Running Back - We Have THREE Open Spots

[mgteich]

Some mocks have been starting to give us 2 running backs. I think that this is reasonable.

Consider say LeShoure or Ingram or Williams or Murray early AND Vareen, Rodgers, or Carter or Helu or Ridley later. I'm sure I left out someone's binky, but you get the idea.

 

[MaineMan]

Some mocks have been starting to give us 2 running backs. I think that this is reasonable.

Consider say LeShoure or Ingram or Williams or Murray early AND Vareen, Rodgers, or Carter or Helu or Ridley later. I'm sure I left out someone's binky, but you get the idea.

I agree. I could also see one of the two - or even a 3rd option - being a good FB (if Kettani can't play). By "good" FB, I mean a guy who can pass-block, run-block (from either the backfield OR motioned to a TE spot), catch passes (better than BGE) and run effectively himself (IOW, consistently get those 2-4 yarders when needed, even without extra blockers).

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Some mocks have been starting to give us 2 running backs. I think that this is reasonable.

Consider say LeShoure or Ingram or Williams or Murray early AND Vareen, Rodgers, or Carter or Helu or Ridley later. I'm sure I left out someone's binky, but you get the idea.

Belichick will likely forgo any RB on day 1 and that would eliminate Ingram and possibly LeShoure

Day two brings some decent talent at the position where I like Dion Lewis in about the late 3rd round and is my pick at #90

I think we have about an estimated 80% chance of signing a FA to add to the roster later this summer,perhaps a guy like Ricky Williams or Willie McGahee is they are available

IMO There is NO chance we draft 2 RBs unless BB wants a Fullback to take the load off the OL and TEs and for 3rd and goal usage....If Kevin Faulk retires then it is more likely we add maybe 2 in FA and 1 in the draft.

 

[CTHuskies]

I agree. I could also see one of the two - or even a 3rd option - being a good FB (if Kettani can't play). By "good" FB, I mean a guy who can pass-block, run-block (from either the backfield OR motioned to a TE spot), catch passes (better than BGE) and run effectively himself (IOW, consistently get those 2-4 yarders when needed, even without extra blockers).

I think 2 RBs in draft and after a new CBA another 2 FA or UDFAs. I’d like to see Taiwan Jones in 4th round and Anthony Sherman in 5th or 6th round. I would also like to see UDFAs – Jamie Harper, Anthony Allen or Allen Bradford :bricks:

 

[brady199]

Some mocks have been starting to give us 2 running backs. I think that this is reasonable.

Consider say LeShoure or Ingram or Williams or Murray early AND Vareen, Rodgers, or Carter or Helu or Ridley later. I'm sure I left out someone's binky, but you get the idea.

Imagine drafting 2 backs and hitting on both like we did with Gronk and Hernadez last year.

LeShoure and Vareen or Helu would be sweet.

 

[patchick]

I agree that 2 RBs is a reasonable scenario, and it makes a hard-to-predict position even harder.

Are we talking about 2 solid, well-rounded backs like Carter and Vareen? 2 backs with complementary strengths, like Derrick Locke and Jamie Harper? A splashy pick on a LeShoure or Williams, then a workmanlike late-rounder like Taua for depth? Or maybe a "safe" pick like Vereen paired with an high-upside injury risk like Jones or White?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Green-Ellis hasn't signed his RFA tender, but we'll assume he's will. Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Clayton, a veteran for starters. Eric Kettani and Shun White. I now see room for one RB in the draft, maybe another undrafted.

I think it reasonable to project a rookBoston value group: Ryan Wiliams, Kendell Hunter, Jordan Todman, Jaquizz Rodgers, Derrek Locke, Bilal Powell.

 

[patchick]

I think it reasonable to project a rookBoston value group: Ryan Wiliams, Kendell Hunter, Jordan Todman, Jaquizz Rodgers, Derrek Locke, Bilal Powell.

That's a nice-looking group. This year's RB crop isn't round-1 flashy, but I think it's a lot deeper than last year's.

Locke is a player I'm totally enamored with. He can do it all, he's just too tiny to expect him to do it all too often. IOW, he's Danny Woodhead. Personally, I consider Woodhead's role important enough to devote two roster spots to. (And I'm not as bullish on Shun White as you seem to be.)

 

[Lamanai]

Not to be a killjoy, but don't be surprised to see Sammy Morris back for one more.

Experience, Special Teams factor, part-time FB, can play some 3rd down, hard-nosed N-S runner. He knows the offense, which may be critical this season.

Just sayin...

 

[jeffbiologist]

I agree about Morris and I think BJGE is best served as a secondary runner. I think the draft has to do with value and if we can grab 2 at value positions we will. I think BB will value the best of any position and thats why I wouldnt disregard Ingram so easy. Faulk should be a possibility if he takes a pay cut. We shall see.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

So no one here even mentions Dion Lewis

Is he not as good of a prospect for a 3rd or 4th round pick as I think?

I think Lewis could be another MJD type guy at 5'7"

 

[patsinthesnow]

So no one here even mentions Dion Lewis

Is he not as good of a prospect for a 3rd or 4th round pick as I think?

He's projected 6th-7th round in most places, I don't know much about the kid.

 

[mgteich]

Hey guys, why not bring back Taylor along with Morris and Faulk. That way we can again have the three oldest running backs in the nfl playing for the patriots.

I agree about Morris and I think BJGE is best served as a secondary runner. I think the draft has to do with value and if we can grab 2 at value positions we will. I think BB will value the best of any position and thats why I wouldnt disregard Ingram so easy. Faulk should be a possibility if he takes a pay cut. We shall see.

 

[jmt57]

I don't think it is an absolute given the Pats will draft two running backs. For example the Pats could retain one of either Faulk or Morris; draft one RB; and add another once free agency opens up. If you look at the Pats history under Belichick the team has added quite a few free agent running backs over the years - Fred Taylor, LaMont Jordan, Sammy Morris, Amos Zeroue, Rabih Abdullah, Mike Cloud, Antowain Smith - that I've come to expect it. My guess would be one running back from each of those three categories on the 2011 roster. This would result in the team getting somewhat younger and faster at the position (three young players, two veterans as opposed to last year's two young/three old.)

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

He's projected 6th-7th round in most places, I don't know much about the kid.

Dion had a bad combine which brought his stock down but had good workouts afterwards and seems to be quite a fast player.

Coming from the University of Pittsburgh,no one will confuse him with Curtis Martin but he might be a sleeper.

Walter currently has him as a mid round RB

 

[Urgent]

Imagine drafting 2 backs and hitting on both like we did with Gronk and Hernadez last year.

LeShoure and Vareen or Helu would be sweet.

If that's the hope, I would prefer two OLB's or DL or OL or WR before two RB, personally.
Combo's like, for example:
OLB Kerrigan (17) and Chris Carter (4th), two different types
DL Wilkerson (28) and Jerrell Powe (4th), DE & NT
OL Sherrod (28) and Boling (5th), OT & OG
WR Torrey Smith (33) and Kea Pilares (5th)

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

That's a nice-looking group. This year's RB crop isn't round-1 flashy, but I think it's a lot deeper than last year's.

Locke is a player I'm totally enamored with. He can do it all, he's just too tiny to expect him to do it all too often. IOW, he's Danny Woodhead. Personally, I consider Woodhead's role important enough to devote two roster spots to. (And I'm not as bullish on Shun White as you seem to be.)

Bullish, not so much, but he was a 2,000 yd rusher FWIW, and NE did see him as worth the hold on Reserve/Military. :confused2:

I agree as to the Faulk clone role Woodhead expanded upon, which is why Kendell Hunter or Jaquizz Rodgers are so appealing, along with your lad Locke.

 

[mgteich]

NOT getting younger than last year would be very difficult indeed. We would need to bring back ALL THREE of the oldest running backs in the nfl.

...
This would result in the team getting somewhat younger and faster at the position (three young players, two veterans as opposed to last year's two young/three old.)

 

[MDHQ]

You can always get a college free agent to be the 3rd rookie back

 

[mgteich]

Why bother? We have Clayton. We need upgrades not just another kid.

You can always get a college free agent to be the 3rd rookie back