Latest news with #ColeStrange
Forbes
2 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Cole Strange ‘Blessed' To Be Back On The Field For Patriots
The final year of Cole Strange's rookie contract with the New England Patriots is ahead. But unlike last spring, the interior offensive lineman is able to participate in voluntary organized team activities. And fully. 'Honestly, it feels really good,' Strange told reporters following Monday's session outside Gillette Stadium. 'It feels awesome to just be healthy for OTAs and just be able to be out here and work on it, you know what I mean? This time last year, I was just like learning how to walk, so I feel very blessed.' Against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 17, 2023, Strange was carted off the field due to a torn patellar tendon. To injured reserve the Chattanooga product went. And 52 weeks later, after surgery and an arduous rehab, he found himself activated from the physically unable to perform list. Three appearances followed for Strange, who made his return in the kicking game versus the Buffalo Bills on Dec. 22, 2024. From there, he notched back-to-back starts at center while handling all 117 offensive snaps. From his view, coming back at the tail end of a 4-13 campaign wasn't a decision. It was an opportunity. 'I feel like it was good to get back into some sort of rhythm of playing football,' Strange said. 'Because December of '23 pretty much to like November or December of '24, no football for me, really. I mean, you all understand whenever you haven't done something for a year, you just get rusty. So just being able to get back out there, get some practice reps, playing the game, you see that speed. I think it was good to sort of shock me back into it.' At age 26, Strange has started 29 of his 30 games with the Patriots. The former first-team All-SoCon selection has stayed in for 1,666 snaps on offense and 89 snaps on special teams during his tenure. Until last winter, the playing time had arrived exclusively at left guard. Layden Robinson, Wes Schweitzer and Tyrese Robinson are also in the starting conversation there. And at center, the same goes for rookie Jared Wilson and longtime Minnesota Viking Garrett Bradbury. 'You know, really, wherever they put me,' Strange said of his alignment. 'I'm just trying to be as versatile as I can, add value wherever I can and just get on the field.' The Patriots declined Strange's fifth-year option, projected at $16.7 million, as the decline to do so passed on May 1. The No. 29 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft moves forward with a base salary of $2.376 million as well as a cap hit of $3.899 million, according to But he moves forward on the practice fields as mandatory minicamp nears in Foxborough. 'I would say the truth is, you know, all I can really do is control what I can control and pray to God I don't have any more injuries,' Strange said of where he stands in his career. 'And as long as that takes care of itself, I'll handle what I can handle. Not really worried about anybody's opinion.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cole Strange is Falling Behing in Patriots' OTAs
Cole Strange is Falling Behing in Patriots' OTAs originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New England Patriots are taking a serious approach to the 2025 season with competitions lining up on both sides of the ball. Advertisement The offensive line is an area that the Patriots needed to address after last season's latest disastrous performance. New England added some new veterans and used three picks on the offensive line, including drafting former LSU Tigers star Will Campbell with the No. 4 overall pick. While reports are positive for Campbell, there is one former first-round pick of New England who is failing to exceed expectations. Cole Strange has not only not locked up the starting left guard position, but he is reportedly letting other competitors look better for the position. Former New York Jet Wes Schweitzer has had some good looks in OTAs for the Patriots. ESPN reporter Mike Reiss says that Tyrese Robinson has been taking multiple first-team reps in practice. Advertisement This is bad news for Strange, who was the Patriots' first-round pick (No. 29 overall pick) in the 2022 NFL Draft. Strange is in the final year of his rookie contract while the Patriots declined his fifth-year option. He is on the road of being considered as a bust for the Patriots. © David Butler II-Imagn Images In 2022, Strange started and played in all 17 games for the Patriots posting an overall grade of 54.6 by Pro Football Focus. Since then, Strange's career has been derailed by injuries. In 2023, Strange played and started 10 games and only played three games (two starts) last season. There is still a great opportunity for Strange to re-enter the starting lineup. He is, however, off to a poor start if he is allowing a much older veteran in Schweitzer and a player who only played in the regular-season finale last year in Robinson to take his reps. Advertisement Related: Stefon Diggs' Job With Patriots Could Be In Jeopardy After Disturbing Viral Video: Report This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Stefon Diggs viral video, Drake Maye cuts down on interceptions, and more Patriots OTA takeaways
The New England Patriots continued their spring workouts Wednesday in Foxboro as they gear up for a mandatory three-day minicamp that gets underway in less than two weeks. Here are some takeaways from Wednesday's practice session. Head coach Mike Vrabel spoke the media prior to practice and the first six questions he faced were about Stefon Diggs. Stefon Diggs viral video Veteran Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs was not present at Wednesday's OTA session. Diggs was the subject of a viral video over Memorial Day weekend, on a boat with several women and appearing to be holding an unknown substance. Vrabel was asked about the video on Wednesday. "Well, it's something that we're aware of. Obviously, we want to make great decisions on and off the field. We're hoping that with our time here on the field today, that when we don't have a script and we're on the call periods, that we're making great decisions," Vrabel said. "The message will be the same for all our players, that we're trying to make great decisions. Any conversations that I've had with Stefon will remain between him, I and the club." Attendance Besides Diggs, others not seen were CB Carlton Davis III, WR Mack Hollins (limited), OT Caeden Wallace, and TE Austin Hooper. Last week we saw a lot of Cole Strange at the left guard position and this week it was Tyrese Robinson. Drake Maye improves Drake Maye didn't throw any picks, unlike last week when he tossed four interceptions. It was an improved day for Maye, but there were still some mistakes (throws behind and overthrown, batted down balls, miscommunication). Mike Vrabel also spent a good amount of time talking to him. Seemed like a good part of the process of getting to know each other better on the field while also teaching. The throw/play of the day featured a long pass from backup QB Josh Dobbs to rookie WR Kyle Williams, where Williams made a "Willie Mays like" over the shoulder catch. Dobbs did throw a pick, but it went off the hands of John Jiles and right to Mike Battle. Good pressure from defense Lots of good pressure on the QBs for Milton Williams and company. They created tight pockets by pressuring the offensive line. They also batted down several passes. One thing that caught my eye as well. After an Antonio Gibson was a slight scuffle involving a couple O-linemen and members of the D. Anfernee Jennings appeared to be quite ticked off. Vrabel went over and had a calm, lengthy chat with him. The offense started to set up to run another play from Vrabel told everyone to hold on and continued talking with Jennings. It seemed like a really good, calm moment where Vrabel seemed to be explaining the consequences of on-field bad behavior. David Andrews retirement David Andrews, who spent 10 seasons as center for the Patriots and won two Super Bowls, will be retiring from the NFL. Andrews was released in March. He said at the time he wasn't sure if he would play going forward, and was disappointed he wouldn't get another shot with the Patriots. The team announced Wednesday that it will hold a retirement press conference for Andrews on Monday at 3:30 p.m. at Gillette Stadium.
