What roll will Mills play next season..

[Fantasic4x50x54x59x55]

Is he going to be hybrid FB/TE, a Full time TE..what do you expect of the man. He should be a beast, atleast hope.

I just hope that he is to brady what clark is to manning.

 

[Seymour93]

Is he going to be hybrid FB/TE, a Full time TE..what do you expect of the man. He should be a beast, atleast hope.

I just hope that he is to brady what clark is to manning.

Those are some lofty expectations for a 4th rounder out of Tulsa. Remember, Clark was clear number one TE of his class. Anything we get out of Mills next season should be viewed as a bonus.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Mills has the upside of some of the best players in the league. He could be as good as Alstott and Larry Centers in his career but he could also be as bad as Fred McCrary or other miserable failures.

I expect Mills to be a decent addition to the offense next year. At least be a blocking FB/ catching RB/FB coming out of the backfield.

Forget the TE thing, he's built in the mold of more of a FB/RB hybrid than a full time TE.

He's a great player with a great attitude and last year in TC he showed flashes of what he can do for this team.

I just hope those flashes have developed enough for him to make the 53.

 

[Steamer86]

Mills might be a special teams star too.....in addition to back-up fullback and tight end....

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

definitely I think Mills will contribute some.

I think Evans has carved himself out a role as the starting FB, and I think Mills will contribute on ST and as a backup FB.

 

[LloydBraun]

This guy was the man at Tulsa. In year 2 or 3, I expect him to step up and be a solid pass catching option.

The biggest things with him will be earning time and the system using him properly.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

He's Don Davis' replacement.

 

[WhiZa]

It will be a tough decision because he will be battling Pass for a spot on the roster. If we do not sign another RB I think Pass has the upper hand because he can run the ball. Otherwise Mills gets the nod because of his flexibility at playing TE.

 

[pats1]

Mills has the upside of some of the best players in the league. He could be as good as Alstott and Larry Centers in his career but he could also be as bad as Fred McCrary or other miserable failures.

I expect Mills to be a decent addition to the offense next year. At least be a blocking FB/ catching RB/FB coming out of the backfield.

Forget the TE thing, he's built in the mold of more of a FB/RB hybrid than a full time TE.

He's a great player with a great attitude and last year in TC he showed flashes of what he can do for this team.

I just hope those flashes have developed enough for him to make the 53.

Not at all, SeanBruschi, not at all. Comparing Garrett Mills to Mike Alstott or Fred McCrary is like comparing Tom Brady to Jared Lorenzen. The Centers comparison is more valid, but still doesn't account for Mills' time in the slot. Keith Byars, maybe, or Chris Cooley.

Mills is a pass-catching H-back.

You will NEVER see him as a lone-back ballcarrier in this Patriots offense.

In the Falcons game, he either lined up in the slot or as a blocking FB, which I personally believe he wasn't that great as.

 

[Krugman]

I had great expectations that Mills would turn into a favourite target of TB's for the 2006 season,lets hope he stays off the injury list this year and we can see some of those good things happening......

 

[pats1]

OK, here are his plays in the 4th quarter of the NE/ATL game.

He lined up as a blocking FB a few times on runs with Thomas/Rasby at TE. But all of his catches were out of the SLOT as a WR. Never did he line up as a lone RB. He isn't going to replace Faulk.

1-10-NE44 (12:30) M.Cassel pass short right to G.Mills to ATL 41 for 15 yards (N.Turnbull).

3 WR, 1 RB, TE right, Mills left slot (deep crossing pattern)

2-1-ATL32 (11:14) M.Cassel pass deep right to G.Mills pushed ob at ATL 1 for 31 yards (C.Newton).

3 WR, 1 RB, TE right, Mills left slot (deep crossing pattern)

2-13-NE5 (7:38) M.Cassel pass incomplete deep right to G.Mills (O.Lowe).

3 WR, 1 RB, TE left, Mills right slot. (deep seam pattern)

2-10-NE45 (5:48) M.Cassel pass short left to G.Mills pushed ob at ATL 46 for 9 yards (N.Turnbull).

3 WR, 1 RB, TE left, Mills left slot. (quick out)

4-1-ATL46 (4:29) M.Cassel pass short left to G.Mills pushed ob at ATL 29 for 17 yards (L.Torrence).

3 WR, 1 RB, TE right, Mills left slot. (quick out)

2-11-ATL30 (3:41) M.Cassel pass incomplete short left to G.Mills.

3 WR, 1 RB, TE right, Mills left slot. (quick out, dropped)

1-10-ATL15 (3:28) M.Cassel pass short left to G.Mills to ATL 12 for 3 yards (N.Turnbull).

3 WR, 1 RB, TE right, Mills left slot. (quick out)

 

[GoWhalers]

I see him in a pass-catching FB role, with some TE work in heavy goal-line situations (i.e. catching TDs a la Vrabel).

Remember Marc Edwards? Not much of a blocker, but the guy had good hands out in space. I think Belichick is onto something when it comes to versatile and athletic fullbacks -- remember the Saints game against Dallas? Parcells' defense didn't focus on the fullback at all, and Sean Payton knew it and made him pay for it. I can't even remember that fullback's name. Karney?

You think Belichick didn't notice the same thing when he was coaching with Parcells?

 

[PATRIOTS-80]

yeah, like BOR and other said, primarily on ST. He will probably replace Don Davis. As far as on offense ... he will probably get some reps coming out of the backfield as the FB, or in the slot.

The starting FB is Evans.

And as of yet, Pass is still a FA I believe.

 

[pats1]

yeah, like BOR and other said, primarily on ST. He will probably replace Don Davis. As far as on offense ... he will probably get some reps coming out of the backfield as the FB, or in the slot.

The starting FB is Evans.

And as of yet, Pass is still a FA I believe.

Correct on all accounts, although I think both Davis and Izzo will both be back.

 

[LA Pats Fan]

Replacing Patrick Pass

Actually see him as Pass' s replacement

 

[Digger44]

Those are some lofty expectations for a 4th rounder out of Tulsa. Remember, Clark was clear number one TE of his class. Anything we get out of Mills next season should be viewed as a bonus.

Mills was the number one in his class as well, the FB class. He was the highest rated FB on the board. I think BB has high expectations for this guy.

 

[patchick]

While it's true that Mills was only a 4th-rounder, TE was an exceptionally deep position in an overall deep draft. It's reasonable to expect more than just ST contributions.

I think that he sits at a key crossroads on the roster. If the Pats really like what they see in him, it reduces the incremental value to the team of a RB/FB/HB type like Brian Leonard, AND of a pass-catching TE.

 

[pats1]

Re: Replacing Patrick Pass

Actually see him as Pass' s replacement

In terms of numbers, yes, Mills could displace Pass on the roster, but Mills doesn't really fulfill the same role as Pass.

 

[psychoPat]

Re: What role will Mills play next season..

....
I think that he sits at a key crossroads on the roster. If the Pats really like what they see in him, it reduces the incremental value to the team of a RB/FB/HB type like Brian Leonard, AND of a pass-catching TE.

Count on patchick to ALWAYS offer ... succinctly ... some cogent thought no one else has mentioned - or perhaps even thought of!

Like Pats1, i see Mills as a pass-catching H-back.
Not much to see in him as an NFL tight end.

Agreed, he won't be the single set back. Therefore, he won't replace Faulk.
But i do see Mills as Faulk's possible SUCCESSOR.
The coaches will simply have to devise novel ways to get this pass-catching wizard open.

 

[Digger44]

Re: Replacing Patrick Pass

In terms of numbers, yes, Mills could displace Pass on the roster, but Mills doesn't really fulfill the same role as Pass.

I totally disagree. Mills went on IR last year as well.