Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

How is Demps compared to Rainey ? Rainey went in the 5th round, had twice as many carries as Demps but Demps' average was 5.8 vs. Rainey's 5.0. Seems like Demps is more explosive but I didn't watch Florida a lot last year.

Demps had a sprained foot early in the year that lingered, or he would have gotten many of Rainey's carries.

 

[signbabybrady]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Isn't Woodhead one hit away from IR too? Just because he's small doesn't mean he'll get hurt with every hit. You'd think Sproles would be out of the league by now.

IMO injury concerns would more relate to training then size as there are plenty of little backs in the NFL but this kid has been training to hone his straight line speed and not bulking up to take on the physical challenges of an NFL season. Doesnt change my excitement but I think the its a valid concern.

 

[BTTA]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

I've been wondering about the kickoff coverage team, actually. With speed like this, and the ball at the 35 again, it might be tempting to pooch one up in the air, with a target of landing between the 15 and 20 yard line and creating enough confusion to provide an opportunity to recover it, or a subsequent fumble.

 

[Kontradiction]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Another thing to keep in mind when looking at the 2011 Gators squad is that Rainey and Demps were holdovers from the Meyer regime. They weren't ideal for the style of offense that Weis was running (which, ideally, required a bigger, bruising style of back). They were more suited for Meyer's spread option attack.

 

[Deus Irae]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Not a lot of mileage on his wheels. Never had more than 100 carries per season but his ypc and td percentage are off the charts. Last year he had 78 carries at a 7.8 ypc and 7 tds. Basically that amounts to every 10 or 11 times he was handed the ball he scored a td.

He's got some sick talent at rb but he has a long, long way to go to being a contributing rb out of the backfield. He would have to show blitz pick up and pass protection right away to even see the field with Brady. Never mind he still has to learn to play on special teams for the Pats where they will certainly be targeting him.

Get your hopes up all you want about being a Sproles type player. He is years away if ever imo. If he was, then all 32 teams would of been all hands on deck trying to sign this kid with ridiculous offers.

Just regarding the bolded part:

"The situation continues to change, as 20 teams have called so far," added Baltodano.

Bucs in the running for Olympian Demps

 

[Ivan]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Wow, this kid has rare speed, obviously. Given the time they gave Tate because of his athletic abilities I have to think he makes the team as the return man and they give him 2 years to show that he can turn himself into an all around player. With the development of Vereen and the addition of Demps I'm wondering if they might move Woodhead. Much as i really like him as a player the redundancy and the fact that he is a proven NFL player may make him easier to move than prospects. A team like the Packers may see a real use for him and give up a 4th for him.

 

[mayoclinic]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Get your hopes up all you want about being a Sproles type player. He is years away if ever imo. If he was, then all 32 teams would of been all hands on deck trying to sign this kid with ridiculous offers.

Of course he is. Sproles was "years away" from being a "Sproles type player" when he was drafted, too. Sproles spent 6 years with the Chargers before becoming a dominating weapon with the Saints last year, and he did next to nothing for his first 3 years.

If Demps can be an electric return man and an occasional weapon on screens and trick plays this year (and probably next), that will be plenty. But he has a "ton of talent", and there is certainly the potential for him to develop into more 2-3 years down the road. The Pats will effectively own his rights for the next 3+ years, so there's time to be patient.

 

[Patriot Missile]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Just regarding the bolded part:



Bucs in the running for Olympian Demps

20 is a lot of teams. I revoke that bolded part.

 

[BradyFTW!]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

A Patriots niche.

Woodhead was UDFA and so was BJGE.

Ivan Fears is Coach Scar 2.0

To be fair, Demps absolutely would have been drafted if he hadn't skipped the combine and told the whole league that he was concentrating on sprinting. In a way, you could almost see this as getting back the fourth rounder that they traded to move up for Hightower.

 

[deters]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Dude is a straight freak on the field. When I heard he wanted to go pro I was hoping the Pats signed him and they have :singing::rocker::singing::rocker:

 

[BradyManny]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

2. A RB group of Vereen, Ridley, Woodhead, Bolden and Demps would be VERY nice. Ridley and Bolden are both 5'11" 225# guys with power, explosiveness, and decent receiving ability. Woodhead and Demps are both small guys with great speed and elusiveness who can be used as receiving options out of the backfield and on screens. And Vereen is a bit in between both extremes, with the best all-around receiving and ball skills of the group and the strength and power to potentially be a full-time back.

Really well-said.

I'm excited about what this group has to offer.

A lot has been said about Demps size, or lack thereof. ESPN cites him as 5'7.

http://www.london2012.com/athlete/demps-jeffery-1235710/

The Olympic site has him at 5'9, 180, which puts him right at Welker's size. And just watching some highlight videos of him now, he doesn't look that small out there.

 

[signbabybrady]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Demps is better in the passing game, and off the edges in the run game while Rainey is better straight up the gut. Demps is faster and is more of a threat to take it to the house though while I felt that Rainey juked a little too much instead of hitting any seam he saw and exploding. Together, though, they were by far the fastest backfield in the NCAA.

You my friend right now are personafying what is great about this board. Your first hand knowledge on this kid is great I am not huge into college ball and I dont or didnt live in FL but I come here and get some knowledge. Preach on.

 

[patchick]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Kind of a unique UDFA situation, but presumably they still have to fit him under the rookie cap so the bidding war couldn't have been too steep.

So...cheap, intriguing potential, no draft pick required? Works for me, even if his contributions on offense are minimal as a rookie.

 

[patsinthesnow]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Just curious, if the RB core is Ridley, Woodhead, Vereen, Bolden, Demps, who would be the inactive RB? I'd say Bolden, but he's our only other big back besides Ridley.

 

[Patriot Missile]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Of course he is. Sproles was "years away" from being a "Sproles type player" when he was drafted, too. Sproles spent 6 years with the Chargers before becoming a dominating weapon with the Saints last year, and he did next to nothing for his first 3 years.

If Demps can be an electric return man and an occasional weapon on screens and trick plays this year (and probably next), that will be plenty. But he has a "ton of talent", and there is certainly the potential for him to develop into more 2-3 years down the road. The Pats will effectively own his rights for the next 3+ years, so there's time to be patient.

Completely agree with this and the timeline. I love the signing as a kick returner and some specially designed plays for this season. But if someone thinks BB is going to let a 175 pound man pass protect against 260+pd front seven gorillas they are crazy. Sproles 190,Woodhead 195, MJD 210. Huge difference in man muscle there.

 

[signbabybrady]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

I put this kid immediately on the bubble because his time is limited to get up to speed and we cant bank on him for the practice squad but there is now potentially one less spot for the sum of the other bubble players.

 

[BradyManny]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Completely agree with this and the timeline. I love the signing as a kick returner and some specially designed plays for this season. But if someone thinks BB is going to let a 175 pound man pass protect against 260+pd front seven gorillas they are crazy. Sproles 190,Woodhead 195, MJD 210. Huge difference in man muscle there.

Again, he's 180 - and that was at the Olympics. He can put on a little weight now that his focus is back on football.

Let's say he gets to be 185. That could work. It has as much to do with technique as it does weight anyway.

 

[Sivy]

Re: Erick Frentz: patriots sign jeff demps (unconfirmed)

Really hope this doesn't take the roster spot that would have gone to Bolden, Branch or Edelman.

Unless of course, he is the better option

 

[mgteich]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

Demps would be active if he will be a returner.

IMHO, Bolden will be inactive or on the Practice Squad. IMHO, he is a 2012 Green-Ellis.

Also, don't be surprised if the Game 2 RB unit includes someone not now on the team. There will be lost of RB's cut in the final cut and after Game 1. ONE of these running backs may be more valuable than Bolden.

Just curious, if the RB core is Ridley, Woodhead, Vereen, Bolden, Demps, who would be the inactive RB? I'd say Bolden, but he's our only other big back besides Ridley.

 

[Haley]

re: Erik Frenz: Patriots sign Olympic track star & Florida UDFA RB/WR/KR Jeff Demps

From what I'm reading he may not have the fastest recorded 40 yard, but the 100 meter is better for him than the 40 yard.

the fastest man to put on an NFL uniform. However, as it relates to the 40 yard dash, I could find no time recorded for this Olympic Gold medalist. Hayes has the fastest 100 meter time for an NFL player at 10.05. Should current Florida Gator Jeffery Demps make it to the NFL for any significant amount of time, he will own the fastest time at 10.01. Demps ran this as a high schooler and owns the national prep record for the event.

The Fastest 40 Yard Dash Ever | Gridironstuds.com Blog