Predict the role of Sammy Morris, 4 yrs, $7m

[shakadave]

I was just thinking again, if Morris has been playing in our division, BB has scouted him pretty thoroughly (a la Wes Welker). To offer Morris real money compared with many on our roster, he must be viewed as valuable.

Not that this thread is totally original, but here's a place to predict what role he'll play this season. I see him as a bit of a jack of all trades, spending 60% of his time backing up Maroney as lead runner, 30% backing up Faulk as pass-catcher, and the last 10% doing stuff that's too hard to describe quickly. Kind of an all-purpose sponge to keep the number of reps reasonable for all the other RBs. What do you think?

 

[stinkypete]

I think Morris fills the short yardage/goal line role. He basicly replaces Dillon in the game plan, though Maroney should eat ino a percentage of those 1st and 2nd down carries.

 

[Seymour93]

Potentially our starting RB if Maroney doesn't get healthy or improve from his 2006 late season form. Judging by his performance against us, Morris is quick enough for the zone scheme and he's also a little stronger than Maroney. If Morris proves that he can get that 3rd and short then Evans may be the odd man out. Also in Buffalo, Morris returned a few kickoffs so that's another positive. This is a shrewd signing.

 

[Oswlek]

I personally feel that Morris is here largely because of the time missed by Faulk in the AFCCG. I am Evans' biggest fans, but when he is your 3rd down back you are asking for trouble. Morris is an adequate backup to Maroney, but he also doubles as a very good backup to Faulk.

Edited to say that I don't see this signing impacting Heath Evans in any way. If anyone is going to challenge Evans for his roster spot it is Mills, IMHO.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I see his role diminishing already now that Troy Brown has re-signed.

 

[MetalBleachers]

I personally feel that Morris is here largely because of the time missed by Faulk in the AFCCG. I am Evans' biggest fans, but when he is your 3rd down back you are asking for trouble. Morris is an adequate backup to Maroney, but he also doubles as a very good backup to Faulk.

Edited to say that I don't see this signing impacting Heath Evans in any way. If anyone is going to challenge Evans for his roster spot it is Mills, IMHO.

Agreed. Morris backs up Maroney and Faulk, but not Evans. Evans is the only blocking back on the roster (except for Mills, who needs work in that department and is really the fourth TE/H-back).

 

[shakadave]

I personally feel that Morris is here largely because of the time missed by Faulk in the AFCCG. I am Evans' biggest fans, but when he is your 3rd down back you are asking for trouble. Morris is an adequate backup to Maroney, but he also doubles as a very good backup to Faulk.

Edited to say that I don't see this signing impacting Heath Evans in any way. If anyone is going to challenge Evans for his roster spot it is Mills, IMHO.

This is what I'm hoping, too. The sort of versatility that can help free up at least half a roster spot elsewhere.

I imagine Morris will see 100-140 carries this year.

 

[CrazyDave]

This is a very interesting thread.
I'm feeling pretty good about having Morris as the immidiate backup to Maroney.
That's not based on anything other than a gut feeling.

 

[PATRIOT64]

If Maroney is held up a bit this year due to his nagging shoulder injury I can see Morris getting enough carries to post a 700-800 yard season.

 

[patpatriot]

Yeah but can this guy take Maroney's place for 6-7-8 games if he gets hurt? If not we'll be sorry we didn't sign Chris Brown.

 

[Oswlek]

This is what I'm hoping, too. The sort of versatility that can help free up at least half a roster spot elsewhere.

I imagine Morris will see 100-140 carries this year.

I don't see Morris getting that many carries unless Maroney gets hurt. He could hit that many touches, though.

 

[Krugman]

I agree with Owslek re Mills and Evans,most of us think of Mills as a recieving threat,how is he as a blocker?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I agree with Owslek re Mills and Evans,most of us think of Mills as a recieving threat,how is he as a blocker?

Reportedly pretty good in the open field (see Patrick Pass), at 230-ish I don't see him clearing holes at the line of scrimmage. My biggest question would be if Mills can learn to read blocking and run the rock a bit, we know he can shake and bake if you toss it to him. If he can pick up the running game a bit he can replace Pass with a better passing game, strong special teams, and an occasional hand-off.

 

[MetalBleachers]

Reportedly pretty good in the open field (see Patrick Pass), at 230-ish I don't see him clearing holes at the line of scrimmage. My biggest question would be if Mills can learn to read blocking and run the rock a bit, we know he can shake and bake if you toss it to him. If he can pick up the running game a bit he can replace Pass with a better passing game, strong special teams, and an occasional hand-off.

though I don't see Mills as much of a runner, this brings to mind the potential versatilty the 2007 team has. If you look at any of the four RBs plus Mills in the backfield, it will be more difficult for defenses to determine where the Pats are going with the ball this year than last.

 

[JoeSixPat]

It's funny - I didn't think there was very much confusion about Sammy Morris's role.

Morris is an average RB and above average pass catcher. He gives us another Kevin Faulk on the depth chart - and one who is a little fresher as well.

He'll spell Maroney and if Maroney is injured he and Faulk should have no problem splitting the load.

It remains to be seen if he'll be designated as a goal line RB, as he's not quite the power it through RB that Dillon was, but we've also got additional goal line options now, including a WR who is 6' 4".

 

[Ochmed Jones]

With everyone healthy:

Morris will help the ST coverage units. That is probably his most siginficant role.

He will help on third downs provided he shows BB he can pick up the blitz.

However:

I don't see Maroney making it a whole year health wise so I think Morris will play an aweful lot on 1st and 2nd downs while Maroney is out.

PS: If O'Callaghan wins the ROT job and he stays healthy, Maroney could wind up with a 1,000 yards plus in the 12 or 13 games he is healthy enough to play in and Morris could chip in an additional 500 plus yards as a reserve/fill in starter.

 

[patsgo]

I see his role diminishing already now that Troy Brown has re-signed.

alert alert troy brown plays reciever, his signing has no effect on morris

 

[Spirit of '76]

I believe Morris is insurance for both Maroney and Faulk. He's not as fast as Maroney and not as nimble as Faulk, but he is servicable as both. As long as Maroney and Faulk stay healthy, Morris will spell each to reduce wear and tear. Maybe 5-7 touches a game to give the others breathers.

 

[PatsFan37]

I think we'll like Morris for a lot of things he does well, rather than competing in any one area for the pro bowl.

He has good hands, has a little shake-and-bake and can pick up the blitz. I believe I read that blitz pickup was the reason Saban favored Morris on 3rd down instead of Ronnie Brown.

He's good at special teams, he has decent size, he won't complain about not getting enough carries. I'm willing to bet he'll put in time in the film room and the weight room.

Like Welker, they know what they're getting. Brady won't have to get in Morris' face about enthusiasm. Morris won't raise his hand after two carries and ask to be taken out.

He's not cheap, but he doesn't cost a fortune and he fills in that middle-class depth (I wish I were in that kind of middle class ) which has taken the Pats to the superbowl in the past.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

alert alert troy brown plays reciever, his signing has no effect on morris

:nono: Troy Brown plays football, he's just listed as a WR (and despite my tongue-in-cheek post above, for your homework assignment, please go look at last year's Jaguar's game and tell us if #80 ever lined up at Tailback ).