Patriots express interest in Dillon

[JR4]

This reporter says it's so:

http://nwe.scout.com/2/697502.html

 

[smg93]

makes sense to me!

 

[Pats726]

he's the kind of back that will eat up time and yards...a solid goal line back. That is GREAT news!!

 

[Patriot Power]

he's the kind of back that will eat up burgers and fries... an old, slow back.

Fixed.

No thanks... I don't want Surly Sam in this lockerroom again.

 

[Oswlek]

With many of NE's top special teams guys already hurt, who gets cut to make room for Dillon?

I just don't see it happening right now. Maybe later in the year. Frankly, I don't see it happening at all unless Maroney goes down.

 

[patsox23]

Honestly, I'm not sure I love the idea, either. I mean, if it's a HUGE necessity, I guess, but part of me would rather have Barlow or someone like that.

 

[Oswlek]

Honestly, I'm not sure I love the idea, either. I mean, if it's a HUGE necessity, I guess, but part of me would rather have Barlow or someone like that.

No Barlow. He is dreadful.

One last thought. We have been taken surprise by this along with the media, but the team certainly knew the situation. Frankly, I think this move was made to free up space for a PUPster.

 

[SVN]

felger should excited. one more chance to write bad stuff about dillon

 

[Tyler.Durden]

I think he would be a useful addition, he knows the place. Hopefully he could come in take 10 solid rushes a game. Hold on to the ball.

I think it's minimum risk.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

With many of NE's top special teams guys already hurt, who gets cut to make room for Dillon?

I just don't see it happening right now. Maybe later in the year. Frankly, I don't see it happening at all unless Maroney goes down.

I agree. Wouldn't hurt to have him at least working at getting back in shape. But a Dillon in less that optimum shape is an almost frightening proposition, and they know that. Who's to say he can even manage it without straining something. And once they signed him they would have to carry him as a game day inactive until he's game ready. So I think they keep him on the back burner as potential injury insurance PROVIDED he's willing to come in at a reasonable price. A lot of this could be his agents spin of what is being "discussed" geared to fuel a little bidding market for his services.

"Caplan confirmed that the Patriots have expressed interest in having Dillon back in New England, and the feeling may be mutual. Both parties have discussed the possibility of Dillon returning to the team where he set his career and franchise record 1,655 yards in 2004, to lead the Patriots to the Super Bowl.

The Patriots released the 10-year veteran at his own request at the start of the free agency period this year. Although there's interest from the Patriots, Dillon has just started working out again, and has to get back into football shape. Caplan noted that a contract offer has yet to be made."

 

[chrisfx811]

Maybe it's just me, but I was disappointed in Dillon's conditioning so much last year, and his performances showed it.
He ran far too upright, far too slow, and relied too much on the notion that his power could carry him through holes.

I'd find it hard to believe, no matter how much working out he has done, he's anywhere near the kind of shape he'd need to be in to be successful.

 

[BradyManny]

Bring back Corey.

 

[mac]

Fixed.

No thanks... I don't want Surly Sam in this lockerroom again.

You would raher go into the playoffs with Heath Evans as your primary back?

 

[Oswlek]

You would raher go into the playoffs with Heath Evans as your primary back?

What happened to Maroney and Faulk? Of course if *both* of those guys goes down NE will sign someone, but your coming from out of nowhere with that line.

 

[BradyManny]

Maybe it's just me, but I was disappointed in Dillon's conditioning so much last year, and his performances showed it.
He ran far too upright, far too slow, and relied too much on the notion that his power could carry him through holes.

199 carries for 812 yards (4.1 avg) with 13 TD isn't too shabby for splitting time. Folks have a selective memory methinks. Corey was solid.

If he understands he's only getting 5 or so carries a game, bring him back.

 

[BelichickFan]

I'd love to re-sign Dillon. Even if he's not in shape now, he'd have weeks to get there as we wouldn't really need him until down the road if Maroney or Faulk get hurt. A reasonably in shape Dillon still has a nose for the goalline as his 13 TD last year showed. And with 9 weeks until the playoffs start (probably 10 until our first game) he would have more than enough time to be in good shape by then.

 

[Oswlek]

199 carries for 812 yards (4.1 avg) with 13 TD isn't too shabby for splitting time. Folks have a selective memory methinks. Corey was solid.

If he understands he's only getting 5 or so carries a game, bring him back.

Why have a guy on the roster who serves no purpose other than running the ball when he only runs it 5 times a game?

 

[Patriot Power]

Maybe it's just me, but I was disappointed in Dillon's conditioning so much last year, and his performances showed it.
He ran far too upright, far too slow, and relied too much on the notion that his power could carry him through holes.

I'd find it hard to believe, no matter how much working out he has done, he's anywhere near the kind of shape he'd need to be in to be successful.

Chris has bingo.

Go back and watch last year's AFC Championship, that's all you need to see... the guy couldn't hit the hole anymore.

 

[DefenseRules]

I don't believe it.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

November 3, 2007
RB analysis
By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
ANALYSIS

With Sammy Morris lost for the season, what do the Patriots do at running back?

The likely answer, unless No. 1 option Laurence Maroney is injured, will be nothing.

The Patriots opened the season with four running backs on their roster -- Maroney, Morris, Kevin Faulk and Heath Evans.

The team still has four on the roster -- Maroney, Faulk, Evans and Kyle Eckel.

The loss of Morris means that the health of Maroney, who missed three games this season with a groin injury, becomes even more important. If Maroney experiences more health problems, the team is now not as well equipped to handle it.

But if Maroney stays healthy, adding a fifth running back to the mix seems unlikely. While players like Corey Dillon and Kevan Barlow have high name recognition -- and would be smart to keep on the emergency list -- they wouldn't have as much all-around value to the Patriots as a player like Eckel, a former practice squad player who has been playing on the kickoff return, punt return, kickoff coverage, and punt coverage teams.

So the special teams contributions of a player like Eckel would trump the need to bring in a player like Dillon or Barlow, who unless they contributed on special teams wouldn't have a spot on the 45-man game-day roster.

From this view, the only aspect that would significantly alter that equation would be an injury to Maroney.

Reiss's analysis is why I don't believe it.

 

[ALP]

im telling u, this half of the season were gonna see maroney the full time back, and its about time too