Is Belichick satisfied with our running game?

[Ring 6]

Brady is healthy.

We have three tight ends.

Vollmer will start and improve the OL.

We now have TWO wide receivers to stretch the field in Moss and Holt.

We have four solid running backs.

Our running game should be improved over 2009.

I hope that our EFFORT TO HAVE a running game is improved in 2010.
Clearly we are a great passing team with Brady running the show, and Welkers health aside, he will have more weapons than ever. But I would prefer that we throw less often and therefore more effectively.
Even though we can throw on anyone, we are smarter to not throw against teams that are selling out in pass defense. Drop 5-10 passes out of the play calling, make them runs, and all of sudden on the 30-35 times we still throw, a much bigger chunk of them come against a defense playing honest run/pass. You end up with more passing success in the end.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

This team has the oldest combined age of running backs in the league,even with Maroney at 25...we need to pick up a FA who is a good fit and someone has to go,Kraft can only buy so many bottles of Geritol in one season.

 

[Deus Irae]

This team has the oldest combined age of running backs in the league,even with Maroney at 25...we need to pick up a FA who is a good fit and someone has to go,Kraft can only buy so many bottles of Geritol in one season.

Watch the cut lists around the league.

 

[emoney_33]

He benched Maroney after a couple carries in the playoffs.

Not understanding context leads to very poor analysis. The Ravens (well the Patriots passing offense) benched Maroney. No one except Faulk (out of shotgun) was running the ball in that game because it was 24-0 in the 1st.

 

[eagle eye]

The Patriots are primarily a passing team, we had the 12th most rushing yardage in the league last season. I think BB is quite happy with that, who knows if Taylor stays fit they might even get more yardage.

 

[rodentstew]

AndyJohnson - yes, agreed completely.

Let's take two (relatively) contemporary examples:

The Marion Butts era. The guy ran for around 3 yards per carry. But Parcells handed him the ball 300 times anyways. Used him right up, until the bitter end. It was no mistake that Bledsoe passed for 4,555 yards and 25 TDs, with Coates catching 96 balls. If you remember, Michael Turner had over 50 catches, and Leroy Thompson had like 67. None of those guys were WRs - all of it came from the commitment to the run, not the personnel itself. Turner went to the Eagles and Thompson went to the Chiefs, and like Patten/Branch/Givens they were never heard from again.

Fast forward to 2001 and 2003. Antowain Smith... do I need to say more? He was a good, serviceable back, but that's what he was. That's all they needed. Ball control, short passing game, commitment to the run, stout veteran defense. Hello 2 SBs. Replace with Corey Dillon, hello 3rd SB.

The commitment to a tough run game - as Andy said 30-35 times per game, will protect Brady and protect the defense as well. If TB throws an average of 25 times per game, the Pats will be a serious contender. If he throws 40 per game, we're looking at a flawed team.

Another way to look at it, and argue if you like, but it's my firm belief that if the Rams had run 10 more times in 2001 they would have beaten the Pats. If the Pats had run 10 more times in 2007, they would have beaten the Giants.

The personnel at RB is completely serviceable, and can win a SB. History has proven it.

 

[rodentstew]

And elfin98 - excellent point about RB next year. The guys on the roster are done after this year to my knowledge - contracts will be up. This is good business - use them up. Maroney is still on his rookie contract, so hand him the ball at will. Use up Taylor and Morris to your heart's content. If any of them deserve it and come at the right price, give them a short-term contract next year. We could lose the entire group next year and be fine.

Your point made me realize that is exactly what will happen - we'll see a RB to make us all happy in rounds 1 or 2 in the draft next year, and a couple of veterans to supplement.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Watch the cut lists around the league.

I guarantee you when Julius Jones is cut,there WILL be someone making a thread here.....I don't want him,he was a 3 year wonder and then sucked in Seattle.

 

[Joker]

now you got me stewing....

 

[SoonerPatriot]

The only real problem/issue/concern/gripe/whatever with our running game is there is no upside anywhere to be found.

Morris and Taylor, we know what we get with them.

Faulk, we know what we get with him and it's great.

BJGE is at best a JAG.

Maroney, despite flashes, has failed to develop into the type of RB we all hoped he would, yet remains functional.

I see 2011 as the year the stable will be overhauled but as it stands now, they're good enough to get the job done though it might have made things a little more interesting if they could have found someone in rounds 5-7 to take a shot on.

 

[mgteich]

It seems that Belichick thought that no one in Rounds 5-7 would produce more in 2010 than what we have. I tend to agree.

You say that what we have is good enough to get the job done. That is what a roster is supposed to do. Players are not there "to make things a little more interesting"

I think that it quite possible that we will sign yet another veteran to replace Green-Ellis who is so useless that he didn't even get many reps whan there were two injuries.

The only real problem/issue/concern/gripe/whatever with our running game is there is no upside anywhere to be found.

Morris and Taylor, we know what we get with them.

Faulk, we know what we get with him and it's great.

BJGE is at best a JAG.

Maroney, despite flashes, has failed to develop into the type of RB we all hoped he would, yet remains functional.

I see 2011 as the year the stable will be overhauled but as it stands now, they're good enough to get the job done though it might have made things a little more interesting if they could have found someone in rounds 5-7 to take a shot on.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with all your comments.

We have all the talent and weapons we need on offense. This is one of the top five offenses in the nfl.

What we need is better scheming and game management. If our coaches do a better job, the offense will be much more effective, especially in the last half.
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And just BTW, even with the stats, I don't think that we had all the talent we needed last year. It is huge to add three quality tight ends. It is also huge to have a downfield threat opposite Moss. These additions should improve both our passing offense and our running offense.

Personally, I'd add a short yardage specialist to replace Green-Ellis on the roster. He wasn't used even when there were two injuries. Obviously, we could also upgrade Morris.


==================

I hope that our EFFORT TO HAVE a running game is improved in 2010.
Clearly we are a great passing team with Brady running the show, and Welkers health aside, he will have more weapons than ever. But I would prefer that we throw less often and therefore more effectively.
Even though we can throw on anyone, we are smarter to not throw against teams that are selling out in pass defense. Drop 5-10 passes out of the play calling, make them runs, and all of sudden on the 30-35 times we still throw, a much bigger chunk of them come against a defense playing honest run/pass. You end up with more passing success in the end.

 

[PatsChamp88]

Yes but we will bring in some bodies to compete and BJGE or Morris are possibilities to get cut if we find adequate replacements. The offensive line inconsistencies are what make or break the run game, I don't think we need to be too overly concerned with who is running the ball as long as they don't give it away.

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

I would hope for about 2,100 total rushing yards no matter who is on the roster.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

AndyJohnson - yes, agreed completely.

Let's take two (relatively) contemporary examples:

The Marion Butts era. The guy ran for around 3 yards per carry. But Parcells handed him the ball 300 times anyways. Used him right up, until the bitter end. It was no mistake that Bledsoe passed for 4,555 yards and 25 TDs, with Coates catching 96 balls. If you remember, Michael Turner had over 50 catches, and Leroy Thompson had like 67. None of those guys were WRs - all of it came from the commitment to the run, not the personnel itself. Turner went to the Eagles and Thompson went to the Chiefs, and like Patten/Branch/Givens they were never heard from again.

Fast forward to 2001 and 2003. Antowain Smith... do I need to say more? He was a good, serviceable back, but that's what he was. That's all they needed. Ball control, short passing game, commitment to the run, stout veteran defense. Hello 2 SBs. Replace with Corey Dillon, hello 3rd SB.

The commitment to a tough run game - as Andy said 30-35 times per game, will protect Brady and protect the defense as well. If TB throws an average of 25 times per game, the Pats will be a serious contender. If he throws 40 per game, we're looking at a flawed team.

Another way to look at it, and argue if you like, but it's my firm belief that if the Rams had run 10 more times in 2001 they would have beaten the Pats. If the Pats had run 10 more times in 2007, they would have beaten the Giants.

The personnel at RB is completely serviceable, and can win a SB. History has proven it.

:enranged: One of my triggers! Damned NYG D-line was toast on that last scoring drive, grind them d%#*!@t!

 

[RayClay]

The only real problem/issue/concern/gripe/whatever with our running game is there is no upside anywhere to be found...

Maroney, despite flashes, has failed to develop into the type of RB we all hoped he would, yet remains functional.

Whether you like Maroney or not, to say he has no upside is absurd. He's 25 years old and was averaging 4.5 yards a carry while trying to get his sea legs in year one.

 

[mgteich]

And he has averaged 4.5 yards a carry his whole career when he carries the ball at least 20 times.

Whether you like Maroney or not, to say he has no upside is absurd. He's 25 years old and was averaging 4.5 yards a carry while trying to get his sea legs in year one.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

It seems that Belichick thought that no one in Rounds 5-7 would produce more in 2010 than what we have. I tend to agree.

You say that what we have is good enough to get the job done. That is what a roster is supposed to do. Players are not there "to make things a little more interesting"

I think that it quite possible that we will sign yet another veteran to replace Green-Ellis who is so useless that he didn't even get many reps whan there were two injuries.

I'm not criticizing BB or the current players.

When I say get the job done, I mean it in the context of serviceable, as in not spectacular and definitely could be better.

And how is adding a RB in rounds 5-7 so ludicrous? Had that happened today I doubt many people would be complaining about the use of a pick for a RB. They might be complaining about the particular player, but not using a pick in that spot.

Competition is always good thing, whether it comes from the draft, FA or trades. As it happened, RB didn't fit in their plans as far as the draft this year. No big deal.

 

[SoonerPatriot]

Whether you like Maroney or not, to say he has no upside is absurd. He's 25 years old and was averaging 4.5 yards a carry while trying to get his sea legs in year one.

He's played 4 seasons. He is what he is.

 

[mgteich]

It would not ahve been ludicrous to draft a RB and cut Green-Ellis. It just wouldn't have made much difference. I certainly wanted us to draft Dwyer or Blount.

I'm not criticizing BB or the current players.

When I say get the job done, I mean it in the context of serviceable, as in not spectacular and definitely could be better.

And how is adding a RB in rounds 5-7 so ludicrous? Had that happened today I doubt many people would be complaining about the use of a pick for a RB. They might be complaining about the particular player, but not using a pick in that spot.

Competition is always good thing, whether it comes from the draft, FA or trades. As it happened, RB didn't fit in their plans as far as the draft this year. No big deal.