Elite RB up for grabs.

[primetime]

I have to disagree with that. Pittsburgh drafted Mendenhall at 23 despite having Willie Parker, who was good enough to help them win the SB. Dallas drafted Felix Jones at 22 despite giving big bucks to Marion Barber. Carolina drafted Jonathan Stewart at 13 despite having drafted DeAngelo Williams at 27 2 years previously, and Williams responded with a career year. You need more than 1 RB in the NFL.

But the difference between a mediocre and a great running back isn't that much, and is mostly predicated on the strength of his offensive line. You can find running backs on the free agent market or late in the draft. I doubt the Belichick-led Patriots will ever draft another 1st round RB. Maroney burned them and RBs just aren't a value pick in the 1st round.

 

[alvinnf]

I told you we needed a running back.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

But the difference between a mediocre and a great running back isn't that much, and is mostly predicated on the strength of his offensive line. You can find running backs on the free agent market or late in the draft. I doubt the Belichick-led Patriots will ever draft another 1st round RB. Maroney burned them and RBs just aren't a value pick in the 1st round.

I absolutely love the way Ray Lewis and company introduced Mendenhall to the NFL. Maybe one day BB can develop a couple of nasty defenders that can do that to Miami and New York RB's.

 

[Seneschal2]

I absolutely love the way Ray Lewis and company introduced Mendenhall to the NFL. Maybe one day BB can develop a couple of nasty defenders that can do that to Miami and New York RB's.

You wouldn't be talking Mayo and Curry -- would ya?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

You wouldn't be talking Mayo and Curry -- would ya?

Ochmed is projecting Curry into Mayo's WILB and feeling the duplication isn't the best direction to go. I'd like to know if Mayo is making any progress to adding some weight/muscle, if he is, I could see slding him over and using Curry at WILB. I'm also wondering if Craig or Robertson have been getting work inside...

 

[Seneschal2]

Ochmed is projecting Curry into Mayo's WILB and feeling the duplication isn't the best direction to go. I'd like to know if Mayo is making any progress to adding some weight/muscle, if he is, I could see slding him over and using Curry at WILB.

Sounds like a plan.

I'm also wondering if Craig or Robertson have been getting work inside...

The 'kids' as you've called them are still such a mystery. We know from their draft profiles and/or game observations, but not much on the NFL level. If we only knew where each one stands; Who's the best edge rusher? Who's the strongest and weakest vs the run? Etc. Then we'd have a clearer picture as to how to upgrade the position. They're developmental prospects...I'd like to KNOW which one may be ready to make an impact this season (or seriously contribute), while avoiding the world of speculation.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Sounds like a plan.

The 'kids' as you've called them are still such a mystery. We know from their draft profiles and/or game observations, but not much on the NFL level. If we only knew where each one stands; Who's the best edge rusher? Who's the strongest and weakest vs the run? Etc. Then we'd have a clearer picture as to how to upgrade the position. They're developmental prospects...I'd like to KNOW which one may be ready to make an impact this season (or seriously contribute), while avoiding the world of speculation.

Connor Barwin speaks highly of Craig. Robertson did earn a black jersey last Fall, which always speaks well for BB's view of him.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Ochmed is projecting Curry into Mayo's WILB and feeling the duplication isn't the best direction to go. I'd like to know if Mayo is making any progress to adding some weight/muscle, if he is, I could see slding him over and using Curry at WILB. I'm also wondering if Craig or Robertson have been getting work inside...

I would much rather see Thomas line up inside on the side of Mayo with Bruschi and Guyton as the reserves at ILB.

I am not a Mayo fan, but after an offseason with Woicik, I see Mayo coming back much stronger, a little quicker, and a lot more comfortable in the playbook. I would hope he makes a year two leap and hopefully grows into a playmaker.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Connor Barwin speaks highly of Craig. Robertson did earn a black jersey last Fall, which always speaks well for BB's view of him.

But can Robertson play ST, at the end of the day, whoever wins the third or fourth OLB spot, has to be able to contribute on ST.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

But can Robertson play ST, at the end of the day, whoever wins the third or fourth OLB spot, has to be able to contribute on ST.

Dunno, but all the kids are still with the team, which is rather surprising, so I'm thinking positively about the youth movement that kicked off last season.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I would much rather see Thomas line up inside on the side of Mayo with Bruschi and Guyton as the reserves at ILB.

I am not a Mayo fan, but after an offseason with Woicik, I see Mayo coming back much stronger, a little quicker, and a lot more comfortable in the playbook. I would hope he makes a year two leap and hopefully grows into a playmaker.

Grows into a playmaker? What was he doing last year? Sheesh. You just can't satisfy some folks. Mayo is already a playmaker, but I think he can improve even more his second year. That's pretty scary considering he was ROY and the way he played in the Jets game really showed us signs of what's to come. Mayo will be a dominant force at ILB for us in the years to come.

 

[Ochmed Jones]

Grows into a playmaker? What was he doing last year? Sheesh. You just can't satisfy some folks. Mayo is already a playmaker, but I think he can improve even more his second year. That's pretty scary considering he was ROY and the way he played in the Jets game really showed us signs of what's to come. Mayo will be a dominant force at ILB for us in the years to come.

I knew posting that would be unpopular. But I can a 1,000 LBers that can make a ton of tackles 4 plus yards downfield.
I want a LB that makes a ton of TFL,that forces fumbles and on third and one,opposing offenses have to account for this player.

Time will tell if Mr. Mayo grows into a force or has already peaked cleaning up tackles because others have done the dirty blocking jobs in front of him.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I knew posting that would be unpopular. But I can a 1,000 LBers that can make a ton of tackles 4 plus yards downfield.
I want a LB that makes a ton of TFL,that forces fumbles and on third and one,opposing offenses have to account for this player.

Time will tell if Mr. Mayo grows into a force or has already peaked cleaning up tackles because others have done the dirty blocking jobs in front of him.

I concur, though I thought more highly of Mayo then Willis who still seems to be chasing down the field a lot. I would like to see Mayo filling the hole faster and I hope he's added another 10 lbs by the time Training Camp starts.

 

[Warren94]

Due to the fact that Mayo learned a complex defense like the pats have is incredible in his own right. I think with a year of conditioning he is going to be fine. need to find another guy like him.