Who Is Sony Michel?

BradyFTW! said:

• Shaq Mason doesn't get nearly enough respect on this forum. I saw some posts last night of people suggesting that he wasn't living up to his new contract, but the guy is all over the field. His mobility and proficiency in space jumps off the screen every time I go back and rewatch, the guy is a monster. The aforementioned Michel reception at the start of the 2nd quarter was sprung by Mason getting outside and removing Geathers from the play. With a less athletic guard there's a good chance that play gets stopped for a loss. Also, on Michel's TD, Mason pulled and created the hole that Michel ran through by taking out Najee Good. I'd suggest that Michel should treat Mason to a nice steak dinner or something, but with their salary disparity under Mason's new contract probably not.

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Great point. The OL has been getting the job done. We've had some great blocking that lets Michel do his thing, as shown below.

TheBostonStraggler said:

Sure, he hasn't looked like the second coming of Walter Peyton but, from the eye test, it's odd that a Patriot fan would not see this rookie's play and not feel optimism.

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Indeed. So many fans think first round pick means generational talent, but it doesn't. Each year there's 32 picks, and definitely not 32 generational talents, probably more like 2-4 per year.

People should R-E-L-A-X on Michel. He's only played a few games, he's coming off injury, he's still learning. The main theme should be what you say, optimism.

Triumph said:

I am going to wait before I start dancing on the roof over Sony.

Im glad that he busted off those long runs. The fact remains that the Colts defense was already banged up and they lost more players during the game.

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The fact remains that Sony Michel was the guy who knocked those two starters out of the Colts' Defense with his beastly running. Doesn't he get credit for that?

Triumph said:

4 of his rushes were 1st and goal.

22%. Not exactly bolstering your point that Sony was running into a brick wall for the better part of the game. I realize that Sony is likely not a goal line RB. I dont see the power like a Blount or Fornette. Not right now anyway.

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I haven't watched enough this year to form any sort of opinion on Michel. I tend to agree that big runs are less important for a running back than consistently getting the yards that are there.

That said, your interpreting my single question as some sort of argument says a lot about your perspective. You have obviously started with an opinion and are looking to prove wrong opposing opinions. That doesn't make you wrong, but it does make it nearly impossible for you to realize when you are wrong. I was asking a genuine question.

Triumph said:

Against a depleted Indy defense 3 run plays were more than 50% of his yardage.

Signs were encouraging last night when Sony got in space. Along the LOS not so much.

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3 rushes for 63 out of 18 for 98
Top 1/6 of rushes = 64% of yards
Year to date 67/294 top 11 168 57%.

2017 top nfl rusher

kareem Hunt 272/1327
Top 1/6 of rushes 45/793 = 60% of rushing yards

2016 top nfl rusher
Zeke Elliott 322/1631
Top 1/6 rushes 53/905 = 55%

2015 top nfl rusher
Adrian Peterson 327/1485
Top 1/6 of runs 54/908 = 61%

Thanks triumph for pointing out that Michel is running just like the greats.

patchick said:

(Any love yet for "Li'l Jimmy White"?)

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He's earned everybody's love, mine included. And within a position group that's as thin as it is now, he's more valuable than ever. Still wish that Bill could've used one of his Three 4th-rounders that year on Telvin Smith.

Froob said:

We probably still need another back? Probably any ole Mike Cloud will do. Preferably one that can play special teams...

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Orleans Darkwa fulfills both requirements. As far as I'm concerned, he should be here already; I don't know what Bill's waiting for.

I dont want to get ahead of myself with Michel, but it would be nice to have a franchise running back.

Our current leader in career rushing yards is Sam Cunningham. He was before my time and isnt really recognized as that top tier level back.

Curtis Martin was definitely on his way to franchise level back for us before he defected. Hes the only back to have multiple 1000 yard seasons for us.

I must say I'm quite surprised how strong a runner he is. Based on his size and draft descriptions I expected him to be more of a Dion Lewis type of runner in that he's running around people instead of through them.

But now you see him truck people on runs in every single game. Like on the first TD where he ran right through two people. That reminds me a bit of like how Blount used to truck people. Only that Michel seems to have better initial burst then Blount and trucks people like 3 yards after the hand-off instead of 6.

archstanton543 said:

More like "why?". I understand he was drafted in the first round and all that but...he's not helping. He hasn't helped most of the the games he's played it. Why are the Pats afraid to pull him?

I understand Rex got hurt again but throwing to him twice in a row in the Red Zone late was just ridiculous. I hate to say it but Lawrence Maroney was more useful than this guy in the early part of his career.

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BUMP ..............

FCB02062 said:

Looks like another wasted first round pick.....the hits just keep on coming

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Use the self banning tool ... be a man about it.

I’m thinking he could wind up with a thousand yards.

Soliel said:

I’m thinking he could wind up with a thousand yards.

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He had 400 in 5 games. Only needs 60 per game the rest of the way to hit 1000. He had 60 by halftime yesterday.

AndyJohnson said:

He had 400 in 5 games. Only needs 60 per game the rest of the way to hit 1000. He had 60 by halftime yesterday.

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That would be great. He’s a legit runner. I was not sure about him at first but we really do better with a legit back.

His ability to find the right gaps and go downhill quickly is freaking impressive. Love this kid. Definitely takes away the sting of losing Lewis. Who got 14 yards yesterday, btw.

He's quietly putting up a lot more rushing yards on a per game basis than anyone we've had in a while, maybe 2012 Ridley is the closest and most recent comparison. If we can consistently get peak Ridley production (minus the fumbles) from rookie Michel, imagine how good he can be next year or 2020.

neuronet said:

His ability to find the right gaps and go downhill quickly is freaking impressive. Love this kid. Definitely takes away the sting of losing Lewis. Who got 14 yards yesterday, btw.

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To be fair, Lewis played the best defense in the NFL yesterday whereas Michel played the worst defense in the NFL yesterday.

Elijah said:

To be fair, Lewis played the best defense in the NFL yesterday whereas Michel played the worst defense in the NFL yesterday.

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To be fair Lewis all season is 60/186 3.1 per carry
Michel is 91/400 4.4

AndyJohnson said:

To be fair Lewis all season is 60/186 3.1 per carry
Michel is 91/400 4.4

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I never said Michel wasn't having a better year, because he clearly is. It just wasn't a fair comparison this week.

We're seeing that Michel is a very good runner. What got him drafted in the first round was that he can also pick-up blitzes and catch the ball. White is so good at that we just haven't seen that part of his game yet.

Elijah said:

He's quietly putting up a lot more rushing yards on a per game basis than anyone we've had in a while, maybe 2012 Ridley is the closest and most recent comparison. If we can consistently get peak Ridley production (minus the fumbles) from rookie Michel, imagine how good he can be next year or 2020.

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Pats' lead rusher, TEAM rushing success - history under BB:

2018 Michel = 80.0, 18.2 a/g, 4.4 ypa
... TEAM = #5 att, #11 yds, #6 TDs, #19 ypa

2017 Lewis = 56.0, 11.3 a/g, 5.0 ypa
... TEAM = #11 att, #10 yds, #6 TDs, #12 ypa

2016 Blount = 72.6, 18.7 a/g, 3.9 ypa
... TEAM = #3 att, #7 yds, #5 TDs, #25 ypa

2015 Blount = 58.6, 13.8 a/g, 4.3 ypa
... TEAM = #25 att, #30 yds, #11 TDs, #29 ypa

2014 Ridley = 56.7, 15.7 a/g, 3.6 ypa
.... Blount = 56.2, 12.0 a/g, 4.7 ypa
... TEAM = #13 att, #18 yds, #12 TDs, #22 ypa

2013 Ridley = 55.2, 12.7 a/g, 4.3 ypa
.... Blount = 48.3, 9.6 a/g, 5.0 ypa
... TEAM = #9 att, #9 yds, #2 TDs, #9 ypa

2012 Ridley = 78.9, 18.1 a/g, 4.4 ypa
... TEAM = #2 att, #7 yds, #1 TDs, #17 ypa

2011 BGE = 41.7, 11.3 a/g, 3.7 ypa
... TEAM = #17 att, #20 yds, #3 TDs, #24 ypa

2010 BGE = 63.0, 14.3 a/g, 4.4 ypa
... TEAM = #10 att, #9 yds, #2 TDs, #10 ypa

2009 Maroney = 50.5, 12.9 a/g, 3.9 ypa
... TEAM = #10 att, #12 yds, #6 TDs, #21 ypa

2008 Morris = 55.9, 12.0 a/g, 4.7 ypa
... TEAM = #4 att, #6 yds, #4 TDs, #7 ypa

2007 Maroney = 64.2, 14.2 a/g, 4.5 ypa
.... Morris = 64.0, 14.2 a/g, 4.5 ypa
... TEAM = #9 att, #13 yds, #5 TDs, #14 ypa

2006 Maroney = 53.2, 12.5 a/g, 4.3 ypa
.... Dillon = 50.8, 12.4 a/g, 4.1 ypa
... TEAM = #6 att, #12 yds, #4 TDs, #18 ypa

2005 Dillon = 61.1, 17.4 a/g, 3.5 ypa
... TEAM = #18 att, #24 yds, #11 TDs, #30 ypa

2004 Dillon = 109.0, 23.0 a/g, 4.7 ypa
... TEAM = #5 att, #7 yds, #8 TDs, #18, ypa

2003 Smith = 49.4, 14.0 a/g, 3.5 ypa
.... Faulk = 42.5, 11.9 a/g, 3.6 ypa
... TEAM = #12 att, #27 yds, #24 TDs, #30 ypa

2002 Smith = 61.4, 15.8 a/g, 3.9 ypa
... TEAM = #28 att, #28 yds, #26 TDs, #27 ypa

2001 Smith = 72.3, 17.9 a/g, 4.0 ypa
... TEAM = #8 att, #13 yds, #7 TDs, #24 ypa

2000 Faulk = 35.6, 10.3 a/g, 3.5 ypa
.... Redmond = 33.8, 10.4 a/g, 3.2 ypa
... TEAM = #18 att, #26 yds, #24 TDs, #28 ypa

Beginning in 2004,
- the Pats have been among the top-10 teams in rushing TDs,
..... with the exception of 2005, 2014 and 2015.
- the Pats have been among the top-11 in rushing attempts
..... with the exception of 2005, 2011, 2014, and 2015

maineman209 said:

Pats' lead rusher, TEAM rushing success - history under BB:

2018 Michel = 80.0, 18.2 a/g, 4.4 ypa
... TEAM = #5 att, #11 yds, #6 TDs, #19 ypa

2017 Lewis = 56.0, 11.3 a/g, 5.0 ypa
... TEAM = #11 att, #10 yds, #6 TDs, #12 ypa

2016 Blount = 72.6, 18.7 a/g, 3.9 ypa
... TEAM = #3 att, #7 yds, #5 TDs, #25 ypa

2015 Blount = 58.6, 13.8 a/g, 4.3 ypa
... TEAM = #25 att, #30 yds, #11 TDs, #29 ypa

2014 Ridley = 56.7, 15.7 a/g, 3.6 ypa
.... Blount = 56.2, 12.0 a/g, 4.7 ypa
... TEAM = #13 att, #18 yds, #12 TDs, #22 ypa

2013 Ridley = 55.2, 12.7 a/g, 4.3 ypa
.... Blount = 48.3, 9.6 a/g, 5.0 ypa
... TEAM = #9 att, #9 yds, #2 TDs, #9 ypa

2012 Ridley = 78.9, 18.1 a/g, 4.4 ypa
... TEAM = #2 att, #7 yds, #1 TDs, #17 ypa

2011 BGE = 41.7, 11.3 a/g, 3.7 ypa
... TEAM = #17 att, #20 yds, #3 TDs, #24 ypa

2010 BGE = 63.0, 14.3 a/g, 4.4 ypa
... TEAM = #10 att, #9 yds, #2 TDs, #10 ypa

2009 Maroney = 50.5, 12.9 a/g, 3.9 ypa
... TEAM = #10 att, #12 yds, #6 TDs, #21 ypa

2008 Morris = 55.9, 12.0 a/g, 4.7 ypa
... TEAM = #4 att, #6 yds, #4 TDs, #7 ypa

2007 Maroney = 64.2, 14.2 a/g, 4.5 ypa
.... Morris = 64.0, 14.2 a/g, 4.5 ypa
... TEAM = #9 att, #13 yds, #5 TDs, #14 ypa

2006 Maroney = 53.2, 12.5 a/g, 4.3 ypa
.... Dillon = 50.8, 12.4 a/g, 4.1 ypa
... TEAM = #6 att, #12 yds, #4 TDs, #18 ypa

2005 Dillon = 61.1, 17.4 a/g, 3.5 ypa
... TEAM = #18 att, #24 yds, #11 TDs, #30 ypa

2004 Dillon = 109.0, 23.0 a/g, 4.7 ypa
... TEAM = #5 att, #7 yds, #8 TDs, #18, ypa

2003 Smith = 49.4, 14.0 a/g, 3.5 ypa
.... Faulk = 42.5, 11.9 a/g, 3.6 ypa
... TEAM = #12 att, #27 yds, #24 TDs, #30 ypa

2002 Smith = 61.4, 15.8 a/g, 3.9 ypa
... TEAM = #28 att, #28 yds, #26 TDs, #27 ypa

2001 Smith = 72.3, 17.9 a/g, 4.0 ypa
... TEAM = #8 att, #13 yds, #7 TDs, #24 ypa

2000 Faulk = 35.6, 10.3 a/g, 3.5 ypa
.... Redmond = 33.8, 10.4 a/g, 3.2 ypa
... TEAM = #18 att, #26 yds, #24 TDs, #28 ypa

Beginning in 2004,
- the Pats have been among the top-10 teams in rushing TDs,
..... with the exception of 2005, 2014 and 2015.
- the Pats have been among the top-11 in rushing attempts
..... with the exception of 2005, 2011, 2014, and 2015

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Nice. So far it does look like production-wise his closest comparison is 2012 Ridley, which was our best single RB performance since Corey Dillon had that ridiculous season in a different era.