Yup! We're screwed if Maroney goes down. I have no idea why we knowingly would take the risk at any position except for QB, and even there, I would prefere to have a quality veteran QB. And the fun is that so many disagree!
And for the record
1) I think Mills will need to make the team as a TE or a STer.
2) There are lots of running backs I'd rather have than using Mills as a running back, a position he has never played. My prediction is that Mills will be on our Practice Squad all year, or on IR.
3) I think that running teams can afford to use five roster spots for running backs and fullbacks. Also, running teams often use three running backs on a regular basis (rotating two) and a third as a change of pace and third down bakc and receiver. Serious running teams have fullbacks. And, even non-serious running have short yardage backs. You can do all the above with four healthy backs, although I don't know who I would trust to run on 4th and two straight up the gut. We will change blocking schemes to take advantage of Maroney's style, NOT to go straight up the gut.
4) And running teams or balanced teams have a choice on 3rd and two or three. For passing teams, this is a passing down.
5) And all teams should be able cope with adversity and deal with ONE injury to a unit of four players.
As indicated above, I am not convinced that we have short yardage back, or a back to regularly balance off Maroney. And we certainly would be screwed if Maroney or even Evans went down. There are several draftees that I think would be much more valuable than a 6th WR, a 10th OL, a 3rd QB, or a 4th TE.
We haven't replaced Dillon. We've upgraded Pass, our utility running back, who could catch a ball out of the backfield and play fullback, and who could play special teams. Morris was a solid pickup and upgrade. However, we NEEDED four running backs last year (including a utility running back). We played the second half of our final half with ZERO running backs.
So, my top three needs definitely includes RB (along with FS and LB). I would like the LB situation to be dealt with in free agency so that a Day One CB can be added as well.
We'd be screwed. Nobody on the list is a feature back. I am not OK with anybody on that list stepping into the role of our #1 back if maroney were to get knicked up for a stretch. This must be addressed in the draft, and the earlier the better in my eyes. Faulk is no spring chicken, and nobody on that list has carried the ball in the NFL. I'd like to see us pick up a running back in the 3rd round, or even trade into the second and grab Kenny Irons, Tony Hunt or Kolby Smith. . . . .
