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RB is an undiscussed weakness on the Patriots

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Huh? Where did you get that from?



 
FYI your presumption is wrong. In 2 years at Oklahoma he has 3 fumbles, 1 lost

3 times in 165 carries.

How often does a decent NFL RB fumble?
 


Really?

Here is Wolfs quote from what you linked.
. Although he's a little bit undersized, we view him as a three-down back and a really good compliment. He's a threat with the ball in his hands, speed to take at the distance anytime he touches it.

THREE DOWN BACK not 3rd down back.

He will be excellent in 3rd down, but he is much more than that.
 
3 times in 165 carries.

How often does a decent NFL RB fumble?
One fumble list in 165 carries is not a lot. It’s certainly not a “problem with fumbling”
 
Grades for current rbs
Henderson A-
Stevenson B-
Gibson C+
Larison unlnown

agree we could really benefit from more high end talent at RB. Stevenson has been consistently over rated.
 
Problem with Stevenson is that it seems he has locked himself out of being his best version.

He has the strength and more than enough burst to be a problem. And Im willing to say that it must suck to play with a line that is mediocre at best at the pro level

but then his hiccups are evidence of something else entirely. He seems to lack the clutch gene, the beast mode, the thing that elevates good to great players into elite. And we, as fans, keep scratching our heads on how someone who seem to have all the tools is lackluster

Gibson impressed me last year and now we have a high round rookie again. Not to mention there are rumblings of a gem coming around in Camp (Len Larison comes up often)

So, I don't think we are weak there, but we lack the explosivenss to be satisfied, so far
 
I didn't know Gibson's ht/wt when the team signed him. I thought he was a smaller 3rd down back type. 6' 225lb is big enough to be a 1st down back for a few games if Rham is benched.
When he filled in last year, he was solid (maybe better than Mondre, imo). He is pretty fast and has good hands.
 
When he filled in last year, he was solid (maybe better than Mondre, imo). He is pretty fast and has good hands.
Yeah he did ok. I'm comfortable with him filling in for Rham.

 
Problem with Stevenson is that it seems he has locked himself out of being his best version.

He has the strength and more than enough burst to be a problem. And Im willing to say that it must suck to play with a line that is mediocre at best at the pro level

but then his hiccups are evidence of something else entirely. He seems to lack the clutch gene, the beast mode, the thing that elevates good to great players into elite.

I don't think you're paying as much credit to the context as your acknowledgement suggests.

Derrick Henry would have a hard time looking like the game changer he is behind this line.

32nd in pass, 32nd in running. It was God awful. It could probably be used as a example for teams, years into the future, about what a maligned OL looks like and how much of a detriment to an offense it can truly be. It was extremely, extremely bad. The past two years have really been some of the most boring football I've seen from an offense. There are some bad offenses that can still have some excitement, but this was just a group that probably shouldn't have sniffed a down in the NFL the past two years it was so bad.

Stevenson has fumbles, that's for sure. We can judge him on that. But there are no good players for Rhamondre to elevate. There is no one elevating him. You really can only go beast mode when everyone else is doing their job.

What I'm saying is, the only hiccup not explained by bad OL play is his fumbling, IMO.
 
I don't think you're paying as much credit to the context as your acknowledgement suggests.

Derrick Henry would have a hard time looking like the game changer he is behind this line.

32nd in pass, 32nd in running. It was God awful. It could probably be used as a example for teams, years into the future, about what a maligned OL looks like and how much of a detriment to an offense it can truly be. It was extremely, extremely bad. The past two years have really been some of the most boring football I've seen from an offense. There are some bad offenses that can still have some excitement, but this was just a group that probably shouldn't have sniffed a down in the NFL the past two years it was so bad.

Stevenson has fumbles, that's for sure. We can judge him on that. But there are no good players for Rhamondre to elevate. There is no one elevating him. You really can only go beast mode when everyone else is doing their job.

What I'm saying is, the only hiccup not explained by bad OL play is his fumbling, IMO.
That's a fair assessment.

We can only hope our line is better this year.
 
Rham is overrated. Yes, he has shown the ability to shine when the offense is in good shape, but when it isn't optimal he was outplayed by both an aging Zeke and Gibson. Throw in the fumbles and I'd argue he doesn't deserve to be the starter despite the contract.

Rham and Dugger have the most to prove this season imo. Their play of last year was cut worthy.
 
This past draft was loaded with quality RB's. If teams had a need for one, most of them filled it.
Devin Neal out of Kansas is TreVeyon Henderson without the breakaway speed. But highly productive. Saints took him in a later round. Pick 184 in the sixth round.
 
Rham is overrated. Yes, he has shown the ability to shine when the offense is in good shape, but when it isn't optimal he was outplayed by both an aging Zeke and Gibson. Throw in the fumbles and I'd argue he doesn't deserve to be the starter despite the contract.

Rham and Dugger have the most to prove this season imo. Their play of last year was cut worthy.
Who's overrating him?

I like him I'm a fan and I'm hopeful he can get past his fumbling issues but I don't think he's Curtis Martin or something. I think a better comp if he gets past his fumbling would be someone like Blount. And he's not there yet but maybe if the oline improves and he holds onto the ball he can reach his potential.

Edit: I see now you mentioned the contract....maybe he did get a little more than he should have but we had cap and not much else to spend it on.
 
This past draft was loaded with quality RB's. If teams had a need for one, most of them filled it.
I would love to trade 'Mondre but unless a playoff-caliber team loses their top RB to injury we may not get much for him. I think Henderson and Gibson can carry the load. Larison would also need to show a lot more to push Stevenson out the door. Personally, I'm tired of the fumbling.
You're not going to get much for 95 percent of the RBs in the league.
 
Huh? Where did you get that from?
Henderson will be RB1A and ALSO the 3rd down back.
He should get 15-20 touches a game.
If Stevenson gets benched because of fumbling Henderson will be the man. Gibson would then move into a backup role.
IMO, we have 4 RB positions
STARTER - Henderson
#2 back - Stevenson
3rd down - Gibson
backup #4 (usually inactive - Larison
=======
I LIKE this group.

The OPEN question is whether Vrabel will give up on Stevenson and sign or trade for a veteran from another team. Gibson is an OK #2. I would like a FB instead of a 3rd TE,
 
Rham is overrated. Yes, he has shown the ability to shine when the offense is in good shape, but when it isn't optimal he was outplayed by both an aging Zeke and Gibson. Throw in the fumbles and I'd argue he doesn't deserve to be the starter despite the contract.

Rham and Dugger have the most to prove this season imo. Their play of last year was cut worthy.
I think that Stevenson should be our change of pace #2 back. Is that over-rating him?
 
I see a similar situation to the Lions

Stevenson=Montgomery. 40-45% of the snaps. 700+ yards rush. 250 yards pass
Henderson=Gibbs. 45-50% of the snaps. 700+ yards rush. 400 yards pass
Gibson-back up both. can play either spot well.
Larison redshirt season
 
A lot of the problem with our backs last year was that they struggled with the poor zone blocking scheme. As long as Stevenson can keep away from fumbling, our running backs will prosper this year.
 
Wish I seen the play... was he carrying it like a loaf of bread? Careless? Was 2 hands on the ball? A fumbling back is no back. They will go after him all year. Rather run the rookies wheels off. I.m.o.
 
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IMO, we have 4 RB positions
STARTER - Henderson
#2 back - Stevenson
3rd down - Gibson
backup #4 (usually inactive - Larison
=======
I LIKE this group.

The OPEN question is whether Vrabel will give up on Stevenson and sign or trade for a veteran from another team. Gibson is an OK #2. I would like a FB instead of a 3rd TE,
Stevenson is the starter.

Henderson will play a similar number of snaps, as
1) the “backup”
2) the 3rd down back
3) the “passing game back”

It will look like Ridley and Woodhead.

Gibson backs up both.

RB4 will be on the practice squad.
 
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