Will Heath Evans keep his job? - Do we really need 5 RBs on this roster?

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I can't see more than 4 backs on this roster - I see a need to fill the roster with more DBs,OL and LBs which are more in need than the RB position.

With that being said, I think Eckel is definately a goner and Evans is barely hanging on - Maybe the PS for Evans or even becoming the mystery IR player?

Maroney and Jordan should be the two headed monster rushing attack (ala Dillon/ Maroney a few years back) with Morris and Faulk splitting duties when needed - All 4 are a lock IMO.

Even though Evans is more of a FB,I don't put him as a bruising type runner like a Mike Alstott ect:

Personally I think Evans will not be around by week one and Eckel has virtually no shot right now barring a rash of injury at the position.

Opinions??

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think Evans stays. he's proven himself as being able to rec'v and he's the trust blocker you probably have. It's too risky that one of those rb's gets injured. three of them aren't exactly yooung guys

 

[fgssand]

I think Evans stays. he's proven himself as being able to rec'v and he's the trust blocker you probably have. It's too risky that one of those rb's gets injured. three of them aren't exactly yooung guys

I agree...he is a solid battering ram, good on special teams.

He is a lock.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I agree...he is a solid battering ram, good on special teams.

He is a lock.

I do agree about him being on special teams - Maybe a spot could be there in that regards as well as insurance

 

[rusH1023]

I do agree about him being on special teams - Maybe a spot could be there in that regards as well as insurance

None of the other RB's can block like he can. Not even close. We all know that's important to BB.

 

[BestQB]

No knowledgeable Patriots fan would ever question Evan's spot on the roster. This guy is a lock. Period!!

 

[bradmahn]

Evans is ineligible for the practice squad - by a long ways.

He's the best lead blocker, very good in pass protection, solid in short yardage and receiving the ball, a decent emergency, emergency running back, a very good special teamer, has seen some time at tight end, and is a team player (that's the cherry on top).

I thought Eckel may have a chance to unseat him this offseason, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.

I think they'll cut one of Morris or Jordan before they release Evans and I'm happy with him on the team.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Evans is ineligible for the practice squad - by a long ways.

He's the best lead blocker, very good in pass protection, solid in short yardage and receiving the ball, a decent emergency, emergency running back, a very good special teamer, has seen some time at tight end, and is a team player (that's the cherry on top).

I thought Eckel may have a chance to unseat him this offseason, but that doesn't look like it's going to happen.

I think they'll cut one of Morris or Jordan before they release Evans and I'm happy with him on the team.

Do you really want to see Jordan or Morris go? - I would have a hard time letting them leave - Both look to be immense help as the season progresses if they stay healthy that is.

Because if they do keep Evans one of them is probably gone.

 

[Two Eight]

I see Evans as a lock for the 1 FB spot. 4 RB's: Maroney, Morris, Jordan & Faulk. Eckel might not make the 53.

Evans effeactive lead blocking bought Jordan several extra yards last night. BTW how awesome is Faulk - touched the ball once: 3rd and 8 and he picked up 9.

 

[Lockdown06]

In my opinion, maroney, faulk, and evans are all safe - they have unique skill sets (at least among these five running backs) Morris and Jordan are basically redundant - morris is a better pass protector, Jordan is probably a better receiver - whoever has the better training camp makes the team IMO - maybe at first Morris had an advantage of being with the team for a year but BB and Pioli will not keep a lesser RB out of loyalty - it's gonna be a dogfight between these two to make the team.

 

[DefenseRules]

I think that we MIGHT keep five backs
We don't have as many QUALITY WRs as we had last year.

Randy Moss
Wes Welker
Jabar Gaffney

After those 3 we have
Chad Jackson
Kelly Washington
CJ Jones
Chris Dunlap
Sam Aiken
Matthew Slater

#4 and #5 WR slots are wide open, IMO. Mr Jackson hasn't distinguished himself YET. Aikens got hurt last night. We just don't know how severe.
I haven't seen anything from Washington yet and Slater is a work in progress.
I HOPE that Jackson eventually rises to the occasion and takes over one of the open WR spots. I don't think that we will keep more than 5 WRs on the team this year. That's if any of those guys fighting for a spot even make it. All of these running backs might just come in handy. If we don't have quality depth behind our top three Wrs, we may end up needing them. .
As the saying goes, these things have a way of working themselves out.

 

[patsox23]

I can't see more than 4 backs on this roster - I see a need to fill the roster with more DBs,OL and LBs which are more in need than the RB position.

With that being said, I think Eckel is definately a goner and Evans is barely hanging on - Maybe the PS for Evans or even becoming the mystery IR player?

Maroney and Jordan should be the two headed monster rushing attack (ala Dillon/ Maroney a few years back) with Morris and Faulk splitting duties when needed - All 4 are a lock IMO.

Even though Evans is more of a FB,I don't put him as a bruising type runner like a Mike Alstott ect:

Personally I think Evans will not be around by week one and Eckel has virtually no shot right now barring a rash of injury at the position.

Opinions??

My opinion is that you're wrong. Heath Evans is not spectacular, but he's solid, versatile and productive at the myriad things he's asked to do. There are few positional "locks" more certain than 5 running backs. Book it.

 

[PatsDeb]

I think Evans stays too. He looked good out there last night and is needed on some of the plays the offense runs. Didn't we carry 5 backs last year (or did Eckel get on the roster after Morris went down)? Just replace Eckel with Jordan and I think they stick with 5.

 

[JoePats]

First of all Evans is good on special teams. Don't underestimate that (and who knows what the deal is with Aiken).

But more than that...You have have to have one lead blocker that doesn't play defense. Short-yardage situations, end zone, 3rd and 1, whatever. You can't expect the running back to go in there all the time with only the offensive line. And Seymor got hurt as a lead blocker and the other ones (Seau/Klecko) are not on the roster. Just because the Pats have a huge offense doesn't mean there won't be short yardage plays that need to be converted.

Evans should and will make it.

 

[tombonneau]

I am far from a Heath Evans fans; in fact, likely one of his biggest detractors. He does nothing well, but lots of things OK. And he is terrible with the football. He never breaks tackles and always goes down on first contact. Always.

Before the signing of Jordan I was clamoring that he be upgraded so the Pats have a legit RB3 in case of emergency but could fill the FB role for blocking (I actually wanted Mike Bell for this role). Now that they have Jordan though, I think they keep 5 RBs with Evans as the FB.

Would have loved for them to grab a guy like Schmitt in the draft to replace him, a guy who can actually block AND move with the football, but oh well.

I guess I'll have to endure one more year of Heath Evans FB Smash where he hits the line and immediately falls down if there isn't a hole ...

 

[D-cleater]

Evans is a lock, especially if we go with a more run oriented attack this year, which I would love to see. The passing game is our strength obviously but the way our defense gets worn down toward the end of the game, we need to grind it out a bit more. Hence, 5 backs, with Eckel going to the practice squad ( assuming he's eligible ?) , and five receivers instead of 6.

 

[tombonneau]

Evans is a lock, especially if we go with a more run oriented attack this year, which I would love to see. The passing game is our strength obviously but the way our defense gets worn down toward the end of the game, we need to grind it out a bit more. Hence, 5 backs, with Eckel going to the practice squad ( assuming he's eligible ?) , and five receivers instead of 6.

I doubt Eckel is eligible. Ben-Jarvus Green Ellis or whatever his name is will likely be on the PS.

 

[Fencer]

First of all Evans is good on special teams. Don't underestimate that (and who knows what the deal is with Aiken).

But more than that...You have have to have one lead blocker that doesn't play defense. Short-yardage situations, end zone, 3rd and 1, whatever. You can't expect the running back to go in there all the time with only the offensive line. And Seymor got hurt as a lead blocker and the other ones (Seau/Klecko) are not on the roster. Just because the Pats have a huge offense doesn't mean there won't be short yardage plays that need to be converted.

Evans should and will make it.

What's more, Hochstein -- who's another of the alternatives at jumbo FB -- may be needed either at interior OL or the jumbo TE rotation.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Evans is a FB, not a RB, and part of the reason Jordan was brought in was for added depth at RB.

I think Belichick would go with 2 QBs on the roster rather than cut Evans.

If there's a choice needed between Morris and Jordan than Jordan might get the nod because his pass catching ability is better than that of Morris. But I don't think it will come to that.

 

[jared2181]

Why cut good players for the sake of keeping inferior players at other positions?