Chris Johnson?

[Bobs My Uncle]

If money weren't an issue I'd take Johnson in a heartbeat as he'd be the best RB on this team and a wicked weapon for a Brady led offense. But, not sure the Pats have enough cap $ to grab him.

 

[Mack Herron]

With Wendell in the middle and CJ behind him, Brady's insurance premiums would take a hit.

 

[Sicilian]

While I like CJ the talent, I'm against spending any big money on a RB when there are other areas where it could be put to better use.

 

[Fixit]

Why? So I can lose my voice screaming, "Would you just hit the ******* hole?!?"

 

[Ring 6]

If CJ came here he would be the lead back playing in most situations. I think of him as a much more talented, durable productive version of Vereen. Vereen is an ok complimentary player with a complete inability to stay on the field. CJ could take most of the load and be spotted from time to time with Ridley or Vereen.

I see zero chance of that happening. He is just the wrong kind of back for this team. 20 carries for 30 yards and one 50 yard run isn't what we need, but its his MO.

At this point, I think there is no doubt that Ridley is a better RB.

 

[cstjohn17]

I see zero chance of that happening. He is just the wrong kind of back for this team. 20 carries for 30 yards and one 50 yard run isn't what we need, but its his MO.

At this point, I think there is no doubt that Ridley is a better RB.

Wow, that is bold, to each his own. Time to go watch the Red Sox.

 

[SalemPats]

I see zero chance of that happening. He is just the wrong kind of back for this team. 20 carries for 30 yards and one 50 yard run isn't what we need, but its his MO.

At this point, I think there is no doubt that Ridley is a better RB.

I kind of agree. We need a physical rb, not a player who puts in 2nd/3rd and long. The only thing i do like is that he is a threat catching the ball.
He's going to want bigger money then we can pay, so there's little chance we would sign him

 

[West Philly Patriot]

At this point, I think there is no doubt that Ridley is a better RB.

I think this is debatable, especially considering Ridley's contributions to the passing game. Ridley was not the same guy he was in 2012 last season, I don't know if it was the bulk he put on or what. I would even go further as to say Ridley isn't the best RB in his own corps.

If we only had enough cap space to keep 1 back of Vereen/Ridley who would you choose. I'm going Vereen. If he's healthy all year last season his numbers would've been borderline elite statistically.

 

[MassPats38]

I'm just curious....

How many of you who are bashing Johnson know that he played most of last season with a cartilage tear in his knee?

I was aware, and referenced the surgery in my post. The movie reference was just humor. I know he has ability (and heart, as he doesn't come off the field), just not $8 million ability at this point in his career. There would be no tears from me if he signed with the Pats at a reasonable price.

In 2011, he had comparable stats. Didn't like the OC then or in 2012 apparently (ie., not my fault). The Pats D beat him bad in 2012 (4 yards on 11 carries). While he could be the Marcus Allen story with regard to his coaches, I am not convinced. That does not equate to him not being an upgrade to the present RB corps as he does have talent and he would be interesting to see when accompanied by a good passing game and better coaches.

 

[Don_the_patfan]

Wow, that is bold, to each his own. Time to go watch the Red Sox.

AKA fall asleep lol. No chance he signs here and it's got nothing to do with fit but it has everything to do with other teams like the Jets having the cap space and will offer much more than we will. He will take the cash over the chance to win every time.

 

[chasa]

AKA fall asleep lol. No chance he signs here and it's got nothing to do with fit but it has everything to do with other teams like the Jets having the cap space and will offer much more than we will. He will take the cash over the chance to win every time.

Ill start watching baseball around the mid point in the season.

162 games is 100 games too many imo

 

[Ring 6]

I think this is debatable, especially considering Ridley's contributions to the passing game. Ridley was not the same guy he was in 2012 last season, I don't know if it was the bulk he put on or what. I would even go further as to say Ridley isn't the best RB in his own corps.

If we only had enough cap space to keep 1 back of Vereen/Ridley who would you choose. I'm going Vereen. If he's healthy all year last season his numbers would've been borderline elite statistically.

You can't choose because both play very different roles. No way Vereen could hold up playing both roles, and Ridley just isnt going to be a receiving back.

Ridley was fine last year other the fumbling issue.
I think people are severely overrating Johnson.

 

[Ring 6]

I kind of agree. We need a physical rb, not a player who puts in 2nd/3rd and long. The only thing i do like is that he is a threat catching the ball.
He's going to want bigger money then we can pay, so there's little chance we would sign him

His style is as big an issue to me as his eroding skills. A RB who is medicore at best 95% of the time and pumps up his stats by breaking a few long runs isn't what we need.
I get that long runs are valuable, but I would rather be getting the yards that are there to get on the majority of runs than leaving them on the field and popping a long run once in a while, even if it adds up the a little more in the long run. Thats why stats are pointless without context.

 

[Deus Irae]

I was aware, and referenced the surgery in my post. The movie reference was just humor. I know he has ability (and heart, as he doesn't come off the field), just not $8 million ability at this point in his career. There would be no tears from me if he signed with the Pats at a reasonable price.

In 2011, he had comparable stats. Didn't like the OC then or in 2012 apparently (ie., not my fault). The Pats D beat him bad in 2012 (4 yards on 11 carries). While he could be the Marcus Allen story with regard to his coaches, I am not convinced. That does not equate to him not being an upgrade to the present RB corps as he does have talent and he would be interesting to see when accompanied by a good passing game and better coaches.

Thanks for your reply. It's appreciated.

 

[primetime]

I'm just curious....

How many of you who are bashing Johnson know that he played most of last season with a cartilage tear in his knee?

I know he did. If it was just last year, that would be one thing. But it's been four seasons now where he goes down if he so much as gets sneezed at, and even his 4+ ypc average in those 4 seasons (until last year) was largely the result of a few big runs skewing it.

If anything, he's probably more valuable as a third down back at this stage in his career, and I could see the Patriots being interested since Vereen hasn't proven he can stay healthy. I would be interested since Johnson has great hands, is a good pass protector, and is still explosive in space. But in reality he's going to get paid like a three-down guy by a team that sees the name rather than the player, which likely takes the Patriots out of the running.

 

[Brady6]

The Patriots could sign Johnson and sure it would be great for this season and we could afford it. The problem is that he is likely going to be looking for a 3-5 year deal and if we commit to him, we will have a hard time resigning Ridley and Vereen after the season.

 

[Deus Irae]

The Jets will probably make a hard push for him.

 

[PatsChamp88]

For the right price sure but I'm sure he'll price himself out of what New England is willing to spend

 

[SHOWTIME15]

chris johnson had an 8 million dollar salary last year. he's not coming here.

 

[Jercules]

Nobody sees a possible Randy Moss parallel here? Johnson is a once-megastar whose recent production has been dismal. Is he in decline, or has he been phoning it in? If it's the latter, can an organization like NE bring back CJ2K?