AndyJohnson

And as I watched the clock tick, I came to the realization that BB was not going to pick Lawson.
BBs board seems very different than everyone elses. We have now seen:
Graham
Wastson
Maroney
Wilfork (there is no way that it was needed to move Warren off NT)
Mankins


as guys that really were not need that BB saw value and pounced.

In the future in predicting BB drafts, I think the answer will always be the guy he has rated higher than the consensus, or the guy who plays a positin other teams did not grab up.

Maroney seems to fit both. I think BB sees Maroney as THE RB of the future here, and by pick #21 only 1 RB had been selected. (Wilfork and Warren were in DL deep drafts, but I think BB had each rated higher than 3-4 guys who were picked ahead of them)

Of course he also saw NO value when traded the pick that Bmore used for Boller, and ended up with extra picks that he used to find the value he saw.

Not that the bar is very high, but I am certain Maroney will end his career as the PAts all-time leading career rusher, and I'd bet he sets the single season record along the way.

DO NOT BE SHOCKED if Maroney, due to injury or effectiveness outrushes Dillon this year. But I'd say its less likely than likely.


Finally, does anyone think Faulk may be on the way out? I have a suspision that his fumble in the playoff game was his ticket out of town. Its no surprise to me that when we lost because a RB and KR fumbled within a minute of each other causing a very close game to turn into a not so close one, that BB picks a guy he calls a great KR and he also happens to be aRB who will need at least backup carries.

CrazyDave

The fact that we got Maroney AND Jackson is an absolute mind blower to me.
And as the glowing opinions of Maroney keep rolling in, I feel even better.
As far as Faulk goes, I don't know. he's fumble prone, but he makes big plays too. We can't carry 100 guys, so we'll see.

pats1

I definitely DON'T see Faulk on his way out.

1) Troy Brown fumbled too in that game. Brady threw interceptions twice (and there were more in the season too - Kansas City anyone?). That doesn't mean they're automatically gone. I don't see Belichick as that kind of guy to just throw away a player's value because he was part of a collective team loss.

2) If Faulk was cut, Earl Charles would likely go as well, leaving just Patrick Pass and Heath Evans. Those aren't the type of guys you'd want as a starting running back. Dillon is still a question mark to stay healthy. Maroney is part of that unpredictable breed - rookies.

3) Faulk is an integral part of our offense, bringing something no other back on the Pats can bring in the passing game. BB has to love his versatility to return kicks and punts as well, considering the instability they've had there over the past few years.

BelichickFan

I don't think he's gone but I don't think there's any doubt his role will be diminished. It's a damn shame but he just can't be trusted to hold onto the ball. Now Pass - I think he is going, going, done.

sieglo

Faulk stepped up so big time last season it wasn't even funny. The guy is a playmaker. Better yet, he's cheap. You don't let a guy like that go until he starts to slow down. No indication of that happening yet for Faulk.

Incidentally, Faulk is fine with ball control until he's asked to do too much (lots of caries, return the ball, etc.) in a single game. Then he hits fumblitis.

BelichickFan

Faulk's fumble against Denver was on his 9th touch of the game. He's a playmaker but he's a gamekiller too. It kills me to say it because he can be so good, but . . . well you know.

jczxohn1

Faulk's fumblitis was largely under control for the last couple of years. My take is that Pass will be the one to go of the two. Faulk remains one heckofa 3rd down back.

__________________
Felger started his question, "Correct me if I'm wrong," BB quickly interjected, "I can't wait--"


``The officials now are evaluating the players and their performance, I mean, that's great,'' Belichick deadpanned. ``I can't say how much that means to me, really.''

pats1

No, I think Pass will stay as well.

They'll need some depth in the backfield with the injury history. This is certainly plausible:

Dillon
Faulk
Maroney
Pass
Mills

Heath Evans would be cut.

pats1

How so? He did a helluva job filling in for Dillon and Faulk before the injury. He was a helluva FB in 2004. The Pats NEED the depth at RB.

BelichickFan

Of all the ex NFL players I heard, not one could comprehend Pass' drop the ball so I can grab the back of my leg stunt in the Buffalo game. Weis always said he was soft and that did nothing to change it.