Patterson as running back

[maineman209]

there is no running game.

We don't really know that.

The Bills' run-D has been pretty good, while the Packers' run-D has been average to slightly below. So, even Patterson/White/Barner trio might generate 100+ yards, especially if the Packers assume that the Pats have "no running game" and focus on stopping Brady.

And, there's still some possibility that Michel plays. He made it through the 3rd practice last week, plus yesterday's practice, and he's present at today's practice.

 

[PatsDeb]

Gotta wonder if the Brady air it out 60 times because there is no running game.

I think Sony Michel is going to be back. We'll have a running game!

 

[captain stone]

I won't be surprised if they trot out Patterson. And then go play-action. To Patterson out in the Right flat...but Not the Left flat. Patterson always trips over something there (Kraft really needs to get that part of the carpet fixed).

Didn't he also fall over himself in Chicago...in the Right flat?

 

[primetime]

Patterson's inability to play running back effectively is related to the reason he's been consistently unable to gain separation throughout his career. He needs a bit of time to hit top speed and his short area quickness leaves a lot to be desired. It's the reason why he's usually in motion when he's in there, and why he's a good kick returner. If he has a running start he's fast as hell and really hard to take down.

 

[TBR]

Devin McCourty topped Tyreek Hill for this season’s fastest ball carrier

How about McCourty at WR running deep routes?

 

[maineman209]

Didn't he also fall over himself in Chicago...in the Right flat?

IDK. I thought that both of his faceplants were to the left.

If he did one in each direction, would that make him a flip-flopper?
... a ticket-splitter?
... non-partisan?
... or just an equal-opportunity face-planter?

 

[DaBronxPats14]

C-H-I-L-L-A-X We have near 1000 yd rusher that can happen any year i mean game now.

 

[Soliel]

Devin McCourty topped Tyreek Hill for this season’s fastest ball carrier

How about McCourty at WR running deep routes?

He would be good at it

 

[n1997y]

I'd note that he is actually a receiver too - no reason he can't run a simple wheel route out of the backfield and get the ball in space that way.

Just plug him into some of White’s part of the playbook. I would not be surprised if he has comparable catches and more YAC.

 

[Jackson 2]

Look, Patterson is never going to be a legitimate NFL running back. But, in a time of unusual need he has stepped up and done his best which hasn't been horrible. Not particularly good,, but not horrible. I, frankly, don't get the disrespect and dismissiveness directed toward Patterson from fans and media. I like him and I'm glad he's on the team.

 

[captain stone]

Devin McCourty topped Tyreek Hill for this season’s fastest ball carrier

How about McCourty at WR running deep routes?

I heard that Matty Slater is a real burner too. One of these years...or decades...

 

[maineman209]

I heard that Matty Slater is a real burner too. One of these years...or decades...

Well, his career YPC is 46 yards/catch. He might be the all-time NFL leader in career YPC.

 

[Coolade2]

Look, Patterson is never going to be a legitimate NFL running back. But, in a time of unusual need he has stepped up and done his best which hasn't been horrible. Not particularly good,, but not horrible. I, frankly, don't get the disrespect and dismissiveness directed toward Patterson from fans and media. I like him and I'm glad he's on the team.

Yup.. the dis crowd must be put off by the hairdo. Really a perfect role player with versatility that can be utilized by creative play design. This is actually a requirement in the NFL that belichick usually exploits by adding different looks and formations. Especially when it's needed. Um like watching 3 RBS go down injured. The cool thing is when you try something that is caused by injury and then you find success. I think this is called addition by subtraction. We shall see..

 

[Soliel]

Yup.. the dis crowd must be put off by the hairdo. Really a perfect role player with versatility that can be utilized by creative play design. This is actually a requirement in the NFL that belichick usually exploits by adding different looks and formations. Especially when it's needed. Um like watching 3 RBS go down injured. The cool thing is when you try something that is caused by injury and then you find success. I think this is called addition by subtraction. We shall see..

I can never convince my bank that two negatives actually equal a positive, a math quirk. I wonder if he could move to tight end?

 

[primetime]

The problem with Patterson at running back is not that he hasn't tried hard or something but that the likes of Kenneth Farrow and Kenjon Barner are almost certainly better at being running backs. It was an experiment worth trying in the easiest game of the year, and it didn't work.

 

[maineman209]

The problem with Patterson at running back is not that he hasn't tried hard or something but that the likes of Kenneth Farrow and Kenjon Barner are almost certainly better at being running backs. It was an experiment worth trying in the easiest game of the year, and it didn't work.

Didn't work?

Even if you take away Patterson's 22-yard run, he went 9/16 yds (1.78 ypa). White went 8/15yds (1.88 ypa) and Barner went 2/4yds (2.0 ypa) against the same defense.

If nothing else, the "experiment" established the possibility that Brady will actually hand the ball off to Patterson when he's in the backfield - and not just on sweeps - meaning that play-action is now a legitimate tool in the offensive playbook with Patterson back there.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The problem with Patterson at running back is not that he hasn't tried hard or something but that the likes of Kenneth Farrow and Kenjon Barner are almost certainly better at being running backs. It was an experiment worth trying in the easiest game of the year, and it didn't work.

Why didn't it work? What was your success criteria?

 

[jah]

The problem with Patterson at running back is not that he hasn't tried hard or something but that the likes of Kenneth Farrow and Kenjon Barner are almost certainly better at being running backs. It was an experiment worth trying in the easiest game of the year, and it didn't work.

Running with Patterson was more effective (barely) than running with White or Barner against Buffalo. None of them had any lanes. How does that prove Patterson is worse at RB than the others?

 

[primetime]

Running with Patterson was more effective (barely) than running with White or Barner against Buffalo. None of them had any lanes. How does that prove Patterson is worse at RB than the others?

Eye test. The sample sizes of carries are too small to prove anything statistically, but Patterson's lack of acceleration and short area quickness and his reticence about taking what the defense was willing to give were on full display. He was only effective on a toss play where he was able to get to full speed around the outside. I don't think that's a player who's effective as a running back. I certainly wouldn't trust him to gain a yard in a short yardage or goal line situation. (As a running back, that is. The jet sweeps play to his strengths and disguise his limitations.)

 

[doesntmatter1]

I thought Patterson did just fine and should be given more carries. I don't care that he runs high. There were no lanes for him to go whether he ran with the right leverage or not, but he ran hard and is already a bigger threat imo than White running.