Will the patriots draft the replacement for kevin faulk?

[p8ryts]

I expect Faulk back and productive in 2009, but your argument overlooks a key element - blitz pick-up.

Sammy Morris was someone I expected to be a decent third down back, and he can fill the role, but he's no Faulk on draws, screens, as a receiver, and as we've learned, blitz negater. Patrick Cobb was an option who came along too soon, he's developing nicely for Miami. BJeepers may or may not develop as a receiver and blocker, but like Morris he needs that extra step to get up to speed that Faulk doesn't.

I'll concede the average college RB can learn to tote the rock okay in the pros, it's those auxiliary duties that requires getting them into camp and working with them in an NFL system. BB doesn't have to draft a Faulk replacement, Pioli can scour the UDFA market and waiver wires for prospects and may find one - but finding another Faulk isn't going to be easy and I'd rather take a chance on someone like Ian Johnson with a late round pick - or BB can replace Hobbs and convert him back to RB (high school).

Yes, and Faulk was not an over night sensation. It was a few years before he was the Kevin Faulk of today. He is one of my favorite Patriots now but early in his career, I cringed when he had the ball waiting for his fumble.

This is not a position we need to worry about. When the time comes the coach will figure it out and there may not be another player out there that can be all that Kevin Faulk is today. Exceptional.

 

[PatsFan2]

News flash Maroney is made of glass! RB's who could replace Falk.

1) Marlon Lucky 5-11, 210 Nebraska

2) Devin Moore 5-9, 195 Wyoming

3)Rasheed Jennings 6-1, 232 4.52 Liberty

4)Ian Johnson 5-10, 210 4.45 Boise State

5)Arian Foster 6-0, 215 4.55 Tennessee

All those guys can catch some and they are not made of glass like Maroney.

 

[nickw308810]

I was thinking Percy Harvin would be the perfect player to fill this role. Use his dynamic playmaking skills as a WR/3rd down RB. But I don't think it is our wisest option to use our 1st rounder on him even though I would love the pick.

What does everyone think of Pat White? Think he could be a WR/KR/3rd QB if we trade Cassel/Faulk's future replacement? I am looking forward to his game against UNC today.

 

[PatsFan2]

I was thinking Percy Harvin would be the perfect player to fill this role. Use his dynamic playmaking skills as a WR/3rd down RB. But I don't think it is our wisest option to use our 1st rounder on him even though I would love the pick.

What does everyone think of Pat White? Think he could be a WR/KR/3rd QB if we trade Cassel/Faulk's future replacement? I am looking forward to his game against UNC today.

Yeah a Florida WR are you kidding me?:snob:

 

[DaBruinz]

News flash Maroney is made of glass! RB's who could replace Falk.

1) Marlon Lucky 5-11, 210 Nebraska

2) Devin Moore 5-9, 195 Wyoming

3)Rasheed Jennings 6-1, 232 4.52 Liberty

4)Ian Johnson 5-10, 210 4.45 Boise State

5)Arian Foster 6-0, 215 4.55 Tennessee

All those guys can catch some and they are not made of glass like Maroney.

Here's a news flash for you. Maroney has had 2 injuries.. The 2nd one, his shoulder, was not fully healed when he returned and the injury worsened. That doesn't mean he's made of glass. Also, he had one injury during his 36 college games.

Maroney doesn't need to be replaced. He's YOUNG, he's still under contract for a very low amount. And the Patriots are doing their best to get him to 100%. Which is where he should be at the start of thye 2009 season.

 

[vandergraafgenerator]

I like Ian Johnson (Boise State) who should be there on Day Two, he should clear waivers and be re-signed to the Practice Squad.

I liked the look of Gartrell Johnson out of Colorado State but perhaps it was becase Fresno State were pretty poor and he had a career high day. Hey, what do I know though.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I liked the look of Gartrell Johnson out of Colorado State but perhaps it was becase Fresno State were pretty poor and he had a career high day. Hey, what do I know though.

I did flag him in the after-action report in my bowl game thread. Fresno State has been gashed by the run this season, Johnson looked quite good despite Fresno's short comings.

 

[Warren94]

Here's a news flash for you. Maroney has had 2 injuries.. The 2nd one, his shoulder, was not fully healed when he returned and the injury worsened. That doesn't mean he's made of glass. Also, he had one injury during his 36 college games.

Maroney doesn't need to be replaced. He's YOUNG, he's still under contract for a very low amount. And the Patriots are doing their best to get him to 100%. Which is where he should be at the start of thye 2009 season.

Maroney dances too much this year. doesn't hit the holes. falls into bad habits. does not like contact. I feel as though he has been in BB doghouse.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Maroney dances too much this year. doesn't hit the holes. falls into bad habits. does not like contact. I feel as though he has been in BB doghouse.

I criticized Maroney's dancing as a rookie and his first few games as a Sophomore, but I saw no "real" dancing from him this season - he was dodging a lot of DL/LBs in the backfield - he ran with good decisiveness while under duress. I just believe defenses had game planned more for Maroney than Morris or Jordan, I also believe the Pats altered their blocking scheme to better take advantage of Morris and Jordan. Finally, whatever issues the O-line had to start the season pretty much disappeared when Neal came back - I really have to wonder if Billy Yates was injured or dealing with family problems because he played horribly, and both Koppen and Mankins struggled alot before Neal came back.

 

[CGH TX PATS]

I am a BIG fan of Taylor Mays (SS, USC) he has great size 6'3-6'4 225lbs and runs a 4.4-4.3 forty. Is there no discussion of him on here because you all don't believe he will be around when we draft or is it because you all don't think he fits our system? I think that he would fit well in the 3-4 scheme because he can cover with that speed and big enough to play LB and come off the edges... just some thoughts of mine, any answers???

 

[jsull87]

with what the running backs have done this year including bjge and with maroney back next year i can't see us taking a running back in this draft i think we have talent in that possition and it is down to the O line if the running game doesn't do well next year

 

[AzPatsFan]

I laugh ast some of you draftniks. Kevin Faulk was and is still a record setting SEC runner drafted early in the second round. The only guy that reminds me of Kevin Faulk, is Jones Drew at Jax, and he was drafted at the early part of round two, as well.

All this drivel of UDFA runners and late round RB picks is just that... more draftnik drivel.

Kevin Faulk like Jones Drew are examples of a RB who has "swivel hips" and gains his yards by making guys miss. Itsd shiftynessa nd eleusiveness. If he were slightly bigger or slightly faster, he would be a Barry Sanders or Gayle Sayers and an all timer, a HOF RB noted for his elusiveness.

Those guys just don't come cheap.