The RB situation next season

[patchick]

Why, why, why do we keep seeing posts that indicate that BB will pay ANY attention to positional needs when the draft roles around? Year after year after year they draft the best player available on their board regardless of the status of the roster.

This is a persistent myth. If you look back at their draft history, it just doesn't hold.

Remember back when we all knew it was an iron-clad rule that BB would never draft an interior o-lineman in the top half of the draft? Then Andruzzi left, there was a gaping hole in the starting lineup, and presto: LG in round one. Or consider the the griping around here as BB has consistently drafted ST specialists -- first a K, then LS, then P -- 1-2 rounds higher than the fans want? And didn't we all know they were taking a strong safety high last year? Etc., etc., etc. Just look at this past draft, where the top 4 draft picks all stepped right in to fill significant needs in the starting lineup. It's not coincidence.

 

[WhiZa]

I still want a workhorse RB in the mold of Curtis Martin and Corey Dillon, but I don't have an answer to that. Though I can't complain with what BenJarvus Green-Ellis has done this season.

Maybe we can get a player in FA next year. Here's a few possibilities:
Cedric Benson
Ahmad Bradshaw
Steven Jackson
DeAngelo Williams

or maybe trade for player on a team with a backlog of RBs:
Willis McGahee
Thomas Jones
Mike Tolbert

All that said, I still think it makes more sense to draft one early

 

[woodheadwow]

BJGE is a RFA so he should be back for one more year at least if he doesn't sign a deal similar to Woodhead before years end. So this years tandem should at least be back and they can add to it.

I think someone like Pierre Thomas if he is reasonably priced would be a good FA signing. They obviously showed some interest in him near the trade deadline and he's in a RB by Commitee situation now.

I think Daniel Thomas RB, Kansas State would be a good pickup late in Rnd 2. He's a bigger back (6-2/228) and avg's 5+yds per carry and has only played for 2 years so has some tread left on the tires.

I would love to see Pierre Thomas in a Pats uniform. That guy is one of the most underrated football players in the league. However, I don't know how long he'll last as a productive player; he is a very physical RB and he takes a pounding.

WW

 

[PatsLancer27]

Maybe we can get a player in FA next year. Here's a few possibilities:
Cedric Benson
Ahmad Bradshaw
Steven Jackson
DeAngelo Williams

or maybe trade for player on a team with a backlog of RBs:
Willis McGahee
Thomas Jones
Mike Tolbert

All that said, I still think it makes more sense to draft one early

I agree. But wouldn't Steven Jackson look great in a Pats uni? Big Bruising Back who is a great pass catcher out of the backfield. I wanted this guy when he came out of college.

 

[WhiZa]

I agree. But wouldn't Steven Jackson look great in a Pats uni? Big Bruising Back who is a great pass catcher out of the backfield. I wanted this guy when he came out of college.

I would buy my superbowl tickets the same day. Someone pinch me

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

I would buy my superbowl tickets the same day. Someone pinch me

Guys, don't get your hopes up. The Rams just got their QB and their team is improving, they don't want to get rid of their star RB. They will sign him.

 

[PatsLancer27]

Guys, don't get your hopes up. The Rams just got their QB and their team is improving, they don't want to get rid of their star RB. They will sign him.

I understand that - but a guy can dream......

 

[WhiZa]

Guys, don't get your hopes up. The Rams just got their QB and their team is improving, they don't want to get rid of their star RB. They will sign him.

Thanks, I just went flaccid

 

[CheeseMonkeys]

Thanks, I just went flaccid

Haha, sorry bro. I would love to get him also but I don't want to get my hopes up. Who knows though. Honestly, I would love for BJGE to be the guy and draft a guy to compliment him and Woody. I think BJGE can rush for a good 1300 yards next season.

 

[jeffbiologist]

This is a persistent myth. If you look back at their draft history, it just doesn't hold.

Remember back when we all knew it was an iron-clad rule that BB would never draft an interior o-lineman in the top half of the draft? Then Andruzzi left, there was a gaping hole in the starting lineup, and presto: LG in round one. Or consider the the griping around here as BB has consistently drafted ST specialists -- first a K, then LS, then P -- 1-2 rounds higher than the fans want? And didn't we all know they were taking a strong safety high last year? Etc., etc., etc. Just look at this past draft, where the top 4 draft picks all stepped right in to fill significant needs in the starting lineup. It's not coincidence.

I totally agree. Each year we have gone into the draft with a major hole that is the position that gets drafted first. Which kinda made us all more than a little nuts when a OLB wasnt selected in the first right? Not just Mankins but Maroney, Mayo, Wilfork were all similar picks.

 

[RayClay]

Why, why, why do we keep seeing posts that indicate that BB will pay ANY attention to positional needs when the draft roles around? Year after year after year they draft the best player available on their board regardless of the status of the roster. Year after year after year he explains this to us before and after each draft. Yet year after year after year we speculate on the draft as if he is paying attention to the position of the players first, rather than the quality of their play.

Year after year after year....

No they don't. That's a very simplistic and wrong look at what they do. They don't draft to fill positions, but they fill positions through the draft or free agency.

If you think they just happen to end up with players at positions where they need them by coincidence, I've got some swamp land in Florida for you.

 

[RayClay]

They will target some running backs they like in the draft, or FA and pay what it takes. If they see similar RBs, they'll likely get the best value, if they like one much better than others, they'll do what it takes, even if it requires moving up.

They tend to value DL highly and will do what it takes to draft a great one.

They don't indiscriminately draft all players at the same position because they are the "best player available". That's why they hoard picks and move around so much.

 

[furley]

I'm conflicted with the notion of drafting a running back in whichever of the first three rounds in 2011 versus signing an unrestricted free agent veteran during next off-season. Why? Frankly, Belichick (or I should say he and Scott Pioli) has had more misses than hits when drafting a running back from 2000 to today. I know, the majority of these players were selected in the lower rounds. But the lack of emphasis toward drafting a running back in the upper rounds suggest an apprehension to me. I've to believe that eventually (maybe as soon as the 2011 draft) Belichick won't show an reluctance to selecting a running back in the earlier rounds and see that if you're going to rebuild you must get younger and faster like you're doing on defense.


2000 - JR Redmond R3 and Patrick Pass R7

2001 - None

2002 - Antwoine Womack R7

2003 - None

2004 - Cedric Cobbs R4

2005 - None

2006 - Laurence Maroney R1 and Garrett Mills R4

2007 - Justise Hairston R6

2008 - None

2009 - None

2010 - None

 

[RayClay]

I'm conflicted with the notion of drafting a running back in whichever of the first three rounds in 2011 versus signing an unrestricted free agent veteran during next off-season. Why? Frankly, Belichick (or I should say he and Scott Pioli) has had more misses than hits when drafting a running back from 2000 to today. I know, the majority of these players were selected in the lower rounds. But the lack of emphasis toward drafting a running back in the upper rounds suggest an apprehension to me. I've to believe that eventually (maybe as soon as the 2011 draft) Belichick won't show an reluctance to selecting a running back in the earlier rounds and see that if you're going to rebuild you must get younger and faster like you're doing on defense.


2000 - JR Redmond R3 and Patrick Pass R7

2001 - None

2002 - Antwoine Womack R7

2003 - None

2004 - Cedric Cobbs R4

2005 - None

2006 - Laurence Maroney R1 and Garrett Mills R4

2007 - Justise Hairston R6

2008 - None

2009 - None

2010 - None

They've only drafted one high. For all those low round picks, Pass was a roaring success for a 7th.

They really have little track record. They go a lot of use out of a rather unmotivated former 1st rounder in Antowain, a great year and a little more from a should be hall of famer and decent work from Morris and little from a bunch of other free agents.

Add in an undersized 2nd rounder who turned into a great 3rd down back.

I would say their record on RBs is inconclusive, at best. Draft or FA according to what looks best.

 

[Taxed in Maine]

Antoine Womack was a flyer pick on a talented player with a serious knee injury. They knew he wouldn't do anything his rookie year, but didn't recover and IIRC didn't make the team his 2nd year.

Garrett Mills was an undersized pass catching TE. I think he was the guy they were hoping would be their A. Hernandez. He may have gotten a few snaps at FB, but he was NOT a running back.

The rest, I agree with varying degrees of success, but wouldn't rule out them taking two next April.

Morris and Taylor have become asst RB coaches. I would not bring back either. Possibly Morris if they cannot find anyone else, at least he gets on the field every game.
If Faulk wants to come back, and is healthy, I would bring him back for another season.

 

[RobertWeathers]

They've only drafted one high. For all those low round picks, Pass was a roaring success for a 7th.

They really have little track record. They go a lot of use out of a rather unmotivated former 1st rounder in Antowain, a great year and a little more from a should be hall of famer and decent work from Morris and little from a bunch of other free agents.

Add in an undersized 2nd rounder who turned into a great 3rd down back.

I would say their record on RBs is inconclusive, at best. Draft or FA according to what looks best.

Yep. The NEPs track record is to pick up a RB that is seasoned and has been exposed to all aspects of the position (passing, rushing, blitz pickup, etc.). Maroney produced, just not enough for a RD 1 pick.

Quite frankly, I don't see them spending big money or a high pick on a RB but I do see them acquiring one in trade or FA.