Pats to work out running back (Pre draft visit)

[DefenseRules]

Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Reiss reports that the Pats are going to work out RB James Starks (Univ. of Buffalo). Anyone know much about this kid? Doesn't sound like much to me, but you never know.


I know that this should probably go in the draft forum, but I thought that it would make an interesting discussion here. In the back of my mind, I've been thinking that it's possible that the Pats might trade Maroney. I've heard rumblings that the coaching staff no longer has faith in him. Those fumbles in the endzone sure didn't help his cause. The kid has talent, but I just don't think that he's a good fit for this system. I don't think that they will cut him. Maroney has value. I do think that they might try to trade him. Thoughts?

 

[Ice Cold Bruschi]

I sure hope we get him I'm a UB Alum

 

[BadMoFo]

Sounds like another small-school steal like Justise Hairston.

Starks didn't play all last year. Big body, fast.

YouTube - James Starkes 92-yard TD Run

 

[BadMoFo]

At the combine Starks finished among the top 10 of 30 running backs in five events. He was 7th in the 40-yard dash with a time of 4.5 seconds. He tied for 10th in the vertical leap at 36 inches. He was 7th in the broad jump, 5th in the three-cone drill and 7th in the 20-yard shuttle.

Starks sat out for his entire senior year at UB after injuring his shoulder just before the season. He's confident that he proved to NFL teams he is fully healthy.

 

[Bostonian1962]

Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Reiss reports that the Pats are going to work out RB James Starks (Univ. of Buffalo). Anyone know much about this kid? Doesn't sound like much to me, but you never know.


I know that this should probably go in the draft forum, but I thought that it would make an interesting discussion here. In the back of my mind, I've been thinking that it's possible that the Pats might trade Maroney. I've heard rumblings that the coaching staff no longer has faith in him. Those fumbles in the endzone sure didn't help his cause. The kid has talent, but I just don't think that he's a good fit for this system. I don't think that they will cut him. Maroney has value. I do think that they might try to trade him. Thoughts?

I expect them to draft a RB. I don't expect them to trade Maroney.

 

[stcjones]

Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

Reiss reports that the Pats are going to work out RB James Starks (Univ. of Buffalo). Anyone know much about this kid? Doesn't sound like much to me, but you never know.


I know that this should probably go in the draft forum, but I thought that it would make an interesting discussion here. In the back of my mind, I've been thinking that it's possible that the Pats might trade Maroney. I've heard rumblings that the coaching staff no longer has faith in him. Those fumbles in the endzone sure didn't help his cause. The kid has talent, but I just don't think that he's a good fit for this system. I don't think that they will cut him. Maroney has value. I do think that they might try to trade him. Thoughts?

I don't like his last name......starks....starks.....now where have I heard that name before?

 

[BritPat]

Joique Bell > James Starks.

Jus' sayin'......

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Could be Rashad Jennings 2.0.

 

[mojocaster.com]

Joique Bell > James Starks.

Jus' sayin'......

Wait, some poor guy's name is actually Joique? Why don't people love their kids?

 

[bakes781]

Could be Rashad Jennings 2.0.

Oh I wanted him so bad last year.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Oh I wanted him so bad last year.

Oh, man, me too. I thought he was gonna be great. My favorite thing about him, by far, was his training regimen. He worked his heart out every day. Ran with so much aggression, too. Ah, if only . . .

Anyway, I'm a big fan of Starks. Kind of forgot about him, honestly, with all the coverage going to the big schools. He's a good runner, with patience and vision, and gets extremely involved in the passing game. He sat out his senior year due to a torn labrum, I believe, but he's healthy and in good shape now. Doesn't exactly have breakaway speed, but his burst is more than sufficient. I think he's a good workhorse type in the NFL--nothing flashy, but very solid in all phases of the game, and able to contribute immediately his rookie year. High floor, low ceiling prospect who would probably do wonders for our running game. Good kid.

 

[sg14]

What does this mean?? He's short??

High floor, low ceiling prospect who would probably do wonders for our running game. Good kid.

 

[spacecrime]

What does this mean?? He's short??

A player's floor is the minimum level he is likely to play at. He will not be worse that this level in the opinion of the evaluator. The ceiling is how good it is possible for him to be, again in the opinion of the evaluator. Like everything else in projecting a college player to the NFL, opinions differ wildly.

"This guy could be a probowl player" (high ceiling)
"That guy will never be more than a backup." (low ceiling)

"This guy will never be a starter." (low floor)
"This guy is a sure fire starter." (high floor)

 

[midwestpatsfan]

I like this kid alot too, in fact, I wish he wouldn't get so much publicity. I was hoping he would be around in the 4th/5th round area, but listening to Kiper and McShay, they both think he has worked himself into the 3rd/4th range.
I have to think with all the bigger runners performing so well at the combine that he will still be further down on peoples charts.
He can catch the ball and has decent speed as well. Good vision and I saw 2 of his games and in both he looked like he was a lot better than the competition they were playing, which is a good thing for a small school kid.

 

[goldenaleus]

Oh I wanted him so bad last year.

I was hoping, too.