CheeseMonkeys

I've been thinking after seeing many posts about people wanting a top RB on the Pats. Obviously with the passing game that NE runs with Brady/Welker and the TEs, the running game isn't something that needs to be leaned on. A good running game will make it easier to pass the ball but would an upgrade over BJGE be that big of a deal?

I do think that the Pats should bring back Benny if the money is right because he has been a solid player for us. People have been talking about what our offense would be like with a RB like Arian Foster. Sure Foster is more of a complete RB but I think BJGE is better than people think. He doesn't get a ton of carries in this offense but I bet if he got the carries he'd be pretty successful.

Also I think Ridley can potentially be the complete RB that the Pats have been looking for but it's way too early to tell. There are holes in the defense and at WR so RB isn't a high priority but BJGE may want more money than the Pats will give him. What should the Pats do?

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AndyJohnson

I'm not 100% positive of the numbers, but I think Woodhead played more snaps than BJGE in 2011, and I know he did in 2010.
Other than not fumbling, I'm not sure what BJGE does that we wouldn't get pretty much the same thing out a number of RBs we could plug in.
Ridley and Vereen seem to be a reasonable group to take over, we can bring in a vet backup, or another young unknown to be there if one or the other falters.
The only issue I see with letting BJGE walk and plugging Ridley and Vereen in is that Vereen was injured all year, so we need someone as plan B.
Going into 2010, once we realized Maroney was on the outs, we had a lot less to go on with the RBs we had than with Ridley and Vereen.

chicowalker

An upgrade is low on my list of offseason improvements to the team -- I'd prefer BJGE back if he's ok with a reasonable deal. BJGE / Woodhead / Ridley / Vareen works for me.

Use the $ and draft picks for the defense, WR, OL and a 3rd TE.

old 55

I feel that Obrien didn't use our running game effectively at all.
We rarely used screen passes to the backs which, at one point in time, we were the standard for the league in how to run a screen play.
It seemed to me that we'd run a certain type of running play effectively and then go to something else like a straight run up the middle against teams that were stacked against the run - I assume because of the formation we were showing.

We have a great QB, but that doesn't mean we couldn't make his job easier by running smarter play calls and not trying to be so predictable on the running plays.
It should also make it easier to protect Brady from an aggressive pass rushing team.

Personnel wise..I believe BB likes BGE, but also thinks he could plug in a number of different backs with similar results.
The 2 RBs from last year's draft will see more action this year as long as they are working on their blocking as well as their running.
I don't see BB giving BGE a huge contract.

micronin127

BJGE is reliable and steady. Few negative plays. No fumbles. Decent receiver. Good blocker. That said, very few big plays (20+ yards) and his YPC is only 3.7. If it falls any lower, he's out of the league.

I did like the way he started to elevate in goal line jumping over the pile near the end of the season.

Would you want BJGE back at $2 million a year? I would, but not on a long-term contract.

I wouldn't want to see them spend big money on a RB unless they have already added a few athletes to the defense. I would like to see a team with better balance, like 2003/2004, where the defense was the strength of the team and the offense just had to take care of the ball and score enough. In that world, BJGE is ideal because of ball security.

Deus Irae

BJGE is a #2 RB in a rotational system that also has a 3rd down back. That's all he is, yet he was the team's RB1 (Woodhead being the 3rd down back). Of course an upgrade is 'necessary'. The question is whether or not Ridley and/or Vereen can be that upgrade.

BJGE would be well served to go to a team like the Chiefs, where they run the ball more and BJGE could get plenty of carries while softening up opponents for Jamaal Charles.

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Banjo

BJGE has no upside whatsoever. I mean, you know what you get with him and you don't get much more. Next season has to be about Ridley & Vereen and making them a big part of the offense

Fencer

I know it was a different era, but take a look at Sam Cunningham's numbers before you rip Law Firm's too badly:

Sam Cunningham NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Or Mike Alstott's

Mike Alstott NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

Here are BJGE's in the same format:

BenJarvus Green-Ellis NFL Football Statistics - Pro-Football-Reference.com

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Fencer

And by the way, I think BJGE is good enough as a power back that he can be the backup guy in that role, not contribute on STs or as a blocking FB, and still be well worth the roster spot.

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JackBauer

Pretty much this.