Thoughts on Sony Michel

[RayClay]

I'm thinking I've seen Lewis play running back. I'm also finding it amusing that we're supposed to ignore the receiving angle. And, if you're going to quote numbers as the end all and be all, I'll take out Lewis, and I'll add Crowell, Chubb, Mack, and Lindsay.

We have James White, a better receiving back.

 

[maineman209]

He was rolled up on, a few plays prior. You could see him try to flex his knee to shake it off, only to tear it a few plays later.

I'm just quoting what Edelman himself said. And that was in the context of responding to a comment about "going too hard" vis-a-vis injury risk.

 

[maineman209]

I think Sony can be very, very good. Just when its clicking and the game is slowing down he gets nicked up. If he can stay healthy, get stronger and the game really slows down he will be a massive weapon. Plus they sneakily got some passes to him thats opens up w even more.

The passes to Michel were kinda "sneaky" in the sense that, Michel, running the flat routes/short outs, etc. to the left, didn't appear to me to be covered as tightly as White was on the same routes.

 

[luuked]

The passes to Michel were kinda "sneaky" in the sense that, Michel, running the flat routes/short outs, etc. to the left, didn't appear to me to be covered as tightly as White was on the same routes.

Makes sense as he was rarely used as a receiver so far. If he continues to make catches teams will adjust to that a bit stronger (which will open up other holes as a consequence). One way or the other it is a good development.

 

[PP2]

I'm just quoting what Edelman himself said. And that was in the context of responding to a comment about "going too hard" vis-a-vis injury risk.

Yes, I know you were just quoting him. I was just surprised that he would say something like that. Maybe he just forgot or refuses to see it any other way.

 

[maineman209]

Yes, I know you were just quoting him. I was just surprised that he would say something like that. Maybe he just forgot or refuses to see it any other way.

Or maybe he just knows better than we do what actually happened to his own body and why?

 

[primetime]

"Lewis (and don't start with the "ypc!" nonsense or I'll toss in guys like Linsday and Crowell) [is] "clearly" ahead of where Michel is right now"​

As a receiver, sure. As a running back this year, wtf are you thinking? In about the same number of carries (127 vs 129), Michel has 5 TDs to Lewis's 1 and 37 first downs to Lewis's 18. And yes, 4.6 ypc vs Lewis's 3.3. In what way can you possibly argue Lewis ahead of Michel this year as a runner?

It's tough because the Titans offensive line has been a dumpster fire this year, so you're comparing apples and oranges. Lewis also has a pretty clear role as a receiver out of the backfield that Sony has not yet begun to match.

I'm not one of the people making that argument, I think Sony's been very promising overall, but I do think there's something to be said that's indicsted by Phillip Lindsay is averaging nearly 6 yards a carry as an undrafted free agent. My problem with the Sony pick was always that spending a 1st rounder on a running back is a highly questionable investment rather than Sony as a prospect (I'm still skeptical of the knee thing because Lombardi was the one reporting that and I think he's a hack), though I preferred Derrius Guice. It's just much easier to find a good or even great running back later in the draft or on the scrap heap (Lewis himself is proof) than it is for any other position and the Patriots could have drafted the likes of Darius Leonard, Harold Landry, Courtland Sutton, Dante Pettis, or Anthony Miller... and then found a running back like Guice, Kerryon Johnson, or one available later.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

It's tough because the Titans offensive line has been a dumpster fire this year, so you're comparing apples and oranges. Lewis also has a pretty clear role as a receiver out of the backfield that Sony has not yet begun to match.

I'm not one of the people making that argument, I think Sony's been very promising overall, but I do think there's something to be said that's indicsted by Phillip Lindsay is averaging nearly 6 yards a carry as an undrafted free agent. My problem with the Sony pick was always that spending a 1st rounder on a running back is a highly questionable investment rather than Sony as a prospect (I'm still skeptical of the knee thing because Lombardi was the one reporting that and I think he's a hack), though I preferred Derrius Guice. It's just much easier to find a good or even great running back later in the draft or on the scrap heap (Lewis himself is proof) than it is for any other position and the Patriots could have drafted the likes of Darius Leonard, Harold Landry, Courtland Sutton, Dante Pettis, or Anthony Miller... and then found a running back like Guice, Kerryon Johnson, or one available later.

Yes, you can find running backs. It's a gamble, however. For every Lindsay, there are dozens -- if not hundreds -- of UDFA backs who don't make it. I'm not the biggest fan of using a 1st on RB, but Michel was a clear fit for a clear need. He's a 20 carry a game player. I'm not going to second guess that, if the Patriots decided that they needed a sure bet and took someone they perceived as a plug and play RB.

 

[maineman209]

Lewis also has a pretty clear role as a receiver out of the backfield that Sony has not yet begun to match.

I suspect that Sony will never come close to matching Lewis as a receiver. Possibly not even match Burkhead.

I'm guessing that the Pat selected Wynn because what he did at Georgia matched up very well with Scar's pass-blocking and run-blocking schemes, line-call language and techniques. The Pats may have had similar grades on Guice, Kerryon Johnson (who had an official visit, IIRC) and others, but the fact that Sony had already been successful for four years running behind that blocking scheme may have tipped the grade in his favor.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yes, you can find running backs. It's a gamble, however. For every Lindsay, there are dozens -- if not hundreds -- of UDFA backs who don't make it. I'm not the biggest fan of using a 1st on RB, but Michel was a clear fit for a clear need. He's a 20 carry a game player. I'm not going to second guess that, if the Patriots decided that they needed a sure bet and took someone they perceived as a plug and play RB.

Bingo.

Bill wanted a talented, game-breaking playmaker in the backfield. To acquire that kind of talent you need to choose one fairly high in the draft.

He got one in Sony and as long as he can stay healthy (which is the real concern with him) and improve, his production will only go up.

If he wanted another Jonas Gray or BJGE he would have signed them after the draft.

 

[maineman209]

Yes, you can find running backs. It's a gamble, however. For every Lindsay, there are dozens -- if not hundreds -- of UDFA backs who don't make it. I'm not the biggest fan of using a 1st on RB, but Michel was a clear fit for a clear need. He's a 20 carry a game player. I'm not going to second guess that, if the Patriots decided that they needed a sure bet and took someone they perceived as a plug and play RB.

FWIW ... Sony has averaged 17.6 carries/game (when playing the full game), which is roughly Blount-2016 and Ridley-2012 level.

Sony's highest tote-counts have been:

25/112 v. MIA (4.48 ypa)
18/98 v. IND (5.44 ypa)
24/106 v. KCY (4.42 ypa)
21/133 v. NYJ (6.33 ypa)

All of those are relatively cream-puff run defenses, though.

 

[Taco]

I like Sony he seems like a good dude and has done a great job of jumping right into the role. I’m more concerned about his health and the report about his knee cartilage. I’m hoping he is not one of those guys that blows out his knee and is out of the league in 2 years.

 

[condon84]

I think we win SB 52 if we had Blount. Chemistry is a big part of championships, and losing Blount, replacing him with Gillislee hurt the chemistry. No offense to Gillislee, but that was a HUGE mistake. Especially since Blount signed for less $.

Blount was a great team guy on top of a big bruising RB who could have worn out the Philly defense. On top of if he was on our team, he wouldn't have been on the Eagles. It was an awful personnel move. He could still be productive this year too. He still looks pretty good.

I'm not against the Michel pick, but we could have kept Blount and still have drafted Michel. Gillislee/Blount swap was awful.

 

[doesntmatter1]

Outside of Michel's long term health, I am very pleased with him. For all the people that say we could've gotten a good running back later should remember that we never do. I've seen that song and dance too many times such as the 2008 draft where we didn't get any of those flashy backs. We would most likely have overlooked Kerryon Johnson and Phillip Lindsey. So we went with an obvious talent(one of the coolest highlight reels around) that required a high pick to ensure we get him.

Do not forget that we struggle drafting skill positions. Countless tight ends and garbage wide receivers. Hell, BB thought Jonathan Baldwin was=Julio Jones. Need I say more. Lastly, running back by committee goes out the window when you have a legit back like Dillon and now Michel. 1st round pick well spent if you ask me.

 

[TommyD4207]

• 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

You're better between the tackles than White.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Real deal

 

[sb1]

I can’t wait to see what he does over a full season.

Today’s Curtis Martin? Hope so!

 

[Kdo5]

I can’t wait to see what he does over a full season.

Today’s Curtis Martin? Hope so!

Pump the brakes. I really like Sony. He has good vision and runs hard. He was a legitimate contributor this year despite what some local pundits may tell you.

But let's not start making comparisons to Curtis Martin. Sony had a great offensive line and scheme to run behind. So good that you even had James White looking effective between the tackles at several points during the season.

I like the kid but physically I haven't seen anything to suggest he'd be elite. He doesn't have that breakaway speed right now. But he is a smart runner with patience and vision. And that is pretty good for me.

All in all he had a very nice rookie campaign. Not amazing like some honks would suggest but certainly not as dismissive as some pundits have been.9

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I hope I’m not eating my words at some point but when I see Sony and James w. Too for that matter giving an interview or something, you can tell why B.B. chose them even from a character standpoint. They seem like the most innocent, humble dudes ever. One is a sb hero and the other is a budding star at a flashy position. It’s like, you could never picture either causing the slightest issue in the locker room lol

 

[luuked]

All in all he had a very nice rookie campaign. Not amazing like some honks would suggest but certainly not as dismissive as some pundits have been.9

I take his vision over elite breakaway speed or other physical traits any day. You are crediting the OL a lot but it still requires a RB who reads situations right because it is not like he can just autopilot through the trenches. Many unexpected things happen as a play develops and the runner (and his blocking crew) still has to read everything right.

Finally I think the best thing about him was the dearth of negative running plays. Yes some people will be disappointed if we just pick up 1-2 on first down. But with lesser runners those plays could have been for negative 1-2 yards.

Nobody is suggesting Michel is an elite player at this point. But to be honest as far back as he was drafted with #31 he was worth the pick. People keep putting that first round label onto him as if he should be put under the same scrutiny as blue chippers like Gurley or Barkley. Which is absurd.