Rb

[Dwight Schrute]

In light of the events since TC broke, do the Pats address the vacancy left or run with what they have?

And if so, who?

[Box_O_Rocks]

Convert Dan Connolly to RB and start Ryan Wendell at LG.

[chevss454]

Originally Posted by Dwight Schrute

In light of the events since TC broke, do the Pats address the vacancy left or run with what they have?

And if so, who?

They go with who they have which is how I would have voted but it's not an option.

The Pats are not a running team. At their best they are a possession passing team.

[harrisonhits]

Getting rid of Mankins or trading picks would make the most sense. But BB has already picked up his street FA with the guy we nabbed from the Jets, so he may make no moves at RB until next year's draft unless there is another injury.

Ok ok I know, its hard to say "unless there is another injury" with a straight face given the recent histories of Taylor and Morris. Probably better to state that he may make nor moves until one of the other guys is injured.

[Dwight Schrute]

I'm thinking of a potential target overheard on the radio today.

Willis McGahee.

It'd be a pick from '11 supply, but they seem to think he'd be cheap.

The cat can find the end zone.

It'd be a 1 yr rental, because his salary escalates pretty heavy.

Compensation should be low.

While he doesn't have the legs he once did, he's only 29 and given 10-12 carries a game in a RBBC we deploy plus goal line sets he could be very servicable.

If he produces well, a contract renegotion could be done in the off-season. 30 yr old RB's on the open market have little leverage usually.

[midgar8784]

Originally Posted by chevss454

They go with who they have which is how I would have voted but it's not an option.

The Pats are not a running team. At their best they are a possession passing team.

Not sure about that. in 2004 when the pats actually had a legit back, they ran the hell out of the ball, in 2008, when they had the players at running back they ran the hell out of the ball. I think if they had the backs that could do it, they would and have shown this.

[Dwight Schrute]

Originally Posted by Box_O_Rocks

Convert Dan Connolly to RB and start Ryan Wendell at LG.

As pointed out in the other thread, you're shady.

[Dwight Schrute]

Originally Posted by chevss454

They go with who they have which is how I would have voted but it's not an option.

The Pats are not a running team. At their best they are a possession passing team.

I'm not sure they stand pat(no pun intended) with Fragile Fred and the inevitably injured Morris.

[chevss454]

Originally Posted by midgar8784

Not sure about that. in 2004 when the pats actually had a legit back, they ran the hell out of the ball, in 2008, when they had the players at running back they ran the hell out of the ball. I think if they had the backs that could do it, they would and have shown this.

It goes back to the argument of why the run game is below par: is it the OL blocking or the running backs' lack of talent or that running the ball is not stressed as is the passing game.

I have felt the last few years it's more about the poor run blocking by the OL. Wide holes are simply few and far between with this OL. Heck, look at them in goal line situations...when was the last time we saw any push on any DL? Example: Mark Ingram is a Heisman winner but is he a great back or is he the product of a great OL? To me, his line blocking makes him great. Behind the Pats, he'd be Sammy Morris.

[midgar8784]

Originally Posted by chevss454

It goes back to the argument of why the run game is below par: is it the OL blocking or the running backs' lack of talent or that running the ball is not stressed as is the passing game.

I have felt the last few years it's more about the poor run blocking by the OL. Wide holes are simply few and far between with this OL. Heck, look at them in goal line situations...when was the last time we saw any push on any DL? Example: Mark Ingram is a Heisman winner but is he a great back or is he the product of a great OL? To me, his line blocking makes him great. Behind the Pats, he'd be Sammy Morris.

yeah I thought that too in 2003 when the run game was horrid, but then in 2004, they got a good back in and all of the sudden the same oline was godly.

[Dwight Schrute]

Not to mention the blocking ability brought in with Crumpler and Gronk.

The run game COULD be a strong point, with the right RB.

In fact, they showed signs in the pre-season.

[anderson]

Trade a 2011 pick for Tashard Choice.

I'm guessing we're trying to keep it within reason here, else I say trade a 1st for Frank Gore!!

[headcase]

Originally Posted by midgar8784

Not sure about that. in 2004 when the pats actually had a legit back, they ran the hell out of the ball, in 2008, when they had the players at running back they ran the hell out of the ball. I think if they had the backs that could do it, they would and have shown this.

Remind me, who exactly did we have at RB in '08?

IMO they ran the hell out of the ball because they wanted to protect Matty, not because they had a steller back.

This team probably could run the ball if they committed to it, but it isn't built that way (skill players or scheme), so they do alot of running with the OL already on their heels, and out of suboptimal running sets.

SSDD

[anderson]

Originally Posted by headcase

Remind me, who exactly did we have at RB in '08?

IMO they ran the hell out of the ball because they wanted to protect Matty, not because they had a steller back.

This team probably could run the ball if they committed to it, but it isn't built that way (skill players or scheme), so they do alot of running with the OL already on their heels, and out of suboptimal running sets.

SSDD

We could probably improve our overall game if we adopted more run plays into our gameplan. Just with two injury prone backs and a guy who isn't all that talented, it's not that easy, I'm guessing.

[headcase]

Originally Posted by anderson

We could probably improve our overall game if we adopted more run plays into our gameplan. Just with two injury prone backs and a guy who isn't all that talented, it's not that easy, I'm guessing.

See I don't think it is the amount of runs in the gameplan, but the timing, situations, and types of said runs.

One thing the big Charlie was really good at doing as an Ocoord, was mixing things up and putting the O in good situations. Too many times since '08 it has been run on first, get a yard or two, and then throw twice, and two often, for some reason or another, many times one of those throws is a bomb to Randy.

A better situation is a throw on first, quick/short/safe, putting the team in a manageable 2nd where run/or pass is an option. It wouldn't necessarily increase the amount of runs, but I would think it would have the chance of making the limited runs more successful.

SSDD