We Have SOME Clarification On The OL?

[Wozzy]

By the time of the start of this thread, Brown and Bryant seemed to be locks as part of the 7, and we all expect to keep 2-3 backups. to the seven.
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Vrabel chose Lowe over Jacobs as a 4th OT.

Wallace was the only backup OG Vrabel thought worthy of a roster spot.

I still think that we should add a 10th, hopefully a veteran LG to replace Strange who was my failed choice.

I think much like Bourne, Strange asked for his walking papers rather than be demoted to backup. It’s not surprising he went to the Browns who need interior help.

But I agree the Pats should be on the lookout for depth help.

 

[mgteich]

Apparently, we have added a T and an OG who were drafted and have some NFL experience. I see this is as a plus since it gives us emergency backups at those positions.

For me, I still would prefer another OG on the 53 in the next month. We are extremely thin at that positions with all players being question marks at a position that they have played regularly.

But this helps a bit, as did the waiver claims and the acquisition of Gregory.

We should see more bottom of the roster and Practice Squad changes, at least through the trade deadline.

I tend to think of the "starting season roster" as the one that we have for Game 2 (before elevations).

As an aside, I don't think that I remember ever having so many changes on the Practice Squad so quickly. Someone is working hard giving Vrabel the information that he needs.

 

[mgteich]

It is truly amazing that Vrabel has likely filled THREE starting OL spots long-term with Campbell, Wilson and Bryant. In addition, he brought in Moses to be a solid starter and a mentor as long as he is here.

The immediate NEED for 2026 isn't HUGE. It is certainly doable.

1) We need an IOL to play wherever Wilson doesn't.

2) We will need a backup center to replace Bradbury.

3) We don't NEED to move on from Onwenu. If we do, then $17M should land a reasonable replacement.

4) And we likely to improve the depth upgrading where we can from Lowe, Wallace and Brown.

 

[p8ryts]

It is truly amazing that Vrabel has likely filled THREE starting OL spots long-term with Campbell, Wilson and Bryant. In addition, he brought in Moses to be a solid starter and a mentor as long as he is here.

The immediate NEED for 2026 isn't HUGE. It is certainly doable.

1) We need an IOL to play wherever Wilson doesn't.

2) We will need a backup center to replace Bradbury.

3) We don't NEED to move on from Onwenu. If we do, then $17M should land a reasonable replacement.

4) And we likely to improve the depth upgrading where we can from Lowe, Wallace and Brown.

Let's wait a few games before we claim, "job done".

 

[Thelonious]

Center will be a specific problem, but the overall worry is that a combination of a couple questionable starters, two rookie starters, a couple of long-in-the-tooth guys, weak depth, and the predictable injuries will make for an ever-shifting O-line with the result that communication will be a problem through the year. We have a better set of options than last year, but with all the shifting around to be expected, the efficiency that can only come with a stable set of O-linemen playing together over time cannot develop. It'll take another year before that will happen. Fortunately the coaching should be better than in recent years. Hopefully Drake can develop his skills behind such a line as this and can avoid injury. We have to count on Josh's scheme-it-up wizardry and on a running game - including anxiety-provokingly enough the QB - that is both solid and capable of flash plays. That might work, but everything on offense will be affected by a weak o-line roster all year long. You can turn your WR room around, say, pretty quickly with a couple snazzy acquisitions, but it can't really work that way with the o-line: that takes time.

 

[mgteich]

Let's wait a few games before we claim, "job done".

"Doable" is not the same as "job done"

However, I'll accept "job done".

Vrabel did more than I could have ever expected in improving the OL in this first year of his OL rebuild. It is very reasonable for this to be a 3-year project, while we are a competitive and improving playoff quality team.

He might be considered to have done better if one of the SIX LG's he brought into camp to compete made the 53-man squad.

I liked this 9 in Training Camp. And yes, I would still prefer trading for veteran LG.

LT: Campbell, Lowe
LG: ???, Wallace
C: Bradbury, Wilson, Brown
RG: Onwenu
RT: Moses, Bryant/Jacobs

 

[captain stone]

"Doable" is not the same as "job done"

However, I'll accept "job done".

Vrabel did more than I could have ever expected in improving the OL in this first year of his OL rebuild. It is very reasonable for this to be a 3-year project, while we are a competitive and improving playoff quality team.

He might be considered to have done better if one of the SIX LG's he brought into camp to compete made the 53-man squad.

I liked this 9 in Training Camp. And yes, I would still prefer trading for veteran LG.

LT: Campbell, Lowe
LG: ???, Wallace
C: Bradbury, Wilson, Brown
RG: Onwenu
RT: Moses, Bryant/Jacobs

You actually liked Wallace at LG in TC? Why?!? Dude ****ing Sucks, same as the incompetent ****ing weasel who drafted him.

 

[mgteich]

You actually liked Wallace at LG in TC? Why?!? Dude ****ing Sucks, same as the incompetent ****ing weasel who drafted him.

Wallace was better in camp than all the backup guards, often running with the #1's. He was good enough for Vrabel to choose to have him as the only OG backup. We obviously could have sign a scrub vet.

I don't Judge Wallace by last year when he was injured and part of a debacle of an OL and when he was coached by incompetents.
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That being said, the six OG's that came to camp weren't even NFL quality players, certainly not players that we wanted on the 53 as starter and primary backup at LG. The bar was very low and Wallace easily crossed it.

That doesn't make Wallace a good LG or even one that will necessarily be in the NFL next year. We'll see. He could develop into a starter, a solid backup OG, a #10 OL or be an easy cut before the 2026 season. He might even develop into a backup RG/RT, a role that our coaches might see for him.
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As an aside, Brown also seized the day and crossed the bar of the backup IOL's. He is out #3 LG, #2 C and also could develop or be out of the league by 2026.

 

[rkarp1]

The Wallace bashers astound me.
Rookie season: incompetent coaching; poor offensive scheme to protect the OL; moved around positionally.
Played 70 snaps, equivalent to 1 game. Broke his leg. Missed every game thereafter thru game #16. Played 60 snaps over the final 2 games.
Returns in season 2 to a new position, new scheme and wins a roster spot.
Yet posters say he sucks. How so? We have yet to really see him play.

 

[dliverey44]

The Wallace bashers astound me.
Rookie season: incompetent coaching; poor offensive scheme to protect the OL; moved around positionally.
Played 70 snaps, equivalent to 1 game. Broke his leg. Missed every game thereafter thru game #16. Played 60 snaps over the final 2 games.
Returns in season 2 to a new position, new scheme and wins a roster spot.
Yet posters say he sucks. How so? We have yet to really see him play.

I agree with you, but the bottom line for most on here is that Wallace was supposed to be able to play LT for us and did not so he failed. He was setup for failure by the last coaching staff and Wolf and fans will always hold it against the player as well as staff.

 

[zydecochris]

Wallace was better in camp than all the backup guards, often running with the #1's. He was good enough for Vrabel to choose to have him as the only OG backup. We obviously could have sign a scrub vet.

I don't Judge Wallace by last year when he was injured and part of a debacle of an OL and when he was coached by incompetents.
============
That being said, the six OG's that came to camp weren't even NFL quality players, certainly not players that we wanted on the 53 as starter and primary backup at LG. The bar was very low and Wallace easily crossed it.

That doesn't make Wallace a good LG or even one that will necessarily be in the NFL next year. We'll see. He could develop into a starter, a solid backup OG, a #10 OL or be an easy cut before the 2026 season. He might even develop into a backup RG/RT, a role that our coaches might see for him.
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As an aside, Brown also seized the day and crossed the bar of the backup IOL's. He is out #3 LG, #2 C and also could develop or be out of the league by 2026.

I haven't really read much on this site on Wallace apart from whether or not he "sucks". Last year was obviously a struggle for him with the coaching, lack of continuity on the line, and injury. Obviously it would be really great if he could eventually fill a role as LG (or ROT).

I read something on the internet talking about Wallace that said he had first round talent but the Pats wanted more from him in a couple of areas, but I'm reluctant to repeat those types of rumors if I can't attribute the source (I can't seem to find it now, it may have simply been some no-nothing writer saying something stupid for clicks).

Have any of you especially sharp-eyed posters been able to assess how he is doing, what he is improving at, and what he is struggling with?