Demarco Murray Released

[letekro]

Didn’t look good in college and ran behind very good lines in the pros. Not sure how talented he ever was and now he is on the wrong side of 30.

 

[Froob]

This might be a decent pickup, only a year removed from a big year and he’s just 30.

 

[meatface]

Why would anyone have a career as a running back. You break down so fast

 

[maineman209]

Yes, some of them have worked out quite well over the years and some have been dismal failures. I'd like to see a talented rookie for a change, but as that position is not prioritized by the Patriots I guess it doesn't matter.

I think the Pats prioritize versatility, resilient depth and consistent success for the unit as a whole over "star power". That's the RBBC concept in a nutshell.

 

[maineman209]

When you can pick guys like Alvin Kamara in the 3rd round for literally pennies on the dollar, why bother with veterans?

Because you know that veterans can get the job done at the NFL level.

 

[primetime]

This might be a decent pickup, only a year removed from a big year and he’s just 30.

"Just 30" for a running back is like saying he's practically dead.

And, incidentally, Murray looked completely dead last year.

 

[primetime]

Yes, some of them have worked out quite well over the years and some have been dismal failures. I'd like to see a talented rookie for a change, but as that position is not prioritized by the Patriots I guess it doesn't matter.

I'd rather see a less talented guy behind a better line than a more talented guy behind a crappy line.

 

[dafoe2016]

Let’s bring back Steven Jackson as well.

Is Fred Taylor not available? If not, we should sign that Mike Gillislee guy from Buffalo. According to a lot of posters here, he's really good. Better than Blount, even.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Looks slow now

Does not possess Cat like quickness

 

[fnordcircle]

Brine the yeast

 

[oceansizer]

First bolster our OL then think about RB additions. I'm fine with White, Gillislee and Burkhead of course. Some additional help from draft will be welcome as well. I am not sure of Murray. He always played behind great Cowboys and Titans OL. Not questioning his skillls and abilities but I am following the idea of taking someone younger and cheaper. This year and next will be crucial in the context of our key players and their contracts. That is way save the money - it will be needed.

 

[trueblue81]

I still think Titans will try to resign him but on a cheaper deal.

 

[maineman209]

First bolster our OL then think about RB additions. I'm fine with White, Gillislee and Burkhead of course. Some additional help from draft will be welcome as well. I am not sure of Murray. He always played behind great Cowboys and Titans OL. Not questioning his skillls and abilities but I am following the idea of taking someone younger and cheaper. This year and next will be crucial in the context of our key players and their contracts. That is way save the money - it will be needed.

The Patriots' run-blocking unit was among the best (if not the best) in 2017. The Titans run-blocking was among the best in 2016, but declined dramatically in 2017, and there doesn't appear to be any obvious reason for that.

They had no injuries along the OL. They did lose TE Fasano in FA and replaced him with Luke Stocker, which probably made some difference, but still ...

Anyway, assuming that the Pats retain all their best run-blockers from 2017 - which includes Solder, Fleming, Allen and Gronk - one would think that Murray might have a more 2016-like season in 2018 with the Pats. If he's willing to take a deal that keeps his 2018 cap hit to around $3M, that might be cheaper than re-signing Lewis. The Murray option might be even more attractive if the Pats have difficulty also retaining Burkhead.

 

[Kontradiction]

I’ll take Sony Michel, Nick Chubb, or even the Auburn kid please.

Michel and Chubb have high fumble rates and Johnson has dealt with injuries. Out of the three, I’d take Michel. I think he’d be a beast in this offense.

 

[patriot1136]

Pass on Murray. Too expensive, not worth the injury risk.

 

[maineman209]

Pass on Murray. Too expensive, not worth the injury risk.

What "injury risk"? Over the past five seasons, he's missed a total of six games to injury. The knee injury that benched him for the end of 2017 was an MCL, not ACL.

Also, it may be possible to sign him for somewhere between Chris Ivory's new deal with the Bills (2 years, $3M APY) and White's extension with the Pats from 2017 (3 years $4M APY).

The only real question is how he'd work out within the RBBC approach instead of being a traditional "lead RB."

 

[maust]

What "injury risk"? Over the past five seasons, he's missed a total of six games to injury. The knee injury that benched him for the end of 2017 was an MCL, not ACL.

Also, it may be possible to sign him for somewhere between Chris Ivory's new deal with the Bills (2 years, $3M APY) and White's extension with the Pats from 2017 (3 years $4M APY).

The only real question is how he'd work out within the RBBC approach instead of being a traditional "lead RB."

Agreed, there are reasons to pass on Murray but injury risk isn't really among them.

 

[maineman209]

Agreed, there are reasons to pass on Murray but injury risk isn't really among them.

Fans seem to remember, as if it was yesterday, Murray being out with one injury or another seemingly constantly during his first couple-three seasons with the 'Boys, even though that was actually six-seven years ago.

Selective memory.

It's kind of how fans often refer to Solder as being "an constant injury risk", even though, aside from missing most of 2015 with a torn bicep (not an ongoing concern like a knee or back issue), he's only missed two other games over his entire 7-year career.

 

[maust]

Selective memory is endemic to fandom. It's perhaps never so evident as when we see comparisons of players from one era to another. Even though we all know the game has changed dramatically 'fans' choose to forget that and compare apples to oranges.

 

[qbno12]

Can he rush the passer?