questions

“Why does it seem like people on this site do not think there is any chance Gerald Warren is back next year? I, like many regular contributor to this site, was suprised the Patriots did not draft a D lineman this year. To me that told me that the Patriots were happy with the talent they have on the DLine.”

I agree with that last part. The Patriots are strong up the middle with Vince Wilfork holding the ground, and along with the return of Ty Warren, the health of Mike Wright, and the development of Ron Brace, Myron Pryor, Brandon Deaderick, and Kyle Love, it appears as if the depth chart is filled.

“But I think Gerald Warren is part of that talent. Last year he was the second best D lineman, and he would be a valuable lineman again this year. I am less than convinced that Brandon Deadrick and Kyle Love are the future of this team. I think one or both of them don’t even make the team last year if Ty Warren doesn’t get hurt. I also think Wright’s injury is serious and could end his career. I concede that hopefully Brace will pass Gerald Warren on the depth chart. But why is everyone so sure Gerald Warren doesn’t come back next year?”

I believe that the signing of Marcus Stroud was a signal that the Patriots were going to move on. Warren didn’t have enough in the tank to be an every down-every game kind of player and if he can’t provide that in a pinch and another player (Stroud) could possibly be that player, then he’s hurting the team.

“Why don’t people on this site think that Kevin Faulk will be back next year? Besides Brady, Faulk appears to be the best leader on the team. I think if Faulk wants to come back, he comes back, similar to Troy Brown in 07. And to me, Faulk’s action’s last year in helping the team after his injury indicate he still wants to play and be part of this team. Why don’t people love Faulk as much as I do?”

Everyone loves Faulk. I believe that with Tom Brady, Troy Brown, and Tedy Bruschi, Kevin Faulk is one of the next names in the list of “Patriots of the Decade”. Faulk will absolutely make it back into the camp and will be allowed to compete. However, I don’t think he’ll make the roster. I’m sure he’s had a talk with Belichick and that he will pull a Bruschi and retire during camp.

“Why is everyone so sure Green-Ellis comes back? While the Patriots drafted no D Lineman, indicating to me that the Patriots were happy with their talent on the D Line, the Patriots drafted two running backs, indicating to me that they were not fully satisfied with their talent at running back. I, like the regular contributors to this site, think that Morris’ and Taylor are gone. I think both rookies make the team. I think Woodhead makes the team cause I love that little guy.”

I agree up to here. Morris and Taylor are done. They spent a 2nd on Vereen and a 3rd on Ridley so they both get a roster shot. Woody is extremely versatile at running, receiving and even blocking. However, this next part:

“I think Faulk makes the team.”

is where we differ. I believe that Vereen makes Faulk obsolete. Vereen is an experienced blocker, receiver and speedy runner out of the back field. He’s everything that Faulk is, but 10 years younger.

“That is four running backs, all of whom have shown the ability to run the ball and catch the ball out of the backfield.”

This redundancy is why I don’t think they take Faulk, Vereen AND Woodhead. They need someone who can get the consistent yardage like BJGE.

“Benjarvis Green-Ellis was great last year. One criticism of him is that he was not really a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield so, when he was in the game the defense could be less concerned about a running back catching the ball out of the backfield. And I also feel like Benjarvis Green-Ellis peaked last year, and he will never have a year that good again.”

I wouldn’t say he’s peaked- in fact, I’d say he’s just getting started. He’ll never be an explosive back, but it’s his consistency that makes him so valuable.

" I am not sure how free agency will work after the lockout, but I believe he is a restricted free agent, and tendered a second round pick. I think some team will make him an offer because he had a great year last year, and the Patriots will let him go and pick up the draft pick. I think if the Patriots do decide to carry five running backs, they might sign Ricky Williams. What do people think about the possibility of no Green Ellis next year?"

They definitely won’t go with Ricky Williams. However, I would say that if the Patriots received a high enough pick for BJGE that they would take the offer- however, I don’t see that happening. BJGE should be back with the team next year on a 4-5 year deal.

Gerard Warren will be back I believe. At first I had him pegged as a JAG, but he was better than that and performed well. After losing Ty Warren at the beginning of the season and losing Mike Wright mid-way through, depth is a good thing and Gerard Warren was solid.

Kevin Faulk will start Training Camp and has a good chance of making the team. If he can’t pull it off, he may do what Tedy Bruschi did and retire during camp or preseason with as much fanfare as he deserves. If he makes the team, he’ll make it because he can do his job to Belichick’s standards which is good enough for me.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be back. The Patriots have had no problem carrying five backs on the roster the last few years and Belichick has made it very clear how much he values Benny’s work ethic and effectiveness. He ekes out yards and pushes the pile. He blocks well and can still gain ground with defenders hanging on. He has never fumbled the ball away for a turnover. I’ll take plodding effectiveness over splashy inconsistency anytime. I bet he’s been working on catching too, because that’s the kind of player he is.

I agree that Morris and Taylor will not be back.

"Why does it seem like people on this site do not think there is any chance Gerald Warren is back next year?But why is everyone so sure Gerald Warren doesn’t come back next year?

There is a chance, especially if they push the camp rosters to 90 that he will be in camp. While he may be nice to have, I don’t believe he is necessary to the success of the Pats. Injuries happen, and so forth, so he might be on the roster, but it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if he wasn’t. He’s older and while moderately effective, we also grabbed Stroud. How many aging linemen do we need when our defense has been getting younger?

Why don’t people on this site think that Kevin Faulk will be back next year? Why don’t people love Faulk as much as I do?

Ok, the second question has nothing to do with the first. Faulk is one of my all time favorite Pats, but he’s older and coming off of knee surgery. Woody filled in for him nicely last year, and Vereen has the same skillset. Bill will definitely let him come into camp, and he may even earn a spot. I think Faulk has enough of the Patriot way to not want to play if he can’t compete in camp. If he still feels he has something to offer, he’ll go for it. If he’s left in the dust, he’ll retire and we’ll see him in the Hall at Patriot Place in a few years.

Why is everyone so sure Green-Ellis comes back? What do people think about the possibility of no Green Ellis next year?

First of all, Benny did well, but not over the top well. He’s not likely to have a lot of suitors in free agency, so we can probably get him back on a pretty reasonable contract. Second, he’s a good pace back. Consistent yards, good push, and no fumbles. Not flashy, but consistent – a word that Belichick loves. So, Benny, Woody, Vereen and Ridley and possibly Faulk – that doesn’t leave a lot of room for Morris, Taylor or Clayton who all are free agents.

So to re-cap, could Gerard Warren be on the team? Yes.
Could Faulk play for the Patriots next year? Yes.
Could Law Firm be allowed to leave? Yes.

50% for the first two (including injuries).
10% on the last one.

Why does it seem like people on this site do not think there is any chance Gerald Warren is back next year?

Pats were 32nd against the run when the opposition ran through LT-LG – that’s squarely through RE where G. Warren was most of the time. I personally thought he looked decent just going by the eye test, but the stats suggest he wasn’t so great.

What do people think about the possibility of no Green Ellis next year?

If we assume Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor are gone, and Kevin Faulk is either a 3rd down back only, or mostly a player-coach. So no BJGE means no proven #1 RB. You could go in with two rookies intending to be the #1 and #2, but when is the last time Belichick planned on definitely starting a rookie, let alone two rookies as #1A and #1B?

Wasn’t McCourty (Bodden, Butler, Wheatley and even Wilhite were all in the frame)
Solder? Matt LIght is still on board if they want him.
Meriweather? Sanders, Harrison and Eugene Wilson were around at the time.
Mayo? I suppose so, but even he had veteran Bruschi playing beside him and teaching him the ropes.

It’d be very, very out of the ordinary to just throw two rookies into starting roles with no vet backup, so that makes me think Benny has a job still.

Funny that Greg didn’t answer yet, although everyone else did?

Welcome to the group. I know I’m way late. But obviously Bill thought more of Stroud than he did of Warren. Faulk is the kind of all purpose player that Bill likes. And if he does stick around it is because the head hoodmaster sees value in keeping him. BenJarvis is an excellent running back. He is very solid in what he does. And the younger players coming in have comparable skills. Catching and running that make them worth while. You just don’t let guys like Green-Ellis go.