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

[Real fan 02]

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.

The strange pick was done with heavy emphasis on a new offense being run in 2022.. the destructive season where Matt and Joe were charged with handling the offense.

That played a large part on picking him.. you mentioned the Rams Mc Vay actually laughed that we took him that high. However I think strange is a serviceable player.. he has good athletic ability. The fact he's a starter is telling how Vrabel and Marrone view him. Now will he stay healthy enough through training camp is the concern. Sow filled in admirably when strange went down... Sow himself got hurt last season and somehow got lost in the shuffle. If they traded strange Sow would be the guy IMO.

 

[DaBruinz]

There were 7 additions to the line this year... as a refresher, they are:
signed: Garrett Bradbury, Morgan Moses, Wes Schweitzer (now on the reserve/retired list)
drafted: Will Campbell (1st) , Jared Wilson (3rd), Marcus Bryant (7th), Jack Conley (udfa)

I like Cole Strange... when he has played, I think he's been the best guy out there for us (ymmv)... if Strange69 is the best fit for the LG position, he should play... ain't no if, ands or buts about it... we are not good enough to be trading away potential starters...

Strange has played in 13 of the last 34 games... because of that, of his injury history, I think other teams will shy away from trading for him... hard to justify spending draft picks on iffy players... ymmv on that opinion

Just a point of information:
They also added Yasir Durant (OT - SFA) and Mekhi Butler (OG - UDFA).

They also had signed Cole Birdrow as a UDFA, but he didn't make it past minicamp.

 

[Pape]

Just a point of information:
They also added Yasir Durant (OT - SFA) and Mekhi Butler (OG - UDFA).

They also had signed Cole Birdrow as a UDFA, but he didn't make it past minicamp.

thanks Bruinz ... knew i was forgetting at least one guy

 

[Pape]

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

The dynamics of motion are different, with the guard position requiring more lateral movement... least that is how i see it... and iirc was one of the reasons they gave for using him at center... will see if i can find the article that mentioned it

 

[Huckleberry1]

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.

Wilson is a lock.

 

[DaBruinz]

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.

Bradbury has never been great at pass blocking.

Look at his stats: Pblock = Plays where he pass blocked
2019: 595 Pblock - 4 sacks, 2 hits, 23 hurries = 29 pressures = 1 pressure every 20.5 snaps
2020: 613 Pblock - 5 sacks, 7 hits, 17 hurries = 28 pressures = 1 pressure every 21.9 snaps
2021: 546 Pblock - 2 sacks, 6 hits, 18 hurries = 26 pressures = 1 pressure every 21 snaps
2022: 571 Pblock - 2 sacks, 8 hits, 19 hurries = 29 pressures = 1 pressure every 19.7 snaps
2023: 578 Pblock - 3 sacks, 5 hits, 14 hurries = 22 pressures = 1 pressure every 26.3 snaps
2024: 730 Pblock - 4 sacks, 6 hits, 28 hurries = 38 pressures = 1 pressure every 19.2 snaps

Bradbury's best year was 2023 in terms of total pressures at 22, but still gave up 3 sacks and 5 hits.

Bradbury averaged 605.5 Pblocks, 3.3 sacks, 5.7 hits, and 19.3 hurries = 28.3 pressures


Compare that to someone like Dave Andrews who only ever gave up 1-2 sacks and typically fewer than 26 pressures with the exception of 2023 when Mac Jones was under center.

With the exception of 2023, where Andrews gave up 1 pressure every 21.6 snaps, he was between 30-38 snaps in between pressures..

Bradbury has never been great at pass blocking. He's certainly not in the realm of a David Andrews, who was very good, but, by no means, an All-Pro.

 

[DaBruinz]

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….

Bradbury was never "great". Sorry.. By any metric, he was an average pass blocker. At best.

 

[Ross12]

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.

Agreed… They are not “great” at any position on the OL but I also don’t think they’re “bad” at any position, except perhaps LG if no one steps up. Onwenu and Moses should be “good”, Campbell will probably be “good” but at minimum will be “solid”, Bradbury will be “solid” but hopefully Wilson eventually overtakes him.

I can see a future where Campbell becomes a very good LT through athleticism and technical prowess, and Wilson becomes a stud center. That said, they will still want to continue to invest in upgrades at RT and LG. Onwenu SHOULD hold down the fort at RG but his weight and effort have occasionally been suspect so it wouldn’t hurt to give him competition too.

I suspect you’re right that Vrabel will use a lot of 1st-4th rounders on OL and DL.

 

[Ross12]

Bradbury has never been great at pass blocking.

Look at his stats: Pblock = Plays where he pass blocked
2019: 595 Pblock - 4 sacks, 2 hits, 23 hurries = 29 pressures = 1 pressure every 20.5 snaps
2020: 613 Pblock - 5 sacks, 7 hits, 17 hurries = 28 pressures = 1 pressure every 21.9 snaps
2021: 546 Pblock - 2 sacks, 6 hits, 18 hurries = 26 pressures = 1 pressure every 21 snaps
2022: 571 Pblock - 2 sacks, 8 hits, 19 hurries = 29 pressures = 1 pressure every 19.7 snaps
2023: 578 Pblock - 3 sacks, 5 hits, 14 hurries = 22 pressures = 1 pressure every 26.3 snaps
2024: 730 Pblock - 4 sacks, 6 hits, 28 hurries = 38 pressures = 1 pressure every 19.2 snaps

Bradbury's best year was 2023 in terms of total pressures at 22, but still gave up 3 sacks and 5 hits.

Bradbury averaged 605.5 Pblocks, 3.3 sacks, 5.7 hits, and 19.3 hurries = 28.3 pressures


Compare that to someone like Dave Andrews who only ever gave up 1-2 sacks and typically fewer than 26 pressures with the exception of 2023 when Mac Jones was under center.

With the exception of 2023, where Andrews gave up 1 pressure every 21.6 snaps, he was between 30-38 snaps in between pressures..

Bradbury has never been great at pass blocking. He's certainly not in the realm of a David Andrews, who was very good, but, by no means, an All-Pro.

I think it’s a give and take there. Bradbury will be a worse pass blocker than Andrews but not drastically worse. Conversely, Bradbury will give more in the run game than Andrews did. Andrews gave max effort but he was a little small sometimes versus some DL. Bradbury will get more push. Vrabel will want to establish the run, so this will probably be a net benefit. If they establish the run well, it softens the pass rush, which negates Bradbury’s slightly worse pass pro. I can see runs behind a trio of Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses being potent.

 

[Real fan 02]

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 spot

Agreed.

Belichick absolutely embarrassed McVay in Super Bowl LIII, stole his lunch money… maybe we shouldn’t hold him and his one ring up as some paragon of competency.

Wozzy I believe that Mcvay was propped up as the whiz kid becuase the Rams had an electric offense that season.. however it came to a crashing halt in the superbowl... that they realistically should have never been in.

 

[Real fan 02]

I think it’s a give and take there. Bradbury will be a worse pass blocker than Andrews but not drastically worse. Conversely, Bradbury will give more in the run game than Andrews did. Andrews gave max effort but he was a little small sometimes versus some DL. Bradbury will get more push. Vrabel will want to establish the run, so this will probably be a net benefit. If they establish the run well, it softens the pass rush, which negates Bradbury’s slightly worse pass pro. I can see runs behind a trio of Bradbury, Onwenu and Moses being potent.

Andrews was a great player for along time.. but he did get rag dolled around alot last few seasons.. especially by Quinnen Williams...

 

[Real fan 02]

McVay literally laughed out loud when BB picked him.

Strange has had one foot on a banana peel ever since. There is no way that the Rams would give anything for him. I suppose Higbee, but he is 31 and missed 14 games last season. Nothing plus nothing = nothing.

 

[Real fan 02]

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

For anyone that has trouble remembering..(not you).. all they have to do is look at all off season and minicamp who are the OL starters. It's pointless even thinking that will change save for a injury.

Campbell
Strange
Bradbury
Ownenu
Moses

 

[State]

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

Henry and Hooper make a very good tandem. But both are not blockers and are over 30 and, to be blunt, are injury prone.

Where’s the talented young guy? Not to be seen. Just camp fodder behind these two old guys.

McDaniels is going to be frustrated he can’t line up in 11 personnel and have a blocking TE.

 

[Boomer B]

If healthy he’s a high end starting guard in this league.

 

[Real fan 02]

Henry and Hooper make a very good tandem. But both are not blockers and are over 30 and, to be blunt, are injury prone.

Where’s the talented young guy? Not to be seen. Just camp fodder behind these two old guys.

McDaniels is going to be frustrated he can’t line up in 11 personnel and have a blocking TE.

Jaheim Bell will have an opportunity to carve are that role for himself

 

[Huckleberry1]

Bradbury was never "great". Sorry.. By any metric, he was an average pass blocker. At best.

Agree. This was a band aid signing. They didn’t want to be atrocious again and signed Bradbury to ensure that. Then they were able to address the position, hopefully long term, by drafting Wilson in the 3rd round.

 

[Real fan 02]

The dynamics of motion are different, with the guard position requiring more lateral movement... least that is how i see it... and iirc was one of the reasons they gave for using him at center... will see if i can find the article that mentioned it

Simply having 5 guys who can actually...  BLOCK.. would do wonders for our young stud.. 5 guys line up and go!!

 

[Wozzy]

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.

A lot of West Coast coaches have dealt with this criticism. Shanahan, McVay have all been accused of allowing their QB’s to take unnecessary beatings, I think it’s a byproduct of the scheme.

 

[Wozzy]

Bradbury has never been great at pass blocking.

Look at his stats: Pblock = Plays where he pass blocked
2019: 595 Pblock - 4 sacks, 2 hits, 23 hurries = 29 pressures = 1 pressure every 20.5 snaps
2020: 613 Pblock - 5 sacks, 7 hits, 17 hurries = 28 pressures = 1 pressure every 21.9 snaps
2021: 546 Pblock - 2 sacks, 6 hits, 18 hurries = 26 pressures = 1 pressure every 21 snaps
2022: 571 Pblock - 2 sacks, 8 hits, 19 hurries = 29 pressures = 1 pressure every 19.7 snaps
2023: 578 Pblock - 3 sacks, 5 hits, 14 hurries = 22 pressures = 1 pressure every 26.3 snaps
2024: 730 Pblock - 4 sacks, 6 hits, 28 hurries = 38 pressures = 1 pressure every 19.2 snaps

Bradbury's best year was 2023 in terms of total pressures at 22, but still gave up 3 sacks and 5 hits.

Bradbury averaged 605.5 Pblocks, 3.3 sacks, 5.7 hits, and 19.3 hurries = 28.3 pressures


Compare that to someone like Dave Andrews who only ever gave up 1-2 sacks and typically fewer than 26 pressures with the exception of 2023 when Mac Jones was under center.

With the exception of 2023, where Andrews gave up 1 pressure every 21.6 snaps, he was between 30-38 snaps in between pressures..

Bradbury has never been great at pass blocking. He's certainly not in the realm of a David Andrews, who was very good, but, by no means, an All-Pro.

Bradbury was never "great". Sorry.. By any metric, he was an average pass blocker. At best.

Since Kevin O'Connell arrived three years ago the entire line went from 4th fewest sacks and 5th lowest sack percentage in 2021, to three straight years of being one of the worst pass blocking units in the NFL.

PFF player grades are toilet paper…