Running Backs - Page 2 - New England Patriots Forums

Patspsycho · 07-28-2010, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MossWelkowski

IMO with the presence of a TE this year with crumpler, gronk, and Hernandez, the passing attack will dominate the offense this year. As long as the run game produces like they did last year they will be a top 5 offense again this year. Maroney will always be average, faulk will always be a quiet beast, and morris and taylor will always be hurt. Not expecting much this year from the run attack...

That just about puts it best.

Garbanza · 07-28-2010, 09:35 AM

Every year it's a make or break season for Maroney - and every year he disappoints. He's a BUST. Just cut him already. I'd rather go into the season with my grandma in the backfield, than this dancing waste of everone's time. The Pats don't have much of a run game, with or without him, and regardless of the plethora of Tight Ends they have in the fold.

I'm with Troy Brown - Maroney could be the "suprise" cut....and I'll be cheering.

Sicilian · 07-28-2010, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmt57

Jeff Howe of NESN says Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, BenJarvus Green-Ellis Fighting For Two Roster Spots.

Position Battle to Watch: With so many other positional battles on the roster, it might not be worthwhile to keep the same five running backs for a second consecutive season. Faulk is a lock to remain on the roster, and Morris also seems to be a favorite of Belichick's. Therefore, it's conceivable that Green-Ellis, Maroney and Fred Taylor are fighting for two spots.
Hot Topic: Maroney had another up-and-down season in 2009. He had a six-game stretch when he rushed for 420 yards and eight touchdowns, but he eventually succumbed to a fumbling epidemic that led to his benching. It was well-known how much time Maroney and Belichick spent together in the film room last year, which might have frustrated Belichick even more when Maroney's struggles snowballed. If Maroney doesn’t show some real improvement in training camp, it's possible this could be his last with New England.

I know Maroney is no fan favorite, but in my opinion he is more likely to make the roster than Morris. In my opinion BJGE is the odd man out. He rarely got a chance to run the ball despite all the injuries to other running backs, and his special teams spot can easily be replaced by newcomers such as McKenzie, Spikes, Cunningham, McCourty, etc.

Given the average age of the other running backs, I would be VERY shocked if Maroney was cut. Effectiveness aside, you can't go into the season with Taylor, Morris, and Faulk (combined age 100+?) as your three headed running attack, and expect to make it through the season without having to pluck a guy off the street for a few games.

Sicilian · 07-28-2010, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbanza

Every year it's a make or break season for Maroney - and every year he disappoints. He's a BUST. Just cut him already. I'd rather go into the season with my grandma in the backfield, than this dancing waste of everone's time. The Pats don't have much of a run game, with or without him, and regardless of the plethora of Tight Ends they have in the fold.

I'm with Troy Brown - Maroney could be the "suprise" cut....and I'll be cheering.

Again, so you'd rather go with Morris (who's going to get hurt at some point), Taylor (who's going to get hurt at some point), Faulk (who may not get hurt, but is NOT an every down back), and Green-Ellis (who hasn't proven he can even be as good as Maroney).

You're asking for trouble in that situation. Also, there is very little financial benefit to cutting Maroney, so it's not like it'd allow us to field better players at other positions.

If we carry only four RBs, one of Morris, Taylor, or Green-Ellis will be cut.

patsfanboy · 07-28-2010, 10:25 AM

Can someone tell me why is BJGE still on still team, he is a nice guy and all but not productive at all. I wish him the best but not as a pats.

Garbanza · 07-28-2010, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sicilian

Again, so you'd rather go with Morris (who's going to get hurt at some point), Taylor (who's going to get hurt at some point), Faulk (who may not get hurt, but is NOT an every down back), and Green-Ellis (who hasn't proven he can even be as good as Maroney).

You're asking for trouble in that situation. Also, there is very little financial benefit to cutting Maroney, so it's not like it'd allow us to field better players at other positions.

If we carry only four RBs, one of Morris, Taylor, or Green-Ellis will be cut.

I understand your point - but I honestly don't think the running game would suffer THAT much with the release of Maroney. Honestly, I think it would send a great message: "we are not effing around this season!"

***mgteich*** · 07-28-2010, 10:29 AM

Green-Ellis is useful to take reps in camp and to take preseason reps. He is our #5 running back. We will likely carry only four this year. I see very little chance of him making the 53. Even if we need a running back because of injury or because Taylor is done, I would think that we would bring in a free agent.

Quote:

Originally Posted by patsfanboy

Can someone tell me why is BJGE still on still team, he is a nice guy and all but not productive at all. I wish him the best but not as a pats.

patsfanboy · 07-28-2010, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garbanza

I understand your point - but I honestly don't think the running game would suffer THAT much with the release of Maroney. Honestly, I think it would send a great message: "we are not effing around this season!"

I disagree. I think he is productive, the only problem last year was the fumbles, which it can be fixed.

***jmt57*** · 07-29-2010, 05:27 PM

Here's a bit of a curve ball when considering the Running Backs during training camp.

How Thomas Williams spent his summer, from Albert Breer of the Boston Globe

Quote:

Williams' will be one of the intriguing stories of this camp, with most of his reps coming at fullback in the first session, and not the position he entered the league at (linebacker). Williams did play fullback some at USC, and even became the Trojans' primary option at the position late in 2006 as a junior. So this isn't totally foreign territory, but he knows he's got a ways to go.

"Right now, who knows?" Williams said. "Today was the first day, so I don’t even know if I’m playing it (full-time). I’ve got a lot of work to do for it, so I’m gonna go in here and watch this film, break it down and move forward."

Could he make the team? Well, the more a player can do, the better chance he has, and the club isn't carrying a true fullback right now so ... Stay tuned.

***jmt57*** · 07-29-2010, 05:37 PM

Maroney upset about fumbles last season, from Monique Walker of the Boston Globe

(Nice to know coaches and fans were not the only ones upset by the fumbles ...)

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"That’s something that got away from me. I don’t really fumble that’s one thing that I been really thinking about and made me upset about last year but it’s one of those things that could easily be fixed."

Eliminating fumbles means concentrating ball control and avoiding lazy habits, Maroney said. As Maroney enters the final season of his contract, he is looking to regain the confidence of the coaching staff after losing the ball at critical points last season.

"At the end of the day that’s a mental thing," Maroney said. "Just holding the ball high and tight and never getting comfortable when you falling to the ground. That was mostly all my fumbles -- falling on the way to the ground. ... It wasn’t a guy just coming behind me and stripping the ball, it was just me being lazy."

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I suppose his admission is a good sign, as he is accepting responsibility and saying he can and will rectify the problem. On the other hand, I'm sure more than a few people will jump all over his last comment.