Rookie Numbers Released

[zippo59]

Says someone who obviously wasn't around to watch the '70's Pats. His backup, Don Calhoun, ran for over 700 yds in '76, '77, &'79. They used two backs in those days as well, so Andy Johnson ran for 5-700 yds. those years as well. I think we still hold the record for team rushing yds in Sams only 1000 yd season( and these were 14 game seasons). This guy probably thinks B Bonds HR record is for real!

That's fine, but for a first round pick I expect a lot more than 1 1000 yard season and just solid numbers in a two back system. If a guy is a first rounder he should be the feature back, not a back in a two back system. For you to suggest otherwise it is clear you are letting history and sentiment cloud your judgement. You are free to like Cunningham as much as you want, but the bottom line is if Maroney has the same career he will and should be considered a bust. You don't spend first round picks on backs that will split time and put up average numbers in a running back by comittee system. And P.S. I have no opinion on the Bonds HR thing. I don't like baseball.

 

[PonyExpress]

That's fine, but for a first round pick I expect a lot more than 1 1000 yard season and just solid numbers in a two back system. If a guy is a first rounder he should be the feature back, not a back in a two back system. For you to suggest otherwise it is clear you are letting history and sentiment cloud your judgement. You are free to like Cunningham as much as you want, but the bottom line is if Maroney has the same career he will and should be considered a bust. You don't spend first round picks on backs that will split time and put up average numbers in a running back by comittee system. And P.S. I have no opinion on the Bonds HR thing. I don't like baseball.

Today's game does not employ the traditional fullback position which was commonplace in the 70s and previously. Some of the greatest players in NFL history were not halfbacks, like all of today's feature runners, but fullbacks, heavier runners also tasked much of the time with blocking and short yardage running. Marion Motley of the old Browns, Larry Csonka of the Dolphins, and Sam Cunningham are three of the best examples in league history. Before the passing rules were changed in 1978, this type of player was among the most valuable in the league in a run-oriented game. The importance of the traditional fullback changed after the 1978 rule changes and made this type of player obsolete, other than the Tom Rathman/Daryl Johnston pass catching H-Back style. To equate Cunningham with a bust is really an embarrassing comment, and speaks to a lack of understanding of the historical context of the position, and of patriots history. Cunningham was the most important runner on the team that still holds the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season, the Pat team of 1978. Maroney should wear 39 with pride.

 

[zippo59]

Today's game does not employ the traditional fullback position which was commonplace in the 70s and previously. Some of the greatest players in NFL history were not halfbacks, like all of today's feature runners, but fullbacks, heavier runners also tasked much of the time with blocking and short yardage running. Marion Motley of the old Browns, Larry Csonka of the Dolphins, and Sam Cunningham are three of the best examples in league history. Before the passing rules were changed in 1978, this type of player was among the most valuable in the league in a run-oriented game. The importance of the traditional fullback changed after the 1978 rule changes and made this type of player obsolete, other than the Tom Rathman/Daryl Johnston pass catching H-Back style. To equate Cunningham with a bust is really an embarrassing comment, and speaks to a lack of understanding of the historical context of the position, and of patriots history. Cunningham was the most important runner on the team that still holds the NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season, the Pat team of 1978. Maroney should wear 39 with pride.

You are misunderstanding what I was saying and your post proves my point. While Cunningham was great in the 70's, that type of player with those type of numbers is not great now. I'm not saying Cunningham was a bust. He was a very valueable at the time, but that type of player is no longer valueable because of how the game has changed. So people saying they would be happy if Maroney had the same results of Cunningham is foolish because what was good 30 years ago is different from what is good now, because of the changes in the game. A Cunningham type player has become obscelete as you said because they are now unnecessary in today's game. Furthermore you can't compare Maroney to Cunningham as people are doing because Cunningham was a big RB/FB, so his rushing did not have to be as productive a rusher because of his blocking value. Maroney is a pure RB so since he is not a blocker HE would be a bust if he put up the rushing numbers as Cunningham.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Andre Davis last year (#18).

P.K. Sam in '04 (#14).

Dedric Ward in '03 (#17).

Bad memory, eh?

And you also forgot #10 during Super Bowl XXXIX.

 

[Patjew]

And you also forgot #10 during Super Bowl XXXIX.

Now that dude was tight.

I like 39. 34s-38s are slow bruisers. 39s are fleet of foot yet powerful. 29s are unstoppable.

A teen # for a WR is a bad choice and will result in a bad haircut and mouthing off as well as several drops per game. Anytime a teen # WR does manage to catch it, though, they bring it to the house.

All of the above is scientifically proven.

 

[Hok]

And you also forgot #10 during Super Bowl XXXIX.

Whoops.

 

[BPF]

Sam Bam's rushing totals

Patriots All-Time leaders: Rushing
(based on rushing yardage)

NAME YEARS NO. YARDS AVG LG TD
1. Sam Cunningham 1973-79,81-82 1,385 5,453 3.9 75t 43
2. Jim Nance 1965-71 1,323 5,323 4.0 65t 45
3. Tony Collins 1981-87 1,191 4,647 3.9 54 32
4. Curtis Martin 1995-97 958 3,799 4.0 70t 32
5. Don Calhoun 1975-81 820 3,391 4.1 73 23
6. John Stephens 1988-92 891 3,249 3.6 52 17
7. Larry Garron 1960-68 763 2,981 3.9 85t 14
8. Antowain Smith 2001-03 721 2,781 3.9 44 21
9. Craig James 1984-88 585 2,469 4.2 73 11
10. Leonard Russell 1991-93 689 2,437 3.5 24 13

If Lo Mo can finish his career #1 on this list and surpass the other #39 we will be OK with the number choice. I think he will wear it well.

 

[pats1]

http://www.kffl.com/hotw/nfl

NFL | Competition committee discussing rule change regarding numbers
Sat, 13 May 2006 12:18:03 -0700

Mike Triplett, of the New Orleans Times-Picayune, reports the NFL's competition committee discussed a possible rule change regarding uniform numbers during a conference call Friday, May 12, and will report on the issue to all 32 teams during the league meetings later this month, according to NFL spokesman Greg Aiello. New Orleans Saints RB Reggie Bush has asked for permission to wear his college No. 5, but running backs are restricted to numbers in the 20s, 30s or 40s. Two-thirds of the NFL's 32 owners would need to approve in order for the rule to be changed.

 

[PonyExpress]

The kiss of death for a rookie coming into the NFL is when he says "I've got to maximize my off-field opportunities" before ever setting foot on the field. Translation: year 1 ACL tear. Take heed, Reggie Bush. Don't try to bend the rules to suit yourself before you set foot on the field. Nobody cares anymore that you won the Heisman. So did Geno Torretta...

 

[Michael]

They should have given Gostkowski 04.

 

[primetime]

Imagine if Bush turns into Ki-Jana Carter.

I bet they plan to retire 4 when Adam retires. Just a guess, but I doubt you'll see it given out.

 

[Michael]

Imagine if Bush turns into Ki-Jana Carter.

I bet they plan to retire 4 when Adam retires. Just a guess, but I doubt you'll see it given out.

They shouldn't retire his number. The Dolts can if they want.

 

[primetime]

They shouldn't retire his number. The Dolts can if they want.

Show respect for the man who gave you two rings and contributed greatly to another.

Michael Haynes went to the Raiders in his prime but still has his number retired. Buoniconti, a member of the Patriots hall of fame, played for the Dolphins.

 

[Michael]

Show respect for the man who gave you two rings and contributed greatly to another.

Michael Haynes went to the Raiders in his prime but still has his number retired. Buoniconti, a member of the Patriots hall of fame, played for the Dolphins.

You're entitled to your opinion. I'm entitled to mine. I said before any trade was made if he goes to any AFCE team, Pittsburgh or Indy he's dead to me. I don't want to see his number retired.

 

[shakadave]

I can't explain it, but somehow Maroney's wearing 39 cements him as a future star. He will make the number his own, and change the way America views 39s.

 

[maverick4]

re

I can't explain it, but somehow Maroney's wearing 39 cements him as a future star. He will make the number his own, and change the way America views 39s.

I thought the same thing, and then later heard Maroney say something that convinced me. He said something along the lines that he didn't care about what number he wore, and that he would create his own legacy.

 

[spacecrime]

What? He only had one season where he went over 1000 yards, and during that one year he only averaged 3.8 yards per carry.

you stat freaks crack me up

sam bam wasn't any good 'cause he doesn't have good stats

 

[zippo59]

you stat freaks crack me up

sam bam wasn't any good 'cause he doesn't have good stats

Good job taking things out of context.

 

[spacecrime]

That's fine, but for a first round pick I expect a lot more than 1 1000 yard season and just solid numbers in a two back system. If a guy is a first rounder he should be the feature back, not a back in a two back system. For you to suggest otherwise it is clear you are letting history and sentiment cloud your judgement. You are free to like Cunningham as much as you want, but the bottom line is if Maroney has the same career he will and should be considered a bust. You don't spend first round picks on backs that will split time and put up average numbers in a running back by comittee system. And P.S. I have no opinion on the Bonds HR thing. I don't like baseball.

you have no idea what you are talking about

 

[zippo59]

you have no idea what you are talking about

I think it's pretty clear that Maroney and Cunningham are very different kinds of backs so what is considered successful for is not considered successful for the other. That was my only point.