Patriots 2023 Season

[gouki88]

It’s a start I suppose…

@RapSheet
Trade: The #Patriots have traded RB Pierre Strong Jr to the #Browns in exchange for OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr., sources say.

I reckon he's got some upside. Has only been playing OT for a couple of years after being a TE

[Moranis]

That is a very strange trade from the Browns.  Wheatley was a projected backup at OT for them.  I know Ford is hurt, but I think the Browns are far more likely to need Wheatley than Strong.  Nice trade for the Pats as Strong was down the depth chart and Wheatley may not start but will be high up the depth chart.

[boscel33]

It’s a start I suppose…

@RapSheet
Trade: The #Patriots have traded RB Pierre Strong Jr to the #Browns in exchange for OT Tyrone Wheatley Jr., sources say.

I go back to the draft, everyone knew and reported that the #1 priority for the Pats was OT.  We were sitting right there at 14 with Broderick Jones from UGA right there for the picking, and we trade back.  I like Gonzo, but Jones would have anchored that line for years beside Strange.  Would have become the next Hannah/Gray or Mankins/Light!

[boscel33]

"The trade winds are a-blowin’ in New England. After already exchanging running back Pierre Strong Jr. for the Cleveland Browns’ Tyrone Wheatley Jr. earlier on Sunday, the New England Patriots made another move later that same day: fellow offensive tackle Vederian Lowe was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick."

Going to be ugly line play this year I feel!

[Vermont Green]

Interesting pick ups.  They gave up a decent player for Tyrone Wheatley Jr., someone who has never played in an NFL game.  I understand that the catch is he played TE in college but has gained weight and now is trying to be an NFL OT.  Classic Belichick.  These are risky moves but he has a track record of making these payoff in a big way sometimes.  I have no idea how likely this is to succeed but what the heck, I like that they are trying this.

As to Vederian Lowe, I have no idea if he is any good either.  But we need depth so again, what the heck.  Glad they are bring in some options for the OL.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

"The trade winds are a-blowin’ in New England. After already exchanging running back Pierre Strong Jr. for the Cleveland Browns’ Tyrone Wheatley Jr. earlier on Sunday, the New England Patriots made another move later that same day: fellow offensive tackle Vederian Lowe was acquired from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a sixth-round draft pick."

Going to be ugly line play this year I feel!

What's new?

[Phantom255x]

I'm annoyed hearing Belichick in his interview with WEEI this morning.

So he's saying they have four regular starters on the O-Line, and then signed a bunch of guys to potentially fill the 5th spot. Here's the problem. Some of them are hurt (and have been hurt for a while btw), and the other few are rookies. Like... instead of shoring it up with a real player (like a 1st or 2nd round pick or legit FA signing), they are relying on projects and depth guys. That's what Reiff is too at this age basically, and they gave him a raise (5M) when no one else wanted him after a messy stint with Chicago last year. And who even knows if Trent Brown "buys in", that's another annoying thing to factor.

The Patriots have nearly 15M in cap space right now. They didn't even add a WR1 this offseason.

The obvious joke will be, "it's for the lighthouse and renovations", but seriously, where is the rest of this money being spent?? They cheaped out on Hopkins too and let him go to TEN. Could have had Hopkins, Elliott and an actual OT. But nope, keep grinding away at the yard sale and pray something sticks. Meanwhile a lot of these other AFC teams, including the powerhouses are continuing to reload and go for it.

Mac had to go for X-Rays after Week 1 last season after a brutal hit, then got the ankle sprain in Week 3 which kept him out largely due to a poor O-Line. The O-Line last year was mediocre too, and the scary thing is it might be worse this year. People can have differing opinions about the QB, WR room, etc. but nothing will matter if this O-Line is trash. Them adding two guys yesterday isn't "due diligence", they are desperate and it's obvious.

[Vermont Green]

I'm annoyed hearing Belichick in his interview with WEEI this morning.

So he's saying they have four regular starters on the O-Line, and then signed a bunch of guys to potentially fill the 5th spot. Here's the problem. Some of them are hurt (and have been hurt for a while btw), and the other few are rookies. Like... instead of shoring it up with a real player (like a 1st or 2nd round pick or legit FA signing), they are relying on projects and depth guys. That's what Reiff is too at this age basically, and they gave him a raise (5M) when no one else wanted him after a messy stint with Chicago last year. And who even knows if Trent Brown "buys in", that's another annoying thing to factor.

The Patriots have nearly 15M in cap space right now. They didn't even add a WR1 this offseason.

The obvious joke will be, "it's for the lighthouse and renovations", but seriously, where is the rest of this money being spent?? They cheaped out on Hopkins too and let him go to TEN. Could have had Hopkins, Elliott and an actual OT. But nope, keep grinding away at the yard sale and pray something sticks. Meanwhile a lot of these other AFC teams, including the powerhouses are continuing to reload and go for it.

Mac had to go for X-Rays after Week 1 last season after a brutal hit, then got the ankle sprain in Week 3 which kept him out largely due to a poor O-Line. The O-Line last year was mediocre too, and the scary thing is it might be worse this year. People can have differing opinions about the QB, WR room, etc. but nothing will matter if this O-Line is trash. Them adding two guys yesterday isn't "due diligence", they are desperate and it's obvious.

So the 4 "regular starters" are Trent Brown, Cole Strange, David Andrews, and Mike Onwenu?  And that they need to figure out one more?  I think that can work.  Yes, there are questions, injury and otherwise, but every team is going to have some questions around the OL unit.  Someone is always going to be banged up or worse.  I agree the OL is a key factor in overall team success and Mac Jones success.

So do the Patriots really have nearly $15M in cap space?  I look at Spotrac and it is so complicated that I can't be certain where they stand.  If they do have some space, even if it is really only $10M, spending on the OL would be a good place to spend.  I have no idea who is available.  I am not that concerned about Hopkins but I would like to see more certainty with the OL.  Are there really solid vet OL players out there available?  Probably not as FAs so I assume it means trading draft picks, which I am OK with up to a point.

[Goldstar88]

I'm annoyed hearing Belichick in his interview with WEEI this morning.

So he's saying they have four regular starters on the O-Line, and then signed a bunch of guys to potentially fill the 5th spot. Here's the problem. Some of them are hurt (and have been hurt for a while btw), and the other few are rookies. Like... instead of shoring it up with a real player (like a 1st or 2nd round pick or legit FA signing), they are relying on projects and depth guys. That's what Reiff is too at this age basically, and they gave him a raise (5M) when no one else wanted him after a messy stint with Chicago last year. And who even knows if Trent Brown "buys in", that's another annoying thing to factor.

The Patriots have nearly 15M in cap space right now. They didn't even add a WR1 this offseason.

The obvious joke will be, "it's for the lighthouse and renovations", but seriously, where is the rest of this money being spent?? They cheaped out on Hopkins too and let him go to TEN. Could have had Hopkins, Elliott and an actual OT. But nope, keep grinding away at the yard sale and pray something sticks. Meanwhile a lot of these other AFC teams, including the powerhouses are continuing to reload and go for it.

Mac had to go for X-Rays after Week 1 last season after a brutal hit, then got the ankle sprain in Week 3 which kept him out largely due to a poor O-Line. The O-Line last year was mediocre too, and the scary thing is it might be worse this year. People can have differing opinions about the QB, WR room, etc. but nothing will matter if this O-Line is trash. Them adding two guys yesterday isn't "due diligence", they are desperate and it's obvious.

Maybe this is Bill’s way of getting Mac out of town.   

Doubt Belichick ever let’s go of the fact that Mac sought outside counsel during the season last year as the offense was such a mess. Never forgive, never forget!

[Donoghus]

Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 14,265,482
@patscap
·
4h
Since 2011 the Patriots have ended on average the season with over $4.9M in cap space (the 22nd highest amount in the NFL). The Browns have been consistently near the top in unused cap space. The Rams - near the bottom.  The Rams have had a great deal more on the field success.

Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 14,265,482
@patscap
·
4h
The Patriots ended 2011 season with $6,987,262 in cap space
2012 - $5,607,914
2013 - $4,106,801
2014 - $5,258,054
2015 - $1,347,882
2016 - 5,292,335
2017 - 3,012,602
2018 - 3,173,423
2019 - 3,555,899
2020- 19,571,247
2021 - 107,616
2022-1,188,930

[Vermont Green]

Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 14,265,482
@patscap
·
4h
Since 2011 the Patriots have ended on average the season with over $4.9M in cap space (the 22nd highest amount in the NFL). The Browns have been consistently near the top in unused cap space. The Rams - near the bottom.  The Rams have had a great deal more on the field success.

Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 14,265,482
@patscap
·
4h
The Patriots ended 2011 season with $6,987,262 in cap space
2012 - $5,607,914
2013 - $4,106,801
2014 - $5,258,054
2015 - $1,347,882
2016 - 5,292,335
2017 - 3,012,602
2018 - 3,173,423
2019 - 3,555,899
2020- 19,571,247
2021 - 107,616
2022-1,188,930

This is great, thanks, but I look at that and say other than 2020 ($19M left on the table), they spent just fine.  I don't recall what happened in 2020 other than of course that was the season that Brady left? 

Now if the figure is $14M currently available for this season, then absolutely, they should be dipping into this.  It would seem to make sense to start the season with some spare cap space to address emergencies but $14M seems like more than they would need for that.  I will reserve judgement though until everything is settled.

[Donoghus]

Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 14,265,482
@patscap
·
4h
Since 2011 the Patriots have ended on average the season with over $4.9M in cap space (the 22nd highest amount in the NFL). The Browns have been consistently near the top in unused cap space. The Rams - near the bottom.  The Rams have had a great deal more on the field success.

Miguel Benzan Patriots Cap Space is 14,265,482
@patscap
·
4h
The Patriots ended 2011 season with $6,987,262 in cap space
2012 - $5,607,914
2013 - $4,106,801
2014 - $5,258,054
2015 - $1,347,882
2016 - 5,292,335
2017 - 3,012,602
2018 - 3,173,423
2019 - 3,555,899
2020- 19,571,247
2021 - 107,616
2022-1,188,930

This is great, thanks, but I look at that and say other than 2020 ($19M left on the table), they spent just fine.  I don't recall what happened in 2020 other than of course that was the season that Brady left? 

Now if the figure is $14M currently available for this season, then absolutely, they should be dipping into this.  It would seem to make sense to start the season with some spare cap space to address emergencies but $14M seems like more than they would need for that.  I will reserve judgement though until everything is settled.

That's the point I was making.  They spend.

The 2020 outlier was due to the whole CBA Covid Amendment rules.  the opt outs affected that number.

[gouki88]

Some more tackle depth acquired for a 6th rounder. ESPN now has our O-line depth chart as:

LT: Brown - Anderson - Wheatley - Lowe
LG: Strange - Murray - Sow - Mafi
C: D Andrews - Russey - J Andrews
RG: Onwenu - Ferentz - Hines
RT: Reiff - McDermott - Stueber

I would probably prefer to see Onwenu shift to T and Reiff to IOL.

[Neurotic Guy]

Some more tackle depth acquired for a 6th rounder. ESPN now has our O-line depth chart as:

LT: Brown - Anderson - Wheatley - Lowe
LG: Strange - Murray - Sow - Mafi
C: D Andrews - Russey - J Andrews
RG: Onwenu - Ferentz - Hines
RT: Reiff - McDermott - Stueber

I would probably prefer to see Onwenu shift to T and Reiff to IOL.

That’s 17. If they could all play at once I bet they protect well.

How many o-linemen are typically carried on the 53, and how many on practice squad?

[gouki88]

Some more tackle depth acquired for a 6th rounder. ESPN now has our O-line depth chart as:

LT: Brown - Anderson - Wheatley - Lowe
LG: Strange - Murray - Sow - Mafi
C: D Andrews - Russey - J Andrews
RG: Onwenu - Ferentz - Hines
RT: Reiff - McDermott - Stueber

I would probably prefer to see Onwenu shift to T and Reiff to IOL.

That’s 17. If they could all play at once I bet they protect well.

How many o-linemen are typically carried on the 53, and how many on practice squad?

I've got no clue to be honest. I think it would vary due to injury proneness & age - we have some injury-prone linemen, sadly