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Who Is Sony Michel?

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Sony Michel’s rushing stats comparable to Saquan Barkley’s....receiving stats not so much. It’s an area he’s going to need to get better at...

While I agree that he should round out his game so the Patriots are less predictable, it's going to be extremely difficult to take snaps away from James White. I'm not sure there's a better passing game running back in the NFL. Good problem to have between the two of them.
 
While I agree that he should round out his game so the Patriots are less predictable, it's going to be extremely difficult to take snaps away from James White. I'm not sure there's a better passing game running back in the NFL. Good problem to have between the two of them.

Top RBs in the passing game thru WK-6 (by receiving yards):

BARKLEY:
40/51 (78%) .. 373 yds .. 9.3 ypc .. 2 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 62.2 ypg .. 289 yac(77%) .. 12 1st-d
811 yards from scrimmage, 6 TDs total

KAMARA:
38/51 (75%) .. 351 yds .. 9.2 ypc .. 1 TDs
.. 4x20+ .. 70.2 ypg .. 288 yac (82%) .. 14 1st-d
650 yards from scrimmage, 6 TDs total

WHITE:
37/51 (73%) .. 323 yds .. 8.7 ypc .. 4 TDs
.. 1x20+ .. 53.8 ypg .. 231 yac (72%) .. 16 1st-d
472 yards from scrimmage, 5 TDs total


GORDON:
30/42 (71%) .. 279 yds .. 9.3 ypc .. 3 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 46.5 ypg .. 268 yac (96%) .. 15 1st-d
745 yds from scrimmage, 9 TDs total

COHEN:
21/25 (84%) .. 259 yds .. 12.3 ypc .. 1 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 51.8 ypg .. 127 yac(49%) .. 9 1st-d
439 yards from scrimmage, 2 TDs total

CONNER:
26/35 (74%) .. 257 yds .. 9.9 ypc .. 0 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 42.8 ypg .. 255 yac(99%) .. 10 1st-d
710 yards from scrimmage, 7 TDs total

RICHARD:
31/37 (84%) .. 253 yds .. 8.2 ypc .. 0 TDs
.. 2x20+ .. 42.2 ypg .. 172 yac(68%) .. 10 1st-d
285 yards from scrimmage, 0 TDs

GURLEY:
21/30 (70%) .. 247 yds .. 11.8 ypc .. 2 TDs
.. 2x20+ .. 41.2 ypg .. 269 yac(109%) .. 10 1st-d
870 yds from scrimmage, 11 TDs total
---------------

FUN FACT:
Thru 6 games ...
-- Pats RBs have accounted for 1065 yards from scrimmage and 9 TDs
-- Pats WRs have accounted for 799 yards from scrimmage and 8 TDs
-- GRONK has 405 yards from scrimmage and 1 TD
 
More like "why?". I understand he was drafted in the first round and all that but...he's not helping. He hasn't helped most of the the games he's played it. Why are the Pats afraid to pull him?

I understand Rex got hurt again but throwing to him twice in a row in the Red Zone late was just ridiculous. I hate to say it but Lawrence Maroney was more useful than this guy in the early part of his career.

This is aging quite well.
 
Stray thought: Michel and White have the potential to be one of the best and most complementary RB tandems in the whole league. Burkhead would be nice as a backup to both but the top of this depth chart is in great shape for at least 3 years.
 
Top RBs in the passing game thru WK-6 (by receiving yards):

BARKLEY:
40/51 (78%) .. 373 yds .. 9.3 ypc .. 2 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 62.2 ypg .. 289 yac(77%) .. 12 1st-d
811 yards from scrimmage, 6 TDs total

KAMARA:
38/51 (75%) .. 351 yds .. 9.2 ypc .. 1 TDs
.. 4x20+ .. 70.2 ypg .. 288 yac (82%) .. 14 1st-d
650 yards from scrimmage, 6 TDs total

WHITE:
37/51 (73%) .. 323 yds .. 8.7 ypc .. 4 TDs
.. 1x20+ .. 53.8 ypg .. 231 yac (72%) .. 16 1st-d
472 yards from scrimmage, 5 TDs total


GORDON:
30/42 (71%) .. 279 yds .. 9.3 ypc .. 3 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 46.5 ypg .. 268 yac (96%) .. 15 1st-d
745 yds from scrimmage, 9 TDs total

COHEN:
21/25 (84%) .. 259 yds .. 12.3 ypc .. 1 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 51.8 ypg .. 127 yac(49%) .. 9 1st-d
439 yards from scrimmage, 2 TDs total

CONNER:
26/35 (74%) .. 257 yds .. 9.9 ypc .. 0 TDs
.. 3x20+ .. 42.8 ypg .. 255 yac(99%) .. 10 1st-d
710 yards from scrimmage, 7 TDs total

RICHARD:
31/37 (84%) .. 253 yds .. 8.2 ypc .. 0 TDs
.. 2x20+ .. 42.2 ypg .. 172 yac(68%) .. 10 1st-d
285 yards from scrimmage, 0 TDs

GURLEY:
21/30 (70%) .. 247 yds .. 11.8 ypc .. 2 TDs
.. 2x20+ .. 41.2 ypg .. 269 yac(109%) .. 10 1st-d
870 yds from scrimmage, 11 TDs total
---------------

FUN FACT:
Thru 6 games ...
-- Pats RBs have accounted for 1065 yards from scrimmage and 9 TDs
-- Pats WRs have accounted for 799 yards from scrimmage and 8 TDs
-- GRONK has 405 yards from scrimmage and 1 TD
The Squealers have to be ecstatic with Conner. Hes not Bell but hes on a pace for 1200yds rushing and 69 catches (Gronk likey) w/ 685 yds receiving.
 
The Squealers have to be ecstatic with Conner. Hes not Bell but hes on a pace for 1200yds rushing and 69 catches (Gronk likey) w/ 685 yds receiving.

It's almost like Le'Veon is a product of the system or something. Either that or the Steelers are great at picking RBs which, it's hard to knock the Steelers' drafting abilities so that could be true too.

Fingers crossed Bell and the Steelers reconcile and a deal is signed. There's no way the talent jump from Conner to Bell is worth what Bell will get.
 
I thought belichick opposes having a feature back.lol

Reporter: are you against having a feature back?
B.B: “you mean like Corey Dillion when he rushed for 1600 yds?” Would I be opposed to that? No
 
The Squealers have to be ecstatic with Conner. Hes not Bell but hes on a pace for 1200yds rushing and 69 catches (Gronk likey) w/ 685 yds receiving.

Conner was one of my binkies in the 2017 draft.

Why oh why doesn't BB ever listen to me??!!
(probably because Jonnu Smith was also one of my binkies)

 
I thought belichick opposes having a feature back.lol

Reporter: are you against having a feature back?
B.B: “you mean like Corey Dillion when he rushed for 1600 yds?” Would I be opposed to that? No

Clearly not.

I think BB is simply not a fan of spending a lot of time and resources on trying to find the next Corey Dillon (rare finds), or of relying solely on such a beast, when a resilient committee of 3-4 guys who are merely good and versatile (much easier to find) can be (and has been) effective enough most seasons.
 
It's almost like Le'Veon is a product of the system or something. Either that or the Steelers are great at picking RBs which, it's hard to knock the Steelers' drafting abilities so that could be true too.

Fingers crossed Bell and the Steelers reconcile and a deal is signed. There's no way the talent jump from Conner to Bell is worth what Bell will get.
Agree. It hurts the Patriots if Bell walks as they'll then have more cap flexibility to sign their FAs and add new ones.
 
Conner was one of my binkies in the 2017 draft.

Why oh why doesn't BB ever listen to me??!!
(probably because Jonnu Smith was also one of my binkies)

Yeah, before the draft I was hoping - naively so - that Connor would still be available at #163; that was before Bill foolishly threw away that pick for GillyGilly. Turns out Sh!tsdirt took him at #105 anyway.
 
I think BB is simply not a fan of spending a lot of time and resources on trying to find the next Corey Dillon (rare finds), or of relying solely on such a beast, when a resilient committee of 3-4 guys who are merely good and versatile (much easier to find) can be (and has been) effective enough most seasons.
But isn't that what Bill did, and is doing now?
 
Yeah, before the draft I was hoping - naively so - that Connor would still be available at #163; that was before Bill foolishly threw away that pick for GillyGilly. Turns out Sh!tsdirt took him at #105 anyway.

Meh, the #163 was the pick he got from Denver for AJ Derby (who he'd drafted in the 6th).

On the positive side, trading the pick for Gillislee may have prevented BB from drafting Peterman.
 
But isn't that what Bill did, and is doing now?

Nah. BB had White, Burkhead, Hill and Gillislee (and Bolden) under contract before drafted Michel. And he still had everybody but Bolden going into week-1. I don't think he ever intended to be relying on Michel this season. If everyone had stayed healthy, it might've been a few games before Michel was even active (he wasn't for WK-1).

But then Hill had a season-ender in WK-1 (replaced with Barner for Wk-2). Then Burkhead suffered his neck injury in WK-3 @DET, and went to IR (he could be back for Game-12/WK-13, though).

So, bad luck and he's now stuck (for the moment) with using Michel a lot. Good thing the kid is actually decent. He's got Barner, who's "okay" as a #3. At least he knows how to follow his blockers, and he doesn't crumple on first contact.

I'm sure BB "gets" that the RB position is really thin. He's tried out several guys, but none of them were worth a roster spot, apparently - or maybe couldn't come to terms with the Pats. Until/unless the Pats know whether or not Burkhead is capable of returning, it's kind of an iffy situation for both the team and potential RB signees.

I don't think we'll know until the Pats make a move with another RB or until the trade deadline passes immediately after WK-8. Burkhead can begin practicing with the team in WK-10, just before the BYE.
 
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Reactions: jah
While I agree that he should round out his game so the Patriots are less predictable, it's going to be extremely difficult to take snaps away from James White. I'm not sure there's a better passing game running back in the NFL. Good problem to have between the two of them.
White also looks like he is running better than he ever has been. He looks quick and shifty and as great a receiving back as ever.

IMO he has been the team MVP so far this season with the obvious exception of Brady who is always the most valuable. White is a critical part of our offense.
 
Clearly not.

I think BB is simply not a fan of spending a lot of time and resources on trying to find the next Corey Dillon (rare finds), or of relying solely on such a beast, when a resilient committee of 3-4 guys who are merely good and versatile (much easier to find) can be (and has been) effective enough most seasons.

I know, I just couldn’t believe that level of dumb question. I’ve heard some dumb ones too. A close second is my ex wife back during 2003. They behead that reporter and she said.” Oh my god is he going to be ok?”
 
Beginning in 2004,
- the Pats have been among the top-10 teams in rushing TDs,
..... with the exception of 2005, 2014 and 2015.
- the Pats have been among the top-11 in rushing attempts
..... with the exception of 2005, 2011, 2014, and 2015
The Pats also run a helluva lot of plays so I'd expect they'd be way there in terms of rushing attempts.

A better stat would be how NE's rushes as a percentage of offensive plays compare to other team's rushes as a percentage of offensive plays. That's the true measure of how run- or pass-oriented NE is.
 
The Pats also run a helluva lot of plays so I'd expect they'd be way there in terms of rushing attempts.

A better stat would be how NE's rushes as a percentage of offensive plays compare to other team's rushes as a percentage of offensive plays. That's the true measure of how run- or pass-oriented NE is.

Actually, I ran the numbers on this after last season. It wasn't what I'd call a "thorough study" but it does address the point. Although I can't find my spreadsheet at the moment, the takeaways were ...
- the league average was a couple ticks above 58% passing
- most seasons, since 2007, the Pats have been between 52% and 56%, averaging just under 55% (2015, with all the OL and RB injuries was the Pats outlier at 62%)
- there are always a few teams that get above 60% passing to as high as 65%. Until last season's debut of the Kamara-Ingram tandem, the Saints were one of them for several consecutive seasons.
- there were also always a few teams that were under average (IIRC, the Vikes were regularly under average when AP was healthy)
- since 2007, there were a very few teams that hit a 50-50 balance or that ran more than they passed for an entire season (mostly teams with running QBs, e.g., the Titans when they had Young)

The Pats aren't alone in "running more plays". They did set a record (I think) in 2012 with nearly 1200 offensive plays for the season, when they went balls-to-the-wall with the no-huddle and hurry-up. But the Pats have since dropped back to around 1050 or so - which is about where most of the league is now (teams that pass more, generally have more plays).

There were two things that happened in 2006 that helped to turn the NFL into "a passing league" beginning in 2007.
1) "The Polian Rule", which was actually Polian insisting on a "re-emphasis" on the enforcement of existing rules regarding defender contact with receivers (but also some other actual rule changes since).
2) The league changed its policy regarding "ownership" of game balls. Prior to 2007, all game balls were provided directly by the league. Before the game, the refs would take brand new footballs (complete with their slippery wax coating) out of their original packaging and give them to the teams. Several QBs (including Peyton and Brady) had been lobbying the league to allow the teams to "own"/control the game balls up until game time, so that the balls could be "broken in". This was really about removing the slippery factory coating and changing the surface texture to something closer to suede - making the footballs easier to grip (AFAIK, it had nothing whatsoever to do with PSI, at least not at that time).

So, since 2007, the total number of passing plays per season has increased substantially - IIRC something around 10% (might be a bit more). However, the total number of running plays has only declined by around 2% or so. IOW, there are now more total plays per game. This can happen because a failed pass play stops the clock, whereas a "failed" running play does not. This is also the main reason why games have gotten longer in real-time since 2007 - a lot more clock stoppages on incomplete passes (roughly 1/3rd of all pass plays).

Finally, the Pats 2018 pass-run ratio is currently about 55-45. However, it has varied quite a bit from game-to-game (it always does ... opponent-specific game plans):
47% pass, 53% run v. MIA
66% pass, 34% run v. IND
48% pass, 52% run v. KCY

Meanwhile, the Pats opponents in the last three games have passed substantially more:
MIA = 58% passing
IND = 74% passing (59 pass attempts by Luck)
KCY = 68% passing (the Chiefs ran the ball only 17 times; the Pats ran 38 times and dominated ToP).
 
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