RB's next year

[mudslinger]

BB will find some middle of road free agent or pick someone up off of waiver wire during cuts in training camp. Someone hungry, disciplined and able to follow instructions and progress to the point of being able to pass block, catch a few passes and run forward without fumbling.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The only RB I want to sign in FA is Laurence Maroney to open a dunk tank in Patriots place. $3 per attempt.

Pretty incredible how LoMo's career has gone.

06- Good rookie year showed a lot of potential
07-A little mixed, but strong down the stretch
08-IR
09-Pretty productive
10- Train wreck. Inactive last month and a 1/2.
11- Career over?

 

[resdubwhite]

anyone care to guess how much keeping BJGE on the roster will cost?

I'm guessing BB brings in a free agent and picks up someone in the mid - low rd's of the draft.

 

[DarrylS]

BJGE is better than advertised, and he will become our premier back in the upcoming years..

No fumbles is an outstanding stat, and his ability to go north south, with minimal negative plays is another salient factor..

Some do not think Mankins will be back next year, my belief is that he has agreed to a long term contract and it will be announced at the end of the season, that way everyone saves face..

Light will also probably be back, with help from Gronk and Crumpler.. he will be fine, he has done a good job this year.

 

[PatsFaninME]

Pats are set at starting RB with Benny. Woody/Faulk are perfect set of 3rd down backs but what Pats don't have is a pounding, run-out-the-clock power back. I'd think they will look for a big back who can serve as a #2 back and situational/short-yardage back.

 

[moosekill]

Pats are set at starting RB with Benny. Woody/Faulk are perfect set of 3rd down backs but what Pats don't have is a pounding, run-out-the-clock power back. I'd think they will look for a big back who can serve as a #2 back and situational/short-yardage back.

+1 this! Anyone that thinks the Pats are going to take a wide receiver in the first round is very very wrong, it will never ever happen.

Same thing with a full back, they don't use one except in very short yardage situations, and then they put in a lineman. They won't waste a pick on one.

 

[RobertWeathers]

+1 this! Anyone that thinks the Pats are going to take a wide receiver in the first round is very very wrong, it will never ever happen.

BB has never drafted a WR in RD 1.

Same thing with a full back, they don't use one except in very short yardage situations, and then they put in a lineman. They won't waste a pick on one.

A FB has never been a focal point of the offense and for the most part barely complimentary. Marc Edwards had some nice seasons. Larry Centers did a decent job. Patrick Pass was ok, but was never considered a FB per se. Morris is pretty much functioning in that role.

 

[mgteich]

$1.835M or $2.611M depending on which RFA tender the team chooses.

If there are team who consider him a solid starter, it will be difficult to sign him to a long-term deal; he will be overpriced.

There should be several free agent running backs available.

anyone care to guess how much keeping BJGE on the roster will cost?

I'm guessing BB brings in a free agent and picks up someone in the mid - low rd's of the draft.

 

[Potstickas]

Don't need a FA RB that expects to start. I like to see them get someone with potential in a mid round back and a big bruising hillis type back that can also fill in as FB

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

BJGE in the role he's in this year.
Woodhead in the role he's in this year.
Kettani from Navy as the power back/full back.
Maybe Shun White from Navy adds Woodhead like skills.
Draft one or maybe bring in a couple of UDFA to battle it out with the Navy guys.

 

[RyanP421]

I think he will try and get more money than he deserves, and as the Patriots FO are cheap, they won't pay him!

But seriously; no.

Why do people continually and ignorantly say this? The Patriots are actually very generous at spreading the wealth throughout the team. Just because they don't give out Raiders or Redskins contracts doesnt make them "cheap". It makes them fiscally responsible.

 

[Patspsycho]

Not sure about this. I think both are 50/50 when it comes to the running game.

When you see the difference between Maroney and BenJarvus, then you can't say it's the OL. The OL is half of the equation.

That is correct. The OL was actually better last year than it is this year. We had a healthy Neal. This year, everyone is one year older and we have a backup in as a RG. Connolly is very solid, but still a backup. We really need to draft guards and a tackle.

 

[RobertWeathers]

BJGE in the role he's in this year.
Woodhead in the role he's in this year.
Kettani from Navy as the power back/full back.
Maybe Shun White from Navy adds Woodhead like skills.
Draft one or maybe bring in a couple of UDFA to battle it out with the Navy guys.

...and we all know that BB LOVES kids from Annapolis.

He loved Kyle Eckel.

 

[Patspsycho]

I think and hope that we keep Sammy Morris as the FB. He seems to have grown into that role and has embraced it. He's delivered quite a few key blocks this year and last week, sprung BJGE for a key 17 yard run to set up the Woodhead TD. After that play, Morris pumped his fist and yelled.

That, to me, is a team player.

 

[JackBauer]

I'd like to see them pick up a dynamic back with speed to burn (a la Jamaal Charles), but I wouldn't expect them to expend a high draft pick in doing so.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I think and hope that we keep Sammy Morris as the FB. He seems to have grown into that role and has embraced it. He's delivered quite a few key blocks this year and last week, sprung BJGE for a key 17 yard run to set up the Woodhead TD. After that play, Morris pumped his fist and yelled.

That, to me, is a team player.

Agreed 100%. Morris is a great team guy.

The problem is that he'll be 34 at the start of the 2011 season.

 

[mgteich]

Sammy Morris has been playing well in his role. I could see us re-signing him. On the other hand, Belichick may find another free agent who is five years younger to fill his role. The problem with Morris is that he is likely too injury prone to want to take a lot of reps. For example, when Faulk went down, Morris might have been expected to step up and have a major role as 3rd down back.

We seem to have four running backs.

Primary running back
3rd down running back
Backup to primary
Backup to 3rd down back

ADDITIONAL ROLES: short down back, blocking fullback
===============
BOTTOM LINE
I see us re-signing Morris OR Faulk. We need to add a free agent running back to replace Taylor. We have no good options if Green-Ellis goes down. I also see us keeping a developmental #5 back, Ketanni or a draft choice.

I think and hope that we keep Sammy Morris as the FB. He seems to have grown into that role and has embraced it. He's delivered quite a few key blocks this year and last week, sprung BJGE for a key 17 yard run to set up the Woodhead TD. After that play, Morris pumped his fist and yelled.

That, to me, is a team player.

 

[Patspsycho]

Agreed 100%. Morris is a great team guy.

The problem is that he'll be 34 at the start of the 2011 season.

Age would be a concern if he was continually taking a beating, but in his reduced role as the FB and a special-teamer, he sees the field sparingly, and as the key blocker doesn't need breakaway speed, only a sense of where the hole is going to open, and what defensive coverage is coming. If you draft young players, they are going to need a few years to develop. I think Morris is good for 1 or 2 more years.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I've said it before and I'll say it now. Mark Ingram would look great in a Pats uniform. Nice blend of power and speed. He'd back up Benny at first but have a chance to take over as the main guy. Much like Mendenhall was initially behind Willie Parker, etc. Now I'm hoping since Ingram didn't have such a big year in 2010 that he'll drop to round 2 where he'd make a great value pick. If we can't get Ingram I'd target a big power back with hands and speed, yeah thinking a jackson/dillon/bettis type.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Age would be a concern if he was continually taking a beating, but in his reduced role as the FB and a special-teamer, he sees the field sparingly, and as the key blocker doesn't need breakaway speed, only a sense of where the hole is going to open, and what defensive coverage is coming. If you draft young players, they are going to need a few years to develop. I think Morris is good for 1 or 2 more years.

I hope you are right!