Player Signing Patriots Add RB James Robinson

[rabidfireweasel]

(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.

You just answered your own question. The Patriots offense, which is already predictable, is more predictable with Harris in the game. He doesn’t even catch even basic screens and check downs. They like the whole offense is better with Rhamondre. Factor in that Harris has ongoing minor injuries, and his YPC has gone down every year and it was over.

Robinson is what you said- a lesser Rhamondre. However, he had more targets in his rookie year than Harris has in his whole career. So, when he is in every third series- the offense can stay exactly the same. Perhaps Strong is ready to be the 3rd down back for one or both of them, perhaps he is just a speed/match up guy. If he is the latter, then NE is protected with two guys who can function as 3 down backs.

 

[mgcolby]

@JackBauer what is the ugh for? We have Stevenson, K. Harris, Strong, Taylor and Montgomery.

Not exactly a spot needing an obvious addition. Unless they are done with Ty and Don't believe Harris can step in for the old Harris. But he looked good in his limited snaps last season.

 

[Sicilian]

This actually feels kind of similar to the Meyers/JuJu situation: JuJu has the higher ceiling (more general talent, better YAC, etc) while Meyers has the higher floor (always healthy, already a known commodity in the system). Robinson has a higher ceiling for what this team needs (a receiving back so Stevenson doesn't have to be option A for both) while Harris had the higher floor. If Harris goes somewhere for similar money, it'll be another easy comparison to make over the next couple years.

But for those thinking RB wasn't a "need", you really need 4 RB's to get through a 17 week season. It's a tough position, which is why there's such a big dropoff after 30 for these guys. We don't want to get stuck starting a Steven Jackson retread late in the year, and even last year we had to use Kevin Harris and Strong in spots where they probably weren't 100% ready yet. Harris needed to be re-signed or replaced, and they chose to go for more of a Stevenson-Lite for that roster spot.

 

[Sicilian]

@JackBauer what is the ugh for? We have Stevenson, K. Harris, Strong, Taylor and Montgomery.

Not exactly a spot needing an obvious addition. Unless they are done with Ty and Don't believe Harris can step in for the old Harris. But he looked good in his limited snaps last season.

Ty is coming off an injury, so you need to hedge your bets on him. Taylor has been on the team for what, 4 years now? And hasn't done much of anything. I think we need to get off the JJ Taylor train until he proves otherwise.

 

[Jim Beankie]

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.

DMac did speculate that Jakobi was one of the 3 guys he thought could fill the leadership role after he left. I give that opinion a lot of weight and shows me he's a great locker room guy. He just wasn't a great toe the company line guy (the questioning of the offense then getting pissed at the Mac/Zappe booing fiasco), and at that point I agree with you he was gone.

Harris isn't as glassy as JimmyG, but I wouldn't call him "solid." A frozen lake on a 32deg day perhaps.

 

[Drunken Cicerone]

That’s a fine signing, he’s a serviceable backup at best and that’s pretty cheap money.

 

[rabidfireweasel]

Patriots leading rushers by year since Dillon was done. Note the turnover.

 

[203Pat]

Don’t really hate it don’t really love it. He’s a running back who hasn’t looked great since a major injury. I’d rather have had DH back or just gone with the young guys but whatever. I’m sure he won’t get anywhere close to $8 mill in the end of the day.

 

[PatsFan2]

Robinson runs with very real good pad level BOB loves his Third Down RB's. P Strong should be in the mix in as well you never have too many of those scat RBs love the signing.

 

[Real fan 02]

Per Jeremy Fowler:

Thanks Ian good stuf as always!

This was a great pick up.. pretty much says thanks for your services and good luck in Vegas to Damien Harris.. lol
I'll say.. the team had made some sneaky good additions.. he could spell rham so he's not worn down by week 9..

Still have the young guns in backfield with strong and Kevin Harris..

 

[Real fan 02]

Don’t really hate it don’t really love it. He’s a running back who hasn’t looked great since a major injury. I’d rather have had DH back or just gone with the young guys but whatever. I’m sure he won’t get anywhere close to $8 mill in the end of the day.

Agree But Harris good back but injury prone.. Robinson is a good pick up.. he's here to replace Harris and spell rham and pretty much add depth.. he was good for the jags..

 

[crawhammer]

Robinson won't make much of a difference. Stevenson should be the workhouse in 2023... burn him out for 2-3 seasons, that's all you're getting from most RBs anyway. Robinson was dreadful last season, NYJ couldn't even find any use for him.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

You are talking about Robinson like he is old- he is still only 24. He is younger than Rhamondre and only a few months older than the “youngling” Strong.

He's been in the league 3+ years, so I consider him a veteran but still young so he has lots of tread on the tires

 

[JackBauer]

@JackBauer what is the ugh for? We have Stevenson, K. Harris, Strong, Taylor and Montgomery.

Not exactly a spot needing an obvious addition. Unless they are done with Ty and Don't believe Harris can step in for the old Harris. But he looked good in his limited snaps last season.

Sorry, if it helps I meant to hit 'I don't agree.'

They're not going to re-sign Harris, so they absolutely need a running back in the mix. Taylor is an end-of-the-roster player, if that, and we have no idea what Montgomery is at this point.

 

[JackBauer]

Robinson won't make much of a difference. Stevenson should be the workhouse in 2023... burn him out for 2-3 seasons, that's all you're getting from most RBs anyway. Robinson was dreadful last season, NYJ couldn't even find any use for him.

Oh, well if the Jets couldn't find any use for him.

 

[Sicilian]

Robinson won't make much of a difference. Stevenson should be the workhouse in 2023... burn him out for 2-3 seasons, that's all you're getting from most RBs anyway. Robinson was dreadful last season, NYJ couldn't even find any use for him.

Other than Garrett Wilson and MAYBE Tyler Conklin, who DID the Jets make good use of in 2022?

 

[patsfanfromoversea]

 

[crawhammer]

Other than Garrett Wilson and MAYBE Tyler Conklin, who DID the Jets make good use of in 2022?

Rookie RB Breece Hall was tearing through defenses before he got injured. Their offense went in the toilet once he was out. They desperately needed an RB to step up, especially considering their grotesque QB play, and Robison gave them 2.9 Y/A. Hall was averaging 5.8 Y/A.

 

[Real fan 02]

Robinson won't make much of a difference. Stevenson should be the workhouse in 2023... burn him out for 2-3 seasons, that's all you're getting from most RBs anyway. Robinson was dreadful last season, NYJ couldn't even find any use for him.

He's a depth peice.. He's solid nothing mind blowing about his game.. a steady veteran still young.. we have to ensure that rham doesn't wear down like he did last season.. as he was pretty much the offense. Remember we still have a young stable of backs that will play plentiful this season.. I'm actually excited about Kevin Harris snd strong Jr. They showed some ability Last season..

 

[Triumph]

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

Seems like BB is still getting back at the Jets.