New England Patriots Free Agent Profile James Develin

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New England Patriots Free Agent Profile James Develin

Steve Balestrieri

Develin is a very good lead blocker in the running game, can carry the ball, is good in pass protection, and can line up as an H-back/tight end.

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[Huckleberry1]

Develin will be back.

 

[FreeCourtroomBrady]

Unsung hero. Need this guy.

 

[cupofjoe1962]

Unsung hero. Need this guy.

Unsung Hero?
What has he done?

Develin gives 100%, but he is a JAG who will be back at short money because he is easily replaced.

The guy gives 100% & he is probably a great teammate which explains why he is on the team.

When was the last time he made a play that mattered?

Develin is a JAG who gives 100%.

 

[supafly]

I'm a bit surprised that we haven't seen some type of signing like this yet. Usually, Belichick likes to knock a couple of smaller named role players out, and Devlin fits the bill just fine.

 

[cupofjoe1962]

I'm a bit surprised that we haven't seen some type of signing like this yet. Usually, Belichick likes to knock a couple of smaller named role players out, and Devlin fits the bill just fine.

Belichick has a history of keeping rookies & he also signed Gronk's brother who is a FB.

I don't doubt that Develin is back, but he is far from a priority.

 

[supafly]

Belichick has a history of keeping rookies & he also signed Gronk's brother who is a FB.

I don't doubt that Develin is back, but he is far from a priority.

I will agree with you that he isn't necessarily a "priority," but the offense suffered without his physical presence last year, and he'll come on the cheap. Add in the fact that Belichick just loves hard working players like this and it pretty much becomes a no-brainer.

 

[fightingirish595]

Unsung Hero?
What has he done?

Develin gives 100%, but he is a JAG who will be back at short money because he is easily replaced.

The guy gives 100% & he is probably a great teammate which explains why he is on the team.

When was the last time he made a play that mattered?

Develin is a JAG who gives 100%.

He's a blocking back. Smart teams use them. Teams that don't utilize a blocking back are dumb. The Patriots utlilize blocking blacks. If you look, full back was actually a dying position for a while but it's actually coming back as teams figure out that they need to power through the spread/finesse teams. It's all coming full circle

 

[cupofjoe1962]

He's a blocking back. Smart teams use them. Teams that don't utilize a blocking back are dumb. The Patriots utlilize blocking blacks. If you look, full back was actually a dying position for a while but it's actually coming back as teams figure out that they need to power through the spread/finesse teams. It's all coming full circle

I sure didn't think he was a receiver or a running back with his 38 all purpose yards in 2016.

He is a JAG & if he is back, it will be for short money.

Nobody is going to overpay for Develin.

 

[fightingirish595]

I sure didn't think he was a receiver or a running back with his 38 all purpose yards in 2016.

He is a JAG & if he is back, it will be for short money.

Nobody is going to overpay for Develin.

Maybe he's a JAG to you, but to me he's a guy who makes crucial blocks and isn't a JAG

 

[cupofjoe1962]

Maybe he's a JAG to you, but to me he's a guy who makes crucial blocks and isn't a JAG

Crucial blocks..... lol....
He was on the sidelines for the majority of Blount's touchdowns.

Don't be surprised if he don't make the team next year.

He sure won't get rich, because he is a JAG.

 

[supafly]

Don't be surprised if he don't make the team next year.

He sure won't get rich, because he is a JAG.

I think we all agree that he won't get rich, but that's also part of the reason why he'll almost certainly be back. He's a proven blocking back, who knows our system and comes on the cheap.

The team missed Devlin significantly in 2015 and Brady, Belichick and McDaniels weren't afraid to voice their opinions. There's really no reason for him not to come back, unless another team significantly overpays. I doubt they're changing up the offense after winning the SB in two of the past three seasons.

 

[cupofjoe1962]

I think we all agree that he won't get rich, but that's also part of the reason why he'll almost certainly be back. He's a proven blocking back, who knows our system and comes on the cheap.

The team missed Devlin significantly in 2015 and Brady, Belichick and McDaniels weren't afraid to voice their opinions. There's really no reason for him not to come back, unless another team significantly overpays. I doubt they're changing up the offense after winning the SB in two of the past three seasons.

Nobody is going to overpay for a blocking back with hands of stone.

I actually hope Gronks brother Get's a legit shot. He would be an improvement in the passing game.

I went through this same back and forth over Hoo-man a couple years ago. He was a JAG who was overvalued by people on these boards. We did get a much better player back when we traded him to New Orleans, but he is just a JAG in New Orleans.

 

[fightingirish595]

Crucial blocks..... lol....
He was on the sidelines for the majority of Blount's touchdowns.

Don't be surprised if he don't make the team next year.

He sure won't get rich, because he is a JAG.

Yeah crucial blocks. Try establishing a running game without a blocking back. Most good running games have one. Lead blockers are extremely important. Shame on you if you don't know that

 

[jah]

One of the best FBs out there. Perhaps he can be upgraded but maybe not. Would love to see him back.

 

[cupofjoe1962]

Yeah crucial blocks. Try establishing a running game without a blocking back. Most good running games have one. Lead blockers are extremely important. Shame on you if you don't know that

I don't have a problem with him back at short money, but I am not a Koolaid drinker who thinks he is anything special.

Like Hoo-man, he has lasted this long because of effort & being a good teammate.

Those are important, but most Jags know that they need maximum effort.

Just for the record our Super Bowl winning Patriots averaged 3.9 ypc in 2016 which was 25th in the NFL.

Most of Blounts touchdowns were scored with a single back "Blount" in the backfield.

Just look at how many plays Develin played in the super bowl.

I am sure he had a great view of James Whites overtime touchdown from where he was located on the sidelines.

 

[fightingirish595]

I don't have a problem with him back at short money, but I am not a Koolaid drinker who thinks he is anything special.

Like Hoo-man, he has lasted this long because of effort & being a good teammate.

Those are important, but most Jags know that they need maximum effort.

Just for the record our Super Bowl winning Patriots averaged 3.9 ypc in 2016 which was 25th in the NFL.

Most of Blounts touchdowns were scored with a single back "Blount" in the backfield.

Just look at how many plays Develin played in the super bowl.

I am sure he had a great view of James Whites overtime touchdown from where he was located on the sidelines.

The running game was worse when develin was hurt. Obviously lineman are more important in actually being able to run the ball well. All I'm saying is we need a full back and develin does the job well. Well enough to pay him fair money

 

[Dexter]