A little Spiller talk

[The Coon]

Please no!

We need to fix the front seven first and foremost and get a RB later on. I would take Ben Tate with one of our second rounders.

 

[mgteich]

We ALL agree that we need to draft fron seven folks. If we draft three additions, I am fine with those being any of our first four picks. How much does it really matter whether we use our 22 on Spiller and then draft three front seven folks or if we draft a RB at 53.

The difference is value. Spiller may be judged to be much better than anyone when pick in the second. And just perhaps the DE's and OLB's available at 22 won't be jusged so much better.

We ALL know our needs, and we WILL fill them.

Please no!

We need to fix the front seven first and foremost and get a RB later on. I would take Ben Tate with one of our second rounders.

 

[The Coon]

We ALL agree that we need to draft fron seven folks. If we draft three additions, I am fine with those being any of our first four picks. How much does it really matter whether we use our 22 on Spiller and then draft three front seven folks or if we draft a RB at 53.

The difference is value. Spiller may be judged to be much better than anyone when pick in the second. And just perhaps the DE's and OLB's available at 22 won't be jusged so much better.

We ALL know our needs, and we WILL fill them.

Im not sold on Spiller being that much better than all of the other backs in this draft. I like Spillers special teams abilities but to take him in round 1, he better be a 25 carry a game guy that can take the hits from inside the tackles, we all know he has the speed to take it to the outside, i just question the durability.

 

[woolster22]

Hardesty and Tate should both be available in the 3rd/4th. I don't know much about Hardesty, but Tate would be a great fit for the Pats. Decisive one cut runner with good vision. can also catch out of the backfield. Good speed. Started hearing a lot more about Hardesty after the combine. He posted some impressive numbers there, but I don't think I've seen him play.

 

[FoxboroFlyer]

Well one thing is for sure there are plenty of quality backs to be had in this draft. For that reason I see no way BB gives up anything significant to move up to grab Spiller. From all the scouting reports I've read he is a Bush clone, and to me that is certainly not an every down back. Hardesty,Gerhart,Tate, and the one I really like Matthews could all be had at one of our original draft slots. Oh yeah, and don't forget about Starks that dude is a big boy, and a punishing runner.

 

[bucky]

Here's an interesting tidbit...

Since drafting Maroney, the Patriots have only invested 1 pick in a RB - Justice Hairston in the 6th round in 2007. There are only 2 other teams in the NFL who did not draft a RB in 2008 and 2009:

First is the Vikings - of course they drafted Adrian Peterson in 2007.
Second is the Redskins - possibly the worst drafting team in the NFL.

So I think the Pats have gotten their moneys' worth from the Maroney pick and it's time to spend another high (top 60) pick on a RB.

 

[dryheat44]

But guys like Spiller or even Best don't come around every year.

Sure they do. Reggie Bush, Leon Washington, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, Ray Rice, Jerome Harrison, JJ Arrington, Felix Jones, Jamaal Charles, Darren Sproles, Ahmad Bradshaw, Brian Westbrook, Garrett Wolfe, Javon Ringer, Trung Canidate, Justin Forsett ...


Every year, undersized scat-backs and return specialists are out there. Occasionally, one proves to be able to handle a full-time load, like Westbrook, Rice or Johnson. Sometimes they prove to be good 3rd down backs, like Bush and Washington. And some just go il busto, like Arrington and Canidate.

 

[bucky]

Sure they do. Reggie Bush, Leon Washington, Chris Johnson, Steve Slaton, Ray Rice, Jerome Harrison, JJ Arrington, Felix Jones, Jamaal Charles, Darren Sproles, Ahmad Bradshaw, Brian Westbrook, Garrett Wolfe, Javon Ringer, Trung Canidate, Justin Forsett ...


Every year, undersized scat-backs and return specialists are out there. Occasionally, one proves to be able to handle a full-time load, like Westbrook, Rice or Johnson. Sometimes they prove to be good 3rd down backs, like Bush and Washington. And some just go il busto, like Arrington and Canidate.

I'm talking about guys with great college production, have big play ability that projects to the NFL (i.e. speed and quickness), can contribute in the passing game, are not significantly undersized (adequate height and at least 195 lbs) and are ready to contribute immediately. Surely, some of the guys you mentioned fit the bill and some don't. Last year, there weren't any guys like that. In '08 there were a few. None in '07.