Which horse do you put out to pasture?

[VJCPatriot]

#21 Fred Taylor

6/16 games played for the Pats in 2009. MIA 62.5% of the time. Had a 4.3 ypc with New England. Age 32.

#33 Kevin Faulk

46/48 games played. Ironman of the team, was in action 95.8% of the possible games over the last 3 years. Had team high ypcs of 6.1 and 5.4 the past two seasons. Age 33.

#39 Laurence Maroney

2007 13 games played
2008 3 games played
2009 15 games played

17/48 games missed over 3 years with the Pats = 35.4% MIA.
Over the past 2 seasons had YPCs of 3.3 and 3.9 respectively. Age 24.

#34 Sammy Morris

2007 6 games played
2008 13 games played
2009 11 games played

18/48 games missed over 3 years with the Pats = 37.5% MIA.

Over the past 2 seasons had YPCs of 4.7 and 4.4 respectively. Age 32.

Summary: 3/4 Patriots runningbacks are 32 years or older. 3/4 Patriots runningbacks were MIA due to injury at least 35% of the time over the past 3 years or in their time with the Patriots.

The average age of your Patriots runningbacks is over 30. The average health of Patriots runningbacks is also questionable to say the least. Which horse do you put out to pasture out of this group? Who do you get to replace him?

 

[carolinatony]

Faulk will be on the team for sure.
I would let either Morris or Taylor go and get a younger RB to replace him.

As far as Maroney the question is, does BB still have faith in him? He fumbles once and doesn't play the rest of the game. Its BB's call on him.

 

[wiggins!]

Faulk will be on the team for sure.
I would let either Morris or Taylor go and get a younger RB to replace him.

As far as Maroney the question is, does BB still have faith in him? He fumbles once and doesn't play the rest of the game. Its BB's call on him.

I"m with you. Faulk's on this team. Maroney may or may not be but if he's not some other kind of "feature" back will be. Sooo...that leaves Taylor or Morris' position or themselves. I'd keep Morris and let Taylor go...if I'm asked to chose between them.

 

[patsinthesnow]

This is what I want in the offseason (doubt it will happen).

Morris-Gone
Taylor-Gone
Maroney-Gone

Draft a power back: Toby Gerhart, Johnathan Dwyer, etc.

Depth Chart example:

1. Toby Gerhart (main back)
2. BJGE (5-8 carries, change of pace back)
3. Kevin Faulk (same role he's always had)

No more committee, I want a back I can count on to run 20 times a game.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

I'd like to see Taylor and Morris gone. Keep Faulk and let Maroney play out the last year of his contract. Add some younger legs via free agency or the draft. A guy I like in rounds 3-4 is Montario Hardesty of Tennesse. I'd take a Jonathan Dwyer in the 2nd round as well if he fell. A guy like McGahee who will most likely be cut is another option.

 

[The Dynasty]

This is what I want in the offseason (doubt it will happen).

Morris-Gone
Taylor-Gone
Maroney-Gone

Draft a power back: Toby Gerhart, Johnathan Dwyer, etc.

Depth Chart example:

1. Toby Gerhart (main back)
2. BJGE (5-8 carries, change of pace back)
3. Kevin Faulk (same role he's always had)

No more committee, I want a back I can count on to run 20 times a game.

I disagree with everything you said besides the last thing. I want to get rid of the RB by committee. I honestly would want Maroney as our feature back. He would be much more effective if he consistently got 15-20 carries again instead of only 5-10 where he couldnt get in a rhythm and in the flow of the game. Faulk obviously stays as our 3rd down back. I would get rid of BJGE, he really hasnt done anything for us. As our short yardage back I would want to keep Taylor. So I would want our backs in 2010 to be Maroney, Taylor, Faulk

 

[patriotscpfc]

In this scenario?

Bye Taylor.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I disagree with everything you said besides the last thing. I want to get rid of the RB by committee. I honestly would want Maroney as our feature back. He would be much more effective if he consistently got 15-20 carries again instead of only 5-10 where he couldnt get in a rhythm and in the flow of the game. Faulk obviously stays as our 3rd down back. I would get rid of BJGE, he really hasnt done anything for us. As our short yardage back I would want to keep Taylor. So I would want our backs in 2010 to be Maroney, Taylor, Faulk

I wouldn't mind that at all. Sounds like a good idea. I just don't want this committee running game the pats have had for the last 3 years.

However, would you agree to be safe use the pats last 2nd round pick or the first fourth on a RB if Maroney stinks it up somehow?

 

[The Dynasty]

I wouldn't mind that at all. Sounds like a good idea. I just don't want this committee running game the pats have had for the last 3 years.

However, would you agree to be safe use the pats last 2nd round pick or the first fourth on a RB if Maroney stinks it up somehow?

If the Pats pick up a OLB, WR and a CB in their first 3 picks then I am all for drafting a quality RB with our last 2nd round pick. If we dont address the needs I listed then we need to use that last 2nd on one of those needs. RB isnt a top priority. I wouldnt want to draft a RB beyond the 2nd round because the chances of a 4th rounder contributing right away are very slim.

 

[woolster22]

Tate from Auburn? Liked how he ran in his bowl game. Thats all I've seen of him this year though.

 

[DW Toys]

I disagree with everything you said besides the last thing. I want to get rid of the RB by committee. I honestly would want Maroney as our feature back. He would be much more effective if he consistently got 15-20 carries again instead of only 5-10 where he couldnt get in a rhythm and in the flow of the game. Faulk obviously stays as our 3rd down back. I would get rid of BJGE, he really hasnt done anything for us. As our short yardage back I would want to keep Taylor. So I would want our backs in 2010 to be Maroney, Taylor, Faulk

Why would you want "Mr. Less than 3.5 yards a carry"?
DW TOYS

 

[woolster22]

Improve the O-line with a monster in the 2nd, and any of those guys will have a field day if healthy. I'd nstill like to see Taylor back, guy was running ANGRY at the opener. Thought he was having a pretty good season until the injury.

 

[102 Pat]

I would say Maroney, maybe via trade?

 

[Kontradiction]

I would replace Fred Taylor if I had to choose.

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

Morris and Taylor

 

[The Dynasty]

Why would you want "Mr. Less than 3.5 yards a carry"?
DW TOYS

He was a lot better than that the 2nd half of this season. He would be better if he knew he was the feature back and would be getting the majority of the carries as well as the confidence from his head coach

 

[jays52]

If it's my call, it would be Taylor. However, I have to say that my opinion of Maroney has changed quite a bit. After I put in some work on looking at Maroney, it was apparent that he forced schematic shifts. They normally align their backs much closer than the 7 yards back Maroney plays. This is a serious liability against inside pressure, and defenses could clearly recognize this.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Morris- bye - Love his running, but he cant stay healthy
Taylor- keep for one year. Still some left in the tank, and good leadership
BJGE- Love the guy, but he's probably gone. Wouldnt mind him trying to be a FB, which i think we need. He'd have to improve his blocking.
Faulk- must keep
Maroney- bye bye. I like him, and last year he was running harder, but enough with the mental issues. Hold on to the ball.

Replacements;

1. Draft...see draft forum for a list
2. FA- There's a couple that i would like to see BB go after.
Jerome Harrison from the Browns is a UFA
Willie Parker is a UFA, and likely to be moving on from the Steelers
Chester Taylor might still have some in the tank. I've liked that guy since his Ravens days.

Either way BB goes, there's alot of talent in both the draft, and FA.

http://www.kffl.com/static/nfl/features/freeagents/fa.php?option=RB&y=2010

 

[Patjew]

Goodbye Morris and Taylor.

Maroney one more year at least.

Faulk plays until 2027.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

Faulk plays until 2027.

:rocker:

Remember his first couple of years, and he kept fumbling? Everybody wanted him gone, and now we wont let him retire.