ChoWZa
Third String But Playing on Special Teams
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2007
- Messages
- 812
- Reaction score
- 327
I agree question should be more broad, will the Patriots have an effective running game in 2007.
Effective is measured in 2 ways:
1) Numbers - Total yardage and YPC
2) Eyeball test
- are they able to grind out critical yards on the ground in the 4th quarter?
- is there enough of a balance run versus pass to keep the opponents off balance? (play calling factors into this)
2006 Observations - The running game was productive 123 YPG (12th in NFL) and average or slightly less than average with its 3.9 YPC. The eyeball test shows that the running game was inconsistent with the most likely cause being a lack of respect for the passing game.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/stats/b...rence=NFL&year=season_2006&sort=39&timeframe=
2007 Roster Analysis
[*]Maroney - He has a lot to prove, he was not a feature back in college and was not able to complete his first season in the NFL without injury. He should come to camp a little bigger (222-226) after a full NFL offseason and be able to assume an increased role. As of right now he is the 3rd ranked RB (Brown, Jones). At the NFL level 50% of RB success is taking the field. Any half decent back who gets 15+ carries per game is going to put up good numbers, the hard part is staying healthy.
[*]Morris - Solid, not spectacular back, should get some limited carries (4-8 per game). Never rushed for more than 550 yards, career high 132 attempts in 2004. Surprised that he was given a 4 year contract, nothing special about him at all.
I agree here. I think Morris was intended to come in as a backup role. He'd probably split carries with Faulk if Maroney goes down. I still think Maroney is the future of New England until he proves me wrong.