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

[jah]

He's a solid RB, but the eyeball test shows me he doesn't have many moves once he gets through a hole. The top RB's mostly all have a jump cut where they make just one more guy miss, turning a 8-12 yard gain into a 20+. Hopefully he can develop some "shake" to his game.

I've felt this way all year, but even if he doesn't add that more explosive aspect to his game he's still one of the best RBs we've ever had.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I've felt this way all year, but even if he doesn't add that more explosive aspect to his game he's still one of the best RBs we've ever had.

Yea he hasn't done any jump cuts this year. With that said his vision has been very good and once he decides on the hole he hits it without hesitation.

 

[PatsFan2]

Love Sony but those holes that the OL - Develin and Gronk are creating any of us could go through them.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

He's a solid RB, but the eyeball test shows me he doesn't have many moves once he gets through a hole. The top RB's mostly all have a jump cut where they make just one more guy miss, turning a 8-12 yard gain into a 20+. Hopefully he can develop some "shake" to his game.

I'll take the other side of the eye test argument: that he knows how to avoid negative carries and consistently chooses the right hole / running lane and so he doesn't need the jump cuts and jukes like some of the other backs. If you're looking not just at a singular player's movement, but at the overall blocking scheme and what's asked of Michel play to play, then he passes the eye test with flying colors (just compare him to Maroney, who I liked before his confidence fell apart; their approach to the line couldn't be more different). I'm not saying Michel is perfect, but he keeps the offense on schedule and does a good job producing in short yardage and goal line situations. He'll only improve with time as he's integrated into the passing game.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I'll take the other side of the eye test argument: that he knows how to avoid negative carries and consistently chooses the right hole / running lane and so he doesn't need the jump cuts and jukes like some of the other backs. If you're looking not just at a singular player's movement, but at the overall blocking scheme and what's asked of Michel play to play, then he passes the eye test with flying colors (juts compare him to Maroney, who I liked before his confidence fell apart; their approach to the line couldn't be different). I'm not saying Michel is perfect, but he keeps the offense on schedule and does a good job producing in short yardage and goal line situations. He'll only improve with time as he's integrated into the passing game.

Sony is running like LoMo did in the 07 playoffs. Hitting the hole and not screwing around.

 

[long distance]

the goat piece & the missing piece



not much is said about Sony last night . but he was up there with Jules keeping the offence somehow moving, keeping the field position game . and most of all: allowing to close the game easy, something that BB' been missing for a while..

94 yds at 5.2 avg & the only TD being in the game 1/3 of the time is not too bad either..

 

[Wheelman]

the goat piece & the missing piece



not much is said about Sony last night . but he was up there with Jules keeping the offence somehow moving, keeping the field position game . and most of all: allowing to close the game easy, something that BB' been missing for a while..

I loved that one run where the tackler just bounced off of him. The guy can run!

 

[catent]

I feel Michel has faded slightly late in the season (which is understandable given that he’s a rookie), although he’s still been effective.

He seems like he’s a bit of shell of his college self, and I’m not sure what that’s a result of ... he does look like he’s added a lot of weight, and based on the eye test I would argue he’s added too much. Not only does he look unnecessarily heavyset, he doesn’t have that same explosiveness and lightness on his feet he had at UGA.

Hope he can strike a nice balance this offseason. I thought Burkhead was the more explosive, and ultimately, effective runner in the postseason, although Michel contributed too. It’s moot now but I would’ve liked to have seen Burk get that potential game clinching 3rd-and-1 carry. I think he would’ve generated the power and explosiveness in the hole to get the extra few inches.

But I digress. Michel was a good player and contributer this season; I want to see him continue to develop as a player, and hopefully find a weight/physique that allows him to be the best all-around player possible.

 

[PatsFan2]

I know Sony will work on the catching aspect of his game... He will be complete when he does. And yes Sony can run.

 

[ZoisKing]

I thought Sony did a great job last night. In my alcohol induced stupor, I had him as game MVP, then I thought, "Oh yeah, Edelman...". Best UGA running back on the field last night. That's something.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I feel Michel has faded slightly late in the season (which is understandable given that he’s a rookie), although he’s still been effective.

He seems like he’s a bit of shell of his college self, and I’m not sure what that’s a result of ... he does look like he’s added a lot of weight, and based on the eye test I would argue he’s added too much. Not only does he look unnecessarily heavyset, he doesn’t have that same explosiveness and lightness on his feet he had at UGA.

Hope he can strike a nice balance this offseason. I thought Burkhead was the more explosive, and ultimately, effective runner in the postseason, although Michel contributed too. It’s moot now but I would’ve liked to have seen Burk get that potential game clinching 3rd-and-1 carry. I think he would’ve generated the power and explosiveness in the hole to get the extra few inches.

But I digress. Michel was a good player and contributer this season; I want to see him continue to develop as a player, and hopefully find a weight/physique that allows him to be the best all-around player possible.

Faded? He just had the most # of yards and TDs @ 4.5ypc of any rookie in NFL playoff history.

You are looking to criticize when the criticism is undeserved.

 

[Antdawg]

His fumble rate was a concern at the draft. Only one fumble all year as a rookie. Not bad.

 

[long distance]

I don't understand this @dreighver

I feel Michel has faded slightly late in the season

LAC: 24 129 5.4 3TD
@KC: 29 113 3.9 2TD
SBLIII: 18 94 5.2 1TD

I wish he fades like this every year.

He seems like he’s a bit of shell of his college self, and I’m not sure what that’s a result of ...

he improved significantly as a runner imo despite missing crucial time of TC and part of the season to 2 injuries.. as receiver you need time to build trust w TB and having best receiving RB in the league on the same team doesn't help either. It will be to nobody's surprise to see him add that next yr if he's healthy. It took White over 2 full seasons. Some patience never hurts..

I thought Burkhead was the more explosive, and ultimately, effective runner in the postseason, although Michel contributed too.

Is this for real?
Absolutely love B-Rex but you couldn't be more wrong:

@ playoffs
Sony: 336 yds / 4.7 avg / 6 TD
B-Rex: 96 yds / 4.1 avg / 3TD

It’s moot now but I would’ve liked to have seen Burk get that potential game clinching 3rd-and-1 carry. I think he would’ve generated the power and explosiveness in the hole to get the extra few inches.

Didn't you see him getting stuffed at LOS a few times earlier? Ill post some clips later on to refresh the memory. Burkhead did start the pre/season as the lead short yd back but his quite unique wild wiggling style has him miss plenty of playing time through concussions/neck injuries..
_______


The boy carried this team to the SB victory on his wounded knee . and he is a rookie..

 

[Bill Lee]

Am looking forward to more Michel in the future.

Would love to see him grow as a pass catcher.

He was well worth the (very late) first round pick.

People seem to forget that:
1) All draft picks are lottery picks
2) Picking #31 gives you a lot worse odds than picking #1 so "first round pick" always needs qualification
3) If you're picking #31 (and didn't trade) that means you just were in the Super Bowl
4) If you're picking #32 (and didn't trade) that means you just won the Super Bowl
5) If you're picking #29 to #30 (and didn't trade) that means you just were in a CC game
6) Etc.

 

[long distance]

@dreighver


playoff RBs rushing:

​

Sony: ................. 336 yds / 4.7 avg / 6 TD
CJ Anderson: ... 189 yds / 4.1 avg / 2 TD
Elliott: .............. 184 yds / 4.0 avg / 2TD
Gurley: ............. 160 yds / 5.3 avg / 2 TD
D.Williams: ...... 159 yds / 4.5 avg / 2 TD
Kamara: ............ 86 yds / 3.6 avg / 0 TD
Ingram: ............. 84 yds / 4.6 avg / 0 TD
Gordon: ............. 55 yds / 2.1 avg / 2 TD


pats fans of course want Sony to do more..

 

[Snooky97]

I feel Michel has faded slightly late in the season (which is understandable given that he’s a rookie), although he’s still been effective.

He seems like he’s a bit of shell of his college self, and I’m not sure what that’s a result of ... he does look like he’s added a lot of weight, and based on the eye test I would argue he’s added too much. Not only does he look unnecessarily heavyset, he doesn’t have that same explosiveness and lightness on his feet he had at UGA.

Hope he can strike a nice balance this offseason. I thought Burkhead was the more explosive, and ultimately, effective runner in the postseason, although Michel contributed too. It’s moot now but I would’ve liked to have seen Burk get that potential game clinching 3rd-and-1 carry. I think he would’ve generated the power and explosiveness in the hole to get the extra few inches.

But I digress. Michel was a good player and contributer this season; I want to see him continue to develop as a player, and hopefully find a weight/physique that allows him to be the best all-around player possible.

I don’t normally dislike posts but I cannot see how Sony has faded. He has been remarkable through this run.

He destroyed the chargers on his own at times in the run game, he controls the clock and he doesn’t lose yards and rarely does.

Sony was never a burner of a back, the other thing is he was hampered by that knee injury in the early part of the season and we don’t know how much this has affected him. I think he will be better next season when he has a full training camp and get himself in the right shape.

I like Burkhead but Sony is the man for me in any short yardage runs, his vision is unreal. Burkhead just worries me whenever I see him run the ball at times.

 

[SBLIII]

I feel Michel has faded slightly late in the season (which is understandable given that he’s a rookie), although he’s still been effective.

He seems like he’s a bit of shell of his college self, and I’m not sure what that’s a result of ... he does look like he’s added a lot of weight, and based on the eye test I would argue he’s added too much. Not only does he look unnecessarily heavyset, he doesn’t have that same explosiveness and lightness on his feet he had at UGA.

Hope he can strike a nice balance this offseason. I thought Burkhead was the more explosive, and ultimately, effective runner in the postseason, although Michel contributed too. It’s moot now but I would’ve liked to have seen Burk get that potential game clinching 3rd-and-1 carry. I think he would’ve generated the power and explosiveness in the hole to get the extra few inches.

But I digress. Michel was a good player and contributer this season; I want to see him continue to develop as a player, and hopefully find a weight/physique that allows him to be the best all-around player possible.

what? I completely disagree with everything you said.

The Patriots won a SB because they adjusted their offense around Michel.

How did he fade late in the season? 4.7 ypc in the playoffs. 4.5 in the regular season.

How does he look like a shell of his college self?

He literally led all RBs in yards in the postseason, put up an all-time single season TD record for rookies in the playoffs. He is a decisive, explosive and fast ball carrier.

 

[Hammer of Thor]

I am still regretting that we picked him over Lamarr Jackson.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Best super bowl rushing performance and playoff season performance in franchise history.

Would easily have had a 1k season if not for injuries.

One thing that gets overlooked is his ball security, if im not mistaken his only fumble was in Chicago when his leg was damn near snapped in half. That’s insane security given his workload and being a rookie.

The best part is hes only going to improve. Firstly hope he doesn’t run into injuries again where he lost most of preseason and a few games in the middle. And as has been pointed out, if he clicks with Brady in the passing game and the offense is more unpredictable with him in, it will open up alot. He could easily wind up one of bb’s 5 best draft picks if so given the impact on our offense.

 

[long distance]

to refresh our not too distant memories:



of course - as a well known fact now - ton of credit goes to the 9 men blocking squad..