First looking to 2015: Running backs

Gronkandez · Feb 6, 2015

If Gurley is there at 32 I think the Pats trade down. I just don't think he fits offense. He's more of a home run hitter than a positive yardage guy. With the O-line (scheme) I dont think there will be enough holes for him to reach his full potential. Plus from what I saw of him at UGA he wasn’t a big contributor in the passing game. I think the Pats would only draft a RB in the first round if they were a 4 down back

Also, he’s such a big back that he takes a lot of punishment and gets banged up a lot.

Kdo5 · Feb 6, 2015

I believe Ridley will be back on a one year deal. I don't expect teams looking to give him a pay day and he seems very team friendly. He's also arguably better than Blount. He'll be back IMO. The real question is whether Vereen will be back.

varjao · Feb 6, 2015

I said in other thread that the Colts could immensely benefit from Vereen services because Luck don't have this guy to work short routes.

But they could also take a shot at Ridley. As some people have said in other threads, the best situation for Ridley may not be in NE to get a prove it year deal. He might need to share touches with Blount or other backs. In a team like the Colts he would get the majority of rushing plays and get another 1000 yard season.

Ross12 · Feb 6, 2015

I just have a hard time envisioning the team paying more than like $2m a year for ANY back. Don't think they value the position as highly.

rochrist · Feb 6, 2015

Joker said:
White?...what is he anyway? Been at most of the preseason, seen him in action a bit as we all have. JAG.

Gray?...we all LOOK at him and then we all LOOK at the way he's been used since his 200 yard performance and scratch our collective heads. Has to be an off field reason.Questionable commitment maybe? I wouldn't5 lay 5 bucks on his future in a Pats uniform.

Blount has served his purpose...and done it well. If he wants a pay bump he's gone...again. IMO.

Ridley just has to show he's physically sound and I think he's a roster lock. Can be had cheap this season.

Vereen fits the Faulk slot in the salary structure. If he agrees, he stays with TB12 for the foreseeable future. If not, the vultures like Denver could make a big play. Manning is going to need as many safety valves as he can muster, now that his arm is shot.

Gaffney?...no idea

Bolden...core STer, tough guy. Develin...role player...they both are locks IMO

My question is, if they have a shot at a big, strong, fast RB early in the draft, do they break tradition and take a chance? How about a FA with low miles?

I don't know why Blount keeps coming up. He's under contract for next season. They signed him to a very reasonable two year deal.

Deus Irae · Feb 6, 2015

bump for those who missed it last night

manxman2601 · Feb 6, 2015

KontradictioN said:
We're not going to get our hands on the Melvin Gordon's, Todd Gurley's, and Duke Johnson's of the draft unless Bill wants to invest a first or second round pick on the position. One guy that could be available to us would be Cameron Artis-Payne of Auburn. Good burst, good vision, good quickness in and out of his cuts, and is built like your traditional workhorse style of back. He should be available around the 4th round unless he absolutely kills it at the combine.

BB has used a first and a second rounder on a RB in the past. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that will happen again. Hurley is a potential top 5 draft pick probably available at 32. If you are talking value...

If I was to bet money though, right now I'd bet on BB picking TJ Yeldon. No real reason, just a hunch that BB will like him. And I saw an "anonymous scout" saying that Abdullah had the highest character grade he'd ever given. If that's true and if Vereen leaves, Abdullah is a walk on replacement.

Kontradiction · Feb 6, 2015

manxman2601 said:
BB has used a first and a second rounder on a RB in the past. It's not beyond the realms of possibility that will happen again. Hurley is a potential top 5 draft pick probably available at 32. If you are talking value...

If I was to bet money though, right now I'd bet on BB picking TJ Yeldon. No real reason, just a hunch that BB will like him. And I saw an "anonymous scout" saying that Abdullah had the highest character grade he'd ever given. If that's true and if Vereen leaves, Abdullah is a walk on replacement.

I hope, with every fiber in my body, BB does not draft Yeldon.

Archeryaddict12 · Feb 6, 2015

KontradictioN said:
I hope, with every fiber in my body, BB does not draft Yeldon.

Then it'll happen.

A man named Brady · Feb 6, 2015

This draft is loaded with RBs so we should pick one up.

The reality is I simply don't trust any of our current backs running well in a playoff game against a team that isn't the colts.

Having your 38 year old QB throwing 50 times in the postseason against great defenses to win in the playoffs is not ideal

AzPatsFan · Feb 6, 2015

PATS16N0 said:
I don't think it's correct to say that Belichick believed Ridley was a fumble problem. I don't think Ridley had a single fumble this season, and it was clear he was going to be our #1 until he got injured.

He also looked damn good this year.

I too like Ridley. It has been a while since we had a 1300yard/year RB. Especially behind that O_line.

I'm sure BB has corrected his Ball security issues. BB took the time and did similar to a back who had fumbling issues and then kept him. Does the name Kevin Faulk ring a bell?

Gray is too limited in athletic ability; and our other 1000 yard back is slow out of his stance. BB needs a Ridley, and can sign him inexpensively.

manxman2601 · Feb 6, 2015

KontradictioN said:
I hope, with every fiber in my body, BB does not draft Yeldon.

He's not a bell cow back But he's a good all purpose back. Having said that, there are a few I like more than him.

AzPatsFan · Feb 6, 2015

Ross12 said:
Doesn't a "Gore-Blount" combo sound just perfect to your ears?

"The Pats Gored their opponent, and then hit them with Blount force trauma..."

Seriously though, I think Gore could have a really successful 2 or maybe 3 seasons here. At least 1 season of Gore and Blount together would be awesome.

Gore is done. Going "Over the Hill" contributed to the 49er collapse, IMHO

patsfan-1982 · Feb 6, 2015

varjao said:
I said in other thread that the Colts could immensely benefit from Vereen services because Luck don't have this guy to work short routes.

But they could also take a shot at Ridley. As some people have said in other threads, the best situation for Ridley may not be in NE to get a prove it year deal. He might need to share touches with Blount or other backs. In a team like the Colts he would get the majority of rushing plays and get another 1000 yard season.

Ahmad Bradshaw was the best 3rd down back in the NFL before he got hurt so I don't think they will look at Vereen but Ridley would be a great fit for the colts and him they would give him the 20 att per game that he will not get with the pats

BradyFTW! · Feb 6, 2015

As much as I would love for Vereen to be back, I just don't see it. He's why White was drafted. Kinda sucks, since he spent four years developing to this point and now he's probably going elsewhere, but such is life in the cap era.

Ridley's as good as gone, IMO. There are too many teams with dumpster fires at RB for him to want to fight for carries here. It would be much easier for him to go to Cleveland or Indy, or someplace like that, we're assuming 100% recovery he's the prohibitive favorite to be the #1 back.

patsfan-1982 · Feb 6, 2015

the pats like to run the football inside and for that to work they need better play at G or a Elite RB and IMO they have a better shot at finding a Bryan Stork type player at G in the first or 2th round then they will finding a star RB

BradyFTW! · Feb 6, 2015

Deus Irae said:
Some FAs that I think might work for you:

Knowshon Moreno - coming off ACL surgery, could be the Ridley (a/k/a cheap post op) alternative
Frank Gore - Older player who'll probably get more elsewhere, but would be a great fit
Matt Asiata - If Vereen walks, Asiata might be worth looking at for the 3rd down back position
Roy Helu - Another Asiata type option, in that he's a pass catcher for 3rd down

And the "not so much" crew:

Ryan Matthews, Ahmad Bradshaw, Ryan Matthews - can't stay healthy
Ray Rice - an obvious "no go" since Kraft has stated he'll never play for the team
Adrian Peterson - would be great, but almost certainly would be too costly

Anyone from either group above pique your interest?

Helu intrigues me. He performs when given the opportunity, and he would get a lot more opportunity here than he has in the past few years in Washington.

mgteich · Feb 6, 2015

Ross12 said:
Forgot about Lewis. Seems like they are hedging their bets.

And how much have we committed to pay Lewis in 2015? Lewis are inexpensive camp competition. I don't think that Belichick will count on them when decided whether to sign or draft a running back or two.

BTTA · Feb 6, 2015

It is easy for us to underestimate how hard it is going to be to get another 3rd down RB on the same page with Brady and the offense.

mgteich · Feb 6, 2015

betterthanthealternative said:
It is easy for us to underestimate how hard it is going to be to get another 3rd down RB on the same page with Brady and the offense.

We certainly do. The 3rd down running back is Brady's protector. He blocks. He picks up the blitz. He catches passes. And he runs the ball.

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