Running Backs

[ohiopatsfan]

At least one bell cow running back is needed. Forte would be a great fit, sort of like Corey Dillon. I really question Gaffney after two years on the shelf with a bad knee. Either Develin or Iosefa at FB would be good (actually, I would kind of like to see Glenn (Mini Gronk) Gronkowski there, if he is available to the Pats). As for rookie running backs, I like Alex Collins or JJ Prosise, although Prosise is supposed to be prone to fumbling (been there, done that with Ridley already). Hope Lewis is fully recovered. Also, White showed a lot as a receiver (reminded me of Kevin Faulk). At least a moderately successful running attack will be needed to keep defenses honest.

 

[SteelersPride]

alex collins is gonna take a top 3 round pick to get

 

[cdumler7]

Yes! Watch the AFCCG again. If nothing else at least someone back there with the threat of a run.

Yup Broncos were able to stay in a Nickel or Dime defense the entire game. Kind of reminded me of the Patriots/Broncos game a couple of years ago where the Patriots were just begging the Broncos to run the football. They were willing to give them the run game to stop Peyton. Well the Broncos used BB's game plan to perfection just showing 0 respect to the run game and flooding the quick throw spots with bodies making Brady have to hang onto the ball longer than he wanted.

I would say though fixing the OL means so much more than getting a bell cow RB. A great OL can make an average RB look great but unless they are special like an AP a RB can't usually make an average OL look great.

 

[ohiopatsfan]

Having Scar back will help the OL but more quality bodies are definitely needed.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

Yup Broncos were able to stay in a Nickel or Dime defense the entire game. Kind of reminded me of the Patriots/Broncos game a couple of years ago where the Patriots were just begging the Broncos to run the football. They were willing to give them the run game to stop Peyton. Well the Broncos used BB's game plan to perfection just showing 0 respect to the run game and flooding the quick throw spots with bodies making Brady have to hang onto the ball longer than he wanted.

I would say though fixing the OL means so much more than getting a bell cow RB. A great OL can make an average RB look great but unless they are special like an AP a RB can't usually make an average OL look great.

I think the O line will be fine. They have Scar coming back that's a huge help. He's always had the ability to coach his line to being ranked at or near the top. If they show up to camp healthy, Solder at LT and Vollmer moves back to RT that will help quite a bit. Two young centers that will have another camp under their belt. Wendall and Kline along with Shaq Mason can handle the G-spots.
I'd like to see them find a vet in FA and then draft another O-lineman early.
Part of helping the O-line also includes deception. Pats need to have a power style back (granted Forte isn't the greatest short yardage player available, but when you combine his running, blockin and especially his receiving) that's the deception that could help get that O-line well.

 

[Yankee Traveler]

With Brady at QB does it even matter who's the RB?

Yes.
See cdumler7's post. A good RB will keep defenses honest.
Run to set up the pass or pass to set up the run.
With no deep threat and no running threat Pats were doomed.
Well "doomed" might be harsh as they were one play away (missed PAT, 4th down conversions etc.) from going to the big show.
But as cd7 said, flood the middle of the field until Von Miller can get to Brady and worry about nothing else.

 

[BigKen]

These are the offensive linemen on the roster today. Dumping Cannon would free up $3.1M to sign a real offensive lineman.

72 Hughes, Kevin T RES 6'4" 315 8/6/1988 3 Southeastern Louisiana
77 Solder, Nate T RES 6'8" 325 4/12/1988 5 Colorado
76 Vollmer, Sebastian T ACT 6'8" 325 7/10/1984 7 Houston
68 Waddle, LaAdrian T ACT 6'6" 328 7/21/1991 3 Texas Tech
61 Cannon, Marcus OT ACT 6'5" 335 5/6/1988 5 Texas Christian
71 Fleming, Cameron OT ACT 6'6" 320 9/3/1992 2 Stanford
63 Jackson, Tre OG ACT 6'4" 320 12/14/1992 0 Florida State
69 Mason, Shaq OG ACT 6'1" 310 8/28/1993 0 Georgia Tech
67 Kline, Josh G ACT 6'3" 300 12/29/1989 3 Kent State
62 Wendell, Ryan G RES 6'2" 300 3/4/1986 7 Fresno State
66 Stork, Bryan C ACT 6'4" 310 11/15/1990 2 Florida State
60 Andrews, David C ACT 6'3" 295 7/10/1992 0 Georgia

 

[Southieinnc]

Yup Broncos were able to stay in a Nickel or Dime defense the entire game. Kind of reminded me of the Patriots/Broncos game a couple of years ago where the Patriots were just begging the Broncos to run the football. They were willing to give them the run game to stop Peyton. Well the Broncos used BB's game plan to perfection just showing 0 respect to the run game and flooding the quick throw spots with bodies making Brady have to hang onto the ball longer than he wanted.

I would say though fixing the OL means so much more than getting a bell cow RB. A great OL can make an average RB look great but unless they are special like an AP a RB can't usually make an average OL look great.

Exactly. I made the comment before the game you reference that "the Patriots defense can beat any pass-only offense" That was Denver this year, turning the tables.
And you said it in less than 1000 words!!!!!