Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis

[mgteich]

A) I was so wrong in not predicting that Belichick would dump Maroney and not get any additions at running back. He chose to count on Green-Ellis (perhaps on a healthy Taylor).

B) Obviously, I'm glad that we have Green-Ellis. Otherwise Morris would be carrying more of the load and would be out injured by now. And Green-Ellis has been doing very well, given his skill set. He has certainly been adequate.

QUESTION
C) For how many playoff (or top 12) teams would Green-Ellis be the #1 running back instead of their present #1 running back.

 

[jmt57]

You weren't the only one. There were a lot of people that were sure BJGE would not survive the final round of cuts at the end of training camp. I did think the Pats would keep BJGE, but I also did not think there was any way the Pats would get rid of Maroney. At the time I thought BJGE would be kept pretty much just for depth and short term injury insurance. The only way I saw him starting was if Maroney, Taylor and Morris were all injured at the same time.


As for your question, I would say the answer is limited to the Colts - only because of their injuries - and Tampa Bay because with him there perhaps they don't go out and sign Blount off waivers.

 

[Rob0729]

Personally, I cannot wait for Fred Taylor to get healthy and take over the starting role. BJGE did well in the second half of the Steelers game, but he was non-existent (except for his first run) in the first half and has been horrible for three of the four games prior to Sunday. We need a more consistent runner.

Maroney might not have been the answer for this or any team, but I wouldn't have minded him on the Pats roster against Cleveland when BJGE ran 9 times for 14 yards. Hopefully, Taylor can come back and rush for at least 15-20 times a game. Woodhead has outperformed BJGE in most games since he got here and Woodhead is probably best suited in the Kevin Faulk role.

As for playoff caliber teams that BJGE would be the #1, I can't think of one off hand. He definitely wouldn't be that for the Jets, Steelers, Ravens, Raiders (yeah, it is crazy to mention them as playoff caliber, but they lead the West), Chiefs, Chargers, Giants, or Falcons. Maybe the Packers. Maybe the Bears.

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

QUESTION
C) For how many playoff (or top 12) teams would Green-Ellis be the #1 running back instead of their present #1 running back.

So, I am going to jump in here and say that I always liked Green-Ellis and hoped he would get his shot over Maroney. I am glad that has finally happened.

That said, while he has been decent, seeing him as the featured back has made shown me that he is not the "every down" workhorse I am looking for.

So, to answer your question, I think Green-Ellis would be a change-of-pace backup on most NFL playoff teams, and would only be a #1 if there were no other choice (take for example, New England!)

Two running back notes here:

1) Who do you think are the top 3 college RBs coming out next year?

2) Did anyone else notice Bill Belichick make a bee-line to shake hands with Peyton Hillis after the Browns game? Wouldn't it be nice to have THAT kid moving the pile in Foxboro?

 

[Armen Da Pats Fan]

Maroney might not have been the answer for this or any team, but I wouldn't have minded him on the Pats roster against Cleveland when BJGE ran 9 times for 14 yards.

He was pretty bad in the Browns game, but wasn't the whole team?

The more and mroe I relive and think about that game, the more I am convinced we just flat out got outcoached by Mangini, Ryan and Daboll.

BJGE's bad day may have been a direct result of Rob Ryan's awesome day!

 

[RobertWeathers]

Personally, I cannot wait for Fred Taylor to get healthy and take over the starting role. BJGE did well in the second half of the Steelers game, but he was non-existent (except for his first run) in the first half and has been horrible for three of the four games prior to Sunday. We need a more consistent runner.

Maroney might not have been the answer for this or any team, but I wouldn't have minded him on the Pats roster against Cleveland when BJGE ran 9 times for 14 yards. Hopefully, Taylor can come back and rush for at least 15-20 times a game. Woodhead has outperformed BJGE in most games since he got here and Woodhead is probably best suited in the Kevin Faulk role.

Well stated.

When healthy, FT is a better runner than BJGE. Better vision. More experience, etc and yes- same speed and burst.

The problem is that FT is never healthy which makes BJGE more productive. If he is 100%, I have no doubt that FT and BJGE will be getting 10-15 carries each with DW getting the Faulk-like role in the offense.

Either way, I like the backfield situation when the weather starts to get a little colder...

 

[Froob]

I was thinking the same thing armen, remember when wes welker and sammy morris destroyed the pats? Although I don't cleveland lets that beast get away. I don't think pats need a 1st round running back but they should draft one from the 2nd-4th. Fred Taylor should be gone next year and it will be Woody,Lawfirm,and the rookie.

 

[Rob0729]

He was pretty bad in the Browns game, but wasn't the whole team?

The more and mroe I relive and think about that game, the more I am convinced we just flat out got outcoached by Mangini, Ryan and Daboll.

BJGE's bad day may have been a direct result of Rob Ryan's awesome day!

The Browns game was his worst performance, but was by far not his only horrible performance. Against San Deigo, he got 24 yards on 11 carries (although he did get a goal line TD run). Against Baltimore, he had 20 yards on 10 carries (again with another goal line TD, ok, 2 yard TD run). Against the Jets, he had 19 yards on 10 carries. That is four games where he was horrible out of 9 games played.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

Personally, I cannot wait for Fred Taylor to get healthy and take over the starting role. BJGE did well in the second half of the Steelers game, but he was non-existent (except for his first run) in the first half and has been horrible for three of the four games prior to Sunday. We need a more consistent runner.

Maroney might not have been the answer for this or any team, but I wouldn't have minded him on the Pats roster against Cleveland when BJGE ran 9 times for 14 yards. Hopefully, Taylor can come back and rush for at least 15-20 times a game. Woodhead has outperformed BJGE in most games since he got here and Woodhead is probably best suited in the Kevin Faulk role.

Ya, Taylor is going to be awesome for the first run when he runs in to an air particle and breaks his leg. Then it will be hard to out rush Lawfirm from the IR.
You think Maroney would have been better than Lawfirm against Cleveland... I wish I would have known you were drunk before I wasted my time responding to you.

 

[patsinthesnow]

I don't think Fred Taylor is starting when he returns, I think he'll be the change of pace while BJGE is the main back.

 

[Deus Irae]

IMO, the Packers are the only team with 6 wins or more who do not have a better running back than do the Patriots (not counting Taylor in this), and that's only because Grant is on the IR.

Jets: Greene/Thomlinson
Steelers: Mendenhall
Ravens: Rice/McGahee
Colts: Addai (and I'm not an Addai fan, at all)
Giants: Bradshaw
Eagles: McCoy
Bears: Forte
Falcons: Turner
Saints: Thomas
Bucs: Blount, Williamson

 

[Rob0729]

Ya, Taylor is going to be awesome for the first run when he runs in to an air particle and breaks his leg. Then it will be hard to out rush Lawfirm from the IR.
You think Maroney would have been better than Lawfirm against Cleveland... I wish I would have known you were drunk before I wasted my time responding to you.

So let's just IR Taylor now. Why put a far superior RB on the field because he is injury prone. Let's stick with one of the worst #1 RBs in the league. Great idea.

As for Maroney, he is not a great RB, but he might have done better than BJGE consider it is near impossible to run for less than 1.6 YPC like BJGE did in that game.

 

[Marqui]

As for Maroney, he is not a great RB, but he might have done better than BJGE consider it is near impossible to run for less than 1.6 YPC like BJGE did in that game.

Maroney ran for 0.5 yards vs Tennessee.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't think Fred Taylor is starting when he returns, I think he'll be the change of pace while BJGE is the main back.

If Taylor is 100%, he is starting. He is worlds better than BJGE. Right now, the Pats' running game is probably their biggest weakness on their entire team. BJGE is far too inconsistent to remain the starter if Taylor can go. Since he became the official starter, he has had more games where he rushed for less than 25 yards (3) than rushed for more than 90 yards (1).

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don't think Fred Taylor is starting when he returns, I think he'll be the change of pace while BJGE is the main back.

I had always assumed that a "change of pace" runner was a runner with a different style or skill set (see Faulk vs Dillon/A. Smith) BJGE and Taylor are similar runners - one cut and go.

Is that what you meant?

 

[Rob0729]

Maroney ran for 0.5 yards vs Tennessee.

I meant behind the Pats' line, not the Broncos' crappy line. But I stand corrected. Both BJGE and Maroney have been mediocre to crappy this year. The only difference is BJGE has had a few games where he was good. Maroney at least has the injury excuse though. He might not have recovered from his early season injury.

 

[TBradyOwnsYou]

Maroney ran for 0.5 yards vs Tennessee.

Posting sober is fun isn't it
I believe I've heard the Denver Broncos be described as the worst running team in the NFL so far this season (I have not confirmed via stats). I also seem to recall Maroney not even making the 45 man game day roster at least once...

 

[patsinthesnow]

If Taylor is 100%, he is starting. He is worlds better than BJGE. Right now, the Pats' running game is probably their biggest weakness on their entire team. BJGE is far too inconsistent to remain the starter if Taylor can go. Since he became the official starter, he has had more games where he rushed for less than 25 yards (3) than rushed for more than 90 yards (1).

I'll give you BJGE has been two different backs this season. In four games he's looked terrible. Yet he's out performed Adrian Peterson, Rashard Mendenhall, and Ronnie Brown in the respective games.

I don't agree a 34 year old Fred Taylor is "worlds better" than BJGE 4.2ypc.
Give BJGE a few more starts to see if he gains consistency. He's either had a 6ypc or a 2ypc.

Robertweathers, I ment a back that gives the main back a few carries for rest. (Gerhart, etc.)

 

[Rob0729]

Posting sober is fun isn't it
I believe I've heard the Denver Broncos be described as the worst running team in the NFL so far this season (I have not confirmed via stats). I also seem to recall Maroney not even making the 45 man game day roster at least once...

Maybe if BJGE and Maroney played sober, one of them could be at least average. Right now both can only dream to be average at this point.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'll give you BJGE has been two different backs this season. In four games he's looked terrible. Yet he's out performed Adrian Peterson, Rashard Mendenhall, and Ronnie Brown in the respective games..)

I agree. BJGE is still a young runner. Hes still learning defenses, pass blocking, blitz pickup, opposing player's tendencies, etc. He doesn't have the raw talent like other you mention but hes becomming a pretty solid runner no question

I don't agree a 34 year old Fred Taylor is "worlds better" than BJGE 4.2ypc.
Give BJGE a few more starts to see if he gains consistency. He's either had a 6ypc or a 2ypc.

Robertweathers, I ment a back that gives the main back a few carries for rest. (Gerhart, etc.)

No worries. Just wanted to make sure I understood your point.