Price: Camp countdown - RB

[Box_O_Rocks]

It Is What It Is Countdown to Camp: Running Backs

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Now this is an area that I don't think anyone could be concerned about.

Seriously, have they ever had this much depth/talent in the backfield? Lawfirm will probably be the odd man out. This is one year where I wont worry about injuries, unless they all go down lets hope not.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

Now this is an area that I don't think anyone could be concerned about.

Seriously, have they ever had this much depth/talent in the backfield? Lawfirm will probably be the odd man out. This is one year where I wont worry about injuries, unless they all go down lets hope not.

I agree nashville Maroney needs to go.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I agree nashville Maroney needs to go.

where did i say Maroney needs to go????? :banned:

 

[Calciumee]

where did i say Maroney needs to go????? :banned:

Must think LawFirm is Maroney.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Nice rundown, Chris, though I take issue with one thing. I don't think that LoMo is a "traditional between-the-tackles runner" -- he's a beast in a broken field or on the outside who can run people over but he doesn't torpedo through chinks for an extra half-yard.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Must think LawFirm is Maroney.

no, he just hates Maroney, and likes to point that out in every thread

 

[RobertWeathers]

Nice rundown, Chris, though I take issue with one thing. I don't think that LoMo is a "traditional between-the-tackles runner" -- he's a beast in a broken field or on the outside who can run people over but he doesn't torpedo through chinks for an extra half-yard.

.............and is a regular on the new hit reality show, "Dancing in the Backfield" .

I do like LoMo. IF he can stay healthy and play close to the way he preformed at the tail-end of the 07 season & playoffs, Pats are in great shape.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Nice rundown, Chris, though I take issue with one thing. I don't think that LoMo is a "traditional between-the-tackles runner" -- he's a beast in a broken field or on the outside who can run people over but he doesn't torpedo through chinks for an extra half-yard.

He was getting better at that, I still believe he was working at somewhat of a disadvantage because his presence in the backfield telegraphed run plays and more than the others he had to dodge defenders in the backfield. Hopefully his extended rehab gave him more time with the Juggs machine so he can be used in more passing plays to disrupt the defense.

 

[maverick4]

I still believe he was working at somewhat of a disadvantage because his presence in the backfield telegraphed run plays and more than the others he had to dodge defenders in the backfield.

Interesting that you raise this about telegraphing runs being a disadvantage, but stay silent over telegraphing when we pass the ball.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

no, he just hates Maroney, and likes to point that out in every thread

I Dont hate Maroney I am just disappointed in him. I hope he proves me wrong. I have no aversion to eating crow if its for the betterment of my team. I wish he would stay healthy and show us that talent in the open field that we all think is there but so rarely flashes. There is some reason they dont use him in the passing game and I cant figure it out. But I suspect it must be his hands.

 

[Synovia]

.............and is a regular on the new hit reality show, "Dancing in the Backfield" .

Thats funny, because despite his "dancing" he still gets more yards than anyone else on the team. Even with his faults, hes the best back.

 

[Christopher_Price]

I see the argument about Maroney not being a traditional between the tackles RB, but for purposes of my classification, I'd put him closer to that group that the third-down backs or fullbacks. So I tossed him in there by default.

And I have a question for the patsfans.com crew: Is Laurence Maroney the single most polarizing guy on the team? NO ONE is lukewarm on him -- he's either the guy who'll be the greatest RB in team history of he only got a chance or the worst pick in franchise history.

 

[APatrioticVirginian]

I see the argument about Maroney not being a traditional between the tackles RB, but for purposes of my classification, I'd put him closer to that group that the third-down backs or fullbacks. So I tossed him in there by default.

And I have a question for the patsfans.com crew: Is Laurence Maroney the single most polarizing guy on the team? NO ONE is lukewarm on him -- he's either the guy who'll be the greatest RB in team history of he only got a chance or the worst pick in franchise history.

I would say there is a trifecta an axis of evil if you would,Watson,Maroney,Seymour. My beef with all three is production < expectations. But some people blindly follow them to the detriment of their own team, I call it the Cal Ripken Blindness.

 

[Deus Irae]

I see the argument about Maroney not being a traditional between the tackles RB, but for purposes of my classification, I'd put him closer to that group that the third-down backs or fullbacks. So I tossed him in there by default.

And I have a question for the patsfans.com crew: Is Laurence Maroney the single most polarizing guy on the team? NO ONE is lukewarm on him -- he's either the guy who'll be the greatest RB in team history of he only got a chance or the worst pick in franchise history.

I think you misread his supporters, Chris. It's about the potential v. injury for us, but I wouldn't say that we're looking for anything 'all time' out of him right now. That's where I'm coming from, anyway. I see the player that was looking very good as a rookie before getting injured, and I wonder why the Patriots messed with what he was doing then. Others see a handful of plays where he's caught behind the line and blame him instead of terrible blocking and telegraphed playcalling.


As for polarizing figures, I think you could include Watson, Kaczur, Light, and Seymour on that list, but Maroney has been the most talked about in the past couple of seasons.

 

[Mike the Brit]

He was getting better at that, I still believe he was working at somewhat of a disadvantage because his presence in the backfield telegraphed run plays and more than the others he had to dodge defenders in the backfield. Hopefully his extended rehab gave him more time with the Juggs machine so he can be used in more passing plays to disrupt the defense.

I couldn't agree more. If he only had Kevin Faulk's hands and ability to pick up the blitz, he could be an amazing third-down back.

 

[Mike the Brit]

I see the argument about Maroney not being a traditional between the tackles RB, but for purposes of my classification, I'd put him closer to that group that the third-down backs or fullbacks. So I tossed him in there by default.

And I have a question for the patsfans.com crew: Is Laurence Maroney the single most polarizing guy on the team? NO ONE is lukewarm on him -- he's either the guy who'll be the greatest RB in team history of he only got a chance or the worst pick in franchise history.

There is a lot of negativity out there looking for a home and Maroney seems to be it for the moment.

It seems to be the case that for all teams (well, maybe all teams except those who have just won their first Superbowl) there will be a portion of fans who can only deal with their frustration by singling out a particular player or coach for blame. The Patriots have the best ownership, coach and quarterback in football and -- at present -- they don't even have an Offensive Coordinator (though McDaniels and Weis took plenty of flak when they were here). So it gets focused on Maroney. That's life.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I would say there is a trifecta an axis of evil if you would,Watson,Maroney,Seymour. My beef with all three is production < expectations. But some people blindly follow them to the detriment of their own team, I call it the Cal Ripken Blindness.

Enough already. What the hell is your problem with Seymour?????? Watson, and Maroney? ok, i have some issues with them as well, though not as much as you. However, this Seymour crap is just dumb. What more would you like him do????

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

Overall, the New England running game was one of the best in the AFC last season. The Patriots finished with 513 rushing attempts, 2,278 rushing yards and 142.4 rushing yards per game (all second in the conference) to go along with 4.4 yards per carry (fourth in the AFC).

Here's why...

KC Joyner on the Pats Run Blocking

The importance of run blocking.

The other reason Buffalo is a good fit for this study is that they have not one but two superb running backs in Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. One would expect that this twosome could gain yards on runs where none of their blockers were beaten at the POA (Point of Attack), and the numbers bear this out:

Runs without a POA run block loss

Jackson – 81 attempts, 489 yards, 6.0 YPA

Lynch – 166 attempts, 858 yards, 5.2 YPA

Now let’s take a look at how they fared when at least one blocker was beaten at the POA.

Runs with at least one POA run block loss

Jackson – 49 attempts, 82 yards, 1.7 YPA

Lynch – 84 attempts, 178 yards, 2.1 YPA

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I see the argument about Maroney not being a traditional between the tackles RB, but for purposes of my classification, I'd put him closer to that group that the third-down backs or fullbacks. So I tossed him in there by default.

And I have a question for the patsfans.com crew: Is Laurence Maroney the single most polarizing guy on the team? NO ONE is lukewarm on him -- he's either the guy who'll be the greatest RB in team history of he only got a chance or the worst pick in franchise history.

He's not as intuitive hitting the line of scrimmage as some runners and he gets blamed for things beyond his control much, much too often, but he's a pretty good back. He has worked to adapt his running style and decision making to what Ivan, Dante, BB, et.al. want from him. I believe, more than any other NE RB, opposing defenses game plan for him.

I suspect that in addition to depth, Taylor was brought in to mentor Maroney, not so much on running though that's part of it, but on fan expectations, dealing with adversity without losing confidence, preparing your body and protecting yourself to maintain longetivity. I believe you were the reporter who mentioned a concern about Maroney's self-confidence, if that is the case BB & Co. are trying to get ahead of the problem and give him a fellow #1 RB to lead by example, something Morris and Faulk perhaps weren't as capable of imparting from their roles.

I was quite critical of Maroney's "dancing" early in his career, I disagreed with the general perception that he was still doing it last season. AllWorldTightEnd over at the Planet provided some of his own analysis from a Running Back coach's perception and while he found mistakes by Maroney, he also found as much or more often mistakes by the O-line and some good defensive plays forced Maroney to make chicken soup out of an unappetizing situation.

I consider Maroney to be the team's "feature" back, #1 as it were. Taylor and Morris, and perhaps Green-Ellis will help keep him fresh through the season and play-offs, while Faulk puts on his standard magic show.