State of the Patriots: Running Back
by Richard Hill on Feb 5, 2011 12:00 PM EST
in Opinion/Analysis
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PrintPlayers on the Roster:
Free Agents:
BenJarvus Green-Ellis - Restricted Free Agent
Sammy Morris (FB/RB)
The Patriots need a running back. That's pretty much a universally accepted statement. The question is whether the running back will be for depth behind BJGE, or whether they'll be a #1 back, putting BJGE at back-up/tandem. Woodhead is a spark plug and will most certainly be a part of the offense next season. BJGE is the quintessential Patriot and should be extended a contract. Morris and Taylor are old and I find it hard to believe that both players will be back next season; Morris could be back as a fullback and nothing more. Faulk is the largest question mark; will he still manage to be a large part of the offense, even though Woodhead has basically assumed the role? Or will Faulk retire during the pre-season?
The Patriots should notch three roster spots for running backs- BJGE, Woody and Clayton. Clayton is currently only a practice squad caliber player, but BJGE has done more than enough to convince me not to write Clayton off as a potential producer. I would expect the Patriots to add two more running backs to the roster- one in the fullback type of role (Morris? Le'Ron McClain?) and one as either the #1 running back or the depth running back. The question which will have the largest impact on the Patriots' offense is which type of running back will they take? Do the Patriots draft a potential #1 running back like Mikel LeShoure or Mark Ingram, or sign an elite free agent like DeAngelo Williams? Or do they find another committee back in the draft like Shane Vereen or in free agency like Pierre Thomas?
It comes down to how the Patriots perceive BJGE. Do they believe he's only just started to tap into his potential? Or was last season all that the Patriots will get from him? I have to believe that BJGE is somewhere in between (he has room to grow, but I don't think he'll ever develop into a top breakaway running back), so I think the Patriots should draft a running back that complements BJGE's (and Woody's) strengths. BJGE is a strong runner who will get the short yardage and who will move the chains. Woody is a receiving running back who is a threat out of the backfield and who can pitch in on pass blocking.
I think the Patriots' need a homerun threat. They need to find a player who can take half the carries of BJGE and is able to break free for a big run every game. He could also emerge as a great pass blocker and take the third down snaps over Woody (who is a good, not great, pass blocker). So here's the running back the Patriots' need to draft:
Home Run threat (sub 4.4 40)
Great Pass Blocker
Solid Receiver
That's the guy the Patriots' need to draft. Does anyone meet those qualifications? That's the question.
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Here's a quick summary of each player:
Thomas Clayton - Played in Week 17 against the Dolphins in garbage time. Not a large part of the offense, but was on-and-off the roster throughout the season. Should enter next season on the roster bubble.
Kevin Faulk - Injured in Week 2 against the New York Jets. What happened the last time a leader and All-Time Patriot was injured in Week 2 against the New York Jets? I seem to remember the Patriots finding a more-than-capable replacement who took over the position. I'm talking about Brady/Bledsoe if you weren't catching on. Is Woody the Brady to Faulk's Bledsoe? We'll find out this off-season. Before his injury, Faulk was continuing his recent success as a receiver and a change-of-pace running back.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis - BJGE was successful when the Patriots' offense was successful. That's an important distinction. BJGE was perfect for his role- when the Patriots were ahead by a lot, they could hand the ball off to BJGE who could move the chains. However, the Patriots never really relied on BJGE to start the offense on his own. During the regular season, when the Patriots were held to 23 points or fewer, BJGE ran for under 2.2 yards/carry in each game. Does this mean BJGE is a product of the surrounding success? I think this is a strong possibility. Regardless, BJGE was great for the offense and had an extremely productive and successful season.
Sammy Morris - Morris has become a special teams player for the Patriots, occasionally moonlighting as the team's fullback. I feel like once the Patriots find a new guard for the offensive line, Dan Connolly will start playing fullback again. Morris is a solid player who does his job, but he's definitely replaceable.
Fred Taylor - Freddy has a good first game of the season against the Bengals. Then the wheels came off. I can't see Taylor coming back next season.
Danny Woodhead - Woody emerged as a great contributor for the Patriots' offense as both a running back, a receiving back and a pass blocker on third down. He became an integral part of the two minute drill and he was one of the most valuable mid-season acquisitions in the whole league. He should be a large part of the offense next season, but the Patriots could upgrade on the "pass blocking" by finding a new player.
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The Patriots need to find an additional running back for their stable. Whether from free agency or the draft, and whether the player is a #1, a tandem, or a committee back, the Patriots need to find someone to fit their system. Free agents DeAngelo Williams, Pierre Thomas, Michael Bush or Brandon Jackson could all become solid pieces of the Patriots' puzzle. Looking at the draft, players like Mark Ingram and Mikel Leshoure could become feature backs, while players like Ryan Williams and Jordan Todman could become solid tandem backs. In the mid rounds, the Patriots could pick up players like Shane Vereen, Delone Carter or Bilal Powell to join the stable. The Patriots need to find someone to fit in.
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Best Case 2011 Running Back Roster:
RB: Draft Pick/Acquisition - BenJarvus Green-Ellis - Danny Woodhead
FB: Draft Pick/Acquisition/Sammy Morris
Practice Squad/Camp Bodies: Thomas Clayton
Retire: Kevin Faulk
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Spot on, in my opinion
I think the way the front office approaches the Running Back position is going to tell us a lot about the 2011 offense. If they make it a point to grab a Fullback and add a “real” starting RB then I think we’re looking something other than Tommy-all-the-time as the offensive game plan. Honestly, I like that idea a lot; good playoff teams can pound the rock and shut down opposing offenses, and while we did a little of both at the end of last season those are two areas we really need to build on.
Kevin Faulk is one of my favorite Patriots of all time, and I’m sad to see him retire (which I think is very likely). Could he potentially be brought in as a coaching assistant with the role of mentoring younger players and helping them become professionals? It’s what he does naturally, and giving him an off the field job to that end would take some of the load off of other guys like Brady and Wilfork.
Deep in enemy territory
Lots of options
Personally, getting DeAngelo Williams would be the best possible scenario IMO. Williams has the ability to move the chains on any down or distance, and he has the “homerun threat” that Woodhead has and BJGE lacks. But with the CBA issues and the potential lack of free agency at all, maybe the Pats will choose to address the RB need via draft.
I’ve seen many mock drafts having the Pats either drafting Ingram or Leshoure. I don’t like either of the picks though. If I had to choose one I’d pick Leshoure over Ingram though. I’m just not confident that Ingram’s game will translate to the NFL, he’s not very fast.
Perfect scenario: re-sign BJGE to a long term contract, keep Woodhead and Clayton (practice squad). Sign DeAngelo Williams. Draft a 3rd down/pass catching RB in the later rounds.
YURP
DeAngelo Williams...
hasn’t he missed time in every single season to injury? Sounds like an early Fred Taylor; no thanks.
"If you radiant beauties have some free time after work..."
CROAGUNK!
"...I could use some C...P...R..." -Brock, Tanks For The Memories
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 5, 2011 5:45 PM EST up reply actions
R/B in free agency....
What about grabbing Cedric Benson from the Bengles then? He’d fit in well into the Woody and Law-Firm tandum and also provide special team’s capabilities that BB likes….
Either way we need a run game with more than what we have. We’ve wasted too much time effort energy and money on ppl like Sammy Morriss and Fred Taylor that’s a given. I wouldn’t have taken either one of them, Nor would I keep either one now.
Re-sign Green-Ellis to a $6 million or less deal
let Faulk retire.
let Fred Taylor retire
re-sign Sammy Morris
$6 million per year????? Ben is a RFA
I’d give him a 2nd round tender and take my chances that someone grabs him or we get him for $1-2 million next year.
The 6 mil deal...
as in, 3 years for 6 mil?
If the pats offer an average RB 6 mil per year, wouldn’t Mankins have already been signed for franchise tackle money?
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by insertscreenname on Feb 6, 2011 12:28 AM EST up reply actions
BJGE is almost certainly back, as is Sammy Morris.
Faulk and Taylor should retire.
But we don’t need a running back in the 1st round. We don’t. We managed a pretty impressive rushing attack with Woodhead, Morris, and the Law Firm. If we can augment the rushing attack with a late-round RB pick, well, that’s great.
"If you radiant beauties have some free time after work..."
CROAGUNK!
"...I could use some C...P...R..." -Brock, Tanks For The Memories
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 5, 2011 5:44 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
dont think it happens
but if mcclain is signed he can handle alot of carries. he wants to run the ball more too.
i think the team drafts a RB or signs a vet they may like but im thinking draft
"Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
im gonna be all up on you like a spider monkey!
by remembering9ergods on Feb 5, 2011 6:40 PM EST reply actions
Yeah, that's what I heard
That McClain wants to up his carry numbers instead of lead-blocking all the time, and he won’t get that with Rice being the clear #1 RB and the goal-line snaps going to Willis McGahee (both of whom are signed through 2011, too).
McClain doesn’t want to be a #3 RB and #1 FB, he wants more carries. And I quite like him in that 2007-2009 Sammy Morris #2 RB, #1 FB role – he’d definitely up his carries compared to what he did in Baltimore.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
i agree
we definitely do not need to draft an rb within first three rounds. we have much more pressing needs. we ran the ball well last yr. i would not mind signing deangelo however. he should come at a reasonable price, considering the injury plagued and disappointing season he had. and he is better than anyone we would be able to draft anyway. whats more he doesnt cost us a valuable draft pick that we could use to strengthen the lines, including the one our rbs run behind. whats more is that when analyzing the contract j charles just signed i think its reasonable to suggest we can get deangelo to sign at just the right price. if he doesnt however, then we go with what we got and maybe supplement with a late round rb, or maybe pierre altho i think he is much less valuable than deangelo would be.
From Bodden:
“I have the most confidence in the world; I’m going to have my best season next year,” Bodden told reporters of his recovery. "I’m rehabbing it good, I’m lifting on it. It’s been five months. … “If I was playing in the Super Bowl and had to play, I would play … I feel great. It’s strong. I’ve been lifting on it, not too much heavy weights, but the stability is good.”
The 2011 season…….CAN’T WAIT!!
http://www.weei.com/sports/boston/this-just-in/2177221/bodden-confident-recovery-next-year
Don't cut your locks Tom Terrific!
Great to hear he's confident.
I liked him in Cleveland. It’s not his fault he got stuck on a horrendously bad Lions team.
"If you radiant beauties have some free time after work..."
CROAGUNK!
"...I could use some C...P...R..." -Brock, Tanks For The Memories
by OBrienSchofieldismyHero on Feb 5, 2011 9:08 PM EST up reply actions
I'd love to see us grab Jason Snelling if he goes the FA route
I’d also look for value in the draft, if DeMarco Murray (speed and hands) drops or Dion Lewis is still around late. I like DeLone Carter too. I also can’t help wondering if DJ Williams could play FB.
Mark Ingram Please
I do believe we should draft a running back this year. Picking up one of the used and abused free agents (Williams, Bush, Thomas, Benson) will leave us in a similar situation as last year. Mark Ingram split carries with another back (so he hasn’t been abused like Murray or Ryan Williams) his entire career at Bama and still put up impressive numbers. BB hates fumblers and Ingram has only lost 2 over a three year career at Bama. He has great vision, hits his holes quickly, and is extremely difficult to bring down. He had gobs of runs that were 20+ yards.He also has the size and strength to pass block. The Law Firm and Woody are great at what they do and would be even better with Ingram in the rotation.
A first-round draft pick on a committee RB? Eh.
That’s a huge investment on a guy who splits carries – remember, BJGE and Woodhead were undrafted free agents. The Saints have a rotation of two UFAs and a first-round draft pick in Reggie Bush, and most people consider Bush to be a waste of a draft pick just because he’s not an every-down RB.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Forget the split carries thing.
Ingram is simply not a 1st round RB. A 1st round RB needs to be Adrian Peterson – churning out 1300 yard, 10 TD, 60 catches for 600 yards seasons for more than 6 years. I can’t see Ingram doing that.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by insertscreenname on Feb 6, 2011 6:21 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That's what I'm saying
Unless he’s a Walter Peyton or Adrian Peterson, forget it. And if you had an Adrian Peterson, Woodhead and Benny are going to be surplus to requirements, which is a waste of a 1000 yard rusher and a 500 yard rusher, 500 yard receiver.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
I'd give up a first
(and Benny and Woody being stuck on the bench) to get 2002-2007 LT.
As long as we still have those two for the playoffs.
"Perhaps it was the Noid who should have avoided me." Mayor Adam West
by insertscreenname on Feb 6, 2011 6:43 PM EST up reply actions
Yep
He’d have to be a do everything guy – runs hard north-south like a #1 RB, catches passes, pass-protects. Basically Benny’s hard-nosed running + Woodhead’s all-round skills.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Agree about Bush
Reggie Bush was a bust of a first rounder…I never thought his skill set would translate to the NFL anyway….I think Ingram could be the every down back with Woody as a wrinkle and BJGE as #2
But then that seems a waste of a 1000-yard rusher.
I do get the need for putting in a guy with a different skillset and mix of attributes to the already-standing Woodhead/Benny rotation, but the problem with drafting a first-round guy is that you use him as an every-down back (and thus underutilise proven commodities in Benny and/or Woodhead), or you put him in a rotation with Benny and Woodhead and underutilise a first-round draft pick.
If you used that pick on a lineman, he’d be on almost every snap and probably play for 10 years (Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork; or Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Logan Mankins). But if you draft an RB, you probably get 3 or 4 years of use out of him (guys like LaDanian Tomlinson are the exception, not the rule), and then he hits 30 and has no trade value. I’m a bit iffy about drafting a rotational guy who has no longterm trade value when drafting a stud O-lineman probably does as much to improve the run.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
Good Points
My main reason for wanting a solid, high-value RB is the playoff game.The Jets would not have had 7-8 guys dropping off in coverage if they had to worry about an Ingram-type threat. I don’t think we should take him with our first pick (should be a DL or OL), but I do believe we should snag him with our second or third if he’s available.
I wouldn't mind dropping a 3rd or 4th rounder on an RB
There are still some pretty good guys available at that level – Shonn Greene, Frank Gore, Ryan Moats, Marion Barber III, Brandon Jacobs, Darren Sproles, Jerious Norwood, Leon Washington, Michael Bush, Le’Ron McClain, Jacob Hester, Jamaal Charles, Steve Slaton.
Some of those guys are limited – Greene, Brandon Jacobs, Norwood, Bush, McClain are north-south guys, Sproles and Washinton are scat-backs, Moats, Barber, Norwood, Bush are committee-back types, Hester and McClain are more FB/RB hybrids. Some are potential every-down studs – Gore, Charles, Slaton (for one season).
But all of those guys could fit into a rotation pretty well, even if they’re not suited to being every-down guys. Some of them would fit exceedingly well by offering something different to Benny and Woodhead – a McClain power-back, or a Gore #1 big-back type, or a Washington/Sproles kick/punt returner as well, or a huge + fast Brandon Jacobs.
First-round RBs should be every-down guys for that kind of investment, but 3rd round picks can be very good rotational guys.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Contributing Writer at PatsPulpit
I like Shane Vereen in the 4th, Evan Royster in the 6th
or Noel Devine in the 5th(listed as 5th rounder now). XD
Brandon Saine is listed as “undrafted(in terms of where he s ranked)”
also others listed as undrafted are:
James Montgommery(listed as a RB. He has played DE and LB as well): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZgwLmOyS1c
I’ll take 11 players with heart on the field over 11 guys with just talent. Talent is fleeting, it goes away over time. Heart is what drives you to be better. To push yourself beyond what you think your capabilities are. To show us that when you strive, all things are possible.- SMP
formerly patriotguy2 ;)
I'm confident that BB will not draft a running back in the 1st rd
Or that two defensive ends will be drafted by him in the first round. You guys don’t know BB like that. Everytime we think he’s going to draft a particular player or stud, he doesn’t draft him at that particular pick or round. I can’t wait to see how disappointed all you New England fans will be when the first round is over with lol. I’m a Pats fan I won’t be surprised at the outcome of the first round.
