Pats Roster Planning: Offense

BigSoxFan

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Great opportunity to pick up some extra 2022 picks and/or maneuver around the draft board as needed. There is no way 10 rookies make this team.
Yup. Either BB moves up for a QB or I think we see some consolidation and/or punting to 2022, which would be a good idea given the potential departures next offseason.
 

Jungleland

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As much as I was intrigued by the idea of bringing in Fournette and having Cam and the three backs just run people over all year, White has always been the ideal choice if the money's right. Super excited if this gets done, and hope getting him the ball is prioritized a bit more than last year.
 

Maximus

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As much as I was intrigued by the idea of bringing in Fournette and having Cam and the three backs just run people over all year, White has always been the ideal choice if the money's right. Super excited if this gets done, and hope getting him the ball is prioritized a bit more than last year.
Get a deal with Sweetfeet done.
 

JohnnyK

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That would be fantastic. Now pick up a guy late in the draft or pick up a UDFA to fill the last RB spot and they're good to go at that position. Nice.
they might actually be set at running back with Michel, Harris, White and JJ Taylor plus a fullback. Additionally, they still have Bolden under contract and he might make it for special-teams value.
 

dynomite

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It's a 1 year deal for White per Reiss. I 100% expect them to draft a 3rd down back protege.
I'm into that -- even though I'm still convinced JJ Taylor can fill that role. Their college catching stats and combine measurables were basically identical, and JJ even has slightly larger hands! Although it's possible -- just possible -- that Belichick and the Pats are better evaluators than I am.

Edit: Anyway, welcome back Sweetfeet! Given the outpouring of affection for him during tragedy last season, he's clearly one of the most popular players in the locker room and even around the league -- especially with so many new guys, nice to have veteran leaders in the locker room.
 

Jungleland

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I don't see any reason to discount JJ Taylor yet. White didn't do anything his rookie year, Vereen not until year 3. Woodhead was productive as soon as he hit the Pats, but only made it here because he was a nonfactor for the Jets as a rookie, and even Kevin Faulk wasn't particularly productive his first year. Completely possible Taylor's not the answer, but there's plenty of precedent for primary pass catching RB - particularly in New England - having a learning curve.
 

dynomite

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I don't see any reason to discount JJ Taylor yet. White didn't do anything his rookie year, Vereen not until year 3. Woodhead was productive as soon as he hit the Pats, but only made it here because he was a nonfactor for the Jets as a rookie, and even Kevin Faulk wasn't particularly productive his first year. Completely possible Taylor's not the answer, but there's plenty of precedent for primary pass catching RB - particularly in New England - having a learning curve.
Yes indeed, agreed with this. I just thought JJ might be ready for this role now in his 2nd year, like White was, as opposed to re-signing White. Still, given how much the Pats rotate RBs and how common injuries are, I imagine he'll still have some opportunities if he earns them.
 

Super Nomario

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Yes indeed, agreed with this. I just thought JJ might be ready for this role now in his 2nd year, like White was, as opposed to re-signing White. Still, given how much the Pats rotate RBs and how common injuries are, I imagine he'll still have some opportunities if he earns them.
It's easy to forget now, but White didn't seize the job right off the bat in his second year, either. He was a healthy scratch in 2 of the first 8 games and played only 70 total snaps in the other 6 games (43 of them in one game when Dion Lewis and Brandon Bolden were both hurt). It wasn't until Lewis went on IR that he really got his opportunity.
 

dynomite

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It's easy to forget now, but White didn't seize the job right off the bat in his second year, either. He was a healthy scratch in 2 of the first 8 games and played only 70 total snaps in the other 6 games (43 of them in one game when Dion Lewis and Brandon Bolden were both hurt). It wasn't until Lewis went on IR that he really got his opportunity.
Fair enough, I didn't remember that.

Edit: And because I've been the Dion Lewis advocate around here (I think?), I just looked him up and realized he basically hadn't played in 2 full years -- and was out of football basically the entire 2014 season -- when the Pats signed him, but after just 3 games in 2015 they extended him. Lots of winding paths to this hybrid RB role on the Pats.
 
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tims4wins

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White actually felt like a potential bust for a while. Barely played in 2014, and he showed nothing in preseason. He seemed slow. Not great quickness. Didn't do anything particularly well.

In 2015, he had 19 targets through week 12. Then in week 13 - the awful Philly home loss - he emerged. Definite silver lining of that loss. He was targeted 13 times, with 10 catches. Those last 5 games he had 35 targets and 28 catches, and then 19 more targets in the two playoff games. Then in 2016 he was involved from day 1 and averaged 5.4 targets per game.
 

mwonow

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Is JJ big enough to be successful in blitz pickup? IIRC, that's a huge part of being a 3rd down back with the Pats
 

DJnVa

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NESN sim of season with Pats new additions:

What does 2021 Patriots season look like with two elite tight ends and Cam Newton? | RSN (nbcsports.com)

Highlights:

Newton: throws for 3300 yards, with 25/10 and also ran for 717 yards.
Agholor: 53/818/5
Henry/Smith: combine for 83/850, 11 TDs (seems like this will be higher assuming no injuries)
Harris: 700 yards rushing
Harry: 26/274/4

Sim has Pats going 9-7, but starting out 9-3--smoking TB, beating Buffalo twice, but losing to Brees-less Saints, and once to Jets.
 

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Saints Rest

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NESN sim of season with Pats new additions:

What does 2021 Patriots season look like with two elite tight ends and Cam Newton? | RSN (nbcsports.com)

Highlights:

Newton: throws for 3300 yards, with 25/10 and also ran for 717 yards.
Agholor: 53/818/5
Henry/Smith: combine for 83/850, 11 TDs (seems like this will be higher assuming no injuries)
Harris: 700 yards rushing
Harry: 26/274/4

Sim has Pats going 9-7, but starting out 9-3--smoking TB, beating Buffalo twice, but losing to Brees-less Saints, and once to Jets.
If those are Cam's season stats, I can't imagine this team wins less than 10, and probably would be something like 12-4.
 

54thMA

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Great opportunity to pick up some extra 2022 picks and/or maneuver around the draft board as needed. There is no way 10 rookies make this team.
This post makes me laugh; can any of us imagine saying this when the last game of the season ended?

What they did in free agency is mind boggling, they are back to the team that when players get cut, they get scooped up by other teams.
 

bsj

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NESN sim of season with Pats new additions:

What does 2021 Patriots season look like with two elite tight ends and Cam Newton? | RSN (nbcsports.com)

Highlights:

Newton: throws for 3300 yards, with 25/10 and also ran for 717 yards.
Agholor: 53/818/5
Henry/Smith: combine for 83/850, 11 TDs (seems like this will be higher assuming no injuries)
Harris: 700 yards rushing
Harry: 26/274/4

Sim has Pats going 9-7, but starting out 9-3--smoking TB, beating Buffalo twice, but losing to Brees-less Saints, and once to Jets.
Numbers seem weird.

If Cam has that kind of year, how the heck are only 850 or those 3,300 of those yards to the two best receivers on the team?
 

tims4wins

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I don't think they had the Pats starting 9-3 but finishing 9-7, I think the home games are listed on the left and road games on the right, we don't have a schedule yet.
 

DJnVa

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I don't think they had the Pats starting 9-3 but finishing 9-7, I think the home games are listed on the left and road games on the right, we don't have a schedule yet.
Either way we aint losing to the Jets!
 

dynomite

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Is JJ big enough to be successful in blitz pickup? IIRC, that's a huge part of being a 3rd down back with the Pats
Yes, definitely a concern, but the fact that the Pats signed him made me think they were comfortable with his 5'6" height. Kevin Faulk and Dion Lewis are only 5'8", and Danny Woodhead wasn't a big guy, etc. Also, Ivan Fears directly compared him to Sproles, which seems like high praise.
 

Jed Zeppelin

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Love that deal so much. Will be huge to have him in the fold especially if we have a rookie QB running the offense at any point this season.
 

BusRaker

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is it possible that Bill Belichick and Drew Rosenhaus are really the same person?
 

SeoulSoxFan

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SMU_Sox

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Teven Jenkins weighed in and tested today. His arms are 33.5 inch long and not 32.5 inch long. That is a world of difference.
39893

He is absolutely a Patriots fit. He has enough of the quicks, all the power, + technique, and a world of nastiness. He has played at both RT and LT and profiles well as a guard. He is a monster. I first watched him vs Joseph Ossai, edge, Texas. It wasn't even fair. The only time Ossai or anyone got pressure is from a wide-9 alignment in a short set and timing the snap well. I think Jenkins will hold down 1 end of the line or the other. If they wanted to double dip they could take Jenkins in the first and then in the 3rd or 4th round go for a super athletic project like Spencer Brown out of Northern Iowa as a compliment.

If they don't go QB this year early I think they need to address OT and CB. Even if they do go QB this year they should try and mine those positions. Of all the prospects in the 10-20 range I think Teven Jenkins is the most Patriots prototype that you'll find.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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I'd be all onboard of that's the case!

The run on QB should take out 5 teams at the top of the draft. You have your 2 monster OT in Sewell and Slater. Skill position guys in TE Pitts and WR Chase + Smith should be somewhere in there.

If LB Parsons, DE Paye, and CB Surtain get picked before #15 (as most mock drafts have) only 1 team separates NE from landing Jenkins.

I can't stop watching this guy's clips, like the one vs Ossai. We do have a Logan Mankins clone at the tackle (or the guard) position here. He FINISHES his blocks like the opposition cut in at the lunch line:

View: https://youtu.be/dw5E8Pks17g


With that, I have my first draft binkie in Mr. (I have to call him Mr.) Jenkins.
 

DourDoerr

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Meanest OL in the draft, team pic still looks like a nerd, I'm on board as well:

3 things:

- I get a Clark Kent vibe
- Love the number. Good omen.
- Maybe the scroll on that tattoo fits on my bicep. I'm going to guess he's strong. Also like that he doesn't appear super cut. I'd guess it means he's less likely to tear something as his body isn't being pushed to an absurd degree (although I don't know if this is actually true).
 

DourDoerr

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By the way, thank you again to all who share these links along with the fruits of your research on players. I don't follow college ball, but I read your reports and always get super charged up by them and wish we had 10 first round picks.
 

SeoulSoxFan

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By the way, thank you again to all who share these links along with the fruits of your research on players. I don't follow college ball, but I read your reports and always get super charged up by them and wish we had 10 first round picks.
Shhhh... I get pretty much all the juicy info from the BBtL's own draft subforum. Let's keep that our little secret.
 

pappymojo

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Center Dustin Woodard, selected by the Patriots in the 7th round last year, has been reinstated from the retired list.