AndyJohnson

Aside from the he said, she said issues, and speculating what Dillon will do next, I am taking the general tone of the board, to be split between:
1) It was time for him to go, Maroney has surpassed him, and
2) What do we do now, can Maroney start, how are we going to find a replacement in FA, draft,etc

I am very much on the side of 1, and surprised there are so many people feeling like 2.

To stay competitive for Championships, older players need to be replaced by younger ones, consistently.
Great teams have a core of veteran players that they build around but what many seem to not have recognized is the core changes. As the 'original core' ages, the younger players that were built around it become the core.

I think this is textbook genius management of building a team. We found Dillons replacement one (maybe 2) years before necessary. He spent that rookie year playing half the time, learning from the vet (there is no question that at the least Maroney learned the stiff arm from the best) and being prepared to take over. In this case it was only 1 year early because by year 2 the young player is better.
Had Maroney looked in year 1 like JR Redmond looked in year 1, Dillon would be back.

There has been a lot of complaining on this site when a 'former core guy' was allowed to walk and the replacement was not obvious. (McGinest, Vinatieri, Woody, Law, Milloy, Givens, Branch, etc) In some of those case it was at a point where the replacement not being obvious really was a gamble, in others, it was us not knowing what the organization knew (players like Wilson, Samuel, Koppen, Neal, etc stepping up). In still others it was a case where the decision needed to be made whether the replacement was there or not. When a player is declining AND YOU HAVE A GOOD TEAM THAT CAN OVERCOME A POTENTIAL DROPOFF IN ONE AREA, it makes perfect sense to let a player go 1 year too early rather than 1 year too late.
I think the concept behind it is that one guy isn't going to make the difference between winning and losing this year, and by cutting the cord now, you are much further ahead 2 years from now, having found and played your replacement.
I know its not a specific strategy, but in the big picture, you have a core of players, and each hasa shelf life. You surround them with players who are the future core as well as some who are stop gap. The sooner you eliminate the aging player from that core, the sooner the future core players become part of it.
I think the LB situation fits this scenario. The core has aged. The first measure was stopgap, and that stopgap has evidenced the need to rebuild the core. I expect we will have quite a bit of roster turnover at the LB postion this season for that reason. I expect 3 Lbs (anywhere from starter to last guy on the bench) new to the roster this year. I do not expect a lot of resources to be spent on replacing Corey Dillon, because the answer is already known.

Guess I am sort of venting and rambling, but my point is, how can anyone be concerned about Dillon leaving when his replacement is already here, and we have had quite a bit of success jettisoning guys even if the replacement wasnt here?

RayClay

It's hard to disagree with that.

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AndyJohnson

It is the only post Ive ever written where someone wont say Im wrong about something.

(somehow posted instead of spacing to continue)

RayClay

I agree with you completely on the RB situation.

There is no acrimony here. I'm sure the Pats and Corey have talked and he's ready to pass the torch to the new generation and running backs need to run, not just read the playbook.

I hope you'll read my post on why the Patriots don't want Dillon because, looking at some stats, I found a reason Corey will be a major distraction and a hindrance for Maroney if he stays here a year or two.

It's not his fault and it's a good thing, but I'm talking major distraction. Please check it out.

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PatsMyBoyz!

I agree with it being a good move by the Pats,and if Corey can find a better situation then so be it and I wish him good luck. I do think we need more than one RB but Dillon was not going to be that guy anymore;that much has become clear over time.
** Whenever there is breaking Pats news,the posts/thoughts seem to evolve in a certain pattern: Initial shock/surprise, appreciation and sentiment for all that player has contributed, speculation about the reasons why/details,assessing the consequences,to finally seeing the rationale behind it and how it will benefit the Pats. Big news=52 threads which shows that people are thinking it through.
Excellent assessment Andy.

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AndyJohnson

Maybe its because BB is our HC, but I pay little attention to the distraction issue.
I think that in your scenario Dillon is the backup, dillon gets the carries he gets, and is expected to keep his mouth shut and accept his role.
I cannot begin to say I know what BB thinks, but I am pretty confident that if BB looked at this and said we are better team with Corey Dillon backing up at this price, and I may have to deal with the media talking about the record book, I will keep him. (And go to the stock:the players that give us the best chance to win are on the field)

I think your reasoning could explain why Dillon would want to go somewhere that he can play more, but I dont think at all that BB would make a decision based on media fallout rather than what is best for the football team.

Ultimately if the Patriots were behind the decision, its because they felt that what Dillon would contribute was of less value that the combination of his cost, and the value they would get from an expanded role for Faulk, and/or whoever the 3rd RB is going to be.

patsox23

People who think we "need" Corey tend to also be under the assumption that Maroney "hit the rookie wall" and "isn't ready to be the main guy." What Maroney did in actuality is "tear some rib cartilage" and "tried to play through it."

Maroney's young, and he's not perfect (see: AFCCG, Indy) but he learned a lot this year, he's undeniably dynamic, and he was extremely productive for a rookie splitting carries who got injured toward the end of the year. Maroney is completely ready, and I honestly think the Patriots are pleased that Corey initiated his departure HIMSELF.

GHOSTOFSAMGASH

the cartilage tear is what cause him to hit "the rookie wall" he went from being an explosive violent runner that was constantly looking to hit someone, then got injured and hesitated too often. They still need to bring in someone else at a low price too take some of the pressure off, and in case of injury obviously

RayClay

If we go down the stretch run and our backup only needs 200+ yards to vault from 12th to 9th place to overtaking Jim Brown, that's going to be a major distraction.

If Maroney is dinged and Dillon is passing a HOFer every week for 4-5 weeks in a row their will be media from all over the world wondering why our backup running back isn't playing so he can overtake Jim Brown.

You don't think that will be a distraction?

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zoostation

That would be assuming this wasn’t a pre-arranged mutual decision between Corey and the Patriots.