BJGE better than we thought:

[Don Kipines]

I think people want a RB who can take control of a game, or is at least enough of a threat that the D must always focus on him when he is in the backfield.

BJGE is okay, but as a power back, you want someone who delivers a little more of a blow. Ridley in that regard might work out. He kind of reminds me of Stephen Davis -- a 6', 225-230 pound all-SEC back who gets everything between the tackles and loves lowering his shoulder.

 

[supafly]

I think people want a RB who can take control of a game, or is at least enough of a threat that the D must always focus on him when he is in the backfield.

Yes, that is certainly fair enough. The addition of more of a burner like a Vareen (for ex.) will open up more defenses and keep them honest. BJGE does not necessarily do that at any level. However, Woodhead does. So does Faulk (if kept?), and hopefully Vareen too. BJGE could possibly stay for other reasons, just not that one alone (which I do understand is a very key component).

Whatever happens, Green-Ellis will still be a very key part of the 2011 team. Hopefully Vareen can be blended in throughout the season, and learn and progress enough to eventually take over a good part of the load by next yr.

Those who think he will replace Green-Ellis THIS year should also take into acct the fact that we would be trading the ability to open up/keep the defenses more honest by likely taking a hit in knowledge of the system + a couple/few key fumbles throughout the yr.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I too, am hoping for a quick progression from Vareen, although Belichick may still try and keep BJGE for another couple of yrs. Who knows? I am guessing that he likes options, depth, and versatility in the RB position, based off of past results/seasons, so I am not necessarily expecting a departure of Green-Ellis, as I think many others are.

Vareen will need to adequately prove himself, IF that even happens. That will take at least a season, if not 2, and this year is not likely to show as much progress as the normal rookie season would due to obvious circumstances.

It will be interesting to see how Belichick handles the situation with Green-Ellis. Will he try to keep him for another couple of seasons, until Vareen (hopefully) shows enough progression and earns trust? Or will he move him out at his (BJGE) highest peak value? I suppose many factors come into play.

 

[supafly]

BJGE is okay, but as a power back, you want someone who delivers a little more of a blow. Ridley in that regard might work out. He kind of reminds me of Stephen Davis -- a 6', 225-230 pound all-SEC back who gets everything between the tackles and loves lowering his shoulder.

I still think that there is a perceived value of BJGE that is relatively low. I am not sure if that is due to his inability to be a burner, keep our opponents 'honest' enough, or just due to him being such a 'no-name RB?'

You can tell that many people have hopes that someone like Ridley (a rookie who has proven nothing at all, and a virtual 'no-name' in the NCAA's on top of that) will somehow 'improve' our RB status over a guy who was 2nd in the AFC RB's in touchdowns scored, and was a 1,000 yd guy who never has fumbled, has great knowledge and experience of the system, and has earned his way up the ranks.

Absolutely no offense at all DK, as many think this way, but am I the only one who sees something wrong with this??? We want Ridley to provide more of 'a blow' to the defenders, to play with more physicality? BJGE averaged almost 5 yards a carry in the NYJ loss, and they seem like a pretty physical defense to me. To top that off, if it's more bulk and physicality that we need from him, I expect that they could take what they have in him and add to it---rather than start over at the college level and HOPE that some of the attributes end up 'better' somehow.

Just my opinion, as I do understand it's a controversial subject.

 

[NEGoldenAge]

Yes, that is certainly fair enough. The addition of more of a burner like a Vareen (for ex.) will open up more defenses and keep them honest. BJGE does not necessarily do that at any level. However, Woodhead does. So does Faulk (if kept?), and hopefully Vareen too. BJGE could possibly stay for other reasons, just not that one alone (which I do understand is a very key component).

Whatever happens, Green-Ellis will still be a very key part of the 2011 team. Hopefully Vareen can be blended in throughout the season, and learn and progress enough to eventually take over a good part of the load by next yr.

Those who think he will replace Green-Ellis THIS year should also take into acct the fact that we would be trading the ability to open up/keep the defenses more honest by likely taking a hit in knowledge of the system + a couple/few key fumbles throughout the yr.

It will be interesting to see how it all plays out. I too, am hoping for a quick progression from Vareen, although Belichick may still try and keep BJGE for another couple of yrs. Who knows? I am guessing that he likes options, depth, and versatility in the RB position, based off of past results/seasons, so I am not necessarily expecting a departure of Green-Ellis, as I think many others are.

Vareen will need to adequately prove himself, IF that even happens. That will take at least a season, if not 2, and this year is not likely to show as much progress as the normal rookie season would due to obvious circumstances.

It will be interesting to see how Belichick handles the situation with Green-Ellis. Will he try to keep him for another couple of seasons, until Vareen (hopefully) shows enough progression and earns trust? Or will he move him out at his (BJGE) highest peak value? I suppose many factors come into play.

Any player who joins the Patriots has to prove themselves and continue to for the duration of their tenure.

I think that there is a place in NE for BJGE as long as he is physically able to perform. He's a humble, team first type of guy who works hard, gets better every year and never fumbles. Since he doesn't seem like a guy who's going to chase top dollar, I think he will be here for a long time.

Although I believe that Vereen will be pretty special, I do not think that NE will abandon the RB by committee aproach. If you lean on a single back too much, when he gets hurt, which tends to happen when they get a lot of carries, the team really suffers. No matter how good your RB is, the running game is always a function of the effort of the entire offense. If Vereen turns out to be as good as I think he will, unless he takes a pretty big hometown discount, he will not get extended. RB by committee is here to stay as long as BB is at the helm.

 

[Off The Grid]

20 yrs = too soon, OTG. It's just too soon still

BJGE is alright. I know a guy like you appreciates his work ethic, ability to come from an UDFA status to a 1,000 back etc. He doesn't put the ball on the ground--that's extremely underrated (maybe not here, but around the league). He doesn't mouth off, comes to work...does his job. Case closed. You are right, he does not possess a 'downhill' running style, and that is where some perceive his 'slug' status. He does move with power, and he is not hesitant, like some other unmentioned RB's that we have recently dealt with.

To each his own of course, there's plenty of players that you probably like that I don't think are all that great--so there's no use trying to persuade you, as your mind is made up. (And has been for awhile )

Just remember that a lot of posters on this board belittled him, downplayed his role here...we all heard about how he 'wouldn't even make the team,' not once, but TWICE. A very good poster even went as far as to remind me time and again that 'he was 5th on the depth chart,' and that we 'wouldn't even see him active on gameday' unless our first 4 RB's were injured...AND THAT WAS LAST OFF-SEASON!!!! There weren't many who gave him a chance, and all he did was go out and prove himself as a decent back here. On top of that, he played 1/2 a season sans Logan Mankins, so the 'great offensive line' excuse may not hold as much water as you may think. It seems to me that it was just as good as an offensive line as we've had many other years, and we hadn't had a 1,000 back since 2004 in Dillon.

Again, much respect to your opinion, but I don't think we're anyway close to getting rid of him at the moment, I suppose it's a couple of unproven draft picks that are getting some people excited? If they seem to do well and show promise, then I am all for it, but at the moment, I just don't see how it upgrades the team or the position by allowing him to walk/trade him etc.

We need him here for at least another yr, although he may be expendable with the promise of the younger backs.

Oh, I have nothing against Green ~ aside from him being an hyphenator ~ and I like the fact that he is living proof of what I've always shouted: You can scoop up DOZENS of serviceable Backs in the 3rd Round and beyond every single year.

But he is so limited in what he can do ~ and how well he can do it ~ that I think he cripples our Offense whenever he's on the field.

Shane "The Machine" Vereen and Danny "Head of Wood" WoodHead, aside from being 8 MILLION times more explosive than Green, will need a minimum of blocking, which will open up our options immensely every time they're on the field...and he is not.

I'm PRAYING that someone signs him away from us and gifts us that 2nd Rounder, or that they bid low with a 3rd Rounder and change, and Coach Bill snaps it up.

This is potentially a CLASSIC case of Addition By Subtraction, and that's before we even talk about the impact on The Cap.

I'm here to tell you that not only am I PRAYING we help him find a new home, but I EXPECT it.

 

[BlueThunder]

The RBBC approach will be around until Brady retires......

Who in their right mind would have TB playing QB and hand the ball off 45-50 times a game?

Situational FB fits perfectly with RB's with different skillsets. JMHO

 

[Shelterdog]

You can tell that many people have hopes that someone like Ridley (a rookie who has proven nothing at all, and a virtual 'no-name' in the NCAA's on top of that) will somehow 'improve' our RB status over a guy who was 2nd in the AFC RB's in touchdowns scored, and was a 1,000 yd guy who never has fumbled, has great knowledge and experience of the system, and has earned his way up the ranks.

He was second team all-SEC with 1147 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Looking at how Ridley runs I assume he's BJGE insurance in 2011 and BJGE's replacement in 2012-2014.

 

[BlueThunder]

He was second team all-SEC with 1147 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Looking at how Ridley runs I assume he's BJGE insurance in 2011 and BJGE's replacement in 2012-2014.

If true, it looks like BB will be drafting or signing another RB or 2 next year also

 

[Shelterdog]

If true, it looks like BB will be drafting or signing another RB or 2 next year also

Probably but if Ridley and Vereen are decent and Woodhead maintains then they can fill the fourth RB spot with a scrub.

BJGE is exactly the kind of guy you let go--a decent player who looks better than he is because of the NE line, playcalling, and passing game, and a guy who's going to get massively overpaid because of his fantasy stats.

 

[BlueThunder]

Possible trade bait to get an pass rushing OLB or future OL to replace Koppen?

 

[Patspsycho]

I find it ridiculous that some posters are ready to christen a RB that has yet to play a down in the NFL. BJGE on the other hand is already a proven commodity.

And it's not just the NE line, because that line's been basically the same over the past 3 or 4 years give or take a lineman or two (Kaczur, Neal). Yet, 1000 yards and double digits TDs were not achieved in any of those seasons except by BJGE.

 

[Shelterdog]

I find it ridiculous that some posters are ready to christen a RB that has yet to play a down in the NFL. BJGE on the other hand is already a proven commodity.

And it's not just the NE line, because that line's been basically the same over the past 3 or 4 years give or take a lineman or two (Kaczur, Neal). Yet, 1000 yards and double digits TDs were not achieved in any of those seasons except by BJGE.

They haven't had a 1000 yard rusher but they've had really good rushing attacks as a team with RBBC-they were 9th in the league in 2010, 12th in 2009, 6th in 2008, 13th in 2007 and 12th in 2006.

 

[BlueThunder]

I'm not down on BJGE...I think it's the economics involved if Ridley performs as BB thinks he will...no sense paying a player more $$ when the job gets done for less and it leaves more $$$ to address other needs...

Heck...It would be fine with me if all 4 RB's were on next year's roster, as long as they performed at a high level running,blocking, and catching...they will probably also do ST work....

Only problem is the $$$ has to come from somewhere to keep our own FA's and/or sign others to help solidify the whole roster...it's a balancing act and BB has been pretty good at it so far...

 

[fester]

Heck...It would be fine with me if all 4 RB's were on next year's roster, as long as they performed at a high level running,blocking, and catching...they will probably also do ST work....

Only problem is the $$$ has to come from somewhere to keep our own FA's and/or sign others to help solidify the whole roster...it's a balancing act and BB has been pretty good at it so far...

There will be at least four RBs on the opening day roster, and assuming they are Woodhead, Vereen, Ridley and BJGE, all four RBs are dirt cheap, cap and cash wise for 2011. BJGE is the most expensive guy with a second round RFA tender of 1.9 million dollars, which is less than an "average" share of the cap (~120 to 130 million/53). Everyone else is significantly cheaper as it is. There is very little room to save money among the Patriots running backs that are either signed, or the Patriots hold solid rights to.

 

[BlueThunder]

There will be at least four RBs on the opening day roster, and assuming they are Woodhead, Vereen, Ridley and BJGE, all four RBs are dirt cheap, cap and cash wise for 2011. BJGE is the most expensive guy with a second round RFA tender of 1.9 million dollars, which is less than an "average" share of the cap (~120 to 130 million/53). Everyone else is significantly cheaper as it is. There is very little room to save money among the Patriots running backs that are either signed, or the Patriots hold solid rights to.

I think I said Next year..not this coming season

If not, I apologise because that is what I meant....

 

[patsinthesnow]

Possible trade bait to get an pass rushing OLB or future OL to replace Koppen?

The supply for runningbacks is so high and the demand is so low, especially after the draft. Most teams even have their 3 RBs slated for 2011, what team really needs one?

For the couple of teams that do they would sign Williams or Bradshaw, not waste a pick on BJGE.

Heck, if the pats didnt draft two RBs Addai would have been a good option for cheap (when healthy).

 

[BlueThunder]

For the couple of teams that do they would sign Williams or Bradshaw, not waste a pick on BJGE.

yeah...and who would be dumb enough to give a first round pick for Cassell?

Let's see what kind of season BJGE has before writing him off in a trade...maybe he has such a good season that BB re-signs him....my crystal ball isn't working atm....

 

[patsinthesnow]

yeah...and who would be dumb enough to give a first round pick for Cassell?

Let's see what kind of season BJGE has before writing him off in a trade...maybe he has such a good season that BB re-signs him....my crystal ball isn't working atm....

O, you ment after the season, that makes sense. I thought you ment right now.

 

[Shelterdog]

yeah...and who would be dumb enough to give a first round pick for Cassell?

Let's see what kind of season BJGE has before writing him off in a trade...maybe he has such a good season that BB re-signs him....my crystal ball isn't working atm....

No matter what BJGE does this season I just can't imagine the Pats giving BJGE him 9 million+ franchise tag to retain his rights into 2012, which is presumably what they'd have to do in order to retain his rights.*

*Assuming there is a season, the new CBA doesn't radically change the franchise tag, etc, etc.

 

[BlueThunder]

I like this season's RBBC lineup....assuming nobody gives a 2nd rounder for BJGE..and if someone does, Faulk probably has a good shot at being one of the 4 horsemen