Player Signing Patriots Add RB James Robinson

[RodThePat]

I sort of agree but they need a pass-catching back and he fills that role.

Not really. He's a lot like Rhamondre as a receiver: he'll catch screens, swing passes and check downs, but he isn't out there running actual routes consistently like, say, James White was. He's Stevenson-lite.

Nice player to have as your second option, don't really like him more than Harris. More versatile, but not as good of a runner. I get the move, just think it's another instance of them replacing their guy with a free agent of similar quality, just slightly different traits. Feel like this offense is in the exact same position as it was in December, 2022.

 

[mgteich]

Not really. He's a lot like Rhamondre as a receiver: he'll catch screens, swing passes and check downs, but he isn't out there running actual routes consistently like, say, James White was. He's Stevenson-lite.

Nice player to have as your second option, don't really like him more than Harris. More versatile, but not as good of a runner. I get the move, just think it's another instance of them replacing their guy with a free agent of similar quality, just slightifferent traits. Feel like this offense is in the exact same position as it was in December, 2022.

juju isn't a change?

 

[archstanton543]

I get the move, just think it's another instance of them replacing their guy with a free agent of similar quality, just slightly different traits. Feel like this offense is in the exact same position as it was in December, 2022.

They have a new OC. I highly doubt the offense is going to be the same as it was in December 2022.

 

[RodThePat]

juju isn't a change?

To me he's a player of a similar quality of the one he replaced, just a different skill set (worse against man and press, worse at creating separation, better against zone, better at getting YAC). Could be an upgrade, but most likely he'll replace Meyers' production.

 

[RodThePat]

They have a new OC. I highly doubt the offense is going to be the same as it was in December 2022.

I don't think they needed just a new OC, but a massive upgrade in talent. There's this idea that the 2021 offense was good enough and provides a parameter of what they should aim to return to, and I reject that notion. They weren't good enough that year mostly because the talent wasn't good enough, even with great coaching. In my mind it still isn't, but plenty of time to make moves.

 

[BritPat]

Nice signing this, have to assume Harris is definitely gone at this point, leaving Rhamondre as the starter, Robinson to spell him along with Strong. That's a nice stable of RB's.

 

[Water Boy]

Got to assume Harris is gone. Anyone else concerned that we are losing too many solid locker room guys?

 

[sambam94]

Typical BB move. Guy was very good before injury.

 

[Triumph]

Fixing something thats not broken.

 

[RodThePat]

Got to assume Harris is gone. Anyone else concerned that we are losing too many solid locker room guys?

I'm a little concerned about that and I'm also concerned they're gathering a reputation as a team that won't do right by "their guys", which could impact how the staff is viewed across the league and have repercussions in player recruitment. Both Harry and Meyers being upset publicly yesterday isn't a good look and everytime Josh and Patricia make a ruthless personnel move it already is attributed to Bill anyway. When they were winning a lot and you had the McCourtys and Bradys of the world in the locker room that didn't matter, now it might. Not saying you should retain guys solely for that reason obviously, but it's a factor as you try to build a culture.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Fixing something thats not broken.

Our passing game was broken and having no one on offense defenses need to game-plan for is unaccpetable.

 

[n1997y]

….but it's a factor as you try to build a culture.

Maybe the fact that both Meyers and Harris took parting shots shows they may have been problems building the desired culture.

 

[jdlboot14]

Ok, the conspiracy theory is now confirmed. BB is stuck with Mac from the ownership level, and so he is absolutely bent on replacing anyone Mac actually likes and works well with - with guys who are not better. Meyers and Harris were the 2 leaders of their skill positions. And they're replaced for same or more money than it'd have taken to keep the solid/chemistry guys.
I'm fully on the "BB is a hypocrite doing what's empirically not good for the football team" train.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Got to assume Harris is gone. Anyone else concerned that we are losing too many solid locker room guys?

Seeing how Harris has missed 28% of the games the last 3 years he's spent too much time in the locker room.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Ok, the conspiracy theory is now confirmed. BB is stuck with Mac from the ownership level, and so he is absolutely bent on replacing anyone Mac actually likes and works well with - with guys who are not better. Meyers and Harris were the 2 leaders of their skill positions. And they're replaced for same or more money than it'd have taken to keep the solid/chemistry guys.
I'm fully on the "BB is a hypocrite doing what's empirically not good for the football team" train.

Give me a f-ing break.

There is a reason the market was soft on Meyers. He solid, but doesn't scare anyone.

There is a reason Harris isn't here. 1) Rham is getting a majority of the snaps at RB now and 2) Harris has missed 14 games in the last 3 years.

 

[Ring 6]

juju isn't a change?

Not to the doom and gloom being a fan is about misery crew.

 

[jdlboot14]

Give me a f-ing break.

There is a reason the market was soft on Meyers. He solid, but doesn't scare anyone.

There is a reason Harris isn't here. 1) Rham is getting a majority of the snaps at RB now and 2) Harris has missed 14 games in the last 3 years.

(yes, I'm mourning the loss of 2 of my favorite guys with hyperbole)
BUT - What will you give me when Robinson doesn't produce more than what Harris did last year (even while missing 6 games).
Since we have Rham as RB1 (who also had 69 rec), and Strong looks to challenge for 3rd-down back, we don't need a major player.
Harris would have been cheaper than Robinson, and was an established leader in the locker room.
This just didn't make a ton of sense.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

I'm a little concerned about that and I'm also concerned they're gathering a reputation as a team that won't do right by "their guys", which could impact how the staff is viewed across the league and have repercussions in player recruitment. Both Harry and Meyers being upset publicly yesterday isn't a good look and everytime Josh and Patricia make a ruthless personnel move it already is attributed to Bill anyway. When they were winning a lot and you had the McCourtys and Bradys of the world in the locker room that didn't matter, now it might. Not saying you should retain guys solely for that reason obviously, but it's a factor as you try to build a culture.

I think the Patriots didn’t think they were great locker room guys. Meyers openly questioned, in the press, the Patriots game planning as early as September. Questioning it in press, that was the end for him in NE. Frankly, he is not good enough to do that and have Bill keep him.

Harris missed 6 full games last year and parts or 3 others. He is showing signs of breaking down, and shared Slay’s anti- patriots tweets two days ago. After this past season of injuries, he is not going to be a lead RB anywhere. Unless you are truly special physically, between the tackle RB’s have short NFL lives. The patriots cycle through through guys; they get one contract typically. Third Down backs get extended, but rarely between the tackle guys. We will see if Rhamondre changes that.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

I don't think they needed just a new OC, but a massive upgrade in talent. There's this idea that the 2021 offense was good enough and provides a parameter of what they should aim to return to, and I reject that notion. They weren't good enough that year mostly because the talent wasn't good enough, even with great coaching. In my mind it still isn't, but plenty of time to make moves.

I like our momentum after 3 days of FA. We've got legit OC and OL coaches, we're better off with the JuJu/Meyers swap, we're gonna get much more from each of our other WR's (Thornton-Parker-Bourne), Mac will be better, we're now a little better at RB, and we have better depth at OT.

There's still many more FA opportunities now through September, and we have a nice draft board of 6 pretty high picks (14, 46, 76, 108, 117, 135) to improve the offense and defense, and four 6th's and a 7th to fix ST's. We've re-signed everyone we wanted to on D, with only the McCourty spot to fill. We can go to battle today with what we have (if we add a safety), and there's still going to be many upgrades made.

 

[RobertWeathers]

(yes, I'm mourning the loss of 2 of my favorite guys with hyperbole)

I get it. Losing Meyers sucked.

BUT - What will you give me when Robinson doesn't produce more than what Harris did last year (even while missing 6 games).
Since we have Rham as RB1 (who also had 69 rec), and Strong looks to challenge for 3rd-down back, we don't need a major player.

I don't see Robinson as a major player. 5-10 carries a game max.

The NEP wanted a player who can run well between the tackles AND catch the ball. That's Robinson.

I think Strong has a role here. Need 3-4 guys to carry the mail.

Harris would have been cheaper than Robinson, and was an established leader in the locker room.
This just didn't make a ton of sense.

Harris isn't durable and Robinson is a better player. Thats it.

I would think fans would want BB to be unsentimental and shrewd with players?