Goal Line RB options

[BelichickFan]

Mills comes out of college as a fullback.
Of course he's run the ball. Plenty..

He was a TE in college, he had no career rushes in college.

 

[captain stone]

I think the expectation is that Morris will take that role, as well as that of backup primary running back in case of an injury to Maroney.

SOME THOUGHTS

1) Evans is not a very good runner, certainly not a money-in-the-bank goal line runner.

2) Mills has never run the ball, ever. He may or or may not make the team, and may or may not be active very often, even if he has a chance to develop.

3) Maroney could be the man. I think it is a mistake.

4) I would have thought we would learned that running backs get beat up during a long season. Personally, I thought that we needed to add an additional running back.

I agree, on all 4 points.

Right now, Morris is the Goal Line RB, by default. He has decent size; not Dillon size, but perhaps enough to get the job done. I hope so, anyway; the thought of TB throwing 35+ times/game, incl. goal-line situations, worries me.

 

[363839]

He was a TE in college, he had no career rushes in college.

My apologies. I googled after the fact.
I had it in my memory banks that he was a fullback who was going to convert to tight end. It's the other way around.
I did read somewhere that the Pats did plan to make him a fullback/TE.
It still may be his chance to shine.

 

[RobertWeathers]

And yet, Maroney's ability to stay healthly continues to be a concern.

Don't blame the messanger - I'm just telling it like it is.

And Maroney wouldn't be the first RB to have the speed and cutting ability that makes him a marquee threat in the open field, but not necessarilly best suited to goal line situations, where specialists can play a significant role.

JoeSixPat-

Where did you read that Morris has had a problem picking up the offense?

 

[Fencer]

I recall both Maroney and Evans as being ineffective in short yardage/goal-line situations.

Faulk, of course, does short-yardage running only on the direct-snap play.

It's Morris's role to lose.

 

[wistahpatsfan]

I like the option pass in short goal-line situations, too. Not only do we have Moss, but K. Brady spinning off a block is a huge target 5-10 yds out. The tight ends play is a major key to the O in the red zone this year, IMO.

Also like Evans...always have.

 

[AzPatsFan]

My apologies. I googled after the fact.
I had it in my memory banks that he was a fullback who was going to convert to tight end. It's the other way around.
I did read somewhere that the Pats did plan to make him a fullback/TE.
It still may be his chance to shine.

Garrett Mills was drafted to be the next Larry Centers. A terror as pass catching FB, who never blocked, and never ran the ball.

BB alsays thought Larry was an awesome weapon; tried to get him a couple of times. He signed him and Larry won a ring; but was virtually finished when we got him.

 

[letekro]

Just wondering what people's thoughts are about our Goal Line RB options this season. Although some feel that Dillon was washed up last year he still had a 4.1 ypc average and 13 regular season TDs (15 total).

Last I checked that was nothing to sneeze at.

Sammy Morris was brought in for depth but he's more like Faulk than Dillon and reportedly is a little slow to pick up the system.

Maroney too is not the hard hitting RB to push through a goal line D (at least his shoulders are telling him he's not)

So who do we see as the Dillon-esque goal line RB specialist? Is Heath Evans ready to improve upon his 27 rushing attempts and 1 TD last year?

Or do we see Mills as a FB taking a carry on the goal line - improving on his stats from last year (which would be impossible not to do).

Or, are we on the lookout for a veteran among camp cuts now that Dillon has called it quits, assuming he's not playing coy with yesterday's Globe article where he "left the door open ever so slightly" to returning to the Pats knowing we have a need for a Dillonesque RB, but generally said he's done with football (I'd bet if the price was right he'd get his passion back, but that's just me).

And if we need veteran depth, is there anyone you'd target as a possible cut that could serve in that goal line role for us?

Who's the Colts goalline RB?

Not having one didn't stop them from putting up 38 on us in the AFCG.

 

[JoeSixPat]

JoeSixPat-

Where did you read that Morris has had a problem picking up the offense?

http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=26617&pcid=44&special_section=tc2007

Who’s hot:

Bam Childress – There are faster receivers on the Patriots roster and there are certainly bigger ones, but somehow Childress just keeps finding ways to make plays. He enjoyed a solid evening of practice while taking advantage of injuries to Randy Moss, Donte’ Stallworth, Troy Brown and Chad Jackson.

Who’s not:

Sammy Morris – Morris talked a lot in the offseason about his desire to assume some roles as a third-down back. He’ll need to improve in a couple of areas if that’s to happen. Earlier in the week he struggled with his blitz pickup against the linebackers, and Thursday evening he had a hard time catching the ball. He dropped at least two catchable passes during team periods.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Who's the Colts goalline RB?

Not having one didn't stop them from putting up 38 on us in the AFCG.

Ah good - problem solved. We don't need a goal line RB.

Next comment?

 

[psychoPat]

Orange Zone

....
This shouldn't be an issue as I expect the Patriots to get 4 TDs a game on plays that are over 50+ yards...

Tight thread!
This is one of the few areas one might elevate to "a matter of concern" -
'cause we always need SOME of those.

No, i don't think a smiley-grin is needed with the quote.
The team this year is likely to be working with an "orange zone"
that extends out to about midfield.

 

[TAPATSFAN]

I agree that another back would have been nice. Evans, as solid a worker and as good a special teamer as he is, could be replaced by a reserve guard (Hochstein) for the purposes of blocking thus freeing up a roster place for another back (Chris Brown type).

 

[RobertWeathers]

http://www.patriots.com/search/index.cfm?ac=searchdetail&pid=26617&pcid=44&special_section=tc2007

Thanks! I'm not sure his transgressions mean that he is having problems picking up the offense though. They'll mean he doesn't play.

Donald Hayes had problems learning the offense. Morris is an 8 year vet. He'll be fine.

 

[Rob0729]

Thanks! I'm not sure his transgressions mean that he is having problems picking up the offense though. They'll mean he doesn't play.

Donald Hayes had problems learning the offence. Morris is an 8 year vet. He'll be fine.

I don't think you can compare a RB to WR in picking up the offense. Hayes' problems were due to him not being able to make presnap reads and making the adjustments to his routes based on the defenses. The RBs have similiar presnap reads, but their adjustments are far fewer just because of the nature of the position.

Besides, it sounds like Morris' problems have more to do with picking up the blitzes which has to do with blocking assignments. That is a far less severe problem (well until Brady gets knocked on his ass) and easier to correct than not being able to look at a defense and know that you should be running an out patter or a comeback route.

A couple of dropped passes and missed blitz pick assignments are not huge things the first week of camp. A few weeks from now may be another story.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don't think you can compare a RB to WR in picking up the offense. Hayes' problems were due to him not being able to make presnap reads and making the adjustments to his routes based on the defenses. The RBs have similiar presnap reads, but their adjustments are far fewer just because of the nature of the position.

Besides, it sounds like Morris' problems have more to do with picking up the blitzes which has to do with blocking assignments. That is a far less severe problem (well until Brady gets knocked on his ass) and easier to correct than not being able to look at a defense and know that you should be running an out patter or a comeback route.

A couple of dropped passes and missed blitz pick assignments are not huge things the first week of camp. A few weeks from now may be another story.

I agree. I wasn't trying to compare Hayes w/ Morris on learning the dynamics of the Pats passing attack. I was only trying to correlate how crappy "Don't know the plays" Hayes was at simply learning the offense and Morris' pass blocking and pass catching abilities.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Besides, it sounds like Morris' problems have more to do with picking up the blitzes which has to do with blocking assignments. That is a far less severe problem (well until Brady gets knocked on his ass) and easier to correct than not being able to look at a defense and know that you should be running an out patter or a comeback route.

A couple of dropped passes and missed blitz pick assignments are not huge things the first week of camp. A few weeks from now may be another story.

Well I wouldn't minimize RB blocking that much - I seem to recall that BB values it very highly... and recognizing the Defense and potential blitz and the need to block is even MORE important at the goal line.

Still the first few weeks of camp can quickly be erased, though as I said before, we shouldn't be expecting Sammy Morris to be the goal line specialist as he's more of a Kevin Faulk.

My point is that save for the largely unproven Heath Evans, we don't have an RB that IMO has enough bulk and speed to manhandle defensive players and fight for a TD. That's an area I think we could use some depth at, especially given Maroney's propensity for injury.

 

[Rob0729]

Well I wouldn't minimize RB blocking that much - I seem to recall that BB values it very highly... and recognizing the Defense and potential blitz and the need to block is even MORE important at the goal line.

Still the first few weeks of camp can quickly be erased, though as I said before, we shouldn't be expecting Sammy Morris to be the goal line specialist as he's more of a Kevin Faulk.

My point is that save for the largely unproven Heath Evans, we don't have an RB that IMO has enough bulk and speed to manhandle defensive players and fight for a TD. That's an area I think we could use some depth at, especially given Maroney's propensity for injury.

Not minimizing RB blocking although my comments about Brady might have made it seem that way. I think it is easier for him to learn his blocking assignments than other problems he could be having the first week of training camp.

I also just wonder if we really need a smashmouth RB to have an effective goalline running game. There are teams that are effective who don't. Granted that is what we prefered in the past even before Dillon.

I think if the Pats are planning to change how they will approach running plays on goalline stances, there may be no issue. If they still want to go with the same smashmouth style, I agree that there is a potential for trouble.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Interesting point of view JoeSixPat. I view Morris as more of a one-cut-n-go runner/downhill runner as opposed to a slasher like Faulk (non complaining). Am I off on that assesment? If you look at Morris' catchs and YPC, hes nowhere near Faulk's production.

As a rule of thumb one-cut-n-go runners thrive in zone-blocking offenses, which is what we keep hearing that they plan on implementing this year.


Thoughts?

 

[zippo59]

I'd give the ball to Maroney. Scoring TDs isn't necessarily about size. Look at the past three owners of the single season TD scoring record. None of these guys have particularly great size.Priest Holmes 5-9 213 lbs.

LaDainian Tomlinson 5-10 221 lbs.

Shaun Alexander 5-11 225 lbs.

Furthermore, Maurice Jones-Drew who is listed at 5-7 and only 208 pounds, scored 13 rushing TD's.

Some of the onus will fall onto the offensive line to dig in on the goal line, but if Maroney can't get the ball into the endzone fron the redzone on a regular basis, then he is not fit to be a starting running back. Good running backs find ways to score, even if they aren't traditional "bruisers." Speed, vision, patience, and yes, power, all come into play on the goaline. This package is something all elite backs possess.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'd give the ball to Maroney. Scoring TDs isn't necessarily about size. Look at the past three owners of the single season TD scoring record. None of these guys have particularly great size.Priest Holmes 5-9 213 lbs.

LaDainian Tomlinson 5-10 221 lbs.

Shaun Alexander 5-11 225 lbs.

Furthermore, Maurice Jones-Drew who is listed at 5-7 and only 208 pounds, scored 13 rushing TD's.

Some of the onus will fall onto the offensive line to dig in on the goal line, but if Maroney can't get the ball into the endzone fron the redzone on a regular basis, then he is not fit to be a starting running back. Good running backs find ways to score, even if they aren't traditional "bruisers." Speed, vision, patience, and yes, power, all come into play on the goaline. This package is something all elite backs possess.

100% agreement. If the line does its job and minimizes the push/penatration into the backfield, Chris Farley (RIP) could run through the holes.