lawrence welker

Imagine we have/get/draft an elite RB with serious wheels.....
I could envision Green-Ellis as the sure-handed, power-enough 3rd down legacy to KFaulk.
IMHO, Danny Woodhead is just not what we need for down #3 long-term. He's good, (hell he's more than that!) but I don't see him in the league in 5+ years. "Too small" really takes its toll at this level, and I see Danny Woodhead as such: one injury, out for the year... then what? I've suffered injuries that nag for life... He cannot be our future, he's simply not built for the LONG TERM. Or am I wrong about size?
Contrast Green-Ellis: durable, smart enough to find the holes, and never ever ever (ever? HOLY!) fumbles.

Sciz

By definition, most 3rd down backs are undersized. That's why they are 3rd down backs and not starters. And I think a big part of being a 3rd down back is having that wiggle in the open field to catch a pass in the flat, make the first guy miss, and pick up a first down. I don't think Benny has that ability, while Woody has shown it quite a few times in his brief time in NE.

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lawrence welker

By definition, BB discards definitions. Anyway.....

Currently, we have a season loss at 3rd down back (Faulk on IR, and could he/will he/do we welcome his/ return?); a real potential of the same next season (Faulk retires; we rely on Woodhead, who gets injured {my postulation based on size vs. durability: an opinion}).
What I mean is, let's toss aside current definitions:
I'm currently re-watching (living in the past, I am) Jest at Pats of last November (45-3 game for many of us LOL). Woodhead had a good game; LawFirm did too. Long story short, I'd rather have BJGE in there on 4th and goal than Woodhead. Blocking by LawFirm was better by miles, too, if that matters.

BPF

BJGE does not have the hands or shiftiness required to be a 3rd down back. Woody is a perfect 3rd down back for many reasons. He can also line up in the slot when motioned for empty and is a legit threat due to playing WR.

I wouldn't mind another explosive back but I think BJGE and Woody current roles are perfect for their strengths as players.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit."
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STH since 1994....sec 236

lawrence welker

I'm far from a football expert, but what is it about "never fumbled" that excludes one from the club of "the hands"?
Not sure,
Please expound.

mgteich

You would bascially cut Woodhead and have Green-Ellis as our 3rd down back.

This is the worst idea I've seen in awhile. Woodhead ins the perfect replacment for Faulk.

Your analysis discusses that Green-Ellis is a better 4th and 1 option than Woodhead. I agree. But that jsut means that you think that Green-Ellis is our best 4th down back (better than Woodhead or Morris). This could be true.

You implication is that Green-Ellis is not good enough to be our 1st down back or even good enough to share that role. It is here that I strongly disagree. Green-Ellis is good enough to be or Antowain Smith as long as he is here. He is also good enough to share the running back role with another back, whoever belichick chooses as the replacement for Taylor. Personally, I find it unlikely that this replacement will be a draftee.

MaineMan

"Hands" in this instance is referring to pass-catching ability only - a critical quality in a classic "3rd down back." What you appear to mostly be talking about is a power/short-yardage back, for which BGE is perfectly suited - much more than Woody.

Seems to me that most people think of a "3rd-down back" as a guy for 3rd and 5+ who is primarily a pass-catcher, but who can also occasionally get around the corner or take the hand-off straight up the middle - IOW, a guy to keep the defense guessing.

Deus Irae

3rd down backs are receiving backs who can pick up the blitz. Which of those skills do you think BJGE has as a strength?


BJGE is a rotational back. He's not a 3rd down back, and he doesn't belong as the team's starting RB1. He's a depth guy.

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jeffbiologist

What kind of person goes into the draft worried about what their 3rd down back will be like 5 years down the line?? I think we can say we have 3rd down covered for RBs, now lets get someone that can play 1st and 2nd down for a few years.....

jsull87

by definition he would discard your definition then. Endless loop.

BJGE is a good back and could do the job as a 3rd down back... woodhead can and has done a better job as the 3rd down back and i see no reaosn for this to change other than because the season's over he is out of site and out of mind.

The size thing has been used as an excuse but until he gets injured (maroney was way bigger had less production and is injured more btw) then i am rooting for woody all the way just like i was rooting for BJGE before him. Both have been given their role and have flourished. I see no reason to change other than if it's your preference add a RB for the future to add a different dimension and spell BJGE but not because BJGE or Woody can't get it done because they showed last year they could.