Gulp... RB an area of need?

[cstjohn17]

I am beginning to think Mankins was the last good draft pick by the Patriots... Maroney is out for the year, Jordan is on a one year deal.

RB is a good value position, some good players are picked in rounds 2-4. There are some promising juniors but Chris Wells is the only first round lock.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I am beginning to think Mankins was the last good draft pick by the Patriots... Maroney is out for the year, Jordan is on a one year deal.

RB is a good value position, some good players are picked in rounds 2-4. There are some promising juniors but Chris Wells is the only first round lock.

We won't be drafting Beanie Wells. He won't even make it that far back (20ish range).

You can sometimes get some real good deals on RBs in rounds 2 and 3. But we'll have to see who is healthy on draft day before thinking of drafting a RB early.

 

[KillEM]

Doubt it.

Beanie Wells is a Top 10 pick. Probably the first RB off the board.

I think Jordan will re-sign with us. Morris still has 1 more year on his contract. So does Faulk. So we can hold off until 2010 for drafting a big time RB.

BTW - Benjarvus Green Ellis was impressive today. I like the way he runs.

Maroney should be traded.. we''d be lucky to even get a 3rd rounder for him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Doubt it.

Beanie Wells is a Top 10 pick. Probably the first RB off the board.

I think Jordan will re-sign with us. Morris still has 1 more year on his contract. So does Faulk. So we can hold off until 2010 for drafting a big time RB.

BTW - Benjarvus Green Ellis was impressive today. I like the way he runs.

Maroney should be traded.. we''d be lucky to even get a 3rd rounder for him.

Two years, actually; he's signed through 2010.

 

[BelichickFan]

I've been a Maroney fan but he's trying my patience - I have no interest in a RB in the first round. We still have Morris, Maroney and Faulk back next year with maybe Jordan. I'm good with that and will be happy to re-visit in 4/2010.

 

[BradyManny]

I've been a Maroney fan but he's trying my patience - I have no interest in a RB in the first round. We still have Morris, Maroney and Faulk back next year with maybe Jordan. I'm good with that and will be happy to re-visit in 4/2010.

Agree. To me, the more pressing need for the running game is the offensive line - that's what will lead to a more consistent attack. We've seen flashes of awesomeness from Maroney, and if Neal's healthy, and if we can upgrade RT, then I imagine that we'd see it on a consistent basis.

That's why I wouldn't address RB at all anytime soon. I'll take the same 5 guys back next year, I guess BJGE won't be PS eligble by then, unfortunately...but I like what I see from him, too. I'm hoping RT is addressed, my faith in Kaczur is diminished, and we need an RG for down the road.

 

[DaBruinz]

Agree. To me, the more pressing need for the running game is the offensive line - that's what will lead to a more consistent attack. We've seen flashes of awesomeness from Maroney, and if Neal's healthy, and if we can upgrade RT, then I imagine that we'd see it on a consistent basis.

That's why I wouldn't address RB at all anytime soon. I'll take the same 5 guys back next year, I guess BJGE won't be PS eligble by then, unfortunately...but I like what I see from him, too. I'm hoping RT is addressed, my faith in Kaczur is diminished, and we need an RG for down the road.

I like Neal. Unfortunately, he is 32 and has a history of shoulder issues. The Pats need to bring in someone who they can either replace him with or groom to replace him.

The Pats also need a RT. I had hoped they'd be able to get Willie Anderson and was disappointed that they didn't even try for him.

Unfortunately, I think that O'Callaghan is done as well. Britt needs to be let go and they need an upgrade for Yates and Hochstein.

 

[BradyManny]

I like Neal. Unfortunately, he is 32 and has a history of shoulder issues. The Pats need to bring in someone who they can either replace him with or groom to replace him.

The Pats also need a RT. I had hoped they'd be able to get Willie Anderson and was disappointed that they didn't even try for him.

Unfortunately, I think that O'Callaghan is done as well. Britt needs to be let go and they need an upgrade for Yates and Hochstein.

I pretty much agree all around, except I'd try and re-sign Hochstein just b/c he has value as he can play G or C. I like O'Cal when he's healthy, but, that's not happened too much so far.

So I agree, we need an RT (imminently) and an RG (long term).

As I said in another thread, I hope the Pats try and address RT in free agency, there are some good tackle free agents out there. I know that's not an area they've used free agency to build in, but it may be the quickest way to upgrade at RT, allowing them to use their 1st rounder on defense instead. I had hoped they'd take a shot at Anderson, too, but he must not have been a good fit. I like Colombo from Dallas, but I imagine they'll try to re-sign him.

I agree they need to find a Neal replacement as you say, not necessarily for 09, but future seasons. That can be found in the draft.

 

[NePatriots]

Shonn Greene (Iowa) would be a great fit for the Patriots. He can be shifty like Maroney, but can REALLY finish a run. He runs real well inside and can bounce when needed. Great 2nd rounder (second pick) after a S in round 1 and an OL in Round 2 (first pick)

 

[Warren94]

I like Neal. Unfortunately, he is 32 and has a history of shoulder issues. The Pats need to bring in someone who they can either replace him with or groom to replace him.

The Pats also need a RT. I had hoped they'd be able to get Willie Anderson and was disappointed that they didn't even try for him.

Unfortunately, I think that O'Callaghan is done as well. Britt needs to be let go and they need an upgrade for Yates and Hochstein.

AMEN.. that right hand side of the line is awful. Ciron Black LSU

 

[BritPat]

I really wouldn't mind seeing us draft an RB day 2, a name I first saw mentioned on here is Curtis Brinkley of Syracuse. The kid is their only offensive weapon, and he's averaging over 100 ypg, at 5.5 ypc. That's unbelievable.

Stature-wise, he's not that far removed from Ray Rice. He's more a UDFA candidate though.

 

[BritPat]

Another day 2/UDFA candidate is Tyrell Fenroy of Louisiana-Lafyette, who has 970 yards at 7.5 ypc and 12 TD's. Another small back though.

 

[KillEM]

I'd like to see more Green-Ellis at RB... and I'm sure in the upcoming games we will due to all the injuries. This kid can really go out and prove himself.

If he has a good season, do we even need to bring Maroney back next year? I hate his attitude and running style.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I agree with those posters who say that OL is a higher priority that RB right now. We can see that a healthy Morris can easily gash defenses when the OL is blocking well. So strengthen the OL. We don't need to prioritize RB until Morrs/Maroney contracts run out. And yeah I know these guys are only healthy for half the year but... that still leaves us with faulk/jordan/BJGE for the other half.

 

[pats63]

The Pats needs to addrss their OL....That is what is needed for good run/pass game....GO PATS!!!!

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I agree with those posters who say that OL is a higher priority that RB right now. We can see that a healthy Morris can easily gash defenses when the OL is blocking well. So strengthen the OL. We don't need to prioritize RB until Morrs/Maroney contracts run out. And yeah I know these guys are only healthy for half the year but... that still leaves us with faulk/jordan/BJGE for the other half.

There are a couple of OG's in this draft that could fit in well with the Pats scheme, but the one I like best is Urbik of Wisconsin. He comes off the ball with a flat back and has no trouble moving 330 lb DT's. He is decent in pass protection, but would definitely improve in the Dante bootcamp. He is a lot bigger than BB has historically gone after, but on the Right side, I think we need a bigger OG, (undersized Neal and Yates are being torn to pieces out there) especailly if we let Mankins or Koppen pull from the back side.

 

[VJCPatriot]

There are a couple of OG's in this draft that could fit in well with the Pats scheme, but the one I like best is Urbik of Wisconsin. He comes off the ball with a flat back and has no trouble moving 330 lb DT's. He is decent in pass protection, but would definitely improve in the Dante bootcamp. He is a lot bigger than BB has historically gone after, but on the Right side, I think we need a bigger OG, (undersized Neal and Yates are being torn to pieces out there) especailly if we let Mankins or Koppen pull from the back side.

Since Neal is so injury prone, it might be a good idea to add another OG to the mix. Second question, why does Yates still have a job? He is the revolving door of offensive linemen.

 

[BritPat]

Since Neal is so injury prone, it might be a good idea to add another OG to the mix. Second question, why does Yates still have a job? He is the revolving door of offensive linemen.

Herman Johnson of LSU. I have him pinned as the second guard off the board, maybe late first round though. Some are talking about him in the same way they spoke about Branden Albert pre-draft though - could end up playing tackle because of his ability to move. He is absolutely huge.

Another one I really like is Louis Vasquez of Texas Tech. 6" 6', around 330 pounds, and I think I'm right in saying he didn't give up a single sack last year.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Since Neal is so injury prone, it might be a good idea to add another OG to the mix. Second question, why does Yates still have a job? He is the revolving door of offensive linemen.

I ask the same question. Yesterday it was Yates that got blown up on the 4th and 1 play and cost us a first down.

 

[Jimke]

The Pats do need to invest a 2nd day pick on a running back.

Jordan, Maroney, and Morris are injured much too often to

be depended on.