Is Ryan Matthews the RB we should draft?

[Box_O_Rocks]

I don't know why, but you seem to have a personal bias against Blount.

Just curious, where do you get the notion that Blount is a guy that doesn't like taking guys on and trying to run them over? Have you seen him play in a lot of games or are you judging from writeups you've read and the Senior Bowl?

Will we continue to see the trend of vet RB's coming in to work as a group? Maybe a Larry Johnson type of RB who wants to win and maybe has a year or two left in him? If Lendale White isn't tendered, would we take a look at him?

Bias? Yes. Personal? No. The guy's never peed in my wheaties. That said I've seen him in three 2009 games - including the Senior Bowl. His ability to run over people is greatly exaggerated from what I've seen in those games - if he's as ineffective at the college level as I've seen... :confused2:

As far as the bias, we've had this conversation before - he's an idiot, which he proved back in September. He'll need a longer track record of good behavior before I'd be willing to take him in the draft - maybe BB will agree with you, but Blount's situation isn't exactly the same as Meriweather's.

Looking at Free Agent RBs: Scout.com: 2010 NFL Free Agency RB Rankings

The only UFA I'd be interested in is Chester Taylor. RFAs, yes I'd consider Lendale White; Leon Washington is the top RFA on my list, I like Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles too, but I doubt NE gets a serious crack at them.

I don't see any real need to bring in another veteran back except for the chance to find someone who can fill a similar role as Kevin Faulk (whom I expect to be re-signed) or Sammy Morris.

 

[MaineMan]

Bias? Yes. Personal? No. The guy's never peed in my wheaties. That said I've seen him in three 2009 games - including the Senior Bowl. His ability to run over people is greatly exaggerated from what I've seen in those games - if he's as ineffective at the college level as I've seen... :confused2:

As far as the bias, we've had this conversation before - he's an idiot, which he proved back in September. He'll need a longer track record of good behavior before I'd be willing to take him in the draft - maybe BB will agree with you, but Blount's situation isn't exactly the same as Meriweather's.

Looking at Free Agent RBs: Scout.com: 2010 NFL Free Agency RB Rankings

The only UFA I'd be interested in is Chester Taylor. RFAs, yes I'd consider Lendale White; Leon Washington is the top RFA on my list, I like Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles too, but I doubt NE gets a serious crack at them.

I don't see any real need to bring in another veteran back except for the chance to find someone who can fill a similar role as Kevin Faulk (whom I expect to be re-signed) or Sammy Morris.

Reading my mind, again, I see.

 

[MaineMan]

These are my thoughts on Matthews. I almost sound like Mel Kiper.

1) I have never seen him play.
2) He has ideal size for a full time RB.
3) He was extremely productive against all comeptition
4) Based on Pat Hill's comments, he seems to really like the guy.
5) Pat Hill and BB have a very good relationship and BB's got a good history of drafting his players.
6) Fresno State runs a man blocking scheme (based on the few highlights I've seen), as opposed to zone, so Matthews' adjustment should be easier than Maroney's was.
6) The Pats' cast of RBs is not overly impressive right now.
7) I don't really want to see another #1 pick spent on a RB, but I don't think he'll get to 43. So if he's BPA at 22, I can see us drafting him, or perhaps trading down 6-10 spots and trying to grab him there.

And yet, with basically the same cast of characters (subbing Jordan for Taylor), this committee produced the 8th best ground game in the league in 2009 and, in spite of the extensive injury time lost, was still in the top 1/3 in most categories in 2009. That's with the bust-destined Maroney (and I don't mean the Canton type of "bust"), three guys in their mid-30s and the UDFA BJGE who could barely even get a few carries within the overwhelming lineup above, even during the time missed by Taylor and Morris.

My point being that it shouldn't take very much to upgrade any of those spots. And upgrading almost certainly won't require a 1st round pick. Maybe not even a 2nd rounder. The reasonable skill level (if not "star" level") on fresh legs that's likely to be found in a 3rd or 4th round pick would probably be sufficient to bump the backfield production back into the top ten. I'd much rather use the entire first four picks on defense (maybe one on a WR).

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Reading my mind, again, I see.

It would be so much easier if you changed the light bulb. :idea2:

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Okay, I forget the thread where I was asked to comment on why NE RBs struggle, this article about Indy's O-line may be relevant:

Colts to make O-line changes
The question is whether the team will do some minor tweaking or make it a major overhaul

Colts to make O-line changes
The question is whether the team will do some minor tweaking or make it a major overhaul

By Mike Chappell
Posted: February 26, 2010

Change is imminent for one of the NFL's most efficient and prolific offenses.
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It was Mudd's belief the best way to protect Manning was to use linemen who were smaller, quicker, more athletic. Versatility was a prerequisite.

The running game, though, might have paid the price.
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The overriding problem, though, has been in sustaining efficiency and in short-yardage situations when the offensive line must assert itself.
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Since 1998, Polian and his staff have drafted 18 offensive linemen. Fifteen have been in rounds 4-7 as the Colts have leaned on Mudd to maximize the talent.

 

[MaineMan]

It would be so much easier if you changed the light bulb. :idea2:

Yeah, well, I'm a software guy. I need to bring in a hardware guy for that.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Yeah, well, I'm a software guy. I need to bring in a hardware guy for that.

....

 

[MaineMan]

Okay, I forget the thread where I was asked to comment on why NE RBs struggle, this article about Indy's O-line may be relevant:

Colts to make O-line changes
The question is whether the team will do some minor tweaking or make it a major overhaul

Just for comparison:

Since 2000, the Pats have drafted 15 O-line guys, 10 of those in rounds 5-7. The current (nominal) starters are Mankins (1st), Light (2nd), Kaczur (3rd), Koppen (5th) and Neal (UDFA). Vollmer was, of course, a 2nd rounder.

 

[billdog3484]

Lets draft Ben Tate,Golden Tate and have our own Brandon Tate on the field at the same time and call them the Tater Trio

Sounds good eh?

I think Tater Tots sounds better since theyre all young

 

[Underdog]

As far as the bias, we've had this conversation before - he's an idiot, which he proved back in September. He'll need a longer track record of good behavior before I'd be willing to take him in the draft - maybe BB will agree with you, but Blount's situation isn't exactly the same as Meriweather's.

You're right...Meriweather had a shorter track record of good behavior at this point in the process than Blount, and he hit multiple people instead of just one.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

You're right...Meriweather had a shorter track record of good behavior at this point in the process than Blount, and he hit multiple people instead of just one.

Perhaps, Meriweather was off my draft board as a maturity risk for that draft - NE had better info on him then was available to me - I 'am' being consistent in terms of evaluating a player's "issues." Regardless of his multiple suspensions for his senior year, watching him run the ball leaves me unimpressed, if people loved bashing Maroney for being "soft," this kid will enrich their lives to no end.

 

[chevss454]

Perhaps, Meriweather was off my draft board as a maturity risk for that draft - NE had better info on him then was available to me - I 'am' being consistent in terms of evaluating a player's "issues." Regardless of his multiple suspensions for his senior year, watching him run the ball leaves me unimpressed, if people loved bashing Maroney for being "soft," this kid will enrich their lives to no end.

Thanks so much, Box, for giving me a great wakeup laugh. Your humor is a breath of fresh air on this board. It seems many people here like to one-up each other just to show their "smarts". Your civility and humor are well appreciated! :rocker:

 

[Ochmed Jones]

I think Tater Tots sounds better since theyre all young

I like Tate a lot. Depending on how he runs, he could be a steal in the fourth round.

 

[WesWelker83]

I don't know why, but you seem to have a personal bias against Blount. If you watched the Oregon - Boise St. game, him running for -5 yards and safety really had nothing to do with him being a timid runner or sucking. I've seen many games (in 2008) where Blount has run through guys unlike you claim.

It's kind of hard to pick up positive yards when you get handed the ball and there are already 2-3 guys in the backfield. The offensive line of Oregon was absolutely shredded by the DL of Boise that night. Masoli was constantly under fire and as soon as Blount was handed the ball he had nowhere to go.

I know he had a fairly productive 2008, but the offense he was in did not suit his abilities well. He is a between the tackles north-south runner. Handing him the ball out the shotgun is not ideal for a power back. Do the Giants hand the ball to Brandon Jacobs out of the shotgun? No, they have a smaller/shiftier back in Bradshaw to do that with. Jeremiah Johnson and Lamichael James were much better fits in that offensive scheme than Blount. He is a Lendale White/Brandon Jacobs type of runner that is best suited running up the middle.

Just curious, where do you get the notion that Blount is a guy that doesn't like taking guys on and trying to run them over? Have you seen him play in a lot of games or are you judging from writeups you've read and the Senior Bowl?

As far as Ryan Matthews, I'm not really sold. The only RB I would consider in the first is Spiller. The only RB's I would consider in the 2nd are probably Dwyer and maybe Best or McCluster. I don't see us drafting a RB to be "the guy" though. We seem to prefer a multiback system to keep everyone fresh, but we do need a playmaker who can catch the ball out of the backfield.

A guy I like in the 3rd (if we can pick one up) or 4th is Montario Hardesty from Tennessee. He's been compared to a Clinton Portis type of RB, and I saw him play on numerous occasions this seasons and was very impressed. He's had some injury problems but I still think he'd be worth it in the 4th. He lowers his shoulder and always keeps his legs moving. He's also probably got the sickest spin move I've ever seen.

Will we continue to see the trend of vet RB's coming in to work as a group? Maybe a Larry Johnson type of RB who wants to win and maybe has a year or two left in him? If Lendale White isn't tendered, would we take a look at him?

I LOVE Montario Hardesty. I think we could look back at this draft in 3 yrs and he might be the best RB in the draft! He ripped up Florida for 96 yards and a td on 20 rushes and he had 23 rushes for 121 with 2 td vs South Carolina. He runs very hard and is always falling forward and driving his legs through contact. He has pass catching skills as well with 25 catches this year. I saw McShay compare him to Clinton Portis too. I really want to slightly trade down in the first or second to get a third. Hardesty weighs 225 now and is carrying it very well according to people at the combine. I think he could go early to mid 3rd. Only weakness I see is a season ending knee injury in 05.

I don't see us going RB 2nd round but I do like Ryan Matthews as well. I watched him vs Boise State and he was unreal. He led the country in rushing and he can definitely hit the home run. He had three very long runs vs Boise and rushed for 180. I think value wise I would rather have Hardesty because we can get him later while focusing on defense and WR early.

 

[BillBelichickFan79]

I LOVE Montario Hardesty. I think we could look back at this draft in 3 yrs and he might be the best RB in the draft! He ripped up Florida for 96 yards and a td on 20 rushes and he had 23 rushes for 121 with 2 td vs South Carolina. He runs very hard and is always falling forward and driving his legs through contact. He has pass catching skills as well with 25 catches this year. I saw McShay compare him to Clinton Portis too. I really want to slightly trade down in the first or second to get a third. Hardesty weighs 225 now and is carrying it very well according to people at the combine. I think he could go early to mid 3rd. Only weakness I see is a season ending knee injury in 05.

I don't see us going RB 2nd round but I do like Ryan Matthews as well. I watched him vs Boise State and he was unreal. He led the country in rushing and he can definitely hit the home run. He had three very long runs vs Boise and rushed for 180. I think value wise I would rather have Hardesty because we can get him later while focusing on defense and WR early.

Agreed. Spiller and Hardesty are my two favorite RB's for the Pats in this draft. I like Dwyer too but I'd rather address other needs in the 2nd. If Spiller fell to us in the first in some weird way, I'd grab him immediately. Like you, I love Hardesty in the 3rd if we can pick up a 3rd. He was an absolute monster this year without a great QB threat. Very good cutting ability and vision, always keeps his feet moving, and deadly spin move. He's also got pretty good hands from what I've seen.

He kind of flew under the radar at Tennessee this year with Ingram, Tebow, McCluster, etc. all drawing the national spotlight. I saw a few of his games against Florida, Vandy, Georgia, VaTech and Kentucky. He was an absolute horse in the Kentucky game carrying the ball like 40 times for 180 yards. He did have some injury problems early in his career, but he held off the #1 RB recruit in the nation, Bryce Brown. I think he'd be a perfect in the Pats backfield, especially since he's had great success in Kiffin's ZBS.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

RapSheet

CJ Spiller walked up to podium. An NFL RB coach told me this is the best RB class since Emmitt Smith came out. Tons of value late for Pats
about 1 hours ago via TweetDeck

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