Ray Rice - Rutgers Univ., RB

[RussFrancis]

He's a Jr. RB. May or may not declare for the draft. We dont know. But he's put up monster #s in the Big East the last 2 years, rushing for close to 1800yds and scoring 20TDs each season. He's a little short, listed at 5'9 205. Kindof a Maurice Jones-Drew build. He's got alot of wiggle, and being low to the ground, he runs with alot of leverage and power for his size. But get this. Here's the greatest reason to love this kid besides what you'll see on film or the #s. 910 total touches in 3 years. ZERO fumbles. I dont know if he'd fit in with the club because if we picked him up he'd probably have to take Kyle Eckel's spot of the 5th back, and Eckel is a big ST contributor. I doubt he'll end up a Patriot, and I think he'll get drafted somewhere between the 2nd and 4th rounds, but Rice is gonna be a nice player for someone. I kindof hope its us.

 

[VJCPatriot]

If Rice can catch the football well, sounds like an ideal Faulk replacement down the road. I wouldn't fall in love with Eckel. He's the 5th RB on this roster when everyone is healthy. I don't think a talented RB would have any problem beating him out for a roster spot. I haven't really watched him play though, so I'm going mostly off your report. I think Felix Jones would also be a very good pickup for the Pats. My 1st choice is McFadden of course, but we can't be sure he will last until pick #4.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I love watching this guy run. He is a gamer. Speed, vision, cutting ability.

Mike Hart is another guy about the same size, with the same skills set and Hart has 400 plus touches without losing a fumble? (I think)

At the rate Faulk is breaking down, it may be time to think about a successor. But whoever we get had better be able to pick up the blitz.

 

[Remix 6]

Rice and Hart are slow but quick.

Rice is like Thomas Jones and Hart..i wouldnt touch him early

 

[RussFrancis]

Rice and Hart are slow but quick.

Rice is like Thomas Jones and Hart..i wouldnt touch him early

Tom Jones? Id take that. What killed Jones early on was going to Arizona, a very bad franchise. But again, 900 plus touches without a fumble. That's just impressive.

 

[sebman2112]

Yea, Rice is a good RB with some moves, nice initial burst, and strong legs. He doesn't have break away speed though, as I've seen him get cought from behind a few times. I like him and think he could be effective in the NFL. He's cought 23 passes this year, but he doesn't have Kevin Faulk's receiving ability, so he wouldn't be the perfect replacement for Faulk.


If we're talking about a third down back Steve Slaton would be an option. I like his footwork/moves, speed, and he's shown some good receiving ability. In 2006 Slaton had 2,104 total offensive yards (1,744 rushing & 360 receiving), and 18 total TD's (16 rushing & 2 receiving). Over his three year college career Slaton's put up 55 TD's, so he's got a nose for the endzone.

Rice should be available late second/early third round, and Slaton should be available in mid-second round.

 

[kas]

I'd prefer more of a pounder type. We have Faulk and Maroney for speed backs and Morris can play in passing situations as well due to his receiving and pass blocking ability. I too think Eckel can be upgraded - I'm just looking at a similar type of player. My two favourites are Peyton Hillis (Arkansas) and Jacob Hester (LSU). Either could provide short yardage power running, block in our 2-back sets, catch out of the backfield, pass block, and play effective special teams.

 

[Remix 6]

Tom Jones? Id take that. What killed Jones early on was going to Arizona, a very bad franchise. But again, 900 plus touches without a fumble. That's just impressive.

not as powerful or big. Ray is 5"9 200-205. Sure he can add weight. im in jersey..very good player but i got some questions for him and mike hart. Hes not very fast..not very strong..hes small. he needs a good combine and some weight or else hes a situational guy

theres plenty good backs in draft..not sure we need 1 really but if we do, a power guy is way to go since it fits our offense better imo. James Davis from Clemson will probably declare because hes losing touches to a great sophomore in CJ Spiller for no reason..hes still playing very well.

Cory Boyd from South Carolina..James Davis from Clemson are good picks out of first round aswell as Rashard Mendenhall

 

[Ochmed Jones]

If Jonathon Stewart declares and runs in the 4.4 range, he would warrant some consideration in the 2nd round. Plus he has experience picking up the blitz, with a ton of work on techinque, he could become as good as Faulk.

 

[sebman2112]

If Jonathon Stewart declares and runs in the 4.4 range, he would warrant some consideration in the 2nd round. Plus he has experience picking up the blitz, with a ton of work on techinque, he could become as good as Faulk.

Well, Stewart is a bigger and more powerful back than Faulk. What I like about Stewart is that he can run it between tackle, pound it up the gut or bounce it outside, and he's got the ability to break one.

For the record I'm not sure Stewart makes it to the second round if he runs in the 4.4 range, and I've already seen people start projection him in the top 14-20.

Mendenhall is also a RB I like who should be available in the second round.

If the Patriots are looking for a 3rd down back who could replace Faulk down the road, then Slaton could be that RB. He's a good receiving option with with a nose for the endzone. I also like his footwork.

 

[danny88]

Jonathan Stewart

 

[carolinatony]

I would love to see ANY pounder type RB on the team next year. We need that guy to get the tough yards which we seem to need imo.

 

[Remix 6]

Well, Stewart is a bigger and more powerful back than Faulk. What I like about Stewart is that he can run it between tackle, pound it up the gut or bounce it outside, and he's got the ability to break one.

For the record I'm not sure Stewart makes it to the second round if he runs in the 4.4 range, and I've already seen people start projection him in the top 14-20.

Mendenhall is also a RB I like who should be available in the second round.

If the Patriots are looking for a 3rd down back who could replace Faulk down the road, then Slaton could be that RB. He's a good receiving option with with a nose for the endzone. I also like his footwork.

correct about Stewart. and hes played in a "spread" type of offense where theres more than 2 WRs a lot and out of shotgun