I don't want to overreact to the two pre season games, but after losing BJGE, and seeing Ridley and Vareen run last year and the pre season this year, and our oline struggling to open holes, I am not too optimistic about the running game this year.
I know the Pats are a pass first team, and that, plus the fast tempo, they play will open the running game, So I bet the Pats manufacturer an average rush game.
But remember a few things, we have no goal line runner on the roster. BJGE was not flashy, but you give him the ball by 5 yards or in, and he was scoring. That is tougher than you think, not all RBs, even great Rbs, have a nose for the end zone, and BJGE did. When its 2nd and and goal from the 3, you can't always throw it to Gronk.
None of the Rbs on this roster shows that they have vision or patience to be a lead runners. They have little burst, and rate average all across the board. At best these guys will be average, at worst, complete duds.
Listen I know Brady and the pass games, have been breaking records for a few years now, but to me, when the Pats were at their most dangerous, is when they had Corey Dillon, and a great passing game. Brady didn't break records, but in the playoffs, in bad weather, or just playing teams with great pass defenses, they always produced points, kept teams off balance, and were better at winning playoff games, than the high flying offense of the last 5 years. It is evident, that Brady has been struggling in the playoffs the last few years (except the Denver game). And even in 2007, what people forget, on the Pats run to the SB, was that the infamous Lawrence Maroney, was our best player, and the reason why we beat SD in the AFCCG game, and not Brady. (Although Brady played lights out vs Jacksonville)
Brady needs a complimentary and feared running game come playoff time. The regular season, he will be just fine, but playoff time, it has to be more than just gimmick show runs.
Even if you look at passing teams that won the SB the last few years, GB, NYG, etc. Who had weak running games all seasons, their running games came up big for them in the playoffs, and was able to carry the offenses in stretches, and make the passing game better.
I truly believe the Pats need a strong, not just an OK, running game to get back to their winning SB ways, and I am not seeing the talent to do this, both at the RB spots, and the oline. I am very concerned, and I do not see the light at the end of this tunnel.
(BTW it also kills me that the Pats passed on Demarco Murray, for two average backs, when I was screaming for Murray, think of where the Pats would be now, with a legit, young, break away back like Murray)
I know the Pats are a pass first team, and that, plus the fast tempo, they play will open the running game, So I bet the Pats manufacturer an average rush game.
But remember a few things, we have no goal line runner on the roster. BJGE was not flashy, but you give him the ball by 5 yards or in, and he was scoring. That is tougher than you think, not all RBs, even great Rbs, have a nose for the end zone, and BJGE did. When its 2nd and and goal from the 3, you can't always throw it to Gronk.
None of the Rbs on this roster shows that they have vision or patience to be a lead runners. They have little burst, and rate average all across the board. At best these guys will be average, at worst, complete duds.
Listen I know Brady and the pass games, have been breaking records for a few years now, but to me, when the Pats were at their most dangerous, is when they had Corey Dillon, and a great passing game. Brady didn't break records, but in the playoffs, in bad weather, or just playing teams with great pass defenses, they always produced points, kept teams off balance, and were better at winning playoff games, than the high flying offense of the last 5 years. It is evident, that Brady has been struggling in the playoffs the last few years (except the Denver game). And even in 2007, what people forget, on the Pats run to the SB, was that the infamous Lawrence Maroney, was our best player, and the reason why we beat SD in the AFCCG game, and not Brady. (Although Brady played lights out vs Jacksonville)
Brady needs a complimentary and feared running game come playoff time. The regular season, he will be just fine, but playoff time, it has to be more than just gimmick show runs.
Even if you look at passing teams that won the SB the last few years, GB, NYG, etc. Who had weak running games all seasons, their running games came up big for them in the playoffs, and was able to carry the offenses in stretches, and make the passing game better.
I truly believe the Pats need a strong, not just an OK, running game to get back to their winning SB ways, and I am not seeing the talent to do this, both at the RB spots, and the oline. I am very concerned, and I do not see the light at the end of this tunnel.
(BTW it also kills me that the Pats passed on Demarco Murray, for two average backs, when I was screaming for Murray, think of where the Pats would be now, with a legit, young, break away back like Murray)
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