Would BB keep 5 backs?

[DefenseRules]

I was just watched Patriots Today and they suggested that it's possible that BB would keep 5 running backs.

Laurence Maroney
Sammy Morris
Kevin Faulk
Health Evans
Lamont Jordan
Kyle Eckel
Ben Jarvis-Green

These are the backs on the roster right now. Ben Jarvis is a developmental back, IMO. He'll probably end up on the practice squad. IMHO, Eckel is fighting for his roster spot. They are not going to cut Maroney. By all accounts,Sammy Morris is completely healthy. If he performs like he did before his injury during the preseason. I don't see any reason to cut him.
Kevin Faulk has a special role on this team. I don't see him getting cut either.
That leaves leaves Jordan, Evans, and Eckel fighting for either one or two spots. I think that the Pats are going to keep 5 running backs. So far in camp, there has been an emphasis on the running game. I certainly hope that the running game will become a HUGE part of our offense this year. Having 5 good backs won't hurt, IMO.

 

[RayClay]

I was just watched Patriots Today and they suggested that it's possible that BB would keep 5 running backs.

Laurence Maroney
Sammy Morris
Kevin Faulk
Health Evans
Lamont Jordan
Kyle Eckel
Ben Jarvis-Green

These are the backs on the roster right now. Ben Jarvis is a developmental back, IMO. He'll probably end up on the practice squad. IMHO, Eckel is fighting for his roster spot. They are not going to cut Maroney. By all accounts,Sammy Morris is completely healthy. If he performs like he did before his injury during the preseason. I don't see any reason to cut him.
Kevin Faulk has a special role on this team. I don't see him getting cut either.
That leaves leaves Jordan, Evans, and Eckel fighting for either one or two spots. I think that the Pats are going to keep 5 running backs. So far in camp, there has been an emphasis on the running game. I certainly hope that the running game will become a HUGE part of our offense this year. Having 5 good backs won't hurt, IMO.

If Jordan is all right, they'll keep 5. Maybe Evans plays a little H-back and they use more FB this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see less 2-3 TE sets.

 

[fgssand]

I was just watched Patriots Today and they suggested that it's possible that BB would keep 5 running backs.

Laurence Maroney
Sammy Morris
Kevin Faulk
Health Evans
Lamont Jordan
Kyle Eckel
Ben Jarvis-Green

These are the backs on the roster right now. Ben Jarvis is a developmental back, IMO. He'll probably end up on the practice squad. IMHO, Eckel is fighting for his roster spot. They are not going to cut Maroney. By all accounts,Sammy Morris is completely healthy. If he performs like he did before his injury during the preseason. I don't see any reason to cut him.
Kevin Faulk has a special role on this team. I don't see him getting cut either.
That leaves leaves Jordan, Evans, and Eckel fighting for either one or two spots. I think that the Pats are going to keep 5 running backs. So far in camp, there has been an emphasis on the running game. I certainly hope that the running game will become a HUGE part of our offense this year. Having 5 good backs won't hurt, IMO.

Or even 6. if eckel happens to play totally lights out on special teams.

 

[Metaphors]

I would vote for 4 RB (with Evans playing a lot of special teams). However, it has been pointed out to me that the Pats have a lot of teams on the schedule with solid pass defenses and awful run defenses. Does that point to more running plays than expected and a 5th RB to keep the unit from wearing down late in the season? Not too crazy of a thought...

 

[bbabin]

At first I thought no, but I'm leaning more towards yes now. I see two most likely possibilities:

1) Five backs: LoMo, SamMo, Faulk, Jordan, and Evans
or
2) Four backs with Morris competing with Jordan

Five backs would be easier to swallow for me if two of them played special teams (I saw that Jordan has been a return man before...). Either way, barring injury, it looks like a good backfield.

 

[spacecrime]

the Pats have a lot of teams on the schedule with solid pass defenses and awful run defenses. Does that point to more running plays than expected and a 5th RB to keep the unit from wearing down late in the season? Not too crazy of a thought...

No, it's not. Something I wouldn't have thougth of in a zillion years.

 

[bbabin]

No, it's not. Something I wouldn't have thougth of in a zillion years.

I agree. I've never considered that before, but it only makes sense that coaching staffs (good ones...?) pay attention to the players and coaching styles (strengths/weaknesses) of the upcoming schedule.

 

[BradyFTW!]

The argument against that around here is that the Pats have never done it before. Obviously, that is some pretty solid evidence against this happening, but who knows? The Pats have had injury problems at RB for several years running now; it wouldn't surprise me at all if Belichick decided during this offseason that RBs just absorb too much punishment to stick with the old system.

 

[signbabybrady]

Or even 6. if eckel happens to play totally lights out on special teams.

hahaha 6...the decisions are that tough in a lot of positions can't keep an extra one or even 2 above the norm in every position. But crazy as it seems I could see it here but they all would have to play lights out. Eckel or Evans are prolly fighting for one spot and Morris and jordan are probably fighting for one spot and they probably bring in 4 but Evans and Eckel are good STers.

 

[Rob0729]

I still think carrying 5 RBs is very, very unlikely. The Pats may need to keep extra DBs and LBs because of uncertainies at those positions. They also may want to keep 4 QBs with addition of O'Connell. There are only so many positions you can keep extra players. With all the decent RBs still on the street, I think keeping 5 RBs would be overkill.

I still think that the addition of Jordan means the end of Morris on this team. I think Morris will have to really shine for the Pats to keep him. They both would fulfill the same role on the offense (a short yardage and red zone RB) and Jordan has been proven to be more productive in his career and is far more of a receiving threat. You can't activate both, along with Maroney and Faulk, every week. Cutting Morris frees up over $1 million of cap space. I can't see them tying up that money for a guy who doesn't get activated on Sunday.

Morris could be this year's Reche Caldwell. A guy who produced admirably the previous year, but is just a victim of the numbers game.

 

[mgteich]

How many years will we whine about how unlucky we are when one of our running backs is injured? How many years will we wince when we put in Maroney on 4th or 3rd and 1? How many times will we be unluckly that we don't have healthly and strong enough running backs for the playoffs and Super Bowl. The time to take care of this situation is BEFORE the season starts. And the team has done so.

My take is that we have 6 running backs competing for five spots, and Eckel is the one on the outside looking in (as he was last year).

WHICH OF THESE DO YOU KEEP?
-------------------------------
a SIXTH WIDE RECEIVER
a NINTH OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
A FIFTH RUNNING BACK

OFFENSE (24-26)
--------
3 QB
4-5 RB
5-6 WR
8-9 OL
3 TE

 

[Rob0729]

How many years will we whine about how unlucky we are when one of our running backs is injured? How many years will we wince when we put in Maroney on 4th or 3rd and 1? How many times will we be unluckly that we don't have healthly and strong enough running backs for the playoffs and Super Bowl. The time to take care of this situation is BEFORE the season starts. And the team has done so.

My take is that we have 6 running backs competing for five spots, and Eckel is the one on the outside looking in (as he was last year).

WHICH OF THESE DO YOU KEEP?
-------------------------------
a SIXTH WIDE RECEIVER
a NINTH OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
A FIFTH RUNNING BACK

OFFENSE (24-26)
--------
3 QB
4-5 RB
5-6 WR
8-9 OL
3 TE

You are forgetting the other side of the ball though. LB and DB are areas where the Pats will probably have to carry extra bodies for insurance.

Don't count out 4 QBs. If Guttieriez isn't ready to step up to the #2 QB position, I think the Pats may carry 4 QBs. Both Guittierez and O'Connell are developmental players and the Pats are growing them for #2 QBs/Trade bait. Neither would pass through waiver process to get to the practice squad. The Pats have carried 4 QBs before (Brady's rookie season).

 

[IcyPatriot]

How many years will we whine about how unlucky we are when one of our running backs is injured? How many years will we wince when we put in Maroney on 4th or 3rd and 1? How many times will we be unluckly that we don't have healthly and strong enough running backs for the playoffs and Super Bowl. The time to take care of this situation is BEFORE the season starts. And the team has done so.

I agree and I also think it's a move to beef up special teams ... replacing a smaller DB on special teams with a bigger RB. Belichick said today he's turning back the clock to 2000-2001 ... we used to hit harder back then.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Don't count out 4 QBs. If Guttieriez isn't ready to step up to the #2 QB position, I think the Pats may carry 4 QBs. Both Guittierez and O'Connell are developmental players and the Pats are growing them for #2 QBs/Trade bait. Neither would pass through waiver process to get to the practice squad. The Pats have carried 4 QBs before (Brady's rookie season).

But that was only because BB felt the Pats didn't have 53 NFL-caliber players to start the season, so it didn't matter all that much. Right now I can't see any way the Pats carry four QBs this season; it just wouldn't be a good use of roster spots (unless, say, O'Connell suddenly morphs into a quality WR, TE, or H-Back).

 

[mgteich]

I strongly favored cutting Bishop. We don't need 4 QB's.

I have a 25 man offense with the same 7 DL's as we have had for a couple of years.

That leaves 18 for linebackers and defensive backs, many of whom will play on the coverage teams with some of the defensive starters. The reality is that only six linebackers and six defensive backs get the vast majority of reps at their positions. The remaining six players are primarily STer's. My group for this year:

WHEATLEY, WOODS, ALEXANDER, IZZO, WILHITE, and TANK WILLIAMS

Are these bodies good enough to back up at linebacker and defensive back if need. I think so!

You are forgetting the other side of the ball though. LB and DB are areas where the Pats will probably have to carry extra bodies for insurance.

Don't count out 4 QBs. If Guttieriez isn't ready to step up to the #2 QB position, I think the Pats may carry 4 QBs. Both Guittierez and O'Connell are developmental players and the Pats are growing them for #2 QBs/Trade bait. Neither would pass through waiver process to get to the practice squad. The Pats have carried 4 QBs before (Brady's rookie season).

 

[mgteich]

I strongly favored cutting Bishop. We don't need 4 QB's.

I have a 25 man offense with the same 7 DL's as we have had for a couple of years.

That leaves 18 for linebackers and defensive backs, many of whom will play on the coverage teams with some of the defensive starters. The reality is that only six linebackers and six defensive backs get the vast majority of reps at their positions. The remaining six players are primarily STer's. My group for this year:

WHEATLEY, WOODS, ALEXANDER, IZZO, WILHITE, and TANK WILLIAMS

Are these bodies good enough to back up at linebacker and defensive back if need. I think so!

You are forgetting the other side of the ball though. LB and DB are areas where the Pats will probably have to carry extra bodies for insurance.

Don't count out 4 QBs. If Guttieriez isn't ready to step up to the #2 QB position, I think the Pats may carry 4 QBs. Both Guittierez and O'Connell are developmental players and the Pats are growing them for #2 QBs/Trade bait. Neither would pass through waiver process to get to the practice squad. The Pats have carried 4 QBs before (Brady's rookie season).

 

[mgteich]

I strongly favored cutting Bishop. We don't need 4 QB's.

I have a 25 man offense with the same 7 DL's as we have had for a couple of years.

That leaves 18 for linebackers and defensive backs, many of whom will play on the coverage teams with some of the defensive starters. The reality is that only six linebackers and six defensive backs get the vast majority of reps at their positions. The remaining six players are primarily STer's. My group for this year:

WHEATLEY, WOODS, ALEXANDER, IZZO, WILHITE, and TANK WILLIAMS

Are these bodies good enough to back up at linebacker and defensive back if need. I think so!

You are forgetting the other side of the ball though. LB and DB are areas where the Pats will probably have to carry extra bodies for insurance.

Don't count out 4 QBs. If Guttieriez isn't ready to step up to the #2 QB position, I think the Pats may carry 4 QBs. Both Guittierez and O'Connell are developmental players and the Pats are growing them for #2 QBs/Trade bait. Neither would pass through waiver process to get to the practice squad. The Pats have carried 4 QBs before (Brady's rookie season).

 

[RayClay]

How many years will we whine about how unlucky we are when one of our running backs is injured? How many years will we wince when we put in Maroney on 4th or 3rd and 1? How many times will we be unluckly that we don't have healthly and strong enough running backs for the playoffs and Super Bowl. The time to take care of this situation is BEFORE the season starts. And the team has done so.

My take is that we have 6 running backs competing for five spots, and Eckel is the one on the outside looking in (as he was last year).

WHICH OF THESE DO YOU KEEP?
-------------------------------
a SIXTH WIDE RECEIVER
a NINTH OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
A FIFTH RUNNING BACK


OFFENSE (24-26)
--------
3 QB
4-5 RB
5-6 WR
8-9 OL
3 TE

I agree 100%. People agonize over 1 roster spot when we have guys that contribute nothing all year. We saw what an inconsistent running game meant. It meant watching Moss and Brady get beat on.

Winning the physical battle will pump up our oline too.

9th ol?, 4th qb?, come on. We have a practice squad and that loose step on the way from the clubhouse 4th string qbs tend to inadvertently trip over.

5 wrs. Kelley for #5 is already an excellent special teamer. If another WR makes it on teams, that's different.

 

[spacecrime]

Don't count out 4 QBs.

5 RBs would be of more benefit than 4 QBs.

Look for Matt G to suffer a shoulder injury and go on IR.

The Pats have carried 4 QBs before (Brady's rookie season).

That was in 2000, the year BB carried 51 players when the "53" was announced because he said he didn't have 53 NFL-calilber players. He did sign a couple guys from other teams' castoffs: Andruzzi was cut by the Pack and signed by NE, and I forget who the other was (probably Pats1 knows and will shortly list all the players who were signed the day after cut-down day), but there were extra roster spots available in 2000. 2008 is a bit different.

 

[spacecrime]

5 wrs. Kelley for #5 is already an excellent special teamer.

Yes, true. He is so good on STs (and most great STers don't play other positions well) that I forget he was an excellent WR. I should remember: I was bummed when BB picked Bethel with Kelly Washington still on the board. And BB brought him in to FOxboro for a private workout pre-draft.