Patriot Free Agent Prospect - Maurice Jones-Drew?

[SalemPats]

In 2011 he was the leading rusher in the NFL. He got injured in 2012 and 2013 was a bad year for everyone on the Jags. He's 28 but for his first 3 years he was splitting carries with Fred Taylor and 2012 he was out for half the season. So it's not like he has a lot of miles on him compared to lets say a Chris Johnson.

He can play all 3 downs, good at blocking and has been a consistent 40 reception back. Could this be a Corey Dillon type of player for us or is it better to stay away.

 

[Tunescribe]

In 2011 he was the leading rusher in the NFL. He got injured in 2012 and 2013 was a bad year for everyone on the Jags. He's 28 but for his first 3 years he was splitting carries with Fred Taylor and 2012 he was out for half the season. So it's not like he has a lot of miles on him compared to lets say a Chris Johnson.

He can play all 3 downs, good at blocking and has been a consistent 40 reception back. Could this be a Corey Dillon type of player for us or is it better to stay away.

He's not needed. I'm assuming last year's corps will return intact, but even if Blount walks it remains a strong unit.

 

[ripatsfan91]

I would rather have Blount... less miles, no injury concerns, and cheaper. I loved our 3 back committee with Ridley Blount and Vereen.

 

[Kontradiction]

I live in Jax Beach and watch the Jags almost as much as the Pats. There's not much tread left on those tires. I would rather the team re-signs Blount and keeps the current RB corps together.

 

[VrabelJr]

A year or two ago I would have said yes but something has happened to MJD. I'm not sure if it's from all the losing, but he displayed lack of character last year which was a shocker coming from him. Combine that with his aging legs and it's a no unfortunately.

 

[JackBauer]

No point in it, really.

 

[signbabybrady]

I live in Jax Beach and watch the Jags almost as much as the Pats. There's not much tread left on those tires. I would rather the team re-signs Blount and keeps the current RB corps together.

I tend to agree that the tires are running thin on MJD and normally I would be very hesitant and with Ridley and Vareen we don't neccessarily need him.

But watching Shady McCoy last year made me wonder if writing off some of these backs to soon is a mistake. It worked wonders for us with Corey (at least for the one year).

I think this would all come down to price if he wants big bucks then no way we got Vareen and Ridley but if he wants to come to a winner and comes at the right price then it might be worth the gamble instead of Blount. Vareen and Ridley offer insurance against MJD getting hurt and MJD's ceiling when healthy is so much more than Blount.

I am high on Vareen and still pretty high on Ridley (though one more year of fumblitis and I am done) so RB is about as low a priority as QB if not lower. So whoever the 3rd back is should be cheap and unless MJD or Blount come at a bargain rate I would be OK with Bolden and a rookie 4th-7th or a UDFA filling out the group.

 

[dales804]

No thank you. Even if he has a good year for someone, it won't change my mind. No need to be spending at the RB position, really.

 

[goheels22002]

Sign him! Don Shula, "He might be the best player in the league."

Check out 3:13 of the following video - he turns the lights out on Lights Out! MJD makes the Patriots look silly at 1:01 of the following video:

NFL Top Ten Shortest Players - #32 Maurice Jones-Drew (Jacksonville Jaguars) - YouTube

 

[VrabelJr]

I tend to agree that the tires are running thin on MJD and normally I would be very hesitant and with Ridley and Vareen we don't neccessarily need him.

But watching Shady McCoy last year made me wonder if writing off some of these backs to soon is a mistake. It worked wonders for us with Corey (at least for the one year).

I think this would all come down to price if he wants big bucks then no way we got Vareen and Ridley but if he wants to come to a winner and comes at the right price then it might be worth the gamble instead of Blount. Vareen and Ridley offer insurance against MJD getting hurt and MJD's ceiling when healthy is so much more than Blount.

I am high on Vareen and still pretty high on Ridley (though one more year of fumblitis and I am done) so RB is about as low a priority as QB if not lower. So whoever the 3rd back is should be cheap and unless MJD or Blount come at a bargain rate I would be OK with Bolden and a rookie 4th-7th or a UDFA filling out the group.

How does watching LeSean McCoy, a 25 year old RB with 1149 carries to date, make you feel optimistic about older running backs exactly?

 

[Deus Irae]

He'd be a worthwhile fallback. I just think the trio (Blount/Ridley/Vereen) worked out nicely enough last year that there's no reason to alter it, as long as the improvement in the receiving corps actually materializes.

 

[signbabybrady]

How does watching LeSean McCoy, a 25 year old RB with 1149 carries to date, make you feel optimistic about older running backs exactly?

first off wow I am suprised he is only 25 I thought he was a little older but anyhow he has been banged up a lot in his career and I thought he was not going to be the same following the concussions he dealt with in 2012. Also I have a very small window I give RBs to be great as I feel they wear down quicker then any other position maybe a 3-5 year window of real greatness and if they acheive it they can usually squeek out a few more at the top of their game before it catches up to you. Seeing his 2013 I was clearly wrong about Shady and MJD is only 28 (29 in a month) too but I would have to admit the wear on his body has to much greater than Shady but at the right price I wouldnt right him off. So basically I dont think RBs can sustain that long but I see value in trying to squeeze out the last of the juice a la Dillon but at the right price.

 

[SalemPats]

Here's the thing about MJD that i like, he can play all 3 downs, good blocking back and is a good receiving back. I think Vereen's role will be similar and we wouldn't need Blount/Ridley and we would probably draft a backup.

If he hasn't regained his old form, they obviously we don't want him

 

[patsinthesnow]

MJD would be our only dual threat RB (the Pats refuse to run with Vereen) and probably come cheap. I wouldn't mind it if he has something left.

 

[signbabybrady]

MJD would be our only dual threat RB (the Pats refuse to run with Vereen) and probably come cheap. I wouldn't mind it if he has something left.

I found this a little frustrating at times too. Though I wonder if his value in the passing game might have had something to do with it. He was just to needed as a receiver last year to risk to much rushing.

The one thing that really annoys me and maybe he just isnt that good at it but where were the draw plays up the middle with him that we used to see over and over again with Woody? Its a good misdirection play for both a passing offense and a player who plays better on the perimeter.

 

[Nehalem]

I found this a little frustrating at times too. Though I wonder if his value in the passing game might have had something to do with it. He was just to needed as a receiver last year to risk to much rushing.

Or the fact that he was playing with a brace on his wrist.

 

[ripatsfan91]

More draw plays with Vereen are needed next season, it will keep the defense honest. It was like every time Vereen came onto the field the defense knew it was going to be a passing play.

 

[BradyManny]

People are too quick to dismiss this thought.

Ridley, Blount & Bolden are all varying degrees of useless in the passing game. All fall below acceptable in that aspect of that game, with Bolden being downright awful this season there.

Having only one RB on the roster who can contribute in such a huge phase of the game is not acceptable. To me, that limits my desire to resign Blount, and increases my desire to sign an RB FA who is not one-dimensional.

 

[stinkypete]

I would expect that MLD is looking to start somewhere. I don't think he exceeds 10 - 15 touches a game in New England.

 

[pheenix11]

Hell no. We already have 3 backs better than him and with less mileage.