Sammy Morris - New England Patriots Forums

Holy Diver · 03-10-2008, 03:56 PM

Watching teh NFL network's replay of the week 1 Jets game, I was pumped up watching Sammy Morris run the ball. Maroney and Morris make a great 1-2 punch.

I know his injury last year was freakish, just wondering what his status is for next year?

fnordcircle · 03-10-2008, 03:59 PM

I really wish Sammy had been in there he ran for us great. Only the team knows his status but I do know that his specific injury is one which does put him at a possible risk to not be able to play again. Someone who knows more about what goes on under the hood of the human body can elaborate but I do know it's not a given he's ever going to play again though I'd put the probability of him coming back at the 83% mark for no apaprent reason other than gut feeling.

Watson's IQ · 03-10-2008, 03:59 PM

As far as I know, he's expected to be back on the field Week 1 and ready to play. I haven't heard anything to the contrary, so I'll assume we'll be back to a two-back (plus Faulk) system next year until I hear otherwise. Although I do expect Maroney to be the more clear-cut #1 next season.

Edit: Obviously, someone who knows more about the injury will know better than I.

***BelichickFan*** · 03-10-2008, 03:59 PM

He should be fine, I read somewhere a week or two ago that his injury is well on it's way to being fully healed.

The only problem is that I really think Maroney needs almost full time duty as our RB given that our RB position is somewhat underutilized anyway.

Watson's IQ · 03-10-2008, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

The only problem is that I really think Maroney needs almost full time duty as our RB given that our RB position is somewhat underutilized anyway.

The Super Bowl notwithstanding, limiting Maroney's carries earlier in the year so that he could be fresh down the stretch and into the playoffs proved to be a pretty sound strategy last year, didn't it?

I think the league in general is trending more towards RB tandems, and I don't see why the Patriots would suddenly decide to buck that trend considering the depth they have at the position. If there's one thing BB doesn't care about, it's egos.

***BelichickFan*** · 03-10-2008, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watson's IQ

The Super Bowl notwithstanding, limiting Maroney's carries earlier in the year so that he could be fresh down the stretch and into the playoffs proved to be a pretty sound strategy last year, didn't it?

I think the league in general is trending more towards RB tandems, and I don't see why the Patriots would suddenly decide to buck that trend

You are definitely correct about the tandem thing but I think the historical concept of RB getting stronger as the game goes on has some validity which will return. Although it worked out fine last year I'm still not sure how the split would be most effective. We did average 28 runs per game last year (tied for 9th/10th most) which is higher than I'd have expected.

Watson's IQ · 03-10-2008, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BelichickFan

You are definitely correct about the tandem thing but I think the historical concept of RB getting stronger as the game goes on has some validity which will return. Although it worked out fine last year I'm still not sure how the split would be most effective. We did average 28 runs per game last year (tied for 9th/10th most) which is higher than I'd have expected.

A lot of late games with big leads probably inflates that a bit.

As I said upthread, I would probably shift a few more carries Maroney's way, since I feel he earned it last season and he was drafted to be that guy. I still think you need to find enough carries for both Faulk and Morris to both work in different looks and to keep Maroney fresh. A 65/35 split seems about right, just to pull a figure out of thin air.