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
Don't confuse a Deep back field for a weak one, regardless the pats passing attack will be back in full effect
Posted by: BBBBBBBBB | July 14, 2009 05:21 PM
I wouldnt be shocked to even see a 5 man back field. BJGE aka The Firm (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) played extremely well in very limited time last year.
Posted by: Chudface | July 14, 2009 05:22 PM
This maybe first and second down taylor. Third down maroney. Fourth down morris. Which would lead to morris having the most value but draft worthy? We know they will score alot and maybe run early sense tom is just coming back. Bye week replacement until injuries settle in.
Posted by: Jacob Kiniry | July 14, 2009 05:25 PM
Goal line, fourth down, and short third downs. Morris that is. Goal line vulture and will be decent to sell high early with tommy returning to form.
Posted by: Jacob Kiniry | July 14, 2009 05:27 PM
Alex - you're exactly right. As far as the NFL goes, the Patriots backfield is very strong. They had the number 5 rushing offense last year with over 135 ypg... As far as fantasy goes, it's a nightmare!
Posted by: AP | July 14, 2009 05:38 PM
4 headed monster??
more like 4 headed pussy-cat.. Their passing game should be pretty good, not their 4 sub-par RBs..
Posted by: Tim | July 14, 2009 05:48 PM
4 headed monster??
more like 4 headed pussy-cat.. Their passing game should be pretty good, not their 4 sub-par RBs..
Posted by: Tim | July 14, 2009 05:48 PM