Running Backs For 2015

mgteich · Dec 23, 2014

We start with Blount, Gray, White, and Develin (our FB).

What resources should the patriots use for additional running backs.

BOLDEN
It would seem that this valuable special teamer should finally be signed to a three year contract. Perhaps, he thinks that he can compete for a starting position elsewhere, but the patriots are a good fit for him. And yes, it is great to see him run once in awhile.

RIDLEY
Folks want to sign him to vet minimum contract. There is no reason for him to do that. Perhaps, he can convince someone to give him starting pay. He should be able to convince someone to give him a show-me contract.

VEREEN
Vereen is very valuable to the patriots. I hope that we pony up the money to keep him. As with Woodhead, I see others luring him away for more money than we are willing to pay.

FREE AGENTS AND DRAFTEES
It is probably time to bring in a mid round draftee (3rd or 4th) This would give us four young backs for the future, with Blount leading the group of youngsters. Of course, we could also bring in free agents.

BOTTOM LINE
GRAY, BLOUNT, BOLDEN, WHITE, ROOKIE, (with a free agent or two as camp competition)
DEVELIN

I don't see RB as a really high need, although Vereen is really a special player.

supafly · Dec 23, 2014

Bolden is a RFA in the spring. Knowing Belichick, I'm wondering if he'll see it necessary to need to sign him to a longer term pact?

Ridley may be forced to take a "one year, prove it" deal due to tearing his ACL and likely not being able to even take part in mini-camps/OTAs.

I'm assuming that ONE of either Ridley/Vereen will be here, one way or another. If not, there are other 3rd down WR/RBs in the draft.

Out of all of the positions, this may be the one that I'm least worried about.

woolster22 · Dec 23, 2014

Didn't we stash a kid on ir? I seen to remember reading of serious speed abd decent size. Somebody tried sneaking him through on waivers or something.

woolster22 · Dec 23, 2014

I want Ridley back if the numbers work. He seems to say the right things, but has been snake bit. When that guy is running angry I may occasionally start drooling on myself.

I wouldn't necessarily be unhappy to see Vereen move on if Josh stays. He clearly is not a runner, but gets square pegged into the round inside the take hole far to often. He hasn't even really been utilised well in the Faulk, split wide, Mr. Chain mover role at all either. It's either feast or famine in the flat, and for a guy with quicks he doesn't make many people miss.

ATippett56 · Dec 23, 2014

mgteich said:
We start with Blount, Gray, White, and Develin (our FB).

Not much to work with. Tom Brady deserves better.

deters · Dec 23, 2014

woolster22 said:
Didn't we stash a kid on ir? I seen to remember reading of serious speed abd decent size. Somebody tried sneaking him through on waivers or something.

Tyler Gaffney claimed after Panthers cut him. He is 6'0 220 and ran a 4.49 at the combine. Kid was a beast and a work horse at Stanford. They would run him like 40 times a game and he never got tired.

Armchair Quarterback · Dec 23, 2014

mgteich said:
We start with Blount, Gray, White, and Develin (our FB).

What resources should the patriots use for additional running backs.

BOLDEN
It would seem that this valuable special teamer should finally be signed to a three year contract. Perhaps, he thinks that he can compete for a starting position elsewhere, but the patriots are a good fit for him. And yes, it is great to see him run once in awhile.

RIDLEY
Folks want to sign him to vet minimum contract. There is no reason for him to do that. Perhaps, he can convince someone to give him starting pay. He should be able to convince someone to give him a show-me contract.

VEREEN
Vereen is very valuable to the patriots. I hope that we pony up the money to keep him. As with Woodhead, I see others luring him away for more money than we are willing to pay.

FREE AGENTS AND DRAFTEES
It is probably time to bring in a mid round draftee (3rd or 4th) This would give us four young backs for the future, with Blount leading the group of youngsters. Of course, we could also bring in free agents.

BOTTOM LINE
GRAY, BLOUNT, BOLDEN, WHITE, ROOKIE, (with a free agent or two as camp competition)
DEVELIN

I don't see RB as a really high need, although Vereen is really a special player.

I've been hearing how special (and dynamic and explosive ) Vereen is for 4 years now, and he really isn't.

deters · Dec 23, 2014

I want Ridley back on a cheap 1 year prove it deal and would also like the team to look at Darren Mcfadden for sng's. Keeping Vereen is important too.

woolster22 · Dec 23, 2014

deters said:
Tyler Gaffney claimed after Panthers cut him. He is 6'0 220 and ran a 4.49 at the combine. Kid was a beast and a work horse at Stanford. They would run him like 40 times a game and he never got tired.

I remember being intrigued. That's pretty good long speed for the position. Better than Gray or Blount (although Blount has great functional speed once into the secondary). If he is that much of a work horse it will be fun watching him develop.

I also remember (could be wrong, maybe it was defensive line) Stanford running wholesale line substitutions and staying competitive to say the least. Trench dominance can skew perceived RB ability, although his measurables sound promising on paper.

deters · Dec 23, 2014

woolster22 said:
I remember being intrigued. That's pretty good long speed for the position. Better than Gray or Blount (although Blount has great functional speed once into the secondary). If he is that much of a work horse it will be fun watching him develop.

I also remember (could be wrong, maybe it was defensive line) Stanford running wholesale line substitutions and staying competitive to say the least. Trench dominance can skew perceived RB ability, although his measurables sound promising on paper.

woolster22 · Dec 23, 2014

deters said:

Looks like he stays too high most the time. The few clips of a lowered shoulder seemed to show poor balance as a result. Again, it looked like excellent oline play for the majority of that video, speed simply resulted in big plays.

woolster22 · Dec 23, 2014

OhExaulted1 said:
Please move this idiot thread to the Draft Forum.

You put money on goober or something?

tombonneau · Dec 23, 2014

If Todd Gurley is there end of round 1 you gotta give him a long look.

ausbacker · Dec 23, 2014

tombonneau said:
If Todd Gurley is there end of round 1 you gotta give him a long look.

I'm a fan of the RB platoon but I can't help but wonder how explosive the O could truly become with a big play, potentially elite long-term RB solution in Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley.

If Gurley could achieve what some people describe as Marshawn Lynch potential, then I'd suffer through the ACL recovery. That said, the RB class looks decent this season. A 2nd or 3rd may net you a future star.

BritPat · Dec 23, 2014

Not that big a fan of Gordon.

Gurley is the best back in the Draft and may well be there when it's our turn to pick. If not, I do like the Ajayi kid out of Boise, although he has a touch of the Ridley's about him.

SyN65 · Dec 23, 2014

Wait, what? Vereen is a special player? What has he done? He can't run the ball inside, has inconsistent hands, and is often times too slow to get to the edge of the field. I'm hoping White can provide more next year.

DaBruinz · Dec 23, 2014

Pats need to look at the D-Line (NT/DT) and O-line (G/T) as priorities in this draft. Anything else should be looked at later in the draft.

Double TE · Dec 23, 2014

Sign Forsett and play him with Blount.

mayoclinic · Dec 23, 2014

deters said:
Tyler Gaffney claimed after Panthers cut him. He is 6'0 220 and ran a 4.49 at the combine. Kid was a beast and a work horse at Stanford. They would run him like 40 times a game and he never got tired.

Even more importantly, he has receiving skills. The idea of a workhorse back who is a legitimate receiving threat would add a huge dimension to the offense. I'm not saying that Gaffney will be that guy, but the skill set is intriguing.

Fencer · Dec 23, 2014

woolster22 said:
Didn't we stash a kid on ir? I seen to remember reading of serious speed abd decent size. Somebody tried sneaking him through on waivers or something.

No RB is a proven asset until he's shown that he can pick up a blitz.

Running Backs For 2015

PatsFans.com Veteran

Eff you, Shula

PatsFans.com Supporter

PatsFans.com Supporter

Pro Bowl Player

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

TB12

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Third String But Playing on Special Teams

Pats, B's, Sox

4 LIFE

PatsFans.com Supporter

Pro Bowl Player

Similar threads