Pats Pulpit
The latest edition of our Patriots mailbag answers questions about the left guard spot, Keion White and more.
The offseason program is officially complete for the New England Patriots as they wrapped up mandatory minicamp this week. Players will now be off until late July when they return for training camp.
So let’s talk about it all and get right into this week’s #PostPulpit Mailbag.
What does Wes Schweitzer retiring mean for the Guard depth going forward? - mathblaster97
The left guard position went from a massive question mark to a massive question mark following the retirement of Schweitzer, who repped along the top offensive line at points this offseason. Where things stand now, Cole Strange appears to be the frontrunner for the starting job.
As for the depth, New England has options with Sidy Sow, Tyrese Robinson, Layden Robinson, and UDFA Jack Conley on the roster. The team could also look at rookie center Jared Wilson (assuming he does not win the starting center job from Garrett Bradbury) and tackle Caedan Wallace, who started to take snaps at the position late this spring.
Among the depth options, we’d put Sow and Conley, who has four position versatility up front, among the favorites but would not sleep on Wallace potentially making a push. He’s a powerful player that many thought would benefit moving inside anyway prior to last year’s draft.
The left guard position will remain among the top storylines to watch entering camp and critiques of how they handled the spot this offseason remain fair.
What’s the scuttlebutt on the center competition? - phal3123
There hasn’t been any competition this spring as Jared Wilson has been limited for unknown reasons. That has led to Garrett Bradbury leading the way at center. I’m still not sold with Bradbury as the answer after his struggles in pass protection last season — and then watching Keion White beat him up the middle on Tuesday leading to an interception downfield. I am a fan of Wilson, but the rookie missing the spring will likely put him behind the eight ball this summer.
Question about Keion White. Clearly physically talented but a classic tweener, a trait Belichick loved but most coaches do not. He says he prefers playing inside but is presently slotted outside. What are your thoughts about the best way to use him and his potential in the Vrabel system that does not appear to play to his strengths? - maxiedp
Speaking of Keion, I think he has the chance to breakout this season in a defense that fits him well. While he has been more productive rushing inside rather than outside, the new attacking defensive scheme will allow him to be more aggressive along the edge.
He alluded to that following minicamp: “I can be a little bit less conservative and be more aggressive on the edge.”
That should lead to more production along the edge, where he also has been in more three-point stances over the tackle rather...
