Blount Re-Signs with Patriots

[deters]

How many RB do you want ?

Blount will likely make it.
Lewis will make it.
One Draftee will likely make it.
Bolden will make it (as a ST guy and emergency RB).

And one of White/Brown will likely make it. Maybe they could draft another receiving type later in the draft to compete with this uninspiring pair.

But one Day Two RB should be plenty to go with Blount, Lewis and the others.

No reason white shouldn't be on the team. I think brown is just a camp body with blount and Lewis returning from injury. I bet we draft a back but Blount, Lewis, white and Bolden are locks imo.

 

[BobDigital]

OK but I don't think he is a better player

IDK if he is or is not but i think we here clearly over valued Vereen a bit and i think we are undervaluing White right now. I think it is close.

As a pass catcher give me White and as a runner give me Vereen. Personally i side with the pass patcher as that is the primary job of a 3rd down back but there is much to be said for balance.

 

[Deus Irae]

OK but I don't think he is a better player

Vereen is the much better player. White's not even in Vereen's class right now.

 

[Schmo]

I still don't see a viable three down RB. Every RB on the roster will tip the offense off as to what kind of play we're running, with Lewis being the closest to an exception (and he's the biggest injury risk). The idea of Gronk/Bennet/Williams/Develin/Blount looks like an attractive goalline package on paper, but that's about it.

Blount's biggest strength lies in tiring out the defense without sustaining injury. I hope he comes back with a vengeance, but my heart tells me he won't.

To really camouflage this offense, a big, pass-catching back in the mold of a David Johnson would be far more valuable (plus essentially saves a roster spot). Teams regularly hit on these type guys in rounds 2-4. I hope we go that route and cut 2 out of white/brown/Blount.

Develin stays cuz he's a badass.

 

[mgteich]

I see no change in the picture, which means our running game keeps mediocre.

With Brady as QB, we need an average (mediocre) running game. We don't need an all-pro running game. Lewis/Blount/White/Bolden/Develin are fine. Brown will push White. And yes, a draftee might also be in the mix. Of course, given the 2017 draft talent at RB, perhaps Belichick will wait.

 

[mgteich]

How many RB do you want ?

Blount will likely make it.
Lewis will make it.
One Draftee will likely make it.
Bolden will make it (as a ST guy and emergency RB).

And one of White/Brown will likely make it. Maybe they could draft another receiving type later in the draft to compete with this uninspiring pair.

But one Day Two RB should be plenty to go with Blount, Lewis and the others.

You are thinking 5 RB's AND a FB?

 

[letekro]

I hate the way this man runs.

 

[Urgent]

I am curious who people want to cut at RB/FB and how many you want to carry.

Lewis is the #1 lock of course.
Bolden backs up everything and is a STs key cog.
White showed very well last year. People forgot he good he played in the 2nd half. He looked better than Vereen did here and he is cheap for 2 more years. Also with the injury history of Lewis do you want to let him walk?
Develin is a possible cut but Josh McDaniels loves fullbacks so i don't see it and he allows the Pats to do some interesting things.

Not counting blunt which of these guys do you want to cut and which do you actually see being cut?

I would count Blount. I think he is insurance against missing a viable first down running back in the draft.

 

[mgteich]

No reason white shouldn't be on the team. I think brown is just a camp body with blount and Lewis returning from injury. I bet we draft a back but Blount, Lewis, white and Bolden are locks imo.

If we have 4 locks at RB and presumably Develin (or someone) playing FB, why bother drafting a player who won't make the team?

 

[Urgent]

You are thinking 5 RB's AND a FB?

I cannot see this many backs given the candidates at receiver and TE.
Harbor has a hard contract to cut. They love Develin.

I think four RB's and a fullback is much more realistic.

 

[Urgent]

If we have 4 locks at RB and presumably Develin (or someone) playing FB, why bother drafting a player who won't make the team?

I think Blount is a viable option but not a lock.

 

[RobertWeathers]

IDK if he is or is not but i think we here clearly over valued Vereen a bit and i think we are undervaluing White right now. I think it is close.

As a pass catcher give me White and as a runner give me Vereen. Personally i side with the pass patcher as that is the primary job of a 3rd down back but there is much to be said for balance.

I think if there is an edge to be given, it might be that White is a bit better in the open field.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Blount is full of contradictions. He was on pace for a 1000-ish yards last year before the injury, but man - he really looked slow and indecisive. Sure he explodes for some big gains here and there (Washington game last yr.) which impacts his yards/carry and he doesn't have any serious ball security issues, but its frustrating that he can't close out a game or even be trusted to get those tough short yards on a 3rd down.

For a guy his size and strength, you'd think that he'd be good at bulldozing and falling forward when we need a few yards. Instead, he tends to dance around in the backfield (Maroney-esque) looking for an opening and then then get stuffed at the line of scrimmage. Considering that he was running behind the worst offensive line of the Belichick era last year, he may improve, but hopefully another back takes his carries.

Maybe he was re-signed for his contributions as a kickoff return specialist

 

[Deus Irae]

RE: Vereen versus White

Vereen's the better receiver
Vereen's the better runner
Vereen's the better blocker


Other than that, it might be close.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I still don't see a viable three down RB. Every RB on the roster will tip the offense off as to what kind of play we're running, with Lewis being the closest to an exception (and he's the biggest injury risk). The idea of Gronk/Bennet/Williams/Develin/Blount looks like an attractive goalline package on paper, but that's about it.

Blount's biggest strength lies in tiring out the defense without sustaining injury. I hope he comes back with a vengeance, but my heart tells me he won't.

To really camouflage this offense, a big, pass-catching back in the mold of a David Johnson would be far more valuable (plus essentially saves a roster spot). Teams regularly hit on these type guys in rounds 2-4. I hope we go that route and cut 2 out of white/brown/Blount.

Plus to keep the pass rush honest and at least save TB12, Jules, Gronk, etc from a few xtra hits over the course of the season. Its not a critical need but if one is available, why not?

Develin stays cuz he's a badass.

There is no debating this. Hes in the same company as Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Chuck Liddell.

 

[borg]

swing and a miss

Can't be dramatic without taking poetic license….right?
Surgery….a band aid….what's the difference

 

[ashley]

Glad to see he's back. I still think we draft a young running back in the draft, but this position just got a little stronger!!!!

 

[Ivan]

With Brady as QB, we need an average (mediocre) running game. We don't need an all-pro running game. Lewis/Blount/White/Bolden/Develin are fine. Brown will push White. And yes, a draftee might also be in the mix. Of course, given the 2017 draft talent at RB, perhaps Belichick will wait.

Lewis is no guarantee coming off the ACL and Blount was mediocre at best last season. Brown flat out sucks and White is a backup receiving option out of the backfield. I hope they replace Brown and White, if so I think this offense will be set for the season.

 

[JackBauer]

With Brady as QB, we need an average (mediocre) running game. We don't need an all-pro running game. Lewis/Blount/White/Bolden/Develin are fine. Brown will push White. And yes, a draftee might also be in the mix. Of course, given the 2017 draft talent at RB, perhaps Belichick will wait.

I don't know how you can say this. Blount or Lewis go down and we're stuck with the same pile o' crap we had this past season. The only RB I really like out of that group is Lewis, and we simply cannot gamble on him staying healthy.

 

[PatsFan2]

Camp Fodder I don't think he makes it I am sure somebody in the Draft will make him Replaceable...not reading too much into this signing.