Thoughts on Sony Michel

[jah]

Right now he's a good starting RB and a rookie. Sometimes improvements come in ways that aren't even teased before they happen...James Conner, who by all accounts was mediocre before 2018, comes to mind. I don't think it's a stretch to think we could see a completely different Michel once the game slows down for him, even if he's not putting his physical gifts on display every game.

 

[PatsFan2]

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.

Nobody is bashing Sony but for a First Rounder he's not a finished product. His game has holes: them finally throwing to him was not an aberration it's no mystery when he's in there as was exploited by Vrabel and the Titans.

 

[SammyBlueCat]

Don't worry! I am coaching him up.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

OK and??

I’m just saying Chubb’s numbers are a little bit better than Sony’s . It actually helps your argument, though I don’t necessarily agree with you.

 

[BradyFTW!]

The thing I really like about watching Michel is his cutbacks. It's a combination of vision and athleticism I guess, but he finds seams really well and hits them hard. I think part of the reason why he gets caught from behind on long runs is because he cuts so frequently to make the guys in front of him miss that he gives guys who are behind him time to catch up. Which to be clear I don't think is a bad thing, as long as he's secure with the ball and it isn't getting punched out from behind (and it's not).

 

[BradyFTW!]

Chubb is averaging 5.4 YPC while Michel is 4.6 YPC

Yeah, it's not really an apples to apples comparison though because Chubb spent most of the season as a change of pace back for Carlos Hyde, coming in only for occasional carries when the defense was gassed despite being a clearly better runner. Not to say he's not the real deal, he's performed damn well since Hyde got traded, but that 3 carry, 100 yard game did wonders for his YPC

 

[Uncle Rico]

• ...
  
• Needs to stop running to contact when in the open field
• ...

I wonder how much of this is coaches putting the fear of God into the rookie to just "follow your damn blockers." I've seen a handful of runs already where it looked like he had room to take it toward a big opening and I'd swear you almost think he's going to do it but then the voice of the coaches pops into his head, and he tucks in behind a blocker (even one who at that point is out-numbered). I feel like as he — and the coaches — gain confidence in his understanding of the plays and his decisions, we'll see more of him making that sort of move.

 

[mcmurtry86]

I liked him a lot coming out of college but he hasn’t been the impact player I hoped for.

His vision is mediocre and his struggles in the pass game are an issue. He’s serviceable and capable of having good games but he’s not a guy opponents have to especially plan for nor is he a guy who is going to have a big impact without quality OL play. He isn’t adept at creating on his own, nor is he a multidimensional threat

If the Pats RB group wasn’t so bad and riddled by injury, he’s likely be a part timer.

I still have hope for him in the future although his lack of durability is a major concern. He’s likely a 2-3 year contributor and gone after the rookie contract so they need him to step up his game to make the 1st rounder worth it.

 

[Nunchucks]

Nobody is bashing Sony but for a First Rounder he's not a finished product. His game has holes: them finally throwing to him was not an aberration it's no mystery when he's in there as was exploited by Vrabel and the Titans.

No training camp, missed time during the season....IDK, I think it is premature to make any conclusions either way whether he was worth the pick.

 

[FCB02062]

Sony Michel is a great running back. His only drawback is his penchant for injury. Did he warrant a first round pick? No, no running back warrants a first round pick in today's NFL where superstar running backs are found after the first round every year.

But, Belichick HAD to draft a running back in the first round - I'm convinced of this - because he knows Brady's skills and Gronwkowski's skills are detriorating - and he had to get a "can't miss" back in the first round. Belichick needed someone who could combine with White, Burkhead, and Hill (granted the latter 2 are injured) to give the Pats an offense predicated on running moreso than in previous years.

Belichick knew they had to be able to run the ball into the end zone...

Brady has been beyond dreadful in the red zone this season, especially the last 4 games...Tom Brady, the guy with the answers to the test, is...

6-19 for 48 yards and NO TOUCHDOWNS in the last four games in the red zone...that is a quarterback rating of 40.89...that's FOURTY POINT EIGHT NINE! SAD!

 

[PatsFan2]

I wonder how much of this is coaches putting the fear of God into the rookie to just "follow your damn blockers." I've seen a handful of runs already where it looked like he had room to take it toward a big opening and I'd swear you almost think he's going to do it but then the voice of the coaches pops into his head, and he tucks in behind a blocker (even one who at that point is out-numbered). I feel like as he — and the coaches — gain confidence in his understanding of the plays and his decisions, we'll see more of him making that sort of move.

A breath of fresh air I love when objective people watch the game and post from observation. Those are the same things I saw from Sony in a nut shell he has left a lot of yards on the field. Again I am not going to say he's going to be the best RB since slice bread because the Patriots Drafted him. Based on the amount of Good/Great RB's in the league Today Sony is probably bringing up the rear no fault of his own. The others are just that dam Good!

 

[Deus Irae]

Sony Michel is a great running back. His only drawback is his penchant for injury. Did he warrant a first round pick? No, no running back warrants a first round pick in today's NFL where superstar running backs are found after the first round every year.

The notion that no running back warrants a first round pick is absurd.

Top 10 rushers in 2018

Elliott
Gurley
Conner
Barkley
Hunt
Gordon
Lindsay
Miller
Peterson
McCaffrey

In an era where the RB has been devalued in the draft, 6 of the top 10 rushers in the NFL are first round picks.

 

[PatsFan2]

I liked him a lot coming out of college but he hasn’t been the impact player I hoped for.

His vision is mediocre and his struggles in the pass game are an issue. He’s serviceable and capable of having good games but he’s not a guy opponents have to especially plan for nor is he a guy who is going to have a big impact without quality OL play. He isn’t adept at creating on his own, nor is he a multidimensional threat

If the Pats RB group wasn’t so bad and riddled by injury, he’s likely be a part timer.

I still have hope for him in the future although his lack of durability is a major concern. He’s likely a 2-3 year contributor and gone after the rookie contract so they need him to step up his game to make the 1st rounder worth it.

I know a friend a great Football mind who said the same thing about Sony you are not alone. Of course the homers are going to disagree with you. That said I think Sony deficiencies are correctable.

 

[mgcolby]

I liked him a lot coming out of college but he hasn’t been the impact player I hoped for.

His vision is mediocre and his struggles in the pass game are an issue. He’s serviceable and capable of having good games but he’s not a guy opponents have to especially plan for nor is he a guy who is going to have a big impact without quality OL play. He isn’t adept at creating on his own, nor is he a multidimensional threat

If the Pats RB group wasn’t so bad and riddled by injury, he’s likely be a part timer.

I still have hope for him in the future although his lack of durability is a major concern. He’s likely a 2-3 year contributor and gone after the rookie contract so they need him to step up his game to make the 1st rounder worth it.

Name a single back that could run well without quality OL play? There isn't and never has been one. Not Sanders, Not Sweetness not even the ig bad Brown. That is an oxymoron.

 

[PatsFan2]

Speaking o Sony...

Sony Michel is impressing Bill Belichick

Not going to read too much into that because Jordan Richards impressed BB too.

 

[reflexblue]

The kids got a ton of talent. If he can stay on the field he could turn out to be a great pick.

 

[RobertWeathers]

His vision is mediocre

Example?

 

[PatsFan2]

rob: see Uncle Rico Post above valid points.

 

[Deus Irae]

Name a single back that could run well without quality OL play? There isn't and never has been one. Not Sanders, Not Sweetness not even the ig bad Brown. That is an oxymoron.

?????

 

[RobertWeathers]

rob: see Uncle Rico Post above valid points.

Thats not a "vision" issue. Thats an issue with a player listening to coaches to a fault.