Draft a power RB? Re-sign Blount? Get Foster?

Ridler has signed with the Lions. I'm in the minority believing Brown can be a good all-purpose back in this offense, though I know they'll still do RB by committee.

ChrisR2223 said:

Tevin Coleman, Jeremy Hill
Arin Foster one of the Cleveland or Tenn backs
Knownshown Moreno, Blount, Rookie
I think the Patriots are looking for a back with wheels.
What about trade for a KC or Oakland back.
Id love to get Darren Sproles from Philly.

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Sproles is not a power back. We need a back that can push the line. IMO we already have a Sproles type in Dion Lewis.

supafly said:

Ridley signed with DET, so we can safely remove him from any consideration.

I agree with your take on the draft for RBs.

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Apologies, I must have dozed off. At least I know the Jets still don't have a QB.

supafly said:

While you make a fine point, that whole idea of "need" has a lot of gray area to it. For example, the position of LB very well could be considered a need for next season, unless you believe that it's somehow automatic that both HT/Collins are definitely returning.

If that's the case, having a top 2-3 round LB would be a solid move, seeing as how it would allow them some valuable rotational reps and a head start at taking over. Also, we need depth in case of injury, and I'm not sure that guys named Bostic, Freeny, or McClellin are the answers for the future.

Obviously, the same argument can be made at any number of positions including OL, WR, DL, CB, LB, and even TE.

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Yes, many positions can be considered needs. OT is a 2017 need. LB is a 2017 need. They could be our first tow choices. CB is a 2016 and 2017 need, as is RB; but these positions could be filled in free agency.

My point is that need is a part of value. For example, if the BPA at 60 and 61 are two quarterbacks, NO ONE here would suggest that Belichick would draft two quarterbacks, just because the player is the BPA.

Mack Herron said:

Apologies, I must have dozed off. At least I know the Jets still don't have a QB.

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Let's hope it stays that way.

I'm still not sure if I'd rather see Fitzpatrick in NY or DEN, but I'm leaning towards NY. Either way, it would've been nice if some of those "other" teams like CLE or the LA Rams would've gotten in on the action. Their lack of interest was frustrating to say the least.

As far as Ridley signing with the Lions, it just recently happened, so you didn't doze off too long.

PatsBoy12 said:

Ridler has signed with the Lions. I'm in the minority believing Brown can be a good all-purpose back in this offense, though I know they'll still do RB by committee.

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We'll know soon enough in TC, but I'm thinking it could go either way. He could end up as nothing more than camp fodder just as well.

On another note--hope all is going well with you.

Agree with most that Pats need a Power RB to move the sticks.......Blount seemed like he was running in sand last time I saw him......

Rhodey said:

Of course, polls are not science. It was as you stated coming from over 1,000 pollsters.

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What also makes the poll less useful is that there is no knowledge of either the available RBs or WRs.

BlueThunder said:

Agree with most that Pats need a Power RB to move the sticks.......Blount seemed like he was running in sand last time I saw him......

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They were scoping out C.J. Prosise pretty closely at Notre Dame's Pro Day.

PatsBoy12 said:

Ridler has signed with the Lions. I'm in the minority believing Brown can be a good all-purpose back in this offense, though I know they'll still do RB by committee.

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I'm afraid that Brown will be more Mike Cloud than Kevin Faulk, but I'm hoping he has a rebirth here too. Though he's a Jersey guy, he went to a New England college and had a terrific senior season and combine, so there is - or was, maybe - something there.
I still have doubts that if Dion Lewis were to actually open the season not only on the 53, but also on the game-day roster, he would be really that productive until some time after Thanksgiving, if then. But if, as I hope, that he opens the season on the PUP list then the job of passing-down RB has an opening among probably 2 of Brown, Jimmy White and the Invisible Mr Gaffney. I am also ass-uming that at least one running-down RB will be acquired via the draft - end of 3rd round at the latest - and/or signing a UFA.

mgteich said:

Yes, many positions can be considered needs. OT is a 2017 need. LB is a 2017 need. They could be our first tow choices. CB is a 2016 and 2017 need, as is RB; but these positions could be filled in free agency.

My point is that need is a part of value. For example, if the BPA at 60 and 61 are two quarterbacks, NO ONE here would suggest that Belichick would draft two quarterbacks, just because the player is the BPA.

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Agreed. It's a balancing act. As you point out, nearly every position would benefit from a infusion of talent within a season or two. The key is not to reach, and not to have a need be so pressing at any given position where it's tempting to do so. To put it another way, when you select a guy in an early round, there needs to be a reasonable likelihood that that given position has been addressed.

The exception, I guess, is when they've got a guy on their board who they consider tremendous value for that spot, regardless of position. Then you usually have to grab 'em.

mgteich said:

Yes, many positions can be considered needs. OT is a 2017 need. LB is a 2017 need. They could be our first tow choices. CB is a 2016 and 2017 need, as is RB; but these positions could be filled in free agency.

My point is that need is a part of value. For example, if the BPA at 60 and 61 are two quarterbacks, NO ONE here would suggest that Belichick would draft two quarterbacks, just because the player is the BPA.

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Well put.

Another factor is positional value. I would argue that it is much more difficult to find an above-average OT (particularly a LOT) in later rounds than it is in the first round, it just takes a very unusual set of physical traits to be a good LOT. I don't think it is an accident that the last time the Pats had a semi-high 1st round draft choice they took Soldier.

Conversely, many later-round running backs have been among the league leaders in rushing.

I would love for the Patriots to use two (and maybe even three) of their sixth round picks on running backs, basically throw the dice two or three times and see if they hit big time on one of them.

But then, I have been expecting the Patriots to emphasize the running game more to help extend Brady's career (similar to what was done with Elway) for several years, and exactly the opposite has happened. The result has been a Super Bowl win and (yet another) Conference Championship appearance, so what do I know?

Mack Herron said:

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Good. Re-sign him for low dollars and draft a Williams/Collins/Prosise/Drake and we're all set at RB.

zydecochris said:

But then, I have been expecting the Patriots to emphasize the running game more to help extend Brady's career (similar to what was done with Elway) for several years, and exactly the opposite has happened. The result has been a Super Bowl win and (yet another) Conference Championship appearance, so what do I know?

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What will extend Brady's career is good play boy the OL, especially the tackles.

What will extend Brady's career is not only good play by the OL (especially the Tackles), but also a
re-emphasis on the running game by our coaches, and the RBs to produce when called-upon.

Prosise looks like a rich man's brandon jacobs, who incidentally also went to norte dame.

What the hell is snapchatting?

TommyBrady12 said:

Prosise looks like a rich man's brandon jacobs, who incidentally also went to norte dame.

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Auburn

TommyBrady12 said:

Prosise looks like a rich man's brandon jacobs, who incidentally also went to norte dame.

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That's all because he's new to the position and runs upright still. Other than that, he's not like Jacobs.