andrews wasn't at Center, working next to him? Do we leave Cannon at RT for now and maybe test Cajuste or as you mentioned do we dare move Strange to another position? Fascinating questions!!!
One thing I know, I'd rather not see Ferentz playing Center another week.

Strange is still raw as a rookie, so maybe it wouldn't be too hard to move him from left to right. It's not like he has years of pro experience in a specific spot or direction. Wynn has the right build to be a guard, and clearly he likes it more going left than going right, so it's worth a try.

 

[long distance]

or strange at C if Andrews is still out, because he can't be much worse than Ferentz

Strange looked good at center @ Senior Bowl - has all the potential of a great center - but C is about leading O, calling protections etc - not really plug and play for a rookie - also not many reports of him practicing C - so id be surprised if Bill would make this move esp. since it is very temporary.
But if they want to play 5 best OL (philosophy unfortunately lost after Dantes departure) that would be the move..

 

[jdlboot14]

All I can say, is if you don't find a way to work out a mutually fair deal with Meyers now, you are again sabotaging this team.
Meyers has been the lone bright spot for this team over the last 3 transitional years. He hasn't even exploded as much as he could, so to make a deal now before FA is critical. He certainly deserves it more than Agholor, Henry & Smith. Assuming you're going to drop 2 of those 3, give Meyers like 4/40m. And while you're at it, dump Parker - he's not worth it. I totally believe Nixon/Wilkerson would give you what Parker is, at a fraction of the cost. Meyers, Bourne, Thornton, Nixon/Wilkerson (+ new solid FA, and/or Draft pick). Bourne is worth keeping for final year of his mid-money deal.

 

[PScottman]

That said WR will definitely be on the menu again in the Draft on a possible double dip.

Constantly saying the same refrain every year doesn't make it true.

Late rounds? Maybe, but early? Depends on need, availability, draft position, trades, veteran signings, etc.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

I find that very odd personally. Why put Wynn at left guard when you drafted Strange in the first round? What does Strange do, go to right guard? Do you then put Onwenu out at right tackle?

I was thinking perhaps they'd try Wynn at LT and put Brown at RT, since Wynn is a much better LT than RT but he isn't that great overall. And the other issue is then your left side of your line is a rookie in Strange who has been slightly up-and-down and an average-at-best Wynn. Not sure I love that.

So perhaps, if Strange can play right guard, putting Wynn in at left guard where he feels more comfortable facing that direction (just like Onwenu has shown to be far more comfortable facing right) and then putting Onwenu at right tackle might give you the best combo overall with the best talent on the field.

I don't think the L vs R issue is nearly as pronounced for guard as it is for tackle. At tackle your primary pass blocking responsibility is to prevent the DE from getting around your outside, so you have to be really good at spinning that way without leaving yourself vulnerable to the inside. A guard doesn't have that issue to nearly the same degree. Swapping Wynn & Onwenu seems viable, and leave Strange alone.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

All I can say, is if you don't find a way to work out a mutually fair deal with Meyers now, you are again sabotaging this team.
Meyers has been the lone bright spot for this team over the last 3 transitional years. He hasn't even exploded as much as he could, so to make a deal now before FA is critical. He certainly deserves it more than Agholor, Henry & Smith. Assuming you're going to drop 2 of those 3, give Meyers like 4/40m. And while you're at it, dump Parker - he's not worth it. I totally believe Nixon/Wilkerson would give you what Parker is, at a fraction of the cost. Meyers, Bourne, Thornton, Nixon/Wilkerson (+ new solid FA, and/or Draft pick). Bourne is worth keeping for final year of his mid-money deal.

I agree with you about Meyers but not about Parker. Parker is a stud.

 

[PScottman]

I think Meyers might be a below-the-radar guy that won't get huge offers in FA. I guess we'll just have to see.

The Edelman and Bruschi "go see what you can find on the open market, just please give us the opportunity to match it" line would seem appropriate for Meyers.

 

[Sicilian]

The Edelman and Bruschi "go see what you can find on the open market, just please give us the opportunity to match it" line would seem appropriate for Meyers.

They did that for Hightower too I think, and maybe McCourty? Can't remember on that one. Meyers seems like the kind of guy that would work with that, assuming he doesn't come back with something crazy like a 5 year $100m deal.

 

[jdlboot14]

I don't like too much of a change up on the OL. First of all, maybe Andrews is just getting an extra vet-Wed off. I really hope he's back tomorrow.
It'd be great if they can capitalize on Wynn's potential at G, but just because Strange struggled 1 game with a backup C, I don't want to yank him and blow another 1st rounder's confidence. But who knows, it hasn't been great this year, so maybe a change is needed.
Maybe after the bye it could be - Brown, Wynn, Andrews, Onwenu, Cajuste/Strange. It's no question Wynn is more stout and Strange more athletic.

 

[PScottman]

so to make a deal now before FA is critical

Why would Meyers sign such an offer? He's NOT going to get "highest paid" - and tampering prevents him from getting quotes from other teams at this point, so his best move is don't sign anything and let the bidding begin once the season is over. He likely knows he can come back to the Pats regardless.

It takes two to get a deal done - and in this case the player has less than zero incentive to kowtow to the team.

 

[Ross12]

I don't think the L vs R issue is nearly as pronounced for guard as it is for tackle. At tackle your primary pass blocking responsibility is to prevent the DE from getting around your outside, so you have to be really good at spinning that way without leaving yourself vulnerable to the inside. A guard doesn't have that issue to nearly the same degree. Swapping Wynn & Onwenu seems viable, and leave Strange alone.

I hear ya. But he's been taking reps at LG, not RG. Wouldn't the above mean Wynn would have to be at RG and Onwenu at RT?

 

[Sfpat]

00

I wonder if they don’t try Strange at T. His issue currently is play strength and they’ve had problems there. Big change midseason, so I kinda doubt it happens, but crossed my mind.

Maybe have him play the ole end, guard and tackle?

 

[ashley]

Injury report:

 

[PowerRunRevival]

Constantly saying the same refrain every year doesn't make it true.

Late rounds? Maybe, but early? Depends on need, availability, draft position, trades, veteran signings, etc.

I would bet they pick a receiver in the top 4 rounds. Bourne and Parker will be on expiring contracts next year so really Thornton is the only long term piece they have at the position.

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

Strange looked good at center @ Senior Bowl - has all the potential of a great center - but C is about leading O, calling protections etc - not really plug and play for a rookie - also not many reports of him practicing C - so id be surprised if Bill would make this move esp. since it is very temporary.
But if they want to play 5 best OL (philosophy unfortunately lost after Dantes departure) that would be the move..

Yup i agree , i haven‘t heard anything about Strange playing other Positionen than LG for the Pats but as you mentioned i remembered the senior bowl reports. Maybe this could Be something we need to monitor in the Future if we look to upgrade andrews bc i think we can easilier sign or draft a G or T converting than a good and strong anchor at the C Position

 

[venecol]

I like that nickname, Sunshine. I'mma gonna start calling Mac Sunshine.

 

[Patsfan1958]

From Patriots.com:

Game Preview: Colts at Patriots

2022 REGULAR SEASON	NEW ENGLAND	INDIANAPOLIS
Record	4-4	3-4-1
Divisional Standings	4th	2nd
Total Yards Gained	2,676	2,715
Total Offense (Rank)	334.5 (20)	339.4 (18)
Rush Offense	123.1 (13)	87.8 (29)
Pass Offense	211.4 (23)	251.6 (9)
Points Per Game	22.1 (17)	16.1 (30)
Total Yards Allowed	2,804	2,558
Total Defense (Rank)	350.5 (19)	319.8 (9)
Rush Defense	126.0 (22)	120.0 (17)
Pass Defense	224.5 (19)	199.8 (8)
Points Allowed/Game	20.4 (12)	19.6 (7T)
Possession Avg.	30:26	30:10
Sacks Allowed/Yards Lost	18/120	26/196
Sacks Made/Yards	23/140	19/126
Total Touchdowns Scored	19	12
Penalties Against/Yards	48/383	45/372
Punts/Avg.	30/42.9	33/43.9
Turnover Differential	0 (15T)	-8 (31)

 

[TheRainMaker]

I like that nickname, Sunshine. I'mma gonna start calling Mac Sunshine.

I ran the Wing-T in high school in 2001. Worst offense ever. Defenses can load up on the run and not have to worry about the pass as you have 3 RB's, TE, and only 1 WR. In practice, I routinely picked off the starting QB playing S with ease as I had very little responsibilities and I could just watch the QB.

By the way, your new Avator.

 

[venecol]

 

[Toofy]

All I can say, is if you don't find a way to work out a mutually fair deal with Meyers now, you are again sabotaging this team.
Meyers has been the lone bright spot for this team over the last 3 transitional years. He hasn't even exploded as much as he could, so to make a deal now before FA is critical. He certainly deserves it more than Agholor, Henry & Smith. Assuming you're going to drop 2 of those 3, give Meyers like 4/40m. And while you're at it, dump Parker - he's not worth it. I totally believe Nixon/Wilkerson would give you what Parker is, at a fraction of the cost. Meyers, Bourne, Thornton, Nixon/Wilkerson (+ new solid FA, and/or Draft pick). Bourne is worth keeping for final year of his mid-money deal.

Parker is 6 million a year . That's peanuts for a dependable wide receiver. All you need is 400 yard 3 TD from such a person and Parker produces that.