AzPatsFan
Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal
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I was listening to the BB press conference and an odd combination of comment and descriptions caught my attention.
BB described RBs as valuable in their own right if they were good ballplayers, irrespective of whether they were:
a) 1st & 2nd down 6-2 235# RBs
b) smaller change of pace and 3rd down RBs or
c) small 3rd & 4th down RBs and returners
This is the first time I have ever heard this third category of RB described by BB. It is unusual too since the returners are usually nominally WRs, like BJ, Dante Hall, Tim Dwight, Troy Brown, or Danny Sproles.
But this year there is one, 1, o-n-e, player who can be classified as a 3rd down back, a change of pace back AND a Punt Returner. That player is UCLA's Maurice Drew who is a virtual clone of Kevin Faulk at 5-8 and 205 but he runs a 4.39, the fastest time for any RB at the combine, and is the best Punt Returner in college ball. His only competition asa PR is WR Jeremy Bloom the skier.
If BB were looking for versatile player who could perform acceptably in several modes, Drew might be a guy he is going after. Recall David Megget the 5-6 jitterbug RB/returner who played for the Giants and the Pats when BB was there?
Drew is a swivel hipped jitterbug type RB, best when in the open field, with great hands and a knack for finding open spots in the zone. He sounds like he might be the understudy and eventual successor to KF. A single KF can't back up Dillon acceptably, could a pair with a dozen carries a game each do it?
Drew has been slotted by the draft gurus between Rd 2 and Rd 4. It is not a coincidence that the Pats need a backup RB, an understudy to 29 year old KF, and a punt returner. They also have five picks in that range...
BB described RBs as valuable in their own right if they were good ballplayers, irrespective of whether they were:
a) 1st & 2nd down 6-2 235# RBs
b) smaller change of pace and 3rd down RBs or
c) small 3rd & 4th down RBs and returners
This is the first time I have ever heard this third category of RB described by BB. It is unusual too since the returners are usually nominally WRs, like BJ, Dante Hall, Tim Dwight, Troy Brown, or Danny Sproles.
But this year there is one, 1, o-n-e, player who can be classified as a 3rd down back, a change of pace back AND a Punt Returner. That player is UCLA's Maurice Drew who is a virtual clone of Kevin Faulk at 5-8 and 205 but he runs a 4.39, the fastest time for any RB at the combine, and is the best Punt Returner in college ball. His only competition asa PR is WR Jeremy Bloom the skier.
If BB were looking for versatile player who could perform acceptably in several modes, Drew might be a guy he is going after. Recall David Megget the 5-6 jitterbug RB/returner who played for the Giants and the Pats when BB was there?
Drew is a swivel hipped jitterbug type RB, best when in the open field, with great hands and a knack for finding open spots in the zone. He sounds like he might be the understudy and eventual successor to KF. A single KF can't back up Dillon acceptably, could a pair with a dozen carries a game each do it?
Drew has been slotted by the draft gurus between Rd 2 and Rd 4. It is not a coincidence that the Pats need a backup RB, an understudy to 29 year old KF, and a punt returner. They also have five picks in that range...