Is Develin hurting the running game, and the offense overall?

[mgteich]

If Mulligan is worse, why is he here? Could Ballard really be worse?

Develin looks pretty bad but Hooman is absolutely dreadful, just a god awful blocker.

 

[cstjohn17]

If Mulligan is worse, why is he here? Could Ballard really be worse?

Hooman at least appears to lineup in the correct position. Not really sure why Mulligan is here but if he is a better blocker maybe they give him a look, it is not like they are targeting the TEs in the passing game.

 

[Brady6]

They are some pretty good FB's in the game we just don't have one.

This is true, the biggest problem with Develin is he isn't much of an option in the receiving game which when you run primarily a spread offense that relies on a quick offensive pace, precise route running and route running, and versatility of personnel.

I don't love Hooman but at least he can command coverage on some level, having him and Develin on the field at the same time seems redundant and restrictive.

 

[Brady6]

If Mulligan is worse, why is he here? Could Ballard really be worse?

What I don't understand is if you wanted a player capable of playing fullback, inline tight end and flex tight end why the heck did we cut Daniel Fells who could do all of those things, he has good size at 6'4 252 pounds, he is a very good blocker, a crisp route runner with a solid set of hands and he has experience lining up at fullback which he did a lot of during his time with the Rams. In fact many analysis said he was a better fit for fullback when he first signed here last season.

I admit I wasn't high on Fells in the preseason mainly because I thought we had more in Sudfeld and Ballard, added to my doubting we'd retain a fullback, now that I see Develin, Mulligan and Hooman on the 53 man roster I'm about to start a ******* petition and picketing outside of Gillette with a sign that says "sign Daniel Fells".

 

[supafly]

What I don't understand is if you wanted a player capable of playing fullback, inline tight end and flex tight end why the heck did we cut Daniel Fells who could do all of those things, he has good size at 6'4 252 pounds, he is a very good blocker, a crisp route runner with a solid set of hands and he has experience lining up at fullback which he did a lot of during his time with the Rams. In fact many analysis said he was a better fit for fullback when he first signed here last season.

I admit I wasn't high on Fells in the preseason mainly because I thought we had more in Sudfeld and Ballard, added to my doubting we'd retain a fullback, now that I see Develin, Mulligan and Hooman on the 53 man roster I'm about to start a ******* petition and picketing outside of Gillette with a sign that says "sign Daniel Fells".

I'm guessing it may be due to the concussion, B6.

He reportedly received a pretty nasty concussion, and I'd have to imagine that's their concern.

OR

They went to both Fells and Hooman and asked them to take a roster cut, and Hooman was the only one who did as Fells may have refused. If that's the case then I could understand it a bit more, but I agree with you--if he's capable whatsoever they should be contacting him. Of course, maybe they have and they just don't feel that it's worth the money.

 

[Brady6]

Hooman at least appears to lineup in the correct position. Not really sure why Mulligan is here but if he is a better blocker maybe they give him a look, it is not like they are targeting the TEs in the passing game.

Sometimes I think Josh McDaniel's let's his innovative plans get carried away and at the beginning of the season Belichick and Brady just go along with his elaborate plans to create this never seen before offense to apiece Josh, then after 3-4 weeks Belichick and Brady get sick of the foolishness and Bill sits down with Josh and has a coming back to earth conversation such as "well Josh we gave that a try but I just think you're ahead of the evolution of mankind with your thinking but we can keep Hooman as a consolation prize".

Last season he did the same thing in the Cardinals and Ravens games, and then you started seeing a return to Brady making more on the field calls, and players like Salas, Hilliard were sent packing and Welker was reinserted into the offense. Unfortunately Welker can't be reinserted this season but hopefully we can send Develin and Mulligan packing.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Agreed with OP - even if the Pats are dead-set on using a fullback, how is Develin a better-than-JAG option? John Conner, for example, is a free agent; isn't he at least better than Develin? Develin isn't versatile or anything, so I guess I just don't really get the point.

 

[Brady6]

I'm guessing it may be due to the concussion, B6.

He reportedly received a pretty nasty concussion, and I'd have to imagine that's their concern.

OR

They went to both Fells and Hooman and asked them to take a roster cut, and Hooman was the only one who did as Fells may have refused. If that's the case then I could understand it a bit more, but I agree with you--if he's capable whatsoever they should be contacting him. Of course, maybe they have and they just don't feel that it's worth the money.

I was not aware of the concussion but thank you I will have to return these poster boards to Walmart.

 

[Brady6]

Agreed with OP - even if the Pats are dead-set on using a fullback, how is Develin a better-than-JAG option? John Conner, for example, is a free agent; isn't he at least better than Develin?

I'd have rather brought Tony Fiammetta back at least he is a good blocker, or even Spencer Larsen who can play LB and ST.

 

[supafly]

I was not aware of the concussion but thank you I will have to return these poster boards to Walmart.

Don't throw out the poster boards quite yet. You'll need one for me too if the situation doesn't improve soon.

As far as the concussion goes, that's apparently why he missed that 10+ day stretch in the preseason (think it was around game 2 and/or 3). Of course he did come back to play in game 4 to give it a go, but I suppose it's possible that maybe he was still experiencing some symptoms.

The bottom line with any question with this team: "Who the hell really knows?"

 

[Oswlek]

Isn't this just another way of asking, "Does Develin suck?"

Yes, yes he does.

 

[Sciz]

Agreed with OP - even if the Pats are dead-set on using a fullback, how is Develin a better-than-JAG option? John Conner, for example, is a free agent; isn't he at least better than Develin? Develin isn't versatile or anything, so I guess I just don't really get the point.

John Connor's practices do not translate to games. It sounds like the playbook is a major issue for him. He is good when he knows what to do, which isn't nearly often enough.

 

[Canuck]

I don't think Devlin would even be on the team if it wasn't for all the injuries to the Tight Ends. Normally Hooman would be used at the FB role but he is needed at the TE spot. Pats running attack was usually effective because defenders never knew if the Pats would run or pass based on the personnel package on the field. With Hooman, Devlin, Solder as a TE, Riddley on the field, odds are it's going to be a run and defenders are keying on it.

 

[Sciz]

With Hooman, Devlin, Solder as a TE, Riddley on the field, odds are it's going to be a run and defenders are keying on it.

The Patriots run lots of playactions out of heavy formations for this exact reason. And when they pull out the playaction with the pulling guard, then look out, defenses.

 

[mgteich]

Hooman can't be both a #1 TE and a FB.

Hopefully, two things can happen in the next 2 weeks. Gronkowksi will be back. Also, either Sudfeld or Mulligan will be able to be the #3 TE.

On Thursday, we were basically reduced to Hooman and Solder.

When Gronk is back and Mulligan or Sudfeld is usable as the #3 TE, then Develin should be cut (could happen before Sunday). Mulligan is a different issue. If he can be better blocking TE than Sudfeld or Hooman, then he should be kept on the 53. If not, he should also be waived.

 

[tbrown]

I will second shmessy's kudos on a well laid out argument, Brady6. I have not been able to see either game due to work commitments, so this is a nice wrinkle of info to hear about.

 

[Wax Frog]

Other than in short yardage or goal line situations Ridley has never ran behind a fullback in his NFL career

If he ever acquires the skill he'll be dominate!

 

[Brady6]

Isn't this just another way of asking, "Does Develin suck?"

Yes, yes he does.

I agree he sucks, in fact I can’t understand why they think highly of him at all, but I also think on some level the fullback position just is not a good fit for this offense. The running-backs seem to run better without being forced to follow a lead blocker, and being that the backs we have are young they likely don’t have the audacity to run to an alternate hole for fear that if they fail they will suffer repercussions for not following the designed play behind a lead back.

 

[Brady6]

Hooman can't be both a #1 TE and a FB.

Hopefully, two things can happen in the next 2 weeks. Gronkowksi will be back. Also, either Sudfeld or Mulligan will be able to be the #3 TE.

On Thursday, we were basically reduced to Hooman and Solder.

When Gronk is back and Mulligan or Sudfeld is usable as the #3 TE, then Develin should be cut (could happen before Sunday). Mulligan is a different issue. If he can be better blocking TE than Sudfeld or Hooman, then he should be kept on the 53. If not, he should also be waived.

I am not sure when exactly it was that having a #1 fullback on this squad became important, we haven’t had a true fullback since Heath Evans in 2008.

 

[patsfan-1982]

he's not a good blocker and teams know the pats are running when he's in there and no one is going to let the pats run the ball if the fear of Brady beating them for 300 yards and 3 TD's is not there... so IMO its not 100% on Develin its a lil bit of everything