The Case for 5 RBs

[ATippett56]

What position are you going to go one man short on so that you can keep both of Bolden and Blount?

QB - Tim Tebow

 

[ATippett56]

See:

Ballard, Kevin

Spellcheck can be a nightmare.

Ballard, Jake

 

[tonyto3690]

Brandon Bolden had pretty much one game of note all of last season... against the Bills.

You know, I keep seeing this, but it's really completely false. I assume people just look at his stats on ESPN and try to make claims based off of that. He was always stuck behind Ridley Vereen and Woodhead in the depth chart, but every time he touched the ball it seemed to be for a good positive gain.

I rewatched the Broncos game the other day and between him and Ridley, the Patriots just beat the Broncos defense down. He's a quality running back, and quality depth that I wouldn't have any issue seeing getting 20 touches if Ridley got hurt. Those guys don't grow on trees.

Especially since we are (hopefully) running even more than last year, you can never have enough RB depth. I remember 2008 we were down to our fifth string RB (BJGE) and I believe it was 2009 4th string (Morris?).

Would much rather see that roster spot given to Bolden than Tebow.

 

[tonyto3690]

Plus, RB is about the closest thing to a plug-and-play position that there is in the NFL. If there's one position where you can afford to skimp a bit on depth, it's on a 1st/2nd down running back, which is why I don't see the Pats keeping more than one backup there (especially since Vereen can run between the tackles effectively if need be). Looks to me like Blount and Bolden are competing for a roster spot.

It's true that the RB talent is pretty deep, but that doesn't mean you're going to sign a good one at any point in the year. It merely means that you shouldn't be paying much for anything but topline talent- which Bolden obviously isn't.

Belichick has carried 5 RBs in the past with much worse talent (Jordan, Morris, 40 y/o Faulk, etc.)

 

[patchick]

Would much rather see that roster spot given to Bolden than Tebow.

Here's my problem: my current roster only holds 4 RBS and 2 QBs, because I'm going long on DBs.

EDIT: To clarify, I'm not anti-Bolden. I just think Ridley, Vareen, Washington & Blount is a pretty deep and solid RB corps, so the 5th RB is low on my priority list.

 

[Sicilian]

Belichick has carried 5 RBs in the past with much worse talent (Jordan, Morris, 40 y/o Faulk, etc.)

But that's exactly why you carry that many... because you can't count on any one of them to carry the load.

 

[AzPatsFan]

Here's my problem: my current roster only holds 4 RBS and 2 QBs, because I'm going long on DBs.

EDIT: To clarify, I'm not anti-Bolden. I just think Ridley, Vareen, Washington & Blount is a pretty deep and solid RB corps, so the 5th RB is low on my priority list.

Especially since you can have your cake and eat it too, when you cut Tim Tebow to the Shadow Roster. Unlike other backup QBs, no one will pick him up at this late date; and he is still a phone call away if you need him. Plus, He costs you nothing on the CAP and in the Pocket.

 

[DarrylStingley]

It's not unfair at all. It's a sensible response to your post. You're the one building up his 5 ypc. I'm just pointing out that it's because of one outlier game.



Maybe the 16 point game has potential for future data, but his 14 carry game resulted in a ypc of less than 4 ypc, so it's also easy to argue that extra carries didn't help.



Your argument (from the O.P.)



So you're sinking your argument in the 5 ypc, and arguing upside based largely upon that one game. I'm simply showing that to be the product of that one outlier game. Players flash. It happens. What Bolden would be if he were carrying the ball 20 times a game is something we don't know. We do know that he hasn't been anything special as a running back to this point in his NFL career.

Champion him as you will, and I've got no beef with that. I can see spot 53 going to one of a few areas. My posting was just about that 5 ypc.

Hear you. We disagree and neither of us is trolling! (And I can't believe that even one poster clicked that he liked that silly comment about me trolling; my love for the Pats is unhealthy; the notion that I'd troll fellow Pats fan is hilariously stupid).

My opening post did mention the 5 yards per game number. At the end of the day, that was his average. True, he averaged 8 yards per carry in one game but when you factor them all in, the guy averaged 5 over 50 plus carries and that aint bad.

But my Bolden like isn't tied just to that number. I liked his speed and strength and think he can be a solid, bruising runner. He ran over a few guys in Buffalo and elsewhere and that's good stuff. That game was an outlier, sure, but damn did I like what I saw that day.

Bolden checks two boxes for me...one, I like what I've seen from him thus far. Two, I like depth at RB given that we've seen RBs go down over the years and I think he'll be gone if he's exposed.

And, as noted, I'm not a big HooMan fan.

 

[Kontradiction]

Hear you. We disagree and neither of us is trolling! (And I can't believe that even one poster clicked that he liked that silly comment about me trolling; my love for the Pats is unhealthy; the notion that I'd troll fellow Pats fan is hilariously stupid).

My opening post did mention the 5 yards per game number. At the end of the day, that was his average. True, he averaged 8 yards per carry in one game but when you factor them all in, the guy averaged 5 over 50 plus carries and that aint bad.

But my Bolden like isn't tied just to that number. I liked his speed and strength and think he can be a solid, bruising runner. He ran over a few guys in Buffalo and elsewhere and that's good stuff. That game was an outlier, sure, but damn did I like what I saw that day.

Bolden checks two boxes for me...one, I like what I've seen from him thus far. Two, I like depth at RB given that we've seen RBs go down over the years and I think he'll be gone if he's exposed.

And, as noted, I'm not a big HooMan fan.

I didn't like it because of the troll part. I'm aware that you're not a troll. I liked it because of everything else about Slater.

 

[BradyFTW!]

It's true that the RB talent is pretty deep, but that doesn't mean you're going to sign a good one at any point in the year. It merely means that you shouldn't be paying much for anything but topline talent- which Bolden obviously isn't.

Belichick has carried 5 RBs in the past with much worse talent (Jordan, Morris, 40 y/o Faulk, etc.)

Yes, he's carried 5 when forced to do so. Because each of the backs was some combination of one-dimensional, old, injury-prone, and/or unproven in our system. One of the luxuries of having a stable of young, versatile, durable, and/or system-proven backs is that there's no need to carry 5.

What does the loser of the Bolden/Blount race bring to the table that 2 other RBs on the roster don't already do?

 

[jah]

Yes, he's carried 5 when forced to do so. Because each of the backs was some combination of one-dimensional, old, injury-prone, and/or unproven in our system. One of the luxuries of having a stable of young, versatile, durable, and/or system-proven backs is that there's no need to carry 5.

What does the loser of the Bolden/Blount race bring to the table that 2 other RBs on the roster don't already do?

When it comes to end of the roster moves, these guys likely won't see the field anyway, so you just pick the best players. I think Bolden is easily better than whoever would be the fourth tight end on the depth chart, or the eleventh defensive back. What I'm wondering is whether that fourth tight end is better than a tenth defensive lineman or sixth linebacker.

 

[Bruins29]

Hear you. We disagree and neither of us is trolling! (And I can't believe that even one poster clicked that he liked that silly comment about me trolling; my love for the Pats is unhealthy; the notion that I'd troll fellow Pats fan is hilariously stupid).

I just found it weird that you did not know MS was an elite special teamer and you are a huge fan of the team. Maybe you are just a casual fan.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Honestly I don't really know what they/anyone see(s) in Hoomanawanui. It'd be one thing if he were much of a receiving threat but his blocking is so atrocious I can't fathom any reason to justify keeping him around.

BB felt he brought enough to be worth an RFA tender (yes, it doesn't cost anything unless he makes the roster, but still).

Plus he did average 20+ YPC.

 

[ivanvamp]

1. Ridley and Vereen are obvious keepers.
2. Blount showed enough and is a big back with some good upside. He stays.
3. They need better KR than they've gotten and Leon can run a bit. He stays too.
4. Bolden averaged almost 5 yards a carry last year and was becoming a mainstay in the RB rotation until he got busted. Unless you believe that his play was HGH fueled, I don't see how you let go of a young player with that kind of upside.

So do you buy that you keep them all? If not, why not?

If so, where do you cut some fat? Do you really need HooMan? He's not really great at anything. Ballard hasn't exactly lit it up this pre-season. Maybe they can cut one of the lower safeties or CBs and rely on the practice squad to help them if there's an injury or two. Maybe Tebow and his wobbly passes go.

Thoughts would be welcomed.

I think if they keep 5 RBs a key reason why will be Vereen's versatility and ability to be a receiver. He could possibly replace Hernandez' routes.

 

[Deus Irae]

I just found it weird that you did not know MS was an elite special teamer and you are a huge fan of the team. Maybe you are just a casual fan.

Darryl's a passionate poster, and there's no reason to question his fandom. Even if there were, however, he's been a member at Patsfans.com since 2008, and a member at Patriotsplanet.com since 2006.

 

[IcyPatriot]

If it were up to me it would be 4 RB's and the winner of Blount vs Bolden would be who has the better skill set inside the 5 yard line. Brady will not have problems moving the chains this season and we need the best team possible inside the red zone ... like most teams.

 

[tonyto3690]

What does the loser of the Bolden/Blount race bring to the table that 2 other RBs on the roster don't already do?

It gives you interchangeable parts that can all produce at a high level and lessen the chance of disaster if one of them goes down. You can never have enough talent, and as high as I am on Ridley, he's not AP. He is not so much better than the other guys that he should never leave the field.

He also wore down a bit as the season went on and wasn't the same runner in the playoffs that he was in the beginning of the year (and I think he realizes this, hence why he put on weight).

Bolden and Blount both can rotate in for Ridley without significant issue and won't be a surefire sign that we won't be passing (not running) that play. I think people really forget how good Bolden looked last year, and if we really are going to choose between the two, it should go to Bolden.

I mentioned before, I recently rewatched a couple games from last year and every time he touched the ball he looked good. He doesn't have the wiggle or elusiveness that Ridley has but he has good vision and hits the hole.

Would much rather have 95% Ridley, 95% Bolden 95% Blount in the playoffs than 80% Ridley 80% Blount and 100% STs emergency safety scrub #3

 

[Bruins29]

Darryl's a passionate poster, and there's no reason to question his fandom. Even if there were, however, he's been a member at Patsfans.com since 2008, and a member at Patriotsplanet.com since 2006.

I wasnt trying to even question it. It just seemed weird that he did not know this because it seemed like a big fan. I even gave him the benefit of the doubt by hypothesizing he was a casual fan and just wasnt aware.

It is what it is.

 

[supafly]

I vote for only keeping 4 RB's, with keeping Winn on the practice squad in case of injury.

The only problem with that is that I really don't want to let go of Bolden quite yet, and am very leery of Blount's tendency to fumble; but those kinds of decisions are what makes up the entire process of determining the 53 man roster.

 

[mgteich]

Are you asking whether performance enhancing drugs actually work to enhance performance? Bolden got caught. He hasn't been the same since.

Even having said that, I think that he should be in the mix as consider how we fill the final 7 roster spots.

4. Bolden averaged almost 5 yards a carry last year and was becoming a mainstay in the RB rotation until he got busted. Unless you believe that his play was HGH fueled, I don't see how you let go of a young player with that kind of upside.