Expect alot of Sammy Morris in tonight's game - Maybe do or die for a RB spot

[CrazyDave]

On blitz pick up:
From camp battles with LBs: Evans is best. Morris is next. Faulk after that.

On receiving:
Faulk is best. LJ is next. Morris is pretty good.

On north/south running:
By my eye, Morris was quick to the inside hole and broke tackles. LJ is probably shiftier as well as bringing a load. Both are solid alternatives to Maroney.

Bottom line: These are both good backs. Last year, Belichick jumped at the opportunity to snare Morris, picking him up immediately in free agency and signing him long term. This year, despite having a full roster of backs, in a market flush with street free agents, he jumped at LJ, though he only signed him short term.

I believe both will stay, along with Faulk, Maroney, and Evans.

Agreed. Come january, we'll need as many hammers as we can get. When the weather turns cold we need to be able to grind it out. It's worth the roster spot. Who knows who can stay healthy.

 

[RayClay]

5 rbs. Versatile running game = happy Olinemen and hesitant pass rushers.

Our Oline will need all the help they can get until we have a healthy working rotation.

 

[JMarr]

5 rbs. Versatile running game = happy Olinemen and hesitant pass rushers.

Our Oline will need all the help they can get until we have a healthy working rotation.

If defenses are keying on the run on any given play, it won't really matter how versatile our RBs are, or if the one we have in there is "fresh." More versatility in play calling would help alot [Josh]

 

[DefenseRules]

If defenses are keying on the run on any given play, it won't really matter how versatile our RBs are, or if the one we have in there is "fresh." More versatility in play calling would help alot [Josh]

You make a good point about Josh. His play calling in the Super Bowl was suspect, IMO.

 

[unoriginal]

Lest we forget, Morris is an old ST ace, which is how he made his living in the NFL between infrequent spot starts.

 

[wdkantro2]

Personally, I would be surprised if either Morris or Jordan got cut if they perform OK in the preseason. I am quite sure the Pats want to run the ball more this year and they will not hesitate to keep an extra RB. I think they will be going the 5 RB route this year.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

You make a good point about Josh. His play calling in the Super Bowl was suspect, IMO.

they never had balance in the SB and passed too much.

Sammy Morris is not getting cut.

Someone will end up getting injured or banged up.

More rb's keeps them all fresh and the ability to rest someone on a given week if they need to

 

[DefenseRules]

they never had balance in the SB and passed too much.

Sammy Morris is not getting cut.

Someone will end up getting injured or banged up.

More rb's keeps them all fresh and the ability to rest someone on a given week if they need to

I agree. We have a good group of backs that can all do different things. The Pats should take advantage of it.

 

[eom]

is there some reason eckel isn't the odd man out?

 

[old 55]

So we're assuming that we keep:
Maroney
Morris
Jordan
Faulk
and Evans
and cut Eckel and BGE

I think we are all safe in seeing BGE as a definite cut,
but is there any chance that BB cuts Evans over Eckel since Eckel is younger
or saves a roster spot and cuts BOTH FBs
and uses Jordan and/or other large position players in blocking FB situations?

Not saying this will happen, but I'm just wondering that when push comes to shove and BB needs to decide if he wants to keep another D player, especially a young one with upside that he might lose to another team, that he doesn't try to save a roster spot here at FB.

FBs are barely used in our offense over the past couple of years and the roster spots may outweigh the FB position's value in BB's mind.

I know that Evans appears to be well liked by the coaching staff and seems to be a guy that enjoys being a Patriot.
It would be hard to cut a guy like him, but BB is capable of making this decision and keeping him on the speed dial if he isn't picked up by another team.

Eckel was a guy they liked a couple of years back and took him back after that Miami sniping of this player after the Pats cut him late in camp that year.

Just trying to anticipate potential surprises coming with cuts.
Feel free to tell me I'm wrong...

 

[DefenseRules]

Eckel has not practiced for the last two weeks. He didn't play in the first preseason game either. Right now, he's far behind everyone.

 

[old 55]

Eckel has not practiced for the last two weeks. He didn't play in the first preseason game either. Right now, he's far behind everyone.

True, so the PUP list might be an alternative to keep him unavailable to the other teams while BB keeps an insurance policy in case of an injury to one of the other RBs.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

True, so the PUP list might be an alternative to keep him unavailable to the other teams while BB keeps an insurance policy in case of an injury to one of the other RBs.

No PUP is not an alternative. Once you practise, you cannot go on PUP.
I like the kid but he's cut this summer.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Personally, I really like the options keeping these 5 RBs(cutting Eckel)does for us. Evans is the only FB, and we need his sure footed plodding for snow games as well as his ST capability. Here is my idea for Morris.......
I would START him, he is better than Maroney in blitz pickup(could have been used in the SB!), and let Brady and the recievers build a first half lead. He will get some carries, but not really the "feature" back. In the 2nd half(with a lead)we put out a FRESH MARONEY who runs all over the tired D......It saves Maroney from being too beat up to go a whole season(which he hasnt been able to do). Jordan can sub both and backup Faulk as well. The teams we play(the western conferences)are not as good against the run, or at least they werent last year. I think with those 4 tough away games spreading out the workload and having a better balance might be better for long term health of everyone.

 

[mgteich]

Posters are considering cutting a healthy Morris to keep someone like Redd???????????
The reason to watch Morris is to see how well he recovered from his injuries. When he was healthy he was our BEST producing back. He was something special in the beginning of last year.

We have taken the risk of carrying only four running backs several times, and several times we wished we had another solid back in January. We have five running backs. All will have their roles. And BTW, I would suggest that those who compare Eckel with Morris need to re-think their position. BTW, Morris is a fine special teamer.

I believe that we have the portential to have a better running game than last year, in September, but also in January. The question is not our running backs. The question mark is the health of the OL.

 

[Krugman]

I think Fordncircle (sp?) has said it,barring some lingering effects of last years injury,cant see Morris being cut.Pats might keep five RB'S.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Posters are considering cutting a healthy Morris to keep someone like Redd???????????
The reason to watch Morris is to see how well he recovered from his injuries. When he was healthy he was our BEST producing back. He was something special in the beginning of last year.

We have taken the risk of carrying only four running backs several times, and several times we wished we had another solid back in January. We have five running backs. All will have their roles. And BTW, I would suggest that those who compare Eckel with Morris need to re-think their position. BTW, Morris is a fine special teamer.

I believe that we have the portential to have a better running game than last year, in September, but also in January. The question is not our running backs. The question mark is the health of the OL.

exactly. defense and running game is the difference in snow, wind, and cold weather

 

[old 55]

I wouldn't ever suggest cutting Morris. He was tearing it up before the injury last year.
To me, the question is the FB position.
At RB, I would keep Morris, Maroney, Jordan and Faulk.
I do understand the point about injuries at the RB position since these guys take a beating on every carry.

 

[jbb9s]

exactly. defense and running game is the difference in snow, wind, and cold weather

Correction:

Defense and running game is the difference in the dome at Indy around the 3rd week of January and beautiful Arizona on the first Sunday of February.

 

[JoeSixPat]

There's a few indications that BB wants to feature the run this year and having 5 RBs would help ensure he's able to do that all season - both in terms of a rotation and insurance in case of injury.

There's no question that the team can carry 5 RBs as easilly as they carried 4 QBs in the past - and there's precedent with going into the season with just 2 QBs to open up the extra roster spot. (Though if Brady does have a naggin foot injury, I wouldn't expect that to happen).

In any case, Morris, regardless of performance last year, is the most likely to be cut (assuming Faulk's skills and abilities remain high). Morris is less of a pass catcher than Jordan, giving Jordan the edge.

Morris does need to show he's fully healthy, but beyond that, doesn't need to outplay Jordan as they are two different types of RBs, and BB knows this.