A little Spiller talk

[BelichickFan]

From here :

RealGM • View topic - NFL Wheelings and Dealings

Jeff is legit although a bit of an attention whore IMO.

But anyway :

"I've been telling everyone for a long time now that New England does not have one RB on that roster that will be there after 2010. Belichick does not trust Maroney, period. I'm just guessing here, but it has some basis in a conversation I had in Mobile: New England really likes C.J. Spiller, and teams in the 5-10 overall range will be more than willing to move back for some extra picks. Like a certain in-over-his-head GM in Kansas City..."

Then, when asked the cost :

"Again just guessing, but I think the Pats 1st rounder, one of the 2nds, and a 2nd or 3rd next year would do it. Not sure if Hoodie would be willing to part with all that though. If you see a pre-draft trade where the Pats move up into the 11-16 range, you can bet it's to better position themselves to go up further."

Obviously the Patriots aren't basing their offseason moves on a potential draftee but it's interesting stuff to think about. With Faulk in limbo, with us seemingly going in a different with TE. Again, it means nothing (so don't blast me) but it did pique my interest.

 

[Chuck_U_Farley]

If you're in position for CJ then McClain should still be on the board too.

I'd go McClain over Spiller.

 

[spacecrime]

Interesting, but he blew his credibility with me when he talked about a pre-draft trade to move uip. BB has said repeatedly that those don't make sense because what if you trade up and the guy you want is gone? What he does is work out possible trade compensation with a number of teams so they can pull the trigger easily when on the clock.

Besides, I don't think Spiller will be in the top 10. I think he will go much later.

 

[dryheat44]

While it could very well be true that all RBs would be gone after this year (I don't think they'll all be gone, but it's no stretch), and it may be true that BB likes Spiller, it's hard to imagine spending a top 10 pick on him.

Spiller's no Chris Johnson, who you can hand off to 20-25 times a game. Spiller averaged something like 15 touches a game rushing, receiving, and returning. It's hard to imagine BB using those picks on a guy who's a part-time player, dynamic as he may be. If he's there at 22, maybe. But I can't see him parting with all those picks to move up so far.

 

[zimmy]

I've no doubt that Bill likes Spiller as a player and would love him on his team but there is no way we trade up to the top 10 for obvious reasons. Firstly the money. We could pay all our draft picks with the money it would take to pay the number 7 slot. Secondly this is a deep draft and we are not going to give up one of our 2nds and another next year. The only way I could see us trading up is if someone drops to the 15-17 range - whoever that may be.

 

[BelichickFan]

Interesting, but he blew his credibility with me when he talked about a pre-draft trade to move uip. BB has said repeatedly that those don't make sense because what if you trade up and the guy you want is gone?

Not to defend him, because I've had my issues with him before, he didn't actually say the Patriots might move up early; just that if they do it's in preparation for something else. If the premise ends up not happening, nothing else matters.

I did hear before that the Patriots love Spiller but I forget the source and for all I know it may have been the same source. I don't have the memory for this anymore.

 

[bucky]

First of all, Faulk is no longer in limbo. He's signed. And I actually think BJGE will stick around post 2010.

Spiller is a good back, but I can't see us trading way up with so many needs. When and if Spiller starts dropping out of the top 10, I imagine they'd keep an eye on him.

My preference, if we decide to go in that direction, would be to add the best available pass rusher in Rd 1 and then trade up a little in the 2nd for Javid Best. He might be as good as Spiller, but has some injury concerns.

 

[bakes781]

Not happening. A RBs lifespan is 5 years on average. The draft is no longer a luxury for this team it's a priority. So we can't afford to risk such a high priced investment on a position that provides very little in return.

 

[BelichickFan]

First of all, Faulk is no longer in limbo. He's signed.

Well he wouldn't have signed if I hadn't written that

 

[Sleeping King]

Move up into the top 10 for a RB? Yikes my television is begging for this not to happen. If Belichick has some epiphany and decides to move into the top 10 I would think it's for one of two players.

McClain or Morgan.

 

[BelichickFan]

Not happening. A RBs lifespan is 5 years on average. The draft is no longer a luxury for this team it's a priority. So we can't afford to risk such a high priced investment on a position that provides very little in return.

First, I also don't think it will happen.

However I disagree with your reasoning. The draft is a priority and with his versatility, Spiller is probably one of the most likely in the draft to succeed in at least a partial way (even if he disappoints as a runner you still get his return and receiving abilities). I see his reasonably high floor as working in the "no longer a luxury" vein. I also don't see the 5 year thing as an issue, that would give Brady a backfield partner for pretty much the rest of his career.

So I don't get your reasoning at all but I do agree it's unlikely. However . . . if Spiller starts slipping and could be had with a #3 for our #1 and #2 then it's a different world.

 

[BelichickFan]

Move up into the top 10 for a RB? Yikes my television is begging for this not to happen. If Belichick has some epiphany and decides to move into the top 10 I would think it's for one of two players.

McClain or Morgan.

I like McClain but I really don't think Belichick will want that much locked into the ILB position. McLain and Mayo would be dynamic but ILB only have so much value.

 

[bakes781]

First, I also don't think it will happen.

However I disagree with your reasoning. The draft is a priority and with his versatility, Spiller is probably one of the most likely in the draft to succeed in at least a partial way (even if he disappoints as a runner you still get his return and receiving abilities). I see his reasonably high floor as working in the "no longer a luxury" vein. I also don't see the 5 year thing as an issue, that would give Brady a backfield partner for pretty much the rest of his career.

So I don't get your reasoning at all but I do agree it's unlikely. However . . . if Spiller starts slipping and could be had with a #3 for our #1 and #2 then it's a different world.

If he was to fall sure, but under the suggested premise I don't like it. There's bigger holes to fill. The running game was fine last year. The interior OL needs to be revamped before anything else on the offense. I think Spiller is a great talent, but we can't afford to mortgage the other pressing needs of this team for one guy.

If I can have a choice of

A) Odrick, Spikes, McCluster and Austen Lane

or

B) Spiller

I'm choosing A

 

[bucky]

Well he wouldn't have signed if I hadn't written that

Don't think it matters though. The Pats do need someone to replace him next year and beyond. The only question is whether we draft a guy this year. I'm on the fence on this because there are so many other needs - WR, TE, OLB, DE, more OLB, more TE. But guys like Spiller or even Best don't come around every year.

 

[BelichickFan]

If he was to fall sure, but under the suggested premise I don't like it. There's bigger holes to fill. The running game was fine last year. The interior OL needs to be revamped before anything else on the offense. I think Spiller is a great talent, but we can't afford to mortgage the other pressing needs of this team for one guy.

If I can have a choice of

A) Odrick, Spikes, McCluster and Austen Lane

or

B) Spiller

I'm choosing A

Me too. However he said a 1, 2 and a pick next year as a WAG. Again, I wouldn't do this but with Brady heading down the stretch and a strong group of WR next year I can see some logic in giving him Spiller this year, adding a Floyd or Jones next year (Raider pick) using the other picks largely on defense/OL and giving Brady some good weapons for his last 6 or so years.

 

[PatriotDynasty_12]

IMO, it's time to get that young, stud RB for years to come. Maroney didn't live up to the hype and Tom needs someone to help take the load off of him.

I have the same gut feeling I had with Chris Johnson: C.J Spiller will be a stud.
Now, top 10 might be a little bit of a stretch, but I would definitely agree with a trade in the 10-12 range, because I don't see him getting past San Fran and Seattle.

We need a playmaker at the RB position and I believe Spiller has what it takes. We have the ammo to make it happen too.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I say ride out the year with what we have, and draft Engram next year as our stud back.

 

[mgteich]

The reality is that we have ZERO running backs signed past this year, and no particular reason to believe that ANY of the 5 will be a contributer in 2011.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

How does everyone feel about Montario Hardesty?

 

[VJCPatriot]

Hardesty is probably a mid 2nd round pick. If Spiller gets by Seattle, at #14, I think he could easily slip to 20. Don't think Houston will pass him up though. A trade up to #19 to get ahead of Houston at that point shouldn't cost much ammo. I like Best in round 2 or Tate in round 3. The return of Faulk makes drafting a Spiller or Best less urgent. But he's only here on a 1 year deal, so it shouldn't prohibit the Pats from preparing for the future of the RB position.