Dividends on MICHEL pick starting to pay off EDIT: paid off

[scott99]

When they drafted Michel, i was ecstatic. i watched every Georgia game I could just to watch that two-headed monster of Chubb and Michel rumble, and I liked Michel more for this offense.

I said when they drafted him that he'd be the best back NE had since Curtis Martin. I've seen nothing yet to make me doubt that. Watch him next year when the game around him gets even slower

I agree 100%. I was thrilled when they drafted Michel, he was my favorite player in the 2018 draft for the Pats, only because I thought he'd be a great replacement for Lewis. The injuries were unfortunate and slowed down his progress, but counting the playoff game vs the Chargers, he has 233 carries, 1060 yards (4.55 ypc) and 9 TDs in 14 games. Not even a full season. And really, it's 13 1/2 games, since he missed MOST of that Bears game, which he was off to a good start in that game.

That being said, he hasn't shown that sneaky elusiveness and speed he showed in college. Had a 74 yard and 75 yard runs last year in college. I think those will come in time. But his stats through 14 games (over 1,000 yards), you can't say he wasn't a great draft choice and didn't have a great rookie season. Also to run for 100+ yards and 3tds in his 1st playoff game, is an amazing feat.

I think next season, he will be more involved in the passing game (which will make the offense more unpredictable), and will have some longer runs. Health is the key issue with Michel. Stay healthy, and he'll have a great career.

 

[Kontradiction]

He still has quite a bit of a ways to go before we're mentioning his name with some of the top RBs in the league, but he's improving every week. I don't think we're going to need to wait long to see him used more often in the passing game like he was at Georgia.

 

[captain stone]

Late 1st-round picks should Never be used for RBs or WRs or QBs.

 

[BelichickFan]

Late 1st-round picks should Never be used for RBs or WRs or QBs.

That's a weird thing to say without explanation.

 

[captain stone]

That's a weird thing to say without explanation.

Doesn't need that much explanation really. IMHO, we're better-off when the teams ahead of us in the 1st round choose the shiny toys and leave more defensive players or Offensive Linemen for us. There should still be WRs & RBs who could be productive in our offense available to us in the 2nd round and beyond that would provide much better value; some examples have been Golden Tate (2010, 60th overall), Keenan Allen (2013, 76th), Tyler Lockett (2015, 69th) and DeDe Westbrook (2017, 110th).

 

[SVN]

Maybe we should revive the "Who is sony michel?" thread again ? there were some interesting responses there

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Doesn't need that much explanation really. IMHO, we're better-off when the teams ahead of us in the 1st round choose the shiny toys and leave more defensive players or Offensive Linemen for us. There should still be WRs & RBs who could be productive in our offense available to us in the 2nd round and beyond that would provide much better value; some examples have been Golden Tate (2010, 60th overall), Keenan Allen (2013, 76th), Tyler Lockett (2015, 69th) and DeDe Westbrook (2017, 110th).

That's reasonable, although I'm not going to quibble once you're down to pick 31. Michel is a big part of our current success. Did you see the list of players I posted who were taken in rounds 2 and 3? Any you would clearly pick over Michel right now?

I liked Reid and Lewis, but I'm not sure either one would have a bigger impact in games right now than Michel, who is seeing a really heavy workload. Interesting thought exercise, though.

 

[BlueThunder]

After Sony's performance against the Chargers D, it will give Sutton something else to worry about besides Gronk, Edelman, White, Hogan, Dorsett and Patterson...can't wait to see him used in the passing game next season !

 

[catent]

I said it before in a different thread: Michel looks like he's added a lot of weight since college, some of it muscle mass, and perhaps some of it excess weight unrelated to muscle.

I understand bulking up for the sake of durability but I'd much rather see him at his college weight. I think he'd get his game-breaking speed/explosiveness/elusiveness back. He has shown those attributes at times, although not to the extent that he did at UGA.

 

[captain stone]

That's reasonable, although I'm not going to quibble once you're down to pick 31. Michel is a big part of our current success. Did you see the list of players I posted who were taken in rounds 2 and 3? Any you would clearly pick over Michel right now?

As of right now, I'm going to stick to what I've said since the draft: I would've taken my chances with Harold Landry to help improve our pass rush, and then chosen a RB with one of our 7th-rounders. I also would've been more aggressive during the off-season at signing a UFA RB such as Frank Gore or Adrian Peterson before settling on Jeremy Hill.

 

[Dorito Dink]

As of right now, I'm going to stick to what I've said since the draft: I would've taken my chances with Harold Landry to help improve our pass rush, and then chosen a RB with one of our 7th-rounders. I also would've been more aggressive during the off-season at signing a UFA RB such as Frank Gore or Adrian Peterson before settling on Jeremy Hill.

Easy to say in hindsight. Jeremy Hill was a good signing and looked great in preseason and out of the gate against the Texans. Can't predict torn ACLs (hell, even Gore who is a thoroughbred with his good NFL health went on IR with foot injury). I never minded the drafting of Michel because as Brady aged we knew we needed more support around him, specifically with RB. Michel is a great talent will continue to get better (it's crazy to see the talent churned out of UGA over the past few years).

The lower the round, the more unpredictability in an already unpredictable craft that is drafting so waiting until the 7th is probably not great roster building. It's looking like Bill hit on Michel and it was the right choice given all of the variables. It's an interesting point above that Michel may have bulked up which sacrificed some breakaway speed - he doesn't seem to have that real extra gear that most elite backs have to take it to the house. I'll take his great vision, elusiveness, ability to fall forward, and ball security. He'll be a huge part in a win this Sunday.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Bentley is a beast. Christian Sam could also be good for depth. Dawson should contribute in 2019.

That's why I think we are going to be very good next year. I know if we lose this Sunday everyone will declare our demise but I'm pretty confident we will be better in 2019 than we are this year.

You draft/sign FA at primarily WR, TE and DL and the team will be strong.

I’m glad to hear that positive take. I’ve been critical of the young talent and drafting, but I always try to include the disclaimer that a handful of hits - sometimes in the same draft - can change things quickly. Michel and JC Jackson have already provided some optimism, and Wynn, Bentley, Sam, and Dawson could potentially add on to that.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

Two games into his playoff career, Michel has back to back 110+ yard games and 5 total touchdowns. Pretty impressive!

 

[Snooky97]

Sony is a bad man... love him.. can’t wait to see him get involved with the passing game next season.

 

[Soliel]

Sony is going to be elite. Watch him drop 150 and three tds on the rams

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Cant wait to see what he does in the sb. Hopefully a third straight 100 yard effort, no patriot rb has done that in the playoffs to my knowledge

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Is Sony going to be healthy for the Super Bowl?

 

[scout]

I was impressed with him getting so many third down runs! In the past, Brady always threw on 3rd down. How about that TD in the 4th quarter when Sony went untouched (great blocking). It should be an interesting draft next year.

 

[IllegalContact]

I agree 100%. I was thrilled when they drafted Michel, he was my favorite player in the 2018 draft for the Pats, only because I thought he'd be a great replacement for Lewis. The injuries were unfortunate and slowed down his progress, but counting the playoff game vs the Chargers, he has 233 carries, 1060 yards (4.55 ypc) and 9 TDs in 14 games. Not even a full season. And really, it's 13 1/2 games, since he missed MOST of that Bears game, which he was off to a good start in that game.

That being said, he hasn't shown that sneaky elusiveness and speed he showed in college. Had a 74 yard and 75 yard runs last year in college. I think those will come in time. But his stats through 14 games (over 1,000 yards), you can't say he wasn't a great draft choice and didn't have a great rookie season. Also to run for 100+ yards and 3tds in his 1st playoff game, is an amazing feat.

I think next season, he will be more involved in the passing game (which will make the offense more unpredictable), and will have some longer runs. Health is the key issue with Michel. Stay healthy, and he'll have a great career.

He was never 100% this year

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Is Sony going to be healthy for the Super Bowl?

Was he injured or something?