With No Retirement, Don't We Have Our 9 OL's?

[State]

Look to Wynn coming back in early June. At LT exclusively. He was an unqualified disaster at RT. That’s where old guys Brown and Reiff can platoon.

The LT position is untenable as it currently stands. Time to do to Brown what the Raiders did to him in 2019: move him to RT.

Calvin Anderson can back up the firmer first-rounder who’s still 27.

Dante says in his Phil Perry interview that it’s been injuries that have derailed his career. Remember this is a Scar-approved player. As much as I hate him.

 

[State]

If Steuber comes back it’ll be at guard. Emergency duty at OT, where his arms, strength, and athleticism are all lacking.

 

[mgteich]

Holding firm to my prediction: Rieff doesn’t make it out of camp, Cajuste to IR in camp, This leaves Brown and Anderson, McDermott and Steuber.

Taking Mapu rather than say Freeland was a debacle

Hope I’m wrong obviously.

OK, let's deal with the 2 injury scenario you gave us.

IMO, this is still an upgrade over 2022.

1) We will have a real OL coach.

2) We will have an OC who should help in using players better.

3) Brown will be better under better coaching and a more stable environment. Brown works much better with better coaching.

4) McDermott knows the system better, and will be mentored by his former coach.

5) ANDERSON is a major upgrade over WYNN
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Posters wanted two new starters. What they got was a major upgrade at LT/swing OT and in the coaching staff. I would that even McDermott at RT, with better coaching, is an upgrade over 2022.

So, for me, even KLEMM, BROWN, ANDERSON, MCDERMOTT is much better than our 2022 situation. In addition, it is possible that Strange or Sow may be able to help out OT.

 

[State]

ANDERSON is a major upgrade over WYNN

Not a healthy Wynn playing LT. Wynn’s technique and arm length in his little body are impressive.

 

[State]

It’s hard to quantify how the improved OL coaching will improve the play of veterans like Brown. But it does seem as if last year Patricia abdicated responsibility as OL coach and handed over the reins much of the time to a witless Billy Yates.

Gawd, did we miss Popovich last year!

The suckiness was contagious, even spreading a bit to my fav Onwenu.

Ultimately the disaster of it all, bad coaching and a dubious scheme adjustment to favor outside zone are the responsibility of the head coach. Belichick really blew it last year.

 

[State]

Patriots have 3 players capable of being a 3rd down back in James Robinson, Pierre Strong and Stevenson.

Is it just me or do I hold out hope Ty Montgomery might still make his voice heard.

 

[State]

I hope we can steal this guy if the Bloodclots (Captain Stone’s hilarious name for the Colts) try to get him past waivers.

Jake Witt Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

 

[State]

We will have a real OL coach.

Still to be determined. He’s a great college recruiter. But that’s a different skill set. Has he ever done this on his own in the nfl? No.

Wasn’t he an assistant like Billy Yates is now when last in the league with the Steelers?

The good news is the Oregon Ducks’ OL looked very impressive last year. But so did the Washington Huskies. Big whiff.

Time to prove himself in the nfl now.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think Reiff is going to be better than expected . From what I read, last year was an off year for him and he should return to form this year. Then again, I wouldn't be shocked at all if he retired in camp.

 

[TheRainMaker]

Um, what are you talking about? How can you complain about our offense? We’re the second oldest in the league. With a QB on a rookie contract. Right.

I take it back. Jones is pissed.

https://atozsports.com/new-england/patriots-should-be-improved-in-key-area-after-2023-offseason/

The Pats should not be the 2nd oldest offense in the league. Bill did a poor job building around Mac who will be the fall guy during/after this upcoming season.

 

[hornetfb85]

nm

 

[Wozzy]

Antonio Mafi was too injured to workout after his bowl game, he might start the year on the IR.

Riley Reiff is old and has a lot of wear and tear on his body, he is no sure thing. Same with David Andrews, he is getting long in tooth, he might decide in camp he has had enough.

Even if none of these things come to pass, they can easily give one or more players the Foxboro flu and bring them back later in the season.

I'd also put Sidy Sow down as a legitimate option at tackle. If he emerges they could trade one of the vets like Reiff, Brown or Anderson to a tackle needy team. It won't surprise me to find Trent at LT and Sow at RT to start the season... if not they have decent options assuming health.

 

[DaBruinz]

How about look at the last three. The guy he was in his twenties is very different than the broken down body in his mid 30s. The league ages bodies real fast.

I did look at ALL the years. YOU clearly didn't. Reiff missed 1 game last season. Just as an inactive. Not because of injury. In 2021, he missed 5 games due to an ankle injury that he tried to play through. In 2020, he was added to the Covid list in the last week of the season.

So 5 games in 3 seasons for injury.... yep. So broken down. Sit down, you Capt. Stone wannabe. Seriously. It's bad enough with HIM around. You're a cheap imitation.

 

[DaBruinz]

You seem not to understand the value of older veterans one year contracts at the end of their careers. Both Brown and Reff are very valuable parts of a roster. If Reiff plays only half the games, he will have been worth signing. We'll likely carry a 4th OT, and a 5th on the Practice Squad. These two are likely to be McDermott and Cajuste.

MG - I think you meant to quote STATE and not me with this response.

 

[Wozzy]

Is it just me or do I hold out hope Ty Montgomery might still make his voice heard.

I'd put him #1 on the depth chart at passing RB, I'd put Pierre Strong at #2 unless he can pass Monty in preseason.

Robinson is the Damien Harris backup as the early down RB if healthy, if not Kevin Harris has an opportunity.

 

[captain stone]

Is it just me or do I hold out hope Ty Montgomery might still make his voice heard.

It’s just you. Ty Monty’s finished.

 

[captain stone]

I hope we can steal this guy if the Bloodclots (Captain Stone’s hilarious name for the Colts) try to get him past waivers.

Jake Witt Draft and Combine Prospect Profile | NFL.com

I’m sure he’ll be exposed to waivers on Cut-Down day and that the bloodClots will try to sign him to their PS… and that this lazy-ass FO won’t put in a claim either. Heck they didn’t put one in for a 3-year vet like Max Scharping on Cut-Down Day last year; the Bungles did, however, and he finished the season as one of their starters because of their injuries… Would’ve saved us the trouble of watching Marcus Cannon break down Yet Again during the season.

 

[patfanken]

Here’s a pernicious thought: we’re forced to sign Wynn. We pay him his $5 million with the promise he’ll be LT.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

Actually this one I've been thinking about. Wynn, wen motivated and healthy, WAS an effective LT. The problem has been that he hasn't been healthy and rarely seemed motivated, especially last season. BUT....come late June and we aren't happy with how the OT's look in OTA's, he'd be someone I'd look at for $5MM. Now I doubt it would happen...but....

I see the OL as a great mishmash of some athletic guys who MIGHT develop into a solid unit. I'm hoping that we now have enough talent to improve the depth of the OL. I'll know that things are going well the day they announce that Ferentz has been released. Adrian Klemm has got to hit the ground running. I THINK I see enough talent to put out an effective OL and the depth to maintain it. In fact I'll take it another step further than hope that a good sign for the OL will be that Reiff has retired. The competition is going to be WIDE open at the OT spots and NO one's job is safe.

Welcome back Adrien.

 

[State]

In 2021, he missed 5 games due to an ankle injury that he tried to play through.

Not accurate; Reiff missed __six__ games in 2021 playing for the Bengals with an ankle injury. He only played in 12 games that year.

 

[Zuma]

Not accurate; Reiff missed __six__ games in 2021 playing for the Bengals with an ankle injury. He only played in 12 games that year.

Reiffer is a good one but loooong in the tooth. He might just say **** it while hoofing it during camp doing sprints up and down Belichick Hill. And I misjudged Anderson's abilities...I think he might surprise us and make a push to be our starting LT. We need a genuine OT thread.