BJGE vs. the Pittsburgh run D

[buile]

> I guess we will continue to hear more about how he is a JAG

At the risk of revealing my ignorance... the Firm gave us exactly what the O-line accomplished. On top of that, he's not turning over the ball (knocks on wood). I don't know what else we could ask for. Do I see him as more than a JAG; well, he isn't Adrian Petersen, but he's a tough worker, hits the holes hard, and gets yards where the yards are.

As well as Maroney did on his average yds/carry, his upright running style left some hard-won yards "un-won". Green-Ellis has been a welcome improvement. But watching Crumpler and Mankins escorting the Pittsburgh line off the field while Benny runs by ... :rocker: Kudos to the team effort.

 

[Patspsycho]

I think he has to be more consistent. Against the Browns BJGE was 9 attempts for 14 yards for a 1.6 YPC. Not convinced of BJGE's speed or consistency. I like him better than Maroney, but think there is a lot of room for improvement.

The Browns set up their D to stop our run so that we'd become one dimensional and start passing when we got into such a big hole, which we did. We abandoned the run game.

 

[Patspsycho]

Are you all REALLY fine with the choice to go with Green-Ellis and three ancient running backs as our four running backs? Was it really unreasonable of some of us to want a 5th back in a non-cap year?
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Yes, Belichick was right to keep Green-Ellis.

Belichick ALWAYS knows better than I do.
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Belichick chose NOT to bring any upgrades at running back and to rely on Green-Ellis and the ancient ones. I still think in that this was a very risky decision. Having Woodhead sign with us has made a huge difference. Consider our running back situation of he had signed for another team instead or if the jets ahd kept him.

Belichick thought that Green-Ellis would be good enough to do a Antowain Smith imitation with the OL that we have (more reliably than Maroney who he no longer trusted). Belichick was right.
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Of course, Belichick was right in choosing Green-Ellis when he didn't trust Maroney and was going to dump Maroney. We didn't KNOW that when we made our predictions,
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You need to speak for yourself. There were plenty of posters including myself who thought Maroney was on his way out.

 

[The Dynasty]

Sorry, I just don't see the need to invest a lot of money or high draft picks on a rotational player. As for your contention that BJ isn't every down back in the NFL, he's been proving you wrong all year. He's not the best every down back in the league, but he's more than adequate. The only thing he has to improve is his blocking, and he's getting there. And since did we ever use every-down backs anyway? We've always had specialists at the RB position.

All we need is a good 3rd round RB in the draft next year, or a cheap veteran in free agency to keep our other guys fresh and add some more talent in the backfield. Again, there's no reason to invest a ton of resources on a back who will be sharing time with at least two other guys for most of the year. You can get a very good return on RBs after the 2nd round.

I said DL or OL because that's where you win games. I agree that there's some nice young talent on the DL, but it can't hurt to add one more guy. I'd say OL is more of a priority given the age of Light, Koppen, and Neal.

During the SB years the Pats had Dillon and Smith, which I would say were a lot more adequate than BJGE is now. BJGE isnt built to be an every down back in the NFL, which is why the Pats arent using him in that role.

I would say the Pats will change their philosophy at the RB position and go back to what they had during the SB years with a dominant back who gets the majority of the carries. I thought that this would happen after this year anyway since Maroney was due to become a free agent. This could come via the draft or free agency.

Not worth a 1st rounder on a DL when you already have a solid core of younger guys there. As for the OL, the Pats are set for next year I would say because if Neal in fact retires I see Connolly stepping into the starting role. Also, I see Mankins being resigned, I think its obvious what a difference maker he is. If you want to draft a OL and prepare him for a few years down the road, sure, but I dont think its as of a pressing need compared to other positions

 

[convertedpatsfan]

Not to take anything away from Lawfirm, but he picked up half those yards (43) in 3 big carries where the OL cleared some huge holes. The rest of the night was a grind, but it was necessary as the play-action game worked well, and he deserves full credit for a solid performance against the best run defense in the league.

And credit also has to go to BOB for continuing to run the ball. With such a pass-heavy attack, the Steelers were caught off-guard by some of those big runs.

 

[Triumph]

Just throwing it out there - - what happens if McDaniels cuts him and we pick him up for the PS? We keep the 4th rounder. Might not be a bad idea for the practice squad in case Fred Taylor can't get off the DL. He does know the system.

Absolutely not.

He will get BJGE dancing.