VJCPatriot

I was actually looking at Felix Jones numbers the other day. If we don't draft McFadden I wouldn't mind taking a shot at Felix Jones. Don't worry BB and his scouts will do the filmwork and then pull the trigger on 'their guy'. Remember that they 'discovered' Maroney when they were actually scouting his platoon mate Marion Barber.

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primetime

Robert Smith had unreal hands, though. McFadden would need to put on 15-20 lbs. to survive in the NFL at his size, and that would slow him down. I don't see drafting a RB as being worth it, especially McFadden that high.

ClevTrev

Amen. Right there with you, as the Pats have proven they get better overall team value with later picks compared to the "stars" who come out in the first 10 picks of the draft. There was an article around the time of the 2005 draft outlining the draft positions, expected contracts, cap impact, and overall team value. The author made a rational argument that those picking from 15 and beyond received far better long-term value than those picking earlier. Picks in the 2nd and 3rd rounds are gold in terms of long-term value.

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Ochmed Jones

There is no doubt that McFadden runs too upright and shows a lot of chest, and we all know that is a sure fire recipe for injuries.

However he has incredible vision, cutting ability, power and feet. HE probably can't catch 50 balls a season, but he could easily become a 1,500 yard back that can also pick of blitzers on passing downs if in the righty system.

He is the real deal and I thought a better back than Peterson by far last year.

However the 2008 draft when all the juniors are counted could be very very deep at RB and we could easily pick up a Stewart of Oregon or a Davis of Clemson in the second or third round.

sebman2112

You mean back in 2005? Marion Barber was drafted in 2005, and Maroney was drafted in 2006.

Oh, and they won't draft McFadden

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makewayhomer

ding ding ding ding

VJCPatriot

That's right. You DO realize that the scouts keep their film/notes on players right? Maroney caught their eye when they were scouting Barber (presumably in 2005). They ended up taking him the next year. I clearly remember hearing this around draft time. Maroney was certainly not an unknown quantity to the Patriots. And I would never say never when talking about BB and the draft. Well maybe never take a LB in the 1st... that's held true for a few years now.

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Dragda

He's good. Second pick good? No. I've seen him play a few games this year and wasn't terrifically impressed. But I didn't think Peterson would make a great pro. His upright running style and his injuries seemed like too much to overcome. But I knew Maurice Drew, Marshall Faulk, Emmit Smith, LT, Steven Jackson and Larry Johnson would be good to name a few.

I understand from a production stand point why everyone is so high on McFadden. I think he's in the perfect system at Arkansas. Not a knock on him, but he won't be running behind that kind of offense in the NFL.

Coleslaw

Larry Johnson is the epitome of an upright running style.

What are you even talking about.

AzPatsFan

Is the word has or H-A-D ? Bunged up knee... after what, 10 games? RBs are expendable as was succinctly and unabashedly truthful saying by no other than the TUNA himself.

The Tuna's teams always were good running clubs but he wouldn't waste a high pick on any RB. He has picked RBs at the end of the first, in the second and in the third rounds. He has gotten good RBs there inlcuding a future HOF in Curtis Martin. Why would he waste a high pick on a RB?

Trade down, and stock the Lines, CBs and/or Linebacking, or more likely all three, with the payments from the single pick. Oh, and take a RB on the first day as well. Much better results.