Thoughts on Sony Michel

[scott99]

My thoughts on Sony Michel are, I don't think he's 100% yet. Think about it, he missed most of training camp with an injured knee, then he finally gets going, and tweaks his knee again, missing 3 games total. So he's 21st in the NFL in rushing, despite missing 3 games (3 1/2 really, left the Chicago game before half time). Think about that for a second, he's never really been 100% the whole season. So it's REALLY impressive, what he's done so far. Almost 600 yards rushing (586 yards) in his first 7 1/2 games, at not full health.

I don't think Michel has been able to show his explosiveness we saw when he played at Georgia. I think it's obvious because of his knee. In college, though he was never known as a speed demon (not slow though), he always had that elusiveness and quick cutting ability that led to some long runs. I don't think the injury has allowed for that. You see some smart running though, the patience, the power, the vision, and some decent jukes. But no explosiveness yet.

BUT, I did notice during the Jet's game on Sunday, some of that is coming back. I noticed some slick jump cuts that had me psyched. And though he was known as the Lightning to Nick Chubb's Thunder at Georgia, Michel is showing decent power. I believe they said 66 of his 133 yards came after contact. Also, he forced 6 missed tackles with his elusiveness, the most all season.

I think he's finally getting healthy, I'd guess he's probably at 80-85%. Watch out when he's at 100%, the explosiveness will return, and we may get some long runs added to his already good 4.6 yards per carry. I'm really psyched about Sony Michel, I think he's gonna be a really good back in the NFL.

Overall, not the flashiest back, not the fastest, or shiftiest, or strongest, but he has a mix of all 3 qualities, and I'm excited to see what he can do the rest of the year. I LOVED when we drafted Michel, he was my favorite player in the entire draft for the Patriots, never thought we'd draft him, but was beyond thrilled when we did, because I knew he'd be perfect fit for the Pats.

 

[maineman209]

It was probably good for Michel to get a chance to "stretch his legs" a bit against the weak Jets run-D. We'll perhaps have a more balanced picture after we see how he performs against Minny's #2 run-D. A rough average of the two might be a reasonable approximation of where he is in development.

 

[PatsFan2]

Sony is very nice watching his College tapes but I wonder how did our brass feel about Nick Chubb his Backfield mate?? I think Chubb would be a Monster here it's going to be fun watching their careers. But if I was picking no knock on Sony but I think Chubb is a better runner right now I love his run vision and he can adjust on a dime. I saw Sony made a running mistake Sunday of cutting right into his blockers Chubb would have broke that for 20 or 30 it was well blocked. That said I'm now liking Saquon Sony.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

He is still awesome in the current form. Guy has some pop too, anyone notice on the first drive there was a 3rd and 1, he was contacted early but drove ahead for the first down. Hes going to be a stud for us provided he stays healthy. Exactly what we need in brady’s last years, bill nailed it with this one.

 

[ALP]

he has vision, after that the rest is simple, he's got the athleticism for the rest

he'll be good just b/c we know he's got the vision

 

[turkeyneck]

He doesn't appear to have that take it to the house overdrive gear that Blount had but he's got better feel for where to get a few extra yards in a crowd. That's ok, a guy who consistently gets past the line of scrimmage is more valuable that a guy who's either dropped in the backfield or breaks it long. The former keeps drives going, the latter kills them.

Maybe Patterson can fill the Blount late in the game homerun role as he gets more reps and experience. He's got Blounts top end speed and is pretty big.

 

[Joey007]

Man my heart keeps stopping every time he gets bent backwards.

Stop tackling him like that!

 

[Nunchucks]

He doesn't appear to have that take it to the house overdrive gear that Blount had but he's got better feel for where to get a few extra yards in a crowd. That's ok, a guy who consistently gets past the line of scrimmage is more valuable that a guy who's either dropped in the backfield or breaks it long. The former keeps drives going, the latter kills them.

Maybe Patterson can fill the Blount late in the game homerun role as he gets more reps and experience. He's got Blounts top end speed and is pretty big.

Blunt was never fast. He just was able to turn defenders around and was difficult to tackle. He had a knack for making a little cut that was difficult for defenders to adjust to while also being able to tackle him.

Sony has shown a lot and will continue to improve. I cannot wait to see him in late December.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

What a first round bust! Geez, Laurence Maroney 2.0! Seriously, we are horrible at drafting! (sarcasm)

 

[Deus Irae]

• Doesn't have a top gear right now (hopefully that will change with improved health over time)
  
• Needs to stop running to contact when in the open field
• Better between the tackles than White

 

[Kontradiction]

Also, on the plus side, having missed those games this season will hopefully make it less likely that he runs into the dreaded "rookie wall."

 

[sb1]

Edit: deleted, wrong topic

 

[tasmlab]

Man my heart keeps stopping every time he gets bent backwards.

Stop tackling him like that!

Yea, both times he was hurt he was brutally twisted around in a way that could kill somebody. Wonder if this will be seen as 'made of glass' or a sign of toughness since he takes the terrible tackle and then still comes back and plays.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Sony is very nice watching his College tapes but I wonder how did our brass feel about Nick Chubb his Backfield mate?? I think Chubb would be a Monster here it's going to be fun watching their careers. But if I was picking no knock on Sony but I think Chubb is a better runner right now I love his run vision and he can adjust on a dime. I saw Sony made a running mistake Sunday of cutting right into his blockers Chubb would have broke that for 20 or 30 it was well blocked. That said I'm now liking Saquon Sony.

Chubb is averaging 5.4 YPC while Michel is 4.6 YPC

 

[chasa]

I'm excited to see his future here.

 

[NashuaPats]

I was glad to see him catch a couple of passes. Missing so much time in the preseason hurt him in the passing game. The more receptions he makes, the less predictable the offense is with him in the game.

 

[signbabybrady]

I like him.

 

[PatsFan2]

He doesn't appear to have that take it to the house overdrive gear that Blount had but he's got better feel for where to get a few extra yards in a crowd. That's ok, a guy who consistently gets past the line of scrimmage is more valuable that a guy who's either dropped in the backfield or breaks it long. The former keeps drives going, the latter kills them.

Maybe Patterson can fill the Blount late in the game homerun role as he gets more reps and experience. He's got Blounts top end speed and is pretty big.

Exactly you people who dissagree are full of it may be Sony is not 100% yet but up until last week none of us saw that second gear he showed in College. Chubb has a 92 yard run already you have to have a second gear to do that on this level nuff said!

 

[PatsFan2]

Chubb is averaging 5.4 YPC while Michel is 4.6 YPC

OK and??

 

[billdog3484]

I think michel is a good back. i dont think hes as powerful as i would like. i thought it was a bad pick at the time and i still think now. thats not to say i dont think hes good. but not worth a first round pick. waste of a pick taking a running back in first round, or second for that matter. we could use help at DL or LB, couldve maneuvered with our first two picks and other picks and selected a player that benefitted us more