Maroney
 

Many people are questioning why he didn't play last night, that he might be in trouble for a roster spot, or he is slipping down the depth chart. I thought it was made very clear last week that the RB's were each going to get their turn with the #1 offense each week during pre-season. Rather than getting 5 or 6 carries each week apiece, they are getting 10-15 each, a chance to get into a rhythm, with the 1st team offense. Last week, it was Benny while the 1's played about a quarter. Last night, it was Taylor playing with the 1's for almost a half. Next week, it will be Maroney with the 1's for the entire 1st half and a series or two in the third quarter. That was the plan. Sounds pretty simple to me....Morris and Faulk aren't doing this because they are simply playing their roles as short yardage and 3rd down back respectively.

Re: Maroney
 

Precisely. Makes sense.

Re: Maroney
 

BJGE gets the Saints.

Taylor gets the Falcons.

Maroney gets the Rams.

Thats 100% fair.

Re: Maroney
 

Indeed. Probably worth running BJGE against the best team to see if he's worth a roster spot.

Re: Maroney
 

BTW. Sammy Morris - - I love that guy. He PUNISHES defenders.

Re: Maroney
 

I'm beginning to like the RBBC approach....let's hope Taylor and Morris stay healthy...

Maroney and Taylor carrying the load will be a nice combo....

BB may opt to cut BJGE and keep him on speed dial to get depth at another position of need. I'm not trying to outguess BB at this however. NOBODY knows what he has in mind with the roster this early. A couple more games in preseason may give us a bit more insight...


When are the first cuts due...how many?

Re: Maroney
 

Yup. To be honest, I prefer a running back by committee approach rather than a single featured back. With multiple backs, you have options. With a featured back, not so much.

V/R

Re: Maroney
 

Age will always be a concern with this group - therefore injury is a big concern with this group. Dancing d-bag (Maroney) is the luckiest rb on the planet. By default, he is the #1 rb. I hope to God he watched Taylor run last night. Watched the way he hit the hole, followed his block, ran straight ahead, no dancing, no turning your back - just RUN.

The rb's will be Maroney, Taylor, Morris, Faulk and BJGE. They will carry five. Depth is key since you are pretty much guranteed an injury stint by Taylor and Morris.

Re: Maroney
 

Plus, think about how much harder it is for an opposing team to gameplan against a team with 4 RB's with different styles. If th Pats can have three out of those four healthy at any time, then BB can drive opposing teams crazy. Throw in the Hernandez/Edelman factors out of the backfield and there can be alot of fun on handoffs this year (as long as that O'Brien guy can grow an imagination).

Re: Maroney
 

I enjoyed having Dillon especially his first season here in 2004, but if that one back slows down and/or gets injured, you become one dimensional pretty quick. I like the idea of the Running back by committee, but if it's run with 4 or 5 backs who make you say "meh" instead of 'wow"... it's not so great.

If the Pats can run the ball anything like they did last night, if Maroney can avg 4.0 or higher per attempt, this offense is going to be really fun to watch this season. With this kind of grind down the fourth quarter, eat up the clock ability, the team won't be losing many if any fourth quarter leads as long as the defense is decent.