Replacement of Ridley

dales804 said:

Brady has four rushes this year on 3rd or 4th and short. He's picked up 3 first downs on those rushes. What qualifies as a "big short yardage situation?"

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Let's say third or fourth and 1. I know that other players get short yardage carries, but given that Brady succeeds at about a 90% clip and has done it over 100 times in his career, I don't see using a roster spot on someone whose sole value is short yardage.

AzPatsFan said:

Did you ever see them catch? Blount fights the ball constantly, whereas Ridley at least looks somewhat comfortable trying to do so.

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You're avoiding the actual evidence because it kills your argument. I get that. My point still stands. Yours does not. You don't know why Blount wasn't brought back, but it is very doubtful that it's because of his hands v. Ridley's hands.

maybe its me, but I always found running back to be the most plug and play position in the NFL...I mean look at the ravens. lost rice and are playing a journeyman RB whom is putting up big numbers.

the chargers just lost their #1 and #2 running backs and this new guy brandon oliver has come out of nowhere to have a couple 100yard games.

PP2 said:

BB has clearly demonstrated that he prefers volume over value at RB (RBBC), probably because of the high rate of injury at that position.

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Exactly. The total cap hit of Ridley, Vereen, Bolden, and White is less than one "marquee" running back. Now that one of the four committee members is going on IR, you only have a relatively minimal disruption of the "committee". Even if there is a fall-off from Ridley to Bolden , it's only an incremental drop off and only on the 15 to 16 runs a game Ridley was averaging.

As fans, we look at filling starting positions. I think Belichick looks at getting the skill sets he needs covered and the total production from an entire position group -- especially at a position group like RB, where he pretty much views all RBs as JAGs.

Gronkowski123 said:

if peterson gets cut by the vikings.......

just sayin........

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PR nightmare. I hope NE would choose to pass.

AzPatsFan said:

/sarc on.
Adrian Peterson is available as a Free Agent.
/sarc off

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And you really think the Patriots would do that considering the PR nightmare Hernandez has been? You think the Krafts would go anywhere near him right now? /nosarc

RIpats88 said:

maybe its me, but I always found running back to be the most plug and play position in the NFL...I mean look at the ravens. lost rice and are playing a journeyman RB whom is putting up big numbers.

the chargers just lost their #1 and #2 running backs and this new guy brandon oliver has come out of nowhere to have a couple 100yard games.

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I agree. That's why I'd like to see Jonas Gray get a decent # of snaps this or next week

TBR said:

I agree. That's why I'd like to see Jonas Gray get a decent # of snaps this or next week

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We'll know if he plays tonight, by 4pm which is the deadline for him to be activated for tonight's game. I wouldn't be surprised if we just went with 3 RBs (Vereen, Bolden, and White) just for tonight.

PP2 said:

We'll know if he plays tonight, by 4pm which is the deadline for him to be activated for tonight's game. I wouldn't be surprised if we just went with 3 RBs (Vereen, Bolden, and White) just for tonight.

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Seems like we need an OL and LB more for tonight then Gray replacing the OL assuming Connelly and/or Stork is ready for the Bears game.

We'll see, I'd love to see Gray get some carries unless he has a fumbling history (I have no idea if he does) given the rain.

I want to see Gray too but I would expect him more for the next game, not this one considering the short week. I would expect a heavy dose of Bolden and Vereen, maybe some White/Develin too

patriot1136 said:

I want to see Gray too but I would expect him more for the next game, not this one considering the short week. I would expect a heavy dose of Bolden and Vereen, maybe some White/Develin too

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What is relevance of the short week? Gray hasn't missed any practices.

I think that Gray will be activated, even if he only get action in case of injury or in garbage time. Presuming that Ridley is out for the year, I don't see the downside.

Personally, I think that we will get heavy doses of Bolden and White. I don't want Vereen to get lots of punishing carries.

For me, for now, we are back in the BJGE days, with a mediocre leading back (now Bolden and White). Vereen's role to be targeted as a receiver about as often as carrying the ball. That shouldn't change. And Develin has his role as FB; that shouldn't change. Given the weather forecast, we might run more sets with a RB and FB out there. That is NOT my choice, unless there is a need for an extra protector for Brady.

I think because we're facing the Jets D-Line i expect more Vereen out there to pick up blitzes and catch more dumpoffs. This will be a game where our rushing stats won't look that good.

SalemPats said:

I think because we're facing the Jets D-Line i expect more Vereen out there to pick up blitzes and catch more dumpoffs. This will be a game where our rushing stats won't look that good.

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I'd rather use Develin in this role.

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN 10m10 minutes ago
I can confirm @MikeReiss and @RapSheet reports that Jonas Gray and Chris Barker will be signed to the Patriots' active roster tonight.

I'm actually excited to see if Gray gets some carries tonight. Wonder who the last inactives will be.

dales804 said:

I'm actually excited to see if Gray gets some carries tonight. Wonder who the last inactives will be.

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Imagine how pissed Browner will be if he's not active...

Deus Irae said:

Imagine how pissed Browner will be if he's not active...

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Imagine how pissed this board will be, especially after Browner saying he's "good to go."

dales804 said:

Imagine how pissed this board will be, especially after Browner saying he's "good to go."

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"After last night's 43-0 Patriots win over the Jets, the only talk in New England is why Brandon Browner didn't play. Film at 11."

PatsBoy12 said:

PR nightmare. I hope NE would choose to pass.

And you really think the Patriots would do that considering the PR nightmare Hernandez has been? You think the Krafts would go anywhere near him right now? /nosarc

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Hey what
Adrian Peterson did is no differnet than Captain Kirk



all great men eventually have to hit wemon to save thier ship.

Can Jonas gray pick up blitzers?