Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - New England Patriots: Bye-Bye Bye Week, Cole Strange Returns, Caedan Wallace, KJ Osborn and More
Episode Date: December 11, 2024As they return to action from their “bye week,” the New England Patriots are getting some much needed reinforcements along their struggling offensive line. Starting o-lineman Cole Strange has been... activated from the reserve list, but will he play left guard or center? Additionally, rookie Caedan Wallace has returned to the practice field, opening his return window from injured reserve. Host Mike D’Abate welcomes Steven Balestrieri of PatsFans.com to discuss Strange and Wallace, as well as the release of receiver KJ Osborn and the signing of kicker John Parker Romo to the practice squad. #nfl #newenglandpatriots Find and follow Locked On Patriots on your favorite podcast platforms: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1c5ZxFm... Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/locked-... And follow host Mike D’Abate on X, where he’ll be sharing the latest ne ws about the New England Patriots and talking with fans — @mdabateNFL Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Omaha SteaksFrom legendary steaks to mouthwatering desserts and more, save 50% off site-wide for a limited time at OmahaSteaks.com. Plus, our listeners get an extra $30 off with Promo Code NFL. IceShakerCreated by and used by the Gronkowski brothers, IceShakers has sold over 1 million bottles. They have changed the game with workout bottles, and this is the gift you’ve been looking for… go to IceShaker.com and use the code LOCKEDONNFL at checkout to save 25% on your order. Hillsdale CollegeAll of Hillsdale’s courses are self-paced so that you can start whenever, and tune in wherever. Plus, you can go deeper with readings, quizzes, discussions - or just enjoy the lectures. Go right now to hillsdale.edu/lockedon to enroll. There’s no cost, and it’s easy to get started. PrizePicksDownload the app and use code lockedonnfl to win $50 instantly when you play $5. You don't even need to win to receive your $50 bonus, it's guaranteed! Prizepicks. Run Your Game.Click Here: https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/LOCKEDONNFL GametimeDownload the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONNFL for $20 off your first purchase. Terms Apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime. FanDuelYou can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started. Bilt RewardsStart earning points on rent you’re already paying by going to joinbilt.com/LOCKEDONNFL. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)
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Discussion (0)
It's time to say bye to the bye week in Foxborough, but strange days are ahead for the New England Patriots.
Stick around, you're about to be locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast.
You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast.
Part of the Locked On Podcast Network.
Your team every day.
Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful.
Thank you once again for making Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage.
I'm your host, Mike DeBate.
I cover your New England Patriots for the Patriots country.
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Pats fans, the bye week is now beginning to shrink in the rearview mirror of the vision
of Patriots fans and the Patriots brass as well as the Patriots team
they're heading into this weekend's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals and they will be
making that return to the practice field on Wednesday with the assistance of an offensive
lineman whose services are desperately needed Patriots offensive lineman Cole Strange is being
activated being that Cole will likely be in the lineup for this weekend's matchup against the
Arizona Cardinals.
A lot to break down when it comes to the potential return of Cole Strange to the lineup, and
we need someone with a reasonable take, a level-headed approach to this Patriots O-line,
which has been much maligned.
That is our good friend, our resident voice of reason, my Patriots Paisan, columnist extraordinaire
for Patsfans.com, as well as being the co-host
of Patriots 4th and 2.
He is Steve Balistrieri. Steve, thanks for
joining me here today. Welcome back to
Locked On Patriots, bud. Thanks
for having me, and yeah, the
bye week is over. We'll get back to some
football.
You know, this is going to be
a very
interesting last few weeks of the season.
Yeah, it definitely will be.
Murph joined me yesterday here.
We opened up the Lockdown Patriots mailbag.
It had been a long time since that mailbag had been open.
We had sacks and sacks of letters, Steve, that really deserved to be in that mailbag.
And overwhelmingly, Patriots Nation is wondering whether or not the Patriots are going to be focused on winning and trying to maximize their efforts on the
field in these last four games,
or whether or not they'd be best served by improving their draft status.
So to speak,
we're not going to use the T word here on lockdown Patriots.
I don't like to use it.
I don't believe in it.
I don't think the Patriots do as well by consensus.
Murph.
And I believe they are going to put their best foot forward on the field. And the activity that the Patriots engaged in on
Tuesday seems to support that cause. Cole Strange, the number 29 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft,
will be rejoining the lineup this week. And Steve, we've seen it right from the beginning.
Being a first-round pick comes with a lot of responsibility. A lot of Patriots fans believe he hasn't had the opportunity to grow into Steve, you and I both know that the system that Alex Van Pelt loves to run,
which is outside zone runs, is exactly where Cole is at his best when it comes to being a blocker.
When you look at the return of Cole Strange, what do you believe it brings to the Patriots offensive line?
How much of an improvement can we expect to see with Kull back in the lineup? Well, I'm intrigued.
I mean, because for the reasons you just mentioned, right?
You know, this is the type of offense that he's best suited for.
And I know there's been a lot of talk of him moving to center.
But when I look at the Patriots offensive line, you know, right now,
I think center is one of their probably least worrisome positions.
I know Brown isn't – he's not perfect,
but I would rather see him go back to his original spot at left guard.
And if they want to move him to center in 2025, I'm all for that.
Because we know David Andrews is getting older and, you know, he's banged up.
So I wouldn't mind that in the future.
But I think they could really use some help at left guard. I know Michael Jordan struggled badly there down the last several weeks, I guess.
And putting Strange back there and an offense that he fits in, I think, would be a really, really good idea.
And I think he could have some positive impact there oh I think he definitely could
without any question look you look at last year and what Cole was able to give you
injuries kept him from the field for a good portion of the season still suited up for nine
games 564 offensive snaps last season for him credited with only two penalties and three sacks
allowed so you know
that he's going to give you quality minutes and quality play when he's out there on the field.
The knock on call right now is that you can't really get a read on exactly what type of fit
he's been in New England so far. We mentioned that he's at his best when it comes to an outside
zone. He struggled when it comes to the gap schemes that the Patriots have loved to run
the last couple of years. I think something that I was excited about, I know Murph joined me,
I know you've talked about this as well, is seeing Cole's tenaciousness as a run blocker,
that quickness that he has to generate that sudden impact on power runs that he is so adept
to being able to block for. One of the great assets that he brings, tremendous upper body
strength. He's got the ability to keep defenders at bay and pass protection and i always love the way this kid moves from side to side he
can mirror his opponent he knows how to be able to adjust his athleticism whether he's going to
be facing a more athletic type defender in a linebacker position or someone more like a lumbering
defender maybe in a defensive tackle he knows how to adjust in terms
of what his opponent is going to be so that to me is what i'm looking forward to when it comes to
his fit and an alex van pelt offense but steve you and i both know that this team needs more help
than just cole strange coming back is it realistic to expect that his insertion back into this lineup
whether it be a guard or whether he does see time at center,
and we're not sure what this means for Ben Brown yet,
should the Patriots expect to see an immediate impact
when he steps on the field this Sunday?
I hope so.
You know, I would hope that he would have an impact,
especially in the running game.
I think, you know, that's an area where they've
struggled most of the year with the offensive line i mean the the running game has been
very inconsistent and you know to get guys like vermondre stevenson and um
antonio gibson going um for this last month of the season.
Now that the weather's turning colder, you know,
you get that running game going.
It gives you a better chance to win.
I agree with you.
I think someone like Cole Strange coming in
strengthens the middle part of that offensive line,
and that's been a problem area.
I understand that the tackles have been even more problematic
than the interior,
but Patriots have had their issues on the inside of that line, I think maybe more than we had
anticipated heading into this season with some of the injuries and some of the difficulties that
they've had with Andrews and Robinson taking a little bit of time to ease into his role as a
rookie. There have been some problems there, and I think Cole brings stability to that interior.
And I think that's something the Patriots will welcome with open arms this coming week.
Yeah, I absolutely agree with that.
You know, like I said, I'm intrigued to see, you know, if he's ready to go.
I know that, you know, they started practicing him.
Tomorrow would have been, or was it today,
the end of his window.
Right.
So, you know, he's been back in the practice field for three weeks.
I'm hoping that he can step right in seamlessly and provide some juice in that running game.
I mean, I know the pass protection has been poor as well,
but, you know, if he can give them a little juice, you know,
as well as the next guy we're going to be talking about, right?
You know, you get a little improvement there.
I'm not saying massive improvement, but some.
I mean, this offense
could take off. It could take off. And again, Alex Van Pelt's offense, Steve, is predicated
on a strong running back. You want that strong running game to facilitate play action, to be
able to spring the quarterback and give him the opportunity to either go off script if things
break down. But most importantly, when you have a strong running game and a strong outside zone presence it opens up play action you can take the deep shots down
the field you can try to navigate and pick apart the intermediate areas of the football field
so that i think is where cole is automatically going to upgrade this uh offensive line again
tremendously tenacious run blocker folks that's where the Patriots will be so glad
to see Cole come back in my estimation you will see an improvement probably a marked improvement
an immediate improvement when it comes to their ability to run the football because he's just that
good in this type of environment and we'll see we'll see what it means for the rest of the line
the tackles the right side um and what it means for the man in the middle in
ben brown uh steve you hinted at this early before we take our leave of this subject um your thoughts
on cole potentially getting any snaps at the center position this week do you think we'll
just see him in his familiar role of left guard or could they be auditioning him for a future in
the middle i mean we don't know i mean we I mean, we're not in the meeting rooms with the coaches.
Very good point.
I would hope that they just leave Ben Brown where he's at for now.
Agreed.
I mean, if you're going to do it, you have all off to to work with cole at the the center position um especially you know
he can work in the offseason but you know i i really think again center is the least of their
worries right now on on the offensive line i i think brown has done pretty good and rather than disrupt that i would rather see them use him where i think they
could really need him and that's at left guard yeah absolutely and let's not forget that cole
is coming back from a patella tendon injury that is going to require him to get his game legs back
you don't want to ease him back into the lineup and then flush him into a position that he's not
familiar with or that is not his strong suit as of right now so i completely agree with you leave ben where
he is i think ben's done an admirable job filling in for david andrews an insurmountable task to try
to fill in for a team captain and one of your best linemen arguably your best lineman um and at this
point it's important to see where cole is and where he can go before we
really determine his next destination for the new england patriots but it is good news folks that he
will be back out on the field he's not the only offensive lineman the patriots may be putting back
on the field before the end of the season rookie tackle caden wallace has returned to the practice
field and his window to return to the 53-man roster is now open.
Might we see Caden before the end of the season?
And if so, what does it mean for the rest of the Patriots O-line?
Steve and I are going to talk about that point and more
when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast continues,
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Patriots fans, thank you once again for joining us here today on Locked On Patriots.
Joining me to talk about all the Patriots comings and goings as they leave behind the bye week is my good friend and Patriots bison, Steve Balistrieri of Patsfans.com.
Steve, in the previous segment, we talked about the activation of Cole Strange from
injured reserve.
Foregone conclusion now that he'll be in the lineup on Sunday.
And I know everyone is looking forward to seeing Strange Days return to New England.
The offensive line needs as much help as it can get.
It's in terrible shape.
And someone of Cole's caliber coming back can only
mean good things for the pats all line but he's not the only lineman that may be making his return
to the field sooner rather than later the patriots did practice on monday because of the bye week
folks the practice schedule amended a little bit and joining them was rookie tackle caden wallace
now caden has been out he's been on injured reserve since early October.
Coming back into the lineup, easing his way back in,
a lot of noise surrounding where he would be best suited, Steve.
Most believe that he was most comfortable at right tackle,
including our good buddy Thomas Murphy,
who said straight along that he believed Caden was a right tackle,
not a left side guy.
However, Elliot Wolfe has said several times that he believed Caden was a right tackle, not a left side guy. However, Elliot Wolfe has said
several times that he believed that Caden possessed not only the athleticism, but also the on-field
savvy to make the switch to the left-hand side. Regardless of where the Patriots play him,
Caden's athleticism and his ability to be a lineman, especially a tackle, is certainly going
to be a welcome addition for the Patriots back. When you look at this move and you look at him returning to the practice field,
what do you think it means for the Patriots offensive line short-term and long-term?
Well, in the short term, they're going to give him some looks
because Gerard Mayo has said it on several occasions now.
They want to look at these young guys and see what they have in them.
And he mentioned Caden Wallace by name.
So I think that's a really good,
really good indication that the,
the team wants to see what they have in him.
I would love to see him be able to come back and,
you know,
at least for the last month or so in the season,
play some right tackle, you know, at least for the last month or so in the season, play some right tackle.
You know, let him get his feet wet again under there.
He's still a rookie.
You know, we'll see what happens, you know, next season.
I think this offseason will be a big one for him.
And we'll play it by ear but you know um i heard mike reese
mentioned just in passing that they they meaning the coaching staff really like hayden wallace
so when mike mentions those little tidbits like that you put your ear to the ground and because you know that oh yeah he's always right
when he says stuff like that that's why he's the best in the business and uh so i think there's a
very good chance that we'll see a lot of him and the fact that the patriots do like him all without
question and there's a lot of reasons to like Caden Wallace.
First of all, anyone who saw his four years at Penn State knows this is a tremendously athletic
lineman. This kid has the ability to do essentially anything you need him to do on a football field.
And honestly, Steve, I think that's why guys like Scott Peters and Elliot Wolfe and Gerard Mayo,
and maybe even Alex Van Pelt thrown in there believe that this kid possessed that athleticism and that versatility to be able to switch from the right to the left
and they thought that could be a natural fit for him obviously they're seeing now that it's not
quite that easy to make that switch I gotta give a tip of the cap to our good friend Thomas Murphy
who said that right from the beginning this kid is a righty he's not someone that's going to be
able to come in and make that switch easily on the left, need at least a couple of years to train him to make
his body go the other way. This was, yeah, this was definitely something that I think the Pats
believe they could do with him. And I think now they're going to look to the right side as his
best fit, especially since Michael Wenner now is back at guard. And because of that, you need
someone, a stabilizing
force on the right tackle position. Patriots have been going with a combination of the Darien Lowe
and Demandre Jacobs. I think they see much more of a future and much more of an anchor in Caden
Wallace. Talked about the athleticism. This kid can bend. He's strong, very powerful, very tough.
I loved what I saw on film from him at during his days as a
Nittany Lion at Penn State I think I agree with you I think his best fit is at right tackle and
I think the Patriots are going to try to get him back out there on the field at least get him
some in-game action before we head into 2025 because that's really I think where you're
going to see this kid's abilities come alive. Absolutely. I totally agree with that. And, you know, I think it's needed.
I mean, if,
if they're convinced he's going to be their right tackle of the future and he
is, that makes your job easier next off season,
because now you're looking for strictly a left tackle.
You can find one in free agency or in the draft, depending on who they like in
the draft or not. So I think that's the smart move. Yeah, I do. I think it's a smart move as
well. And look, folks, even if Caden does not make it onto the field for in-game action over
the course of these last four games, even if he's just getting practice experience, it's still invaluable. It's a good sign that he's healthy enough for that type of
contact. So that's always a great thing. And then you look and you say he's getting more experience
each and every day and learning to grow into his role. So that way he can take his rookie experience
and parlay that into a pretty strong sophomore season. So Steve, good news for the New
England Patriots offensive line. There hasn't been a whole lot of it this season, and that's why I
think they're so glad to get these two guys back in the lineup in some way, shape, or form. But
they weren't the only moves made by the Patriots. That's right. Before we turn the page here and we
move on to the Arizona Cardinals, one Patriot coming in, another Patriot going out,
and they both have ties to the Minnesota Vikings organization.
Steve and I are going to talk about those comings and goings
when we wrap up our discussion right here on the Locked On Patriots podcast,
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Patriots fans, thank you once again for joining us here today
on Locked on Patriots for this comings and goings
post-buy week edition of Locked On Patriots. And joining
me here is my good friend Steve
Balistrieri of Patsfans.com.
My Patriots by Zahn, always
lending his wisdom and counsel the way only he
can. Steve, we've talked a
lot about the offensive line in today's episode.
We've talked about the imminent return
of Cole Strange to the lineup. We've
talked about the potential return of
Caden Wallace to the
lineup and what it means individually for the guard, the tackle, and even the center positions.
But we're going to switch gears here for just a moment because in order for the Patriots to make
these moves, one player unfortunately had to be on his way out, and that player was wide receiver
K.J. Osborne. Now, Steve, I'll be the first to admit, Osborne was someone that I was
very excited to watch in a Patriots uniform. I thought his ability as shorthands, his tested
catch ability, what we saw from him in Minnesota was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to
what this kid could do on a football field. Unfortunately, it just never worked out for
him here in New England seven catches for 57 yards
and one touchdown is his final stat line as a New England Patriot Steve when you look at KJ Osborne's
departure I know a lot of Patriots fans are not going to be sad to see this one coming but
what about his game what about his fit in New England just didn't seem to come together the way the Pats hoped it would when they signed him back in March?
Yeah, I, you know, I had high hopes for him.
Not that he was going to be like, you know, ultra productive receiver.
But I thought they were going to get the same, you know, production out of him that he had for a couple of years with the Vikings.
And it just never worked out.
I think, you know, when the offense kind of struggled out of the gate,
it kind of set him back.
And then by the time they made the switch to Drake May,
he was no longer part of, you know uh solution i guess you could say so he got kind of phased out
and it's very unfortunate i thought he was going to be much more productive here it just didn't
work out i think he's a good player um that hasn't changed it just you know sometimes things don't work out like you hope and that was certainly
one of them without question and I agree with you on KJ I just think it was a tough fit for him here
look by his own admission when he came in he says I am most comfortable when I'm on the inside and
if Patriots fans are looking at the way this wide receiver core is set. DeMario Douglas is pretty
well set on the inside. So now you're looking at him trying to vie for a spot on the perimeter or
a reserve role in that area. DeMario was not going to be displaced. So when you look at
Keishon Booty emerging and becoming a little bit more of a factor, I think the Patriots still hold
out hope that Jalen Polk and Javon Baker can be what they drafted them to be. Kendrick Bourne has
emerged as someone that can be more of a veteran type leader in this wide receiver core. KJ just
found himself on the outside looking in, but this is still a very talented receiver and someone that
I am glad is going to get a chance to be able to catch on elsewhere. Over the course of the last
few hours, since the news of his release has hit, I've seen a lot of people in Patriots Nation
demeaning this kid. I think the people that are doing that are not really familiar with this kid's
game and what he's capable of doing on the field when he's properly utilized. I'm not knocking the
Pats coaching staff for that, Steve, because I just think that they tried to make him into something
that maybe he wasn't comfortable being, and I think it just led to a bad fit but folks this is a kid that definitely is not only a good contributor on the field but a great
contributor off it as well all the coaches that I've spoken to this year have talked about him
being a leader in that locker room even though he was very underutilized he never ever brought it
and made it personal that little problem that he had with his social media account where something was leaked out was a private message that never should have seen the
light of day and really was, I think, blown way out of proportion. But this is a kid that is known
for his community involvement. He hosts youth football camps, provides giveaways for back to
school and underprivileged kids that need help. He also supports two families in his hometown with
rent assistance each and every year and
something that i wrote about when he first came on board here in new england uh was he was
responsible for playing a vital role in saving the life of former reality tv star nelson thomas from
a horrific automobile accident that could have ended in thomas losing his life kj and his uber
driver at the time were there and helped uh be able to carry this man to safety.
So anyone that's knocking KJ Osborne on the way out, folks, he's one of the good ones.
I definitely wish him well.
And unfortunately, it just didn't work out here in New England for him.
But Steve, there wasn't only a departure.
The New England Patriots also bringing in a new player, a new kicker that will join
the Pats practice squad.
But could this be a little push on Joey Sly?
Obviously, John Parker Romo is the kicker we're referring to.
He was released by the Minnesota Vikings and did sign with the team's practice squad.
Steve, when you look at what Romo has done, both in his time in the XFL,
as well as what he's done this year so far with the Vikings,
11 of 12 in field goal tries and 7 of 8 on point afters.
Is this just a back-building move for the Patriots when it comes to their practice squad?
Or could they be looking to push Joey Sly a little bit,
who has been a little inconsistent the last few weeks?
I think it's a, well, I don't know if anything's bothering Sly physically.
Maybe he's going through some stuff right now,
and that's why he's been inconsistent.
I know that Shank 25-yard field goal, something looked very amiss with that.
Yeah.
But, again, that's just speculation on my part.
I think that they're sending, if there's nothing physically wrong with Sly,
I think they're sending a message to Sly, you know, saying,
if you don't shape up, you know, you can ship out.
Because we have a guy in here right now.
And I think it'll be good to push him.
Yeah, I think it'll be good to push him too.
And look, bottom line, Joey Sly is a professional kicker.
He knows his, he's been to the puppet show.
He's seen the strings.
This kid has kicked from 63 yards out.
You know, he's got the strength to be a power kicker.
You know, he's got the accuracy to hit in short yardage reigns and
he had a tremendous training camp and has really been solid throughout the entire season so
certainly not ready to push joey sly out the door by any stretch of the imagination folks but
you always have to be ready and unfortunately with kickers sometimes momentum can be your best
friend or your worst enemy uh and if it does show up, it can have difficulty.
So it's always good to have another option.
So I think the Patriots saw that.
They want to make sure that they have somebody on this roster that can do it.
And I'm looking forward to hearing the practice reports on Romo to see what he's able to do
and whether or not he is indeed pushing Joey Sly a little bit back to where he needs to be.
If not, Patriots got themselves a pretty good backup.
And you never can have too much firepower, Steve.
You know that better than anybody.
But what can I say?
I graciously always appreciate you lending your wisdom,
your counsel here to Locked On Patriots.
Folks, be sure to follow my good friend Steve Balistrieri
at SteveB7SFG on Twitter.
You can always find his great written work at PatsFans.com.
Always some of the best columns
you'll read throughout Patriots media each
and every week, including his Sunday column,
which in my estimation is second to
none. And you can catch Steve not
only here each week on Locked On
Patriots, but alongside the great Derek
Havens who joined us last week as
Patriots fourth and two invaded
Locked On Patriots. Definitely
check them out wherever you get your podcasts and stay tuned folks,
because we're about to turn the page to the Arizona Cardinals.
And that means a crossover soon on the horizon here with Alex Clancy of
locked on Cardinals.
Stay locked into locked on Patriots folks.
You won't want to miss a single second of the action.
In the meantime,
on behalf of Steve Balistrieri,
I'm Mike debate, reminding all of you to stay safe,
to stay well, to be the change you wish to see in the world.
Have a great day, everyone,
and we'll see you back here again tomorrow
on Lucked on Patriots.