Trade Cole Strange to a Team That Runs A lot of Outside Zone

[Huckleberry1]

You can argue all day about the Strange draft pick(29 btw- almost the 2nd rd), but he's OK when he's healthy.
He struggled a bit when he was a rookie, but that leg whip was REAL, that wasn't ********, it was bad, and then he tried to come back too early, and that showed.
I think he'll be fine, but we'll see.

I agree. He was drafted too high but he’s a good LG when healthy. There were right not to pick up the option, but hopefully he stays healthy and has a strong season.

 

[Wozzy]

The Minnesota Vikings have signed former Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly to a two-year, $18 million deal. This move aims to bolster their offensive line with a seasoned veteran.

Kelly is 31, Bradbury is 30. Kelly is literally older than Bradbury and you say he is a younger option. You are totally lost.

They signed Kelly as their center because they already had a great center? Paid $18M because Bradbury is a strong athletic stud? Insanely athletic?

The Patriots signed Bradbury for $3.8M guaranteed because he is an amazing stud? - hint $3.8M is JAG money. A month after signing a "strong athletic stud", "insanely athletic", the Pats draft the top center in the 3rd round. Why did the Pats draft the top center? Because Bradbury is so athletic the Pats want Wilson to sit on the bench for 4 years?

Bradbury is OK. Not absurdly athletic or a stud. He is a JAG filling a hole until Wilson is ready. The love for Bradbury is absurd. Wozzy, you are completely lost on this one.

I didn’t know who they got to replace him, I assumed it was someone younger without bothering to look. I was wrong.

The Patriots signed an aged center, nobody is giving a 30 year old player a long term deal.

Bradbury’s athleticism is not a question, it’s not my opinion… his RAS score was amazing and thorough. He benched it 34 times, an absurd amount.

2019 Draft Scout Garrett Bradbury - C - North Carolina State

2019 Draft Scout Garrett Bradbury - C - North Carolina State

draftscout.com

You seem to forget that athleticism is measured. And again, before Connolly arrived in Minnesota, Bradbury and that line gave up some of the fewest sacks in the NFL. So what…. he was great then but forgot how to play center the moment a new coach arrived?

Sounds silly….

 

[TheRainMaker]

Unless someone comes out of nowhere and stands out, the Pats need to keep all the bodies on OL they can.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I didn’t know who they got to replace him, I assumed it was someone younger without bothering to look. I was wrong.

The Patriots signed an aged center, nobody is giving a 30 year old player a long term deal.

Bradbury’s athleticism is not a question, it’s not my opinion… his RAS score was amazing and thorough. He benched it 34 times, an absurd amount.

2019 Draft Scout Garrett Bradbury - C - North Carolina State

2019 Draft Scout Garrett Bradbury - C - North Carolina State

draftscout.com

You seem to forget that athleticism is measured. And again, before Connolly arrived in Minnesota, Bradbury and that line gave up some of the fewest sacks in the NFL. So what…. he was great then but forgot how to play center the moment a new coach arrived?

Sounds silly….

Might sound silly to you, but that is what happened. Do you think the Vikings cut Bradbury after he had an All-Pro season? Not sure what to say other than stop digging.

 

[Wozzy]

Might sound silly to you, but that is what happened. Do you think the Vikings cut Bradbury after he had an All-Pro season? Not sure what to say other than stop digging.

We can be more specific, since Kevin O'Connell arrived three years ago the entire line went from 4th fewest sacks and 5th lowest sack percentage in the NFL in 2021, to three straight years of being one of the worst pass blocking units in the NFL. It wasn't just Bradbury giving up sacks either, the entire line did... and they had many good players.

Offensive Coordinator Clint Kubiak had one of the best lines in the NFL in 2021 and prior. So like I said... it could be scheme related. Again… Bradbury played near a pro bowl level on one of the best lines in football for nearly a decade… then forgot how to play when a new coach arrived and last season when he had two new guards next to him… sounds legit.

Is there a possibility Bradbury just can't do it anymore, sure, there's also the possibility Sow looks amazing at guard or Strange simply outplays him at center... or he retires.

Kevin O'Connell hasn't had a top ten offense since he's been in Minnesota, his offense gives up a lot of sacks. Brian Flores was a genius hire for them and a large part of the reason they've had two out of three winning seasons... but there's a possibility O'Connell just isn't a good coach or is too young or inexperienced.

 

[Ross12]

I’m not looking to trade ANY guard right now when their left guard position is still completely unsettled.

 

[Wozzy]

I’m not looking to trade ANY guard right now when their left guard position is still completely unsettled.

My projected depth chart:

LT – Will Campbell, Marcus Bryant,
LG – Cole Strange, Sidy Sow,
C – Garrett Bradbury, Jared Wilson,
RG – Michael Onwenu, Layden Robinson (PS),
RT – Morgan Moses, Caedan Wallace, Demontrey Jacobs (PS),

Assuming they stay healthy and nothing changes, this is a great group to be heading into camp with. I don’t understand why people want to weaken it. Camp and preseason will do that almost naturally with competition, contracts and injuries.

Depth charts change quickly. Screw draft picks… get the opening 53 man roster you want, then move redundant players.

 

[farn]

If this year doesn't pan out with Campbell and Wilson, we need to go back and reevaluate whoever has been making the determinations at OL over the last few years.

And that includes free agent signings and trades, not only the draft.

Because we have expended a lot of picks.

Without a competent OL, most of everything else a team wants to do is gonna be tough…

 

[State]

I’m not looking to trade ANY guard right now when their left guard position is still completely unsettled.

Stop making so much sense, you’re busting my groove. You are probably right.

One exception is if the light bulb goes on for Siddy the Sow, that does theoretically make Strange69 expendable.

Sow backed up by the talented rookie from Georgia, Wilson.

That would open the door to keeping another young offensive playmaker on the 53. Chism, Larison, or the only viable Y TE on the roster in undrafted FA CJ Dippre. Or a Bourne.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

Since Kevin O’Connell arrived in Minnesota that line, which was largely made up of athletic studs, went from one of the best blocking, and specifically pass blocking units in the NFL to one of the worst.

Their scheme is West Coast Shanahan style and just like Kyle, Kevin has trouble keeping his QB’s upright when it matters most. Their QB’s take too many unnecessary hits.

The Vikings let Bradbury go because he will be 30 years old this season and they had a younger option. The guy is a strong athletic stud… always has been.

Did that take into account Darnold holding the ball way too long and forcing his line to hold their blocks longer? As Pats fans, we knew his weaknesses that got exposed nationally in the playoffs.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

McVay? BB spanked McVay in the SB. You don't watch SBs? LOL

McVAy was star struck speaking w BB before that game....

 

[Ross12]

Stop making so much sense, you’re busting my groove. You are probably right.

One exception is if the light bulb goes on for Siddy the Sow, that does theoretically make Strange69 expendable.

Sow backed up by the talented rookie from Georgia, Wilson.

That would open the door to keeping another young offensive playmaker on the 53. Chism, Larison, or the only viable Y TE on the roster in undrafted FA CJ Dippre. Or a Bourne.

Yeah, if Sow returns to form and looks good then it makes Strange expendable to some degree - but I would want to wait to see that first, and I would also want to have Strange put decent tape out there for other teams via preseason games to raise his trade value. I don’t think it’d make any sense to trade him until around the end of preseason.

 

[upstater1]

Without a competent OL, most of everything else a team wants to do is gonna be tough…

If you go ZERO for 8, you must re-evaluate.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I’m not looking to trade ANY guard right now when their left guard position is still completely unsettled.

They did pretty much everything they could to upgrade the OL this offseason, we will see whether it’s enough or not. I think it’s enough to be a decent OL, but not world beaters. But the additions of Henderson, and probably Lampe, will really help when it does breakdown, as both are excellent blocking backs. That said I expect it will continue to be a priority next offseason, as I don’t expect Vrabel and Co. to ever stop trying to improve it. They want to be able to dominate teams physically, and you can only do that with a great OL, and they aren’t close to that yet.

 

[rkarp1]

Bradbury was released by the Vikings because he is too small and got tossed around during pass blocking. Strange has never been the size/strength but you like Bradbury?

Bradbury is smart, moves well and is plenty strong. He will help a young QB and OL with his experience.
A lot of his issues have been attributed to scheme. is he a better fit in what Josh does? I guess we wait and see.
My issue with Strange is does he physically have the legs to again be a 2nd level blocker? was the patella injury too much to overcome in getting back to his old self? after 1 solid year of rehab, he was not able to play a single snap at OG last year. has another 6-8 months made a difference?

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Bradbury is smart, moves well and is plenty strong. He will help a young QB and OL with his experience.
A lot of his issues have been attributed to scheme. is he a better fit in what Josh does? I guess we wait and see.
My issue with Strange is does he physically have the legs to again be a 2nd level blocker? was the patella injury too much to overcome in getting back to his old self? after 1 solid year of rehab, he was not able to play a single snap at OG last year. has another 6-8 months made a difference?

Strange played 2 games at Center at the end of last year. This year will be a big tell for him.

 

[DaBruinz]

Like the LA Rams for their starting TE Tyler Higbee and a late draft pick.

They dealt with Higbee being injured for a season and drafted Terrance Ferguson from Oregon in the second round this year. And they have two quality backups.

That way the Patriots have better depth at that critical position and won’t be held hostage if and when Hunter Henry is injured.

Plus, Strange was broken by Quinnen Williams. No need to have him face that monster twice a season.

His apex athleticism is uniquely suited to outside zone runs. The Rams had researched him thoroughly but could only laugh in an unguarded moment when BB took him in the first round, which was going against the grain to put it mildly.

Why would you trade for Higbee when you have Henry, Hooper, Bell, and Dippre??

Seriously.. You're just saying to trade for the sake of trading.. ZERO thought into what the Patriots get out of it.. Especially this silliness that the team would be "held hostage" over a injury to Hunter Henry..

 

[DaBruinz]

Bradbury is smart, moves well and is plenty strong. He will help a young QB and OL with his experience.
A lot of his issues have been attributed to scheme. is he a better fit in what Josh does? I guess we wait and see.
My issue with Strange is does he physically have the legs to again be a 2nd level blocker? was the patella injury too much to overcome in getting back to his old self? after 1 solid year of rehab, he was not able to play a single snap at OG last year. has another 6-8 months made a difference?

Bradbury is terrible in pass pro. He was one of the worst centers in the league in it last year. He's a mauler that excels in run blocking.

Not sure where you got that Bradbury's issues were scheme related since he was in the same scheme during his time in Minny. And he got worse in pass pro each of the last 2 years.


The Pats purposely moved him to Center because of his athleticism and they felt they needed an upgrade there with both Andrews and Brown injured.

The fact that you think that playing OC is LESS demanding on a player's knees than playing guard tells everyone that your understanding of the game is seriously lacking.

 

[DaBruinz]

cole strange missed the first 14 games of 2024... when he came back, he played out of position, partly because they weren't sure his knee could handle the requirements of the guard position... the front office went out and added a lot of moving pieces to the line this year... all of that means he is a speculative camp cut... he has no trade value

The OC position is MORE demanding on a player's knees than the guard position. Not Less.

 

[DaBruinz]

Struggling trying to remember who we signed. We brought in tackles in Moses and Campbell. We brought in a center in Bradbury to take over for Andrews.

As far as I know, we're going into the season with 4 guards. Onwenu, Sow, Robinson and Strange. While the new coaches seem to have elevated Sow in their estimations, they've downgraded Robinson. This tells me that Strange is easily in the best position to grab that left guard spot.

The Pats have the following players vying for Guard Spots:
Michael Onwenu
Cole Strange
Sidy Sow
Tyrese Robinson
Layden Robinson
Jack Conley
Mekhi Butler

This doesn't include the OC/OG:
Jared Wilson
Ben Brown

I think only Onwenu and Strange are locks.. The other 5 are vying for 2 spots.