Rb 2011?

[patsinthesnow]

The RB core for 2011 should be the most changed position from 2010-2011.

All 5 of the 53 man RBs contracts end after the 2010 season.

*Laurence Maroney-Many, including myself, highly doubt he will be resigned.

*Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris are two of the oldest in the league and they will probably retire. Highly unlikely to be resigned.

*Kevin Faulk could stay for 1 more year in his role.

*BJGE could either be let go or have a Sammy Morris/Fred Taylor role for 2011.
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So which RB(s) in the 2011 class do you want? I think you need to commit the patriots 1st rounder and maybe a late round flyer on the RB position.

 

[the wrothbroughterer]

I'm expecting complete turnover in that department at the end of the year. Faulk and Taylor will likely retire, Sammy Morris could retire but I wouldn't be shocked if he hit FA, and BB will probably try and find an upgrade over the Law Firm.

There could be a very deep group of backs coming out in the draft. I've been beating the Mark Ingram drum since the draft ended and will continue to do so. I'd also like to see them take Noel Devine from West Virginia. Those two would would make a fierce 1-2 punch. Ingram would be that ideal bruiser/burner back who just grinds out 1st downs, is money on short yardage(imagine him on that 4th and 2 last year against IND), and kills clock the way Corey Dillon did for us in the 4th quarter. Noel Devine would present a completely different challenge for defenses. He brings great speed out of the backfield, would be a great addition to the spread offense as a pass catcher, and could of course spell Ingram as necessary.

The 3rd RB should be another Fred Taylor type, a vet with a little gas in the tank to pick up the slack. I'd like to see if a UDFA/small school player make the roster in the Law Firm's role.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

Ryan Williams, VATech

 

[Defsoul]

Ryan Williams, VATech

He is very impressive. Runs hard, good vision and balance and can catch the football out of the backfield. But will he declare? He may stay another year since he is only a redshirt sophomore.

 

[stinkypete]

Don't forget blitz pickup. A true replacement for Faulk must be able to pick up the blitz and protect the QB.

Some interesting FA names to look at next offseason: Joseph Addai, Michael Bush, Ahmad Bradshaw, Steven Jackson, Leon Washington. IMO, Bradshaw would look great in Faulk's role.

 

[chowder]

Keep an eye on Shane Vereen at Cal. He's almost as fast as jahvid best and more durable.

 

[Criptonite]

I doubt Ryan Williams comes out next year. As for Devine, he's too small to be a starter and too talented not to be selected within he first few rounds. I think that combination would rule him out as far as the Pats are concerned. Ingram would be fantastic, but we'd need to use an early pick on him which may be better spent on other positions like a stud DE or a stud pass rushing LB. I'd rather have either of those than a stud RB. On the other hand, there could be a huge dropoff after Ingram whereas the 3-4 DE class looks extremely deep. Maybe a guy like Evan Royster would make more sense. I've always liked the skills of Brandon Saine, but he's constantly injured. Maybe if he can actually stay healthy he could be an option too.

 

[Criptonite]

Keep an eye on Shane Vereen at Cal. He's almost as fast as jahvid best and more durable.

Oh I forgot about him! Yeah I'm on board with Vereen. Good call.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I like Jacquizz Rodgers with our late 2nd round pick. He's 5'7 193 pounds, so even though he's short, he has a good size build for his height. He carried it 273times last season so I bet he could carry it 15-20 times in the NFL.

For a 1st round RB, I only like Mark Ingram and if Ryan Williams declared.

 

[Defsoul]

I like Jacquizz Rodgers with our late 2nd round pick. He's 5'7 193 pounds, so even though he's short, he has a good size build for his height. He carried it 273times last season so I bet he could carry it 15-20 times in the NFL.

Jacquizz Rodgers is one of my favorite players in college football right now. He not only carried the ball 273 times for 1,440 yards, but also had 78 catches for 522 yards receiving.

Another running back I will keep my eye on is John Clay. He is pretty big at 6-1, 248 lb and runs with good balance for a guy his size.

 

[glm]

I really want Jeff Demps or Chris Rainey as Kevin's succesor.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Right now, Allen Bradford is my primary target for next year. He's flying under the radar, and I wouldn't be surprised if we could pick him up in the late second or early third. He's a big back (5'11 #235) with surprising agility and quickness, but he runs like a battering ram. He was originally a safety and special teamer, and just recently became a running back, but he looks like he was born for the position. He reminds me considerably of Jonathan Stewart, and I think he'd be the perfect successor for Sammy.

 

[glm]

Right now, Allen Bradford is my primary target for next year. He's flying under the radar, and I wouldn't be surprised if we could pick him up in the late second or early third. He's a big back (5'11 #235) with surprising agility and quickness, but he runs like a battering ram. He was originally a safety and special teamer, and just recently became a running back, but he looks like he was born for the position. He reminds me considerably of Jonathan Stewart, and I think he'd be the perfect successor for Sammy.

Yeah, he's on my radar. Another big back tat i like is Vai Taua, who led college football in yards per attempt (7.8).

 

[dryheat44]

Yeah, he's on my radar. Another big back tat i like is Vai Taua, who led college football in yards per attempt (7.8).

I like him, and allow me to nominate Mario Fannin. He's got some good size and a good NCAA pedigree. I think he's very undervalued right now. Daniel Thomas is another intriguing guy. Murray and Royster are good, but there's a lot of mileage there.

For a Faulk-type replacement Da'Rel Scott seems to have the speed and wiggle.

 

[Snake Eyes]

I like him, and allow me to nominate Mario Fannin. He's got some good size and a good NCAA pedigree. I think he's very undervalued right now. Daniel Thomas is another intriguing guy. Murray and Royster are good, but there's a lot of mileage there.

For a Faulk-type replacement Da'Rel Scott seems to have the speed and wiggle.

Excellent pick with Scott, I think he'd do nicely. He, Allen Bradford, and a solid fullback would shore thinks up real well.

 

[TriplecHamp]

I really want Jeff Demps or Chris Rainey as Kevin's succesor.

neither can block too well but both are explosive in the open field.

 

[TealSox]

Pats don't seem too prepared for the eventually, or likely, departure of every one of their running back going into next season. And if they are prepared with a plan, that plan must be near genius because I can't figure it out.

I suppose that the first round is a viable round to select the Pats franchise running back. With that said, I want to thank the Raiders for giving up a first round pick in the Seymour trade.

Worst case scenario, the Pats would convince themselves of shelling out a big contract to FA running back and hope he decides on the Patriots, rather than some other team. Fingers crossed that the Thomas Jones experiment fails in KC, with Charles busting out, and the Pats bring in a vet to carry the load with a rookie nipping at this carries. Otherwise, it might be a free for all for guys like Larry Johnson, Willie Parker, Clinton Portis or Cedric Benson (aka the Redskins Running Committee and the Career Reviving Bust)..... because seriously, is there a single rookie that you would trust with the starting running back job without the support of an aged vet?

 

[Sciz]

Personally, I think Maroney is resigned. He's not the back that we all wanted, but he's a solid committee member and is the only RB on our roster with talent and youth. Yes, that was a shot at Green-Ellis. When he can get regular carries without three injuries first, I'll recognize him as a useful RB in the future.

Maroney plus a rookie or two should be fine.

 

[jmt57]

I don't think it's a given that the Pats either use a first round pick, or go after whomever is going to be the biggest name free agent RB next year. One possibility would be to resign Maroney, draft a RB in say the 2nd round, and add a mid/lower level FA to the position. Pats might keep Faulk around for another year too.

If the Pats cannot resign Moss and Tate and/or Price do not progress as quickly as hoped, the team could use one of the firsts on one of those four stud WRs that are expected to go early. Another early pick might be used on a tackle - Matt Light is in the final year of his contract - or even a guard to replace Stephen Neal. And depending on who is available, a DE or another OLB is another first round possibility.

Another thing to consider is that if a new CBA is reached and it includes a lower rookie wage scale, then there is also the possibility we see the Pats looking to trade up into the first round.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

I'd like too throw in Pitt RB Dion Lewis into this discussion. He is eligible to declare for the draft next year, and this kid is as explosive and dynamic as any other back in this draft if not more so. Granted he's 5"8 195, but everyone thought MJD was too small as well.