Patriots Backfield is a Muddled Mess
In an early Tuesday snapshot of the Patriots' offensive backfield, nocturnal beat reporter Mike Reiss pointed out that Kevin Faulk has played more snaps than any New England tailback over the last two seasons. That, of course, hasn't led to much fantasy value. Injuries to Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris helped Faulk finish as the RB27 overall in 2008, but previous to then he hadn't been higher than RB34 since 2000.
In a mailbag posted Tuesday afternoon, the presumably coffee-chugging Reiss predicted that newly signed Fred Taylor would finish second on the team in snaps this year.
Here is a rundown of the Patriots' depth chart, along with Average Draft Position (ADP):
1. Fred Taylor - ADP = 114 (RB45)
2. Laurence Maroney - ADP = 142 (RB52)
3. Sammy Morris - ADP = 141 (RB51)
4. Kevin Faulk - ADP = 184 (RB61)
5. BenJarvus Green-Ellis - NR
Drafters are smartly avoiding Pats ball carriers even as late as the middle rounds, but aside from Maroney (who has the most upside of any back here) we still see Taylor and Morris as significantly overvalued. We wouldn't mind taking a late-round "flier" on Maroney, or one on Faulk in points-per-reception settings, but this is the league's most muddled running back committee entering training camp. Here's a list of RBs Taylor and Morris are going ahead of:
1. Ray Rice
2. Jerious Norwood
3. Jamaal Charles
4. Shonn Greene
5. Jerome Harrison
New England could potentially employ a legitimate four-man committee, with Taylor and Maroney sharing early-down work, Morris and Maroney vying for short-yardage carries, and Faulk dominating passing downs. Let someone else deal with it.
Comments
Fred Taylor is only getting drafted ahead of guys like Ray Rice only due to his name. i for one will be avoiding all Pats RB's at all cost. as well for any Denver or Tampa back.
Posted by: Misfit | July 14, 2009 04:20 PM
Weak backfields equal lots of passing. This is good news for the likes of Tom Brady, Randy Moss and Wes Welker.
Lets hope for the Patriots sake that Brady's knee is as healthy as he said it is, or this team could be in for a little bit of trouble.
Maybe they should leave a few of those RB's on the field to give that O-Line some help - An O-Line that got Matt Cassel beat up pretty bad last year. A sack every 10 pass attempts.
Posted by: jeff | July 14, 2009 04:20 PM
I was kind of disappointed when the Pats picked up Fred Taylor.
I haven't wanted to deal with the risk associated with picking Maroney the past two years, but I've taken late round fliers on Sammy Morris--who has performed admirably for me for his draft position.
Now, I can't imagine he'll get enough carries to make him relevant.
If McDaniels were still the offensive coordinator, I'd say Kevin Faulk is guaranteed a certain amount of action. I know the Patriots intend to keep the same system in place, but his upside even if he gets the ball as much as he did is limited.
So, basically, I agree. I don't want to touch that with a 10-foot pole unless there's some injuries that make it more likely for there to be one consistent ball-carrier.
Posted by: Fredex | July 14, 2009 04:27 PM
Fred taylor will run for 1000 yards
Posted by: Bob | July 14, 2009 04:27 PM
lol.. shoot ill take moreno or d.ward.
Posted by: scott c | July 14, 2009 04:30 PM
No, weak backfields means more attention to WRs, which is bad for the passing game.
Posted by: chad | July 14, 2009 04:34 PM
Well, there's a difference between a 'weak' backfield and a 'fantasy football headache' backfield. The Pats have the latter, because they could care less about points per yardage and goal line TD vultures. I would say it's a pretty solid backfield because, like a good bullpen in baseball, everyone will have their role. If everyone does what they should the Pats could have a very versatile offense that doesn't rely on just one guy.
Posted by: Alex | July 14, 2009 04:45 PM