Brandon Bolden - What am I missing?

[tombonneau]

Ok, so like everyone else I read the positive words being written in camp about this kid. I hadn't had a chance to see him yet and watched the Bucs game condensed NFL preseason and frankly watching this kid run he looks like he just stepped in gum.

This is what all the hoopla is about? This is the guy we think will get scooped off waivers and not make the PS?

I mean he looks ok, but he's basically a slower, less shifty BJGE. A fine PS RB who can maybe be elevated in a pinch, but I find it hard to swallow he'll be stealing a roster spot from one of the other three alleged bubble RBs.

Again I'm basing this off one game, but a guy's speed is a guy's speed. A pleasant surprise to get a backup RB off the street, but wow some serious Kool-Aid being chugged with this one.

 

[Patriots Nation NY]

sleepy time tea

 

[tombonneau]

Gotta love the one-star brigade ..... God forbid you question a Pats player or the hype surrounding them. #homerville

Having watched a limited amount I want to know if I'm missing anything. Did he look better in other games than TB? Was someone at TC where they saw him looking much better? Because what I saw in week 3 was pretty pedestrian and my enthusiasm in him an "UDFA gem" has waned.

 

[Joker]

heh... I have NEVER even seen the star before...I bet I have like 1/8 stars or something

 

[Boston Boxer]

I dont see what they see either. I think all three of Ridley, Vereen, and Woodhead are better backs, but they guy is ok. Depending what we do at the FB position, he might make the team.

 

[tombonneau]

I dont see what they see either. I think all three of Ridley, Vereen, and Woodhead are better backs, but they guy is ok. Depending what we do at the FB position, he might make the team.

He doesn't look as slow to night; honestly, it's probably the contrast to Ridley who always looks very explosive.

 

[Froob]

Not really sure either I guess Larsen wouldn't of been waived or another back would of been signed if he wasn't making it. Just crazy some of the love he gets I mean **** people have bolden as a lock but Woodhead on the bubble lol.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Just pray that if he makes the team,he never returns kicks when the games count....

 

[BradyFTW!]

I think Bolden has pretty firmly established that he can't be trusted as a return guy. If he makes the roster, it won't have anything to do with his skills (or lack thereof) in that area.

 

[TyronePoole]

people will always "hype" a productive college back who was a UDFA because all they're thinking is about the potential for a true diamond in the rough stud which you do see at that position sometimes.

He reminds me of BJGE in the run game, pretty solid but unexciting. Obviously returning punts/kicks isn't something he's excelling at.

 

[patsfan13]

Bolden doesn't have a future as a return man, I think the preseason has established that. Demps and Edleman will handle the punt reurn chores (Demps showed good judgementon the punts today).

Bolden when he has had some blocking has gained years and made a few after contact.


Not sure what people expect when he is running behind guys who will be working at MickeyD's next week.

 

[bagwell368]

Ok, so like everyone else I read the positive words being written in camp about this kid. I hadn't had a chance to see him yet and watched the Bucs game condensed NFL preseason and frankly watching this kid run he looks like he just stepped in gum.

This is what all the hoopla is about? This is the guy we think will get scooped off waivers and not make the PS?

I mean he looks ok, but he's basically a slower, less shifty BJGE. A fine PS RB who can maybe be elevated in a pinch, but I find it hard to swallow he'll be stealing a roster spot from one of the other three alleged bubble RBs.

Again I'm basing this off one game, but a guy's speed is a guy's speed. A pleasant surprise to get a backup RB off the street, but wow some serious Kool-Aid being chugged with this one.

Tonight when he was able to take more then 2 steps w/o a Giant hanging on him, he did well.

Who cares that he can't handle punts/returns, he's not getting the job.

What the Pats need him for is to take the ball six times w/o a fumble in a row in a blow out to protect Ridley/Vereen/Woodhead/Demps from getting hit. Who else do they have for that? Kattani didn't block well and he sure can't gain yardage.

My memory says BJGE was no better in his first pre season.

 

[RayClay]

people will always "hype" a productive college back who was a UDFA because all they're thinking is about the potential for a true diamond in the rough stud which you do see at that position sometimes.

He reminds me of BJGE in the run game, pretty solid but unexciting. Obviously returning punts/kicks isn't something he's excelling at.

He breaks tackles. Check his college youtubes. I'm not saying all players don't have good college tapes, but limited snaps in preseason don't say much either.

You asked and the answer is, his speed is decent, but he is a good hard runner who breaks tackles. The downfall of most speedy college runners in the NFL is, they can't run inside consistently.

Obviously, he's a UDFA, so don't expect Corey Dillon.

Bad quality, but this is SEC competition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9Wjqg0YjiA

 

[nabwong]

I swear bill makes him return punts just to show the scouts how bad he is so we can sneak him to the PS

 

[QB12]

Agree he's slightly above a JAG.

 

[Sciz]

If the Pats cut Bolden and Ridley misses any time, then they're stuck with 205 pound Vereen, 200 pound Woodhead, and 180 pound Jeff Demps as their RBs. Without Bolden, they're one injury away from no power at all.

 

[ausbacker]

If the Pats cut Bolden and Ridley misses any time, then they're stuck with 205 pound Vereen, 200 pound Woodhead, and 180 pound Jeff Demps as their RBs. Without Bolden, they're one injury away from no power at all.

I know Ingram, Thomas and Ivory are marginally bigger but they've survived spreading the love and exploiting match ups.

Ivory    6'0  222lbs   79 carries  00 receptions
Thomas   5'11 215lbs  110 carries  50 receptions
Ingram   5'9  215lbs  122 carries  11 receptions
Sproles  5'6  190lbs   87 carries  86 receptions

It's not the best case scenario but the Patriots RB committee could survive.

 

[Deus Irae]

If the Pats cut Bolden and Ridley misses any time, then they're stuck with 205 pound Vereen, 200 pound Woodhead, and 180 pound Jeff Demps as their RBs. Without Bolden, they're one injury away from no power at all.

That's when you bring him up from the practice squad.

 

[Sciz]

That's when you bring him up from the practice squad.

In an ideal world, yes. I'm not overly optimistic that it would work that way, though.

 

[Kicking_Game]

As long as he's not a returner, I like what I have seen from Bolden. Maximum effort, and solid (not spectacular) in all areas. He does play special teams. I would not risk him passing waivers. I think he has solidified his spot on this team.