Patriots Player Departure Pats trade Sony Michel to LAR

[Sicilian]

Please list all the teams who could handle the loss of their top 2 RBs and still "reasonably deal" with it.

This is something I think about all the time when discussing depth: You obviously want options and contingencies, but no team is going to be okay losing their top 2 players at any position group. The areas where criticism there is warranted, IMO, is when you have no depth AND uncertainty about the health of the guys at the top, because you're asking for trouble there. But it's hard enough sometimes to field capable starters at some positions, never mind players that provide the luxury of starter level play off the bench.

 

[Huckleberry1]

In other units of 4 or more, we can reasonably deal with two injuries (WR, OL, Defensive Front Six, Secondary.

Arguably, this isn't the case at RB.

You think RB is a weakness, I think it’s a strength, the season will determine who is right and who is wrong.

 

[PP2]

You got kicked out? Why? That hilarious comment about your investments?

Someone couldn't handle the comeback. I'll leave it at that.

 

[mgteich]

You think RB is a weakness, I think it’s a strength, the season will determine who is right and who is wrong.

I think that depth is a weakness. Hopefully, the RB's will remain healthy for most of the year, and we will both think that we have a strong unit.

Also,, you will be correct if Taylor has a great year (along with Rham who we all expect to do well).

 

[moosekill]

I think that depth is a weakness.

This is a mind numbingly dumb statement.

 

[203Pat]

He's all done.

A RB with the number 14?

 

[Kontradiction]

 

[Wozzy]

You can roster 5-6 RB’s max… why is this on page 24?

 

[JarOfMayo51]

a 4th and a 6th for a 2nd string RB with knee problems????

This board should be sucking on BB toes.

 

[JarOfMayo51]

Been here ONE year and played substantial snaps coming from a Div II school.

and was playing behind one of the most veteran, talented secondary this team has ever had as a rookie

 

[Nunchucks]

Your analysis supports the idea that Taylor is a backup 3rd down receiver. For me, that isn't a great use of a roster spot.

More like backup 3rd down back and change of pace speed/quick guy

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

I used to get absolutely killed for saying no RB in round one but it sounds like you're coming around
It's not that I hate the position. It's just that you don't need spectacular there. Even a guy like Barkley, who is phenomenal. Is making top ten money, trouble in pass pro which kind of advertises what your trying to do. Obviously no OL doesn't help. I think the 2nd round is the sweet spot for any draft. Instead of 8-10 million per for a guy like Barkley, while Chubb was making less than a mill.

The real problem is taking one real high. Now you're seriously invested in a prospect and almost thinking about 2nd contracts. You take a player top 10-20 they should be in your plans for the long-term.

@TB_Helmet was looking at my grades and found that the 2nd round was a sweet spot for them I think. I think the 2nd is probably the sweet spot for the entire draft. He was busy with Covid but wanted to look into some draft time. Hope we see him soon.


By the playoffs they were a great OL. Sony certainly wasn't a bust but saying we won the SB bc of him is kind of foolish and casual. You can't just put anyone back there but my goodness do someone overrate his contributions. I don't remember anyone saying we won bc of Malcolm Mitchell. Good players, solid work but let's stay steady.

I was on record then saying he wouldn't have been my pick but I got the selection. They drafted two win-now guys that could in right away and help Brady.

Also no one should complain about where someone was drafted. Yes there are occasions like Jordan Richards but for the most part guys are going where the go. Maybe he didn't go top 32 but he wasn't making it out the top 40-50. I had Chubb > Sony but not by much. Coming out, unless you really loved one as a binky.

I always remind myself in the history of the league no prospect has ever drafted themselves. Old saying ... Teams draft, teams bust, not players.

I always agreed with you 90% on this but just thought there shouldn’t be a universal rule about running backs in round one. Yeah, basically from what it appears, any time you invest a first round pick, or a lucrative non-rookie contract on a RB, you’re almost always going to take a beating. And it has been this way for years.

 

[Kontradiction]

I always agreed with you 90% on this but just thought there shouldn’t be a universal rule about running backs in round one. Yeah, basically from what it appears, any time you invest a first round pick, or a lucrative non-rookie contract on a RB, you’re almost always going to take a beating. And it has been this way for years.

You should invest a first at the RB position if you’re sure you have the next Barry Sanders/LT/Emmitt Smith/Walter Payton/Jim Brown on your hands. Short of that? There’s usually better or equal value later on.

 

[Sicilian]

More like backup 3rd down back and change of pace speed/quick guy

It was obviously a limited sample size last year, but Taylor did average 4.3 yards per carry, and they weren't all weird draw plays on third and long. He did some straight running and looked fine doing it. I don't think he's a guy you want getting 20 touches a game, but if you're down to him on the depth chart he can run your traditional running plays.

 

[Sicilian]

You should invest a first at the RB position if you’re sure you have the next Barry Sanders/LT/Emmitt Smith/Walter Payton/Jim Brown on your hands. Short of that? There’s usually better or equal value later on.

And if you've got a guy you KNOW is that, he's not lasting to 31. I feel about RB similar to how I feel about QBs in the draft. Generally speaking, if you don't have the draft position or trade capital to go get one of THE top guys, you're better off waiting past the dead zone that happens between picks 20 and 45. Your odds drop way down in that area because the guys that would normally be there on pure value, get snatched up early by teams eager to draft the position.

 

[captain stone]

I always agreed with you 90% on this but just thought there shouldn’t be a universal rule about running backs in round one. Yeah, basically from what it appears, any time you invest a first round pick, or a lucrative non-rookie contract on a RB, you’re almost always going to take a beating. And it has been this way for years.

You should invest a first at the RB position if you’re sure you have the next Barry Sanders/LT/Emmitt Smith/Walter Payton/Jim Brown on your hands. Short of that? There’s usually better or equal value later on.

Bear in mind however that in this particular case it was the 32nd and final pick of the 1st round, not the 2nd, 12th or even 22nd pick of the 1st round... Bill just chose the Wrong UGA RB, that's all...

 

[DropKickFlutie]

Wanted to talk about this in today's camp thread but I got kicked out of that thread, so I'll post it here.

This in part is what made Michel expendable. It's not just the promise of Stevenson but also the development of JJ Taylor. Excellent breakdown with graphics, be sure to watch all the way through:

This was a phenomenal, phenomenal video. Whoever made this whether it was JMoyer or someone who made the vid, this type of analysis should be standard for all NFL plays. It's so great it should be standard whenever NBC or Fox broadcasts games, it should be doable with today's technology. During pauses, call out the action and with arrows. This was excellent. Really shows how good JJ was in terms of his reads on the play and turning it into a big play.

This was fantastic.