Will we draft a running back ?

[upstater1]

if Donald Brown is available in the 3rd round, I'm of the opinion you have to grab him.

 

[upstater1]

That's a round too early, but he's one I like.

I don't think he'll be available in the 3rd round. He will test too well (speed and strength) at the combine. No one doubts his running ability. The doubts are about his speed and strength. He will test out very well on both these fronts and elevate himself in the draft.

 

[mgteich]

We are all set at RB at the moment. I'm fine with a 5th or later to bring in competition for BJGE or to draft a future Faulk for the Practice Squad. The bottom line is that we have three running backs and a STER fullback. That's all we need for the season. BJGE as an emergency back and prospect is also fine.

I would describe Jordan as solid and adequate. Competent. Not awesome. We're fine with Maroney, Morris, BJGE, Faulk and Evans. There's not really room for another unless there's an injury. I would consider a draftee if Maroney is still expected to struggle with the shoulder; if he's expected to be 100% finally then I wouldn't.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I don't think he'll be available in the 3rd round. He will test too well (speed and strength) at the combine. No one doubts his running ability. The doubts are about his speed and strength. He will test out very well on both these fronts and elevate himself in the draft.

There are a lot of athletic DE/OLB types in this draft, they can't all skyrocket up the boards off their Combine. We'll just have to wait and see how things shake out.

 

[DW Toys]

I would describe Jordan as solid and adequate. Competent. Not awesome. We're fine with Maroney, Morris, BJGE, Faulk and Evans. There's not really room for another unless there's an injury. I would consider a draftee if Maroney is still expected to struggle with the shoulder; if he's expected to be 100% finally then I wouldn't.

We need a RB in my humble opinion. Maroney is always "broken" and was not full time even in college. I would try to get picks for him now in his contract year. Another year of his antics and he is worthless to unload.

I am of the opinion as Simon is about Jordan, that Maroney is mediocre. Dancing is not the way BB views his RBs to play.

There has been some talented players in the NFL that have never made it because they were injured way to often. Maroney is "that guy".

I will get blasted for this by the Hitler Youth, but I would take a flyer on LJ with some restrictions added, over Maroney, head case or not. He is younger than Dillon was when we got him and remember LJ played behind a pretty good RB in K.C. for a few years so his miles are less than everyone claims.
DW Toys

 

[DaBruinz]

He had a 4.5 yard average and 4 TDs in the small time he played I would say that is more than adequate but my point was that we need someone who is healthier with more upside than we need another band aide that plays well when in there.

So, you are ok with 2 good games and the rest mediocre to below average? Because that is what Jordan put up.

Most of his yards came in 2 games. Against the Jets and against Oakland. The rest of his yards were across 6 games. And he wasn't that impressive.

 

[DaBruinz]

We need a RB in my humble opinion. Maroney is always "broken" and was not full time even in college. I would try to get picks for him now in his contract year. Another year of his antics and he is worthless to unload.

Maroney had 280 carries his junior year of college. Sorry that he didn't carry all 600+ times that Minnesota ran the ball that year. People need to realize that Minnesota's offense, even with Marion Barber there, split the carries between 3 and 4 backs. Because they ran the ball so much.

 

[bakes781]

Maybe I am wrong but wouldn't DB or at least CB be considered a Skill Position or are skill positions only on offense?

well that's why I clarified my point. I basically don't want us drafting a WR or RB early because A) they tend to cost more $ B) the injury risk is greater and C) sleepers at those positions can be had on day two.

 

[Clonamery]

I will get blasted for this by the Hitler Youth.....

You need to find a new forum to play in if that's your "take" on things. Seriously.

 

[patchick]

I'm generally not in favor of WRs & RBs at the top of the draft. But...

This year RB is likely to be a devalued position because the need just isn't there across the league. Let's say the Pats do pick up something like KC's 2nd plus a 2010 conditional for Cassel, and a comp 3rd for Samuel. That gives them a whopping 6 picks out of the first 100. Doesn't that leave room for some luxury? Now imagine that Moreno falls all the way to #23...is a 3-round scenario like this so unreasonable?

#23 Knowshon Moreno, RB
#35 Darius Butler, CB
#47 Jarron Gilbert, DE
#58 Connor Barwin, OLB
#89 Eric Wood, OG/C
#97 Rashad Johnson, S

 

[bakes781]

Knowshon would be tempting and UGA is known as Running Back U.

 

[AzPatsFan]

I made a post over a month ago, in favor of drafting Beanie Wells if he was still available. Most of you were against the pick and after reading your quality posts, you convinced me we should not pick Wells.

What about Shon Green or Rashad Jennings later in the draft?
Green may be available in the 2nd round and Jennings could be available for our comp pick at the end of round#3. He may slip (I doubt it) to us in round #4.

My sleeper pick is Gartrell Johnson.
He should be available in the 4th round or later.

I would like to get a banger.... I am sick of the Maroney two step dancing.

What do you think?

With all the picks, I would expect to draft every position. Having said that it would be a second day pick, unless a fabulous RB fell into our lap after the first round.

 

[billdog3484]

i think we have a bunch of good running backs. i personally would be disappointed if we draft another earlier than the 3rd round.

 

[Warren94]

Like Greene, Ian Johnson on day 2. Found the endzone a great deal in college.

 

[StyLeZ X]

Knowshon would be tempting and UGA is known as Running Back U.

No that would be USC

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

i think we have a bunch of good running backs. i personally would be disappointed if we draft another earlier than the 3rd round.

I agree that we do have a good set of RB's but we did start a guy who was on the practice squad in the beginning of the year for two games. While I think that BJGE will thrive in the off season program (as well as our young LB's and CB's) you need good depth at the RB position. I was worried as we all were when LM, SM and Jordan were all out and all we had was Evans, Faulk and BJGE but we did find a good spot for Hochstien out of this situation. I really cannot say enough about the job Hochstien did last season in the backfield blowing LB's up. I found it really added a dynamic to the running game that BB liked and would like to keep. Having him play on the return special teams work out the the backfield and backup on the O-Line, I hope we keep this guys around as he is much better then Kleco was

I really think that Jordan will leave and BJGE will take his spot and I will be very happy with a healthy LM, Morris and BJGE. I think if a RB slides to the third with first or second round value (highly unlikely) I would make the pick considering we may have two first and two seconds and that would be our 5th pick pick with the first 4 focus on defense or stud OL.

I was really happy going into last season with the way LM ran the ball at the end of 08 and was looking forward to see how a healthy SM would compliment him. When we picked up Jordan I was glad for insurance purposes but man in the NFL you need at least 3 quality back....which is not enough sometimes. I would like to draft a RB to take BJGE spot if Jordan leaves, which I expect even if he starts out on the PR just like the Law firm did.

With the combine coming up next weekend we should know more about the risers and fallers at the RB position as the testing has a factor.

In the third round if Rashad Jennings from Liberty was there at 89 I would draft this kid. He has great size 6'1" 235lbs and looked light on his feet in Mobile which had the scouts talking. He transferred from a big program (Pittsburgh) due to personal reason and ripped it up at Liberty. If he runs a great 40 at the combine which I think he will some team will grab him in the second as he is a complete back (Good receiver and blocker). Here is his highlight.

YouTube - Rashad Jennings Junior Season Highlight Video

Warren94 I too like Johnson a lot and think he could learn a lot from Faulk if we did go that route. He looked great coming of his torn ACL we just will have to sit him when we play the California teams as he had terrible games against UCLA and USC last year.

I think Green will go on Day one but if he was there on Day two I would pull the trigger in a second. Green is a pure runner maybe the best in the draft, we would need to teach him how to catch though

 

[upstater1]

On Jennings, he looked very very fast for a kid 235 pounds.

That being said, I didn't like his video much. He looked very stiff and upright running the ball, hips weren't loose, didn't look great cutting.

I missed what he did in the Senior Bowl. He looks to have size and speed, but he runs a little like the Giants' Jacobs'. That would be a good thing, if he were 270 pounds.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I am much more impressed with Shonn Greene than Jennings. Just watch the way this kid powers over people. He RARELY goes down on first contact and often torpedoes forward an extra yard or so after getting tackled. It often takes 2-3 people to bring him down. Greene runs with power and looks great running in traffic. Even though I don't list RB as a major need for the Pats, I'd have no qualms on spending a 2nd round pick on Greene. He is just that impressive looking of a power back and I think he'll improve the Pats red zone offense too because of the qualities mentioned above. With the Pats collection of wideouts, I think that a power RB that can force 4+ yards per run is much more suitable for this offense than a speedy RB trying to hit homeruns but who can get easily stuffed.

YouTube - Shonn Greene Heisman Style Highlights

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

I am much more impressed with Shonn Greene than Jennings. Just watch the way this kid powers over people. He RARELY goes down on first contact and often torpedoes forward an extra yard or so after getting tackled. It often takes 2-3 people to bring him down. Greene runs with power and looks great running in traffic. Even though I don't list RB as a major need for the Pats, I'd have no qualms on spending a 2nd round pick on Greene. He is just that impressive looking of a power back and I think he'll improve the Pats red zone offense too because of the qualities mentioned above. With the Pats collection of wideouts, I think that a power RB that can force 4+ yards per run is much more suitable for this offense than a speedy RB trying to hit homeruns but can get easily stuffed.

YouTube - Shonn Greene Heisman Style Highlights

I watched Greenes Heisman Highlights just yesterday and remember the FS coming down in the box to meet him right in B gap and he leaves him laying after a huge pop. He regains his feet quick and runs like 30 yards but I am going to watch it again.

 

[upstater1]

Shonn Greene looked fantastic in that clip. Love to have him. People are sleeping on the RBs in this draft. Someone recently said it's a crappy RB draft. Moreno, Wells, Greene, Brown, McCoy, 5 one thousand yard rushers in the NFL. That's not a crappy RB draft.

Here's some video of Donald Brown:

YouTube - Donald Brown Vs Virginia

YouTube - UConn at Louisville

YouTube - UConn at Syracuse 2008
(go to Brown's run at 1:45)

YouTube - DeFrancosTraining.com - 585 lb. squat @ 207 bodyweight!

YouTube - Donald Brown on Congemi's Corner

YouTube - Donald Brown On The Depth At Running Back