Elite RB up for grabs.

[borg]

Must......rush..........passer................., make ....................QB.................dirty

 

[AzPatsFan]

Knowshon Moreno slides to 23 do you take him....?

NO ! Why?!?

 

[Warren94]

Laurence Maroney - College Football



Pretty solid but I think that Moreno can catch better out of the backfield than Maroney. willing to give Maroney another year. Why not Fred Taylor. If we can't beat out the bills for his services....

rather have a LB or the not so sexy offensive line pick.

 

[bakes781]

At least one Day Two/UDFA kid for competition and depth, preferably one multi-tool RB like Ian Johnson and one people mover like B-Jeepers.

Oh sure, but not on day one.

The one RB I like who should be available on day two is Rashad Jennings of Liberty.

 

[Warren94]

I am intrigued with Ian Johnson from Boise State. Finds the Endzone....

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Must......rush..........passer................., make ....................QB.................dirty

I agree 100%. Even if Moreno runs a 4.3, I still go defense, preferably an OLB that can make an opposing offense have to account for him on every play.

And a playmaker in the secondary wouldn't hurt either.

 

[alvinnf]

I have news for you. Laurence Maroney was exactly the same in college.

They were not the same player. Minn. ran heavy with a zone blocking scheme and they rarely threw to him, also there were questions about his ability as a blocker. Nice generalization though.

 

[DaBruinz]

They were not the same player. Minn. ran heavy with a zone blocking scheme and they rarely threw to him, also there were questions about his ability as a blocker. Nice generalization though.

And Moreno doesn't have questions about his blocking and receiving skills?

Minnesota rarely threw to ANY of their RBs. Not just Maroney. Maroney has proven to be a better blocker than was throught.

Sorry if you don't like people questioning your binky or whether the Pats actually need him. Just a reminder. The RB by committee that the Pats had last year put up more rushing yards than any other Pats team in like 15 years.

 

[alvinnf]

And Moreno doesn't have questions about his blocking and receiving skills?

Minnesota rarely threw to ANY of their RBs. Not just Maroney. Maroney has proven to be a better blocker than was throught.

Sorry if you don't like people questioning your binky or whether the Pats actually need him. Just a reminder. The RB by committee that the Pats had last year put up more rushing yards than any other Pats team in like 15 years.

Listen touch monkey , he's not my binkie. If you consider the depth at OL and OLB/DE in this draft and couple that with the lack of a true stud corner or safety. NE may have the opportunity to take the best player at 23, he is a very good dynamic player, he can run between the tackles and he's great in space as a reciever. If this offense could add a young talent like that and still adress needs in other areas(as they should w/3 high picks), I would find it hard to argue against. People tend to look at teams needs, your truly operating from a position of strength when you can simply take the best guy available and ignore percieved needs.

 

[DaBruinz]

Listen touch monkey , he's not my binkie. If you consider the depth at OL and OLB/DE in this draft and couple that with the lack of a true stud corner or safety. NE may have the opportunity to take the best player at 23, he is a very good dynamic player, he can run between the tackles and he's great in space as a reciever. If this offense could add a young talent like that and still adress needs in other areas(as they should w/3 high picks), I would find it hard to argue against. People tend to look at teams needs, your truly operating from a position of strength when you can simply take the best guy available and ignore percieved needs.

Yes, he is your binkie. And you've proven it buy your incessant need to defend him to the end.

The depth on the O-line, in this draft, is actually very good. And considering the needs that the Pats have, they have the chance to add a player that will have much more impact than Moreno. Same can be said of LBer. Whether it be inside or outside.

The Pats have never drafted by best guy available. They draft by best VALUE. Always have. People like you misconstrue it for best player available, but even Pioli has said that is not true.

For you to say that Moreno would be the "best player available" at #23 says that you either can see the future. You'd have to be able to if you believed that there would be no one else there at 23 who would be of more benefit to the Patriots than Moreno. Hell, BJ Raji could still be on the board and the Pats could use him over Moreno. Same can be said about Curry, Maybin, Beatty, and Britton to name a few.

 

[alvinnf]

Yes, he is your binkie. And you've proven it buy your incessant need to defend him to the end.

The depth on the O-line, in this draft, is actually very good. And considering the needs that the Pats have, they have the chance to add a player that will have much more impact than Moreno. Same can be said of LBer. Whether it be inside or outside.

The Pats have never drafted by best guy available. They draft by best VALUE. Always have. People like you misconstrue it for best player available, but even Pioli has said that is not true.

For you to say that Moreno would be the "best player available" at #23 says that you either can see the future. You'd have to be able to if you believed that there would be no one else there at 23 who would be of more benefit to the Patriots than Moreno. Hell, BJ Raji could still be on the board and the Pats could use him over Moreno. Same can be said about Curry, Maybin, Beatty, and Britton to name a few.

Most mocks are driven on a need basis, just read the nice little explanations. I think the thing that has made this team so successful is that they dont necessarily value some positions as highly as others might. So they prevent themselves from getting pigeon-holed. They may even have the same crem de la creme as the next guy, yet they might also covet certain positions higher than others. Now I don't think RB is necessarily a position they prioritize, QB certainly is'nt, but would we or should we be shocked if they take a rb AT 23, the best OT's and rush OLB's are going to be picked off early and why would'nt they pick up the best guy they can at his position no matter what position that is. If I had to guess I would say they are taking an OL first, so that's why I think it could be merano, Cuz I'm ussually wrong and I'm a fan.......

 

[Seneschal2]

I think if we sign Fred Taylor, the odds of us drafting a RB early become very slim.

Slim? How about none.

And regarding Maroney, it's the fans who think it's o.k. to evaluate injured players. Belichick will base his evaluation on a healthy Maroney -- after this season has concluded. If healthy, they'll be no excuses for him not to produce.

 

[alvinnf]

Slim? How about none.

And regarding Maroney, it's the fans who think it's o.k. to evaluate injured players. Belichick will base his evaluation on a healthy Maroney -- after this season has concluded. If healthy, they'll be no excuses for him not to produce.

Maroney's legacy might be tied to taking lessons from Corey Dillon. Bringing in another RB early is not an indictment on Maroney , it's how the NFL operates these days. Realistically you want to get the next guy prior to needed the next guy, whomever that guy is. I never even thought twice about it, I was focussed on S an OL, but Kirwin had him there in his first mock and I drank the Kool Aid, then again he took Blair Thomas first overall.

 

[cstjohn17]

Bringing in another RB early is not an indictment on Maroney

It really is an indictment on Maroney, if he were a consistent, healthy 3 down back then there would be no discussion.

Taylor would be great and as far as drafting a RB in round 1.... not the ideal but if they think Moreno or Wells is the real deal then the good news is that RB is the rare position that players can be dominant early in their career. Again not my choice but never say never.

 

[mayoclinic]

It really is an indictment on Maroney, if he were a consistent, healthy 3 down back then there would be no discussion.

Taylor would be great and as far as drafting a RB in round 1.... not the ideal but if they think Moreno or Wells is the real deal then the good news is that RB is the rare position that players can be dominant early in their career. Again not my choice but never say never.

I have to disagree with that. Pittsburgh drafted Mendenhall at 23 despite having Willie Parker, who was good enough to help them win the SB. Dallas drafted Felix Jones at 22 despite giving big bucks to Marion Barber. Carolina drafted Jonathan Stewart at 13 despite having drafted DeAngelo Williams at 27 2 years previously, and Williams responded with a career year. You need more than 1 RB in the NFL. RBs take a pounding, and you can't really expect the consistent productivity of an LT2 over a long period of time. Backs who cary the load too much (like Larry Johnson) end up with shortened careers.

I have no problem drafting or bringing in a RB to complement Maroney. The only question is, we already have a fairly good RB by committee, so how much is it worth spending to bring in more talent? I don't think it's worth spending a 1st rounder on Moreno (whom I like) given our other needs. I don't think it's worth spending a big contract on Taylor given our cap issues, but at a modest contract I would be interested.

A year from now, if LoMo has not shown more, this may be a totally different conversation.

 

[Warren94]

LOMo showed he did not like contact last year. Instead of lowering his shoulder he ran out of bounds therefore ending up in bb doghouse. Moreno is a stud in the making. I would not touch beatty, maybin or raji with a 20 foot pole. I just feel they are over-rated guys who draftniks tend to think are the next best thing.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I have no problem drafting or bringing in a RB to complement Maroney. The only question is, we already have a fairly good RB by committee, so how much is it worth spending to bring in more talent? I don't think it's worth spending a 1st rounder on Moreno (whom I like) given our other needs. I don't think it's worth spending a big contract on Taylor given our cap issues, but at a modest contract I would be interested.

A year from now, if LoMo has not shown more, this may be a totally different conversation.

That's exactly the point. The Patriots don't have a dominant RB, that's why they platoon. I don't see any harm in them adding a RB prospect on the second day to develop for depth. Michael Turner "The Burner" who lit it up in Atlanta this year was only a 5th round pick. It really sucks because I was heavily in favor of drafting Turner that year but we took the 'immortal' Cedric Cobbs ahead of him in the 4th round instead. Doh!


If Fred Taylor is signed, there may not be room for a rookie this year. But based on the numbers - losing Jordan and possibly losing/cutting BJGE who can no longer be stashed on the practice squad, RB depth is in FACT an issue for the Pats who happen to have 2 RBs that can't stay healthy consistently.

 

[mayoclinic]

That's exactly the point. The Patriots don't have a dominant RB, that's why they platoon. I don't see any harm in them adding a RB prospect on the second day to develop for depth. Michael Turner "The Burner" who lit it up in Atlanta this year was only a 5th round pick. It really sucks because I was heavily in favor of drafting Turner that year but we took the 'immortal' Cedric Cobbs ahead of him in the 4th round instead. Doh!


If Fred Taylor is signed, there may not be room for a rookie this year. But based on the numbers - losing Jordan and possibly losing/cutting BJGE who can no longer be stashed on the practice squad, RB depth is in FACT an issue for the Pats who happen to have 2 RBs that can't stay healthy consistently.

If Fred Taylor is not signed, I have no problem with a second day RB. My favorite is Devin Moore as a Darren Sproles style all-purpose back and eventual replacement for Kevin Faulk. If we do sign Taylor, then I see no room for another RB.

Incidentally, as of right now Heath Evans is going to be a FA. While we may have a plan to resign him, it's not a given. I could see us picking up someone like James Casey from Rice as a TE/H-back/WR/fullback and saving a roster spot, in which case we might be able to carry an extra RB or WR.

 

[Seneschal2]

If Fred Taylor is not signed, I have no problem with a second day RB.

I also have no problem drafting a day two RB. The only issue I had, was the suggestion that we may still be open to a first round RB if we sign Taylor. Morris/Maroney/Faulk/Taylor will do just fine as the main corps for this season, and IMHO, -- quite impressive.

 

[cstjohn17]

If Fred Taylor is signed, there may not be room for a rookie this year. But based on the numbers - losing Jordan and possibly losing/cutting BJGE who can no longer be stashed on the practice squad, RB depth is in FACT an issue for the Pats who happen to have 2 RBs that can't stay healthy consistently.

I think this thread is dead now that Taylor is signed but back to the original question which to paraphrase was "Would the Pats consider drafting a RB early in the draft?"

The answer is still maybe, if they see someone who can add value either at the top end of the RB rotation and immediately impact the offense then I don't think it is out of the question. Also if a draftee is better than BJGE or adds more upside on special teams then a day 2 RB is not out of the question.

So to summarize, don't think there is much of a need for a RB in the draft but maybe they do draft a RB.