Who stays and who goes - RB and TE Edition

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 7, 2009 11:38 AM EDT

With training camp just around the corner, it is time to look (yet again) at some of the positional battles. Alot of this has been covered, but here I get my say. Click here to look at the QB and receivers.

The Running Backs:

NUMBER	NAME	POSITION	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	YEAR	LAST YEAR
39	Laurence Maroney	RB	5-11	220	2/5/1985	4
33	Kevin Faulk	RB	5-8	202	6/5/1976	11
42	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	RB	5-11	215	7/2/1985	2
44	~~Eric Kettani~~ RES MILITARY	RB	5-11	235	3/26/1987	R
34	Sammy Morris	RB	6-0	220	3/23/1977	10
21	Fred Taylor	RB	6-1	228	1/27/1976	12 *	Jaguars

The Pat's have done a major RBBC of late, and this year it won't change. They carried 6 backs at times on the active roster moving BenJarvus Green-Ellis in after Maroney was injured. Also remember that Heath Evans left the fullback job open. Who takes duties of the blocking back and short yardage: Kettani, Taylor, Russ Hochstein, or as some suggest Dave Thomas?

I won't number them, because I don't see a #1 back, but I see Maroney, Taylor, Morris and Faulk splitting carries this year as a pretty sure thing. That leaves only a fullback spot, and probably a practice squad guy.

My Prediction: I see the Pats going without a true Fullback. I think they will get by with Russ Hochstein (Cardinals game last year) blocking in short yardage situations and Dave Thomas (a pretty decent blocker) at other times. That saves a roster spot for other options. With either Law Firm (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) or Eric Kettani heading to the practice squad. I'm going with Law Firm, if he is still eligible.

The Tight-Ends:

NUMBER	NAME	POSITION	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	YEAR	LAST YEAR
87	Chris Baker	TE	6-3	258	11/18/1979	8 *	Jets
85	Tyson DeVree	TE	6-6	245	11/12/1984	2
80	Alex Smith	TE	6-4	258	5/22/1982	5 *	Buccaneers
84	Benjamin Watson	TE	6-3	255	12/18/1980	6
86	David Thomas	TE	6-3	248	7/5/1983	4

I think there are multiple reasons the Tight-End competition has heated up this year. Obviously, Ben Watson and Dave Thomas haven't been all that they could be, but I think we're looking at more than just kicking a couple vets in the rear to give them some competition. I think it has a bit more to do with special teams, specifically the lack of the wedge. We're going to need some beefy individuals with some speed, aka Tight-Ends, and Hoodie is playing with the idea already.

We carried 3 Tight-Ends last year, but I think we'll have four this year, stealing the fullback position as I've previously mentioned.

My Prediction: Again I'm not going with numbers here because I don't really see it that way. I think Ben Watson, Chris Baker, Alex Smith, and Dave Thomas (our sometimes fullback) make it with Tyson DeVree heading toward the practice squad. The use of tight-ends as moving wedges in the kicking game is going to lead to injuries.

Am I all wet? Your thoughts?

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BenJarvus Green-Ellis

According to Mike Reiss, BGE does not have any practice squad eligibility left because he appeared in 9 games last season as an undrafted rookie free agent. I love the guy and am rooting for him to make the team.

It was an improbability to say the least for him to play so much last year, yet he finished with a 3.7 yards per carry average and five touchdowns.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Jul 7, 2009 9:15 PM EDT reply actions

I thought I had read something about that

That would make him the 5th back, which is possible. He disappeared last year after Morris and Jordan came back though. I think he would have to step up his game to make the squad. Several of his runs (Jordans too) came with Heath Evans as lead blocker. Without the Fullback, BB may open the slot up to another RB. It’s always fun, and usually an excersice in futility to second guess Hoodie.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 8, 2009 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Good stuff.

I think it has a bit more to do with special teams, specifically the lack of the wedge. We’re going to need some beefy individuals with some speed, aka Tight-Ends, and Hoodie is playing with the idea already.

I think you’re right on with this statement. Special teams is gonna play a bigger role on whether or not some guys make the team this year due to the new rule changes, in my opinion. They’ll be looking for guys who are capable of blocking well in space. That places more importance on tight ends, linebackers, and maybe some bigger safeties.

It has me wondering if it’ll affect any other areas of depth, like offensive or defensive line. We may see more guys like Mike Wright and Stephen Neal making the team due to their abilities on special teams.

by NESilver on Jul 8, 2009 2:33 PM EDT reply actions

The hardest thing

The hardest thing I found about writing these isn’t thinking about who might make the team. With Patrick Chung and Darius Butler, etc., there are some potential impact guys there.

The hardest thing is thinking about the guys that may go. Is BenJarvus Green-Ellis the replacement for Kevin Faulk? I like Law Firm, but Kevin is Mr. Clutch Do-Everything. You never want to see that end. Yet change, like taxes, is inevitable.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 8, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

The second hardest thing

The second hardest thing is figuring out slots per position. Yeah, you want depth, you want some rest for the starters. 53 guys seems like alot. Drop 4 here, 5 there, and you quickly find that some tough decisions have to be made.

Luckily BB is the best in the business at doing that.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 8, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions