olddompat
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Post by olddompat on May 1, 2016 9:55:04 GMT -5
I really wished they drafted a RB early. I think with Lewis' running style/frame, he is always going to be injured and wont be a factor in the playoffs. Blount is too slow and didnt show much last year in playoffs.
What were they thinking on this? Do they have someone in mind to add at RB as teams cut down in August?
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Post by jri37 on May 1, 2016 10:02:36 GMT -5
Looks like they are going to give Gaffney the chance to be the guy to keep Lewis fresh. Before his knee injury he was pretty highly regarded. Hopefully he has fully recovered and they are getting something similar to this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb0SYGE7V94 |
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Post by patseng on May 1, 2016 10:04:57 GMT -5
Looks like they are going to give Gaffney the chance to be the guy to keep Lewis fresh. Before his knee injury he was pretty highly regarded. Hopefully he has fully recovered and they are getting something similar to this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb0SYGE7V94They just picked up a kid in UDFA named D.J. Foster. Former WR who converted to RB last year. He might actually be a better backup to Lewis than Gaffney or Brown. |
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Post by jri37 on May 1, 2016 10:06:32 GMT -5
Looks like they are going to give Gaffney the chance to be the guy to keep Lewis fresh. Before his knee injury he was pretty highly regarded. Hopefully he has fully recovered and they are getting something similar to this. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cb0SYGE7V94They just picked up a kid in UDFA named D.J. Foster. Former WR who converted to RB last year. He might actually be a better backup to Lewis than Gaffney or Brown. Saw that... Is he more RB or WR? |
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Post by prolate0spheroid on May 1, 2016 10:10:43 GMT -5
My understanding is Foster was a RB, but decided to switch to WR last year. From NFL.com:
OVERVIEW
Even though Foster's blend of acceleration and toughness as a runner made him one of the best running backs in the country (second-team All-Pac-12), he decided his future interests were best served using his excellent receiving skills in the slot for his senior season. The all-purpose threat was the only Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player with 1,500 career rushing and receiving yards coming into his senior year, and was used in both roles again in 2015 (280 rushing yards; 59-584 receiving, three scores). Although he didn't make a ton of big plays in his new role, NFL teams might still consider him a valued prospect.
PRO DAY RESULTS
40-yard dash: 4.47 and 4.49 seconds
Vertical: 36 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 9 inchesSTRENGTHS Has lateral agility as a runner to skip from gap to gap. Foot quickness and easy hips favor him. Can elude early signs of trouble as ballcarrier or would-be tacklers after the catch. Hits the hole at his maximum speed. Natural stop-start quickness allows him to slam on the brakes and open to the throw faster than most wideouts. Adjusts well to poor throws.
WEAKNESSES Bullied by press coverage. Doesn't have experience or plays strength to get off the line cleanly when defenders jam him up. Experiment at wide receiver ended with unanswered questions. Unable to create space through routes. Contested catches are trouble. Had eight drops this season. Appears to need movement pre-snap for clean release.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 5 or 6
BOTTOM LINE The team that adds Foster will need to have a specific plan for him as he is more of a manufactured touch player rather than running back or wide receiver. While he can give teams a few carries here and there, his primary value as a pro will likely come as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but he might need to prove that he can become a special teams player along the way.
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olddompat
On the Practice Squad
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Post by olddompat on May 1, 2016 10:17:22 GMT -5
I saw that Gaffney was cut but I missed that he was resigned, makes me feel a little better about the situation.
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Post by prolate0spheroid on May 1, 2016 10:36:25 GMT -5
I really want a back like Lewis. If Lewis is recovered and can stay healthy, we're fine.
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 11:17:24 GMT -5
They have much greater needs than a RB, like an OL that can run block; or block at all for that matter.
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Post by zenape on May 1, 2016 11:36:55 GMT -5
We have a full stable of RB's, and so long as we are favored by the Good Health Gods we will be fine.
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Post by patseng on May 1, 2016 12:41:12 GMT -5
They just picked up a kid in UDFA named D.J. Foster. Former WR who converted to RB last year. He might actually be a better backup to Lewis than Gaffney or Brown. Saw that... Is he more RB or WR? 2014 he had a great running year and then they converted him to a WR and didn't do nearly as well. To me he's a 3rd down scat back. He's a better runner and thicker built than White imo but I don't think he can be a 3 down back. Think more like a shorter more stout Vereen imo |
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Post by patseng on May 1, 2016 12:42:37 GMT -5
My understanding is Foster was a RB, but decided to switch to WR last year. From NFL.com:
OVERVIEW
Even though Foster's blend of acceleration and toughness as a runner made him one of the best running backs in the country (second-team All-Pac-12), he decided his future interests were best served using his excellent receiving skills in the slot for his senior season. The all-purpose threat was the only Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) player with 1,500 career rushing and receiving yards coming into his senior year, and was used in both roles again in 2015 (280 rushing yards; 59-584 receiving, three scores). Although he didn't make a ton of big plays in his new role, NFL teams might still consider him a valued prospect.
PRO DAY RESULTS
40-yard dash: 4.47 and 4.49 seconds
Vertical: 36 inches
Broad jump: 9 feet, 9 inchesSTRENGTHS Has lateral agility as a runner to skip from gap to gap. Foot quickness and easy hips favor him. Can elude early signs of trouble as ballcarrier or would-be tacklers after the catch. Hits the hole at his maximum speed. Natural stop-start quickness allows him to slam on the brakes and open to the throw faster than most wideouts. Adjusts well to poor throws.
WEAKNESSES Bullied by press coverage. Doesn't have experience or plays strength to get off the line cleanly when defenders jam him up. Experiment at wide receiver ended with unanswered questions. Unable to create space through routes. Contested catches are trouble. Had eight drops this season. Appears to need movement pre-snap for clean release.
DRAFT PROJECTION Rounds 5 or 6
BOTTOM LINE The team that adds Foster will need to have a specific plan for him as he is more of a manufactured touch player rather than running back or wide receiver. While he can give teams a few carries here and there, his primary value as a pro will likely come as a pass catcher out of the backfield, but he might need to prove that he can become a special teams player along the way. yep had it backwards lol. Now that I think about it, he reminds me of a poor mans Harvin wouldn't you say? |
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Post by prolate0spheroid on May 1, 2016 12:50:46 GMT -5
Eng, I haven't seen him play, but yeah, it certainly sounds Percy Harvin-like—and also like a very good fit for this offense.
One thing it doesn't talk about is his pass blocking ability. The fact that he struggles in press coverage, though, makes me think he may need some work on his blocking (or just some time in the weight room). The perfect Pats back runs well in space (from passing formations), is a good receiver, and is an excellent pass blocker. The third of those three is not really covered in the description. Everything else, though, sounds good.
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Post by mthurl on May 1, 2016 14:23:06 GMT -5
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Post by homefield on May 1, 2016 14:33:12 GMT -5
Yeah I'm not impressed with Foster either. Really wish they used a late round pick on a RB but I guess they weren't too impressed with any, unless that 5th they traded out of was going to be used on one. |
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Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 14:33:55 GMT -5
They have much greater needs than a RB, like an OL that can run block; or block at all for that matter. Agree 100%. Jim Brown wouldn't have been able to run behind the 2015 OLine. And it's a miracle that Brady survived the full season. |
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Post by mthurl on May 1, 2016 14:38:22 GMT -5
Yeah I'm not impressed with Foster either. Really wish they used a late round pick on a RB but I guess they weren't too impressed with any, unless that 5th they traded out of was going to be used on one. The other undrafted free agent they signed doesn't look too bad, I forget his name but he played for Kentucky. He's a little small, but he plays big...looks like he runs hard, has some strength, gets low. Who knows? A lot of these undrafted runners can surprise, but I too wish they grabbed a high quality runner in this draft - and I thought they would - but once again I was wrong. I have literally no idea what their thinking is in virtually every draft Belichick has been a part of. |
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Post by PatsRule on May 1, 2016 17:43:47 GMT -5
While acknowledging that the offensive line was ravaged by injuries, I am with Babe, our problem is first with the OL. No RB is gonna do much if they play like last couple of years. Please no more platitudes about 2014. The OL stunk to high heavens since 2013.
Solder: concussion magnet and a turnstile for half the game, each game.
Vollmer: back issues for ever
Cannon: can't get on the field w/o stubbing his freaking toes
Kline: what a joke that the GOAT-QB has anyone like Kline even in the bloody vicinity
Of course I know nothing, but surely, no OT? Really? We have problems with 3 kids in the interior and we see that as a problem and address it with more kids?
I am really bummed with this draft and FA.
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Post by portfolio1 on May 1, 2016 19:03:48 GMT -5
They have much greater needs than a RB, like an OL that can run block; or block at all for that matter. It sure starts there.... But I think we do need (a) a very good short yardage back and (b) either a viable 3 down RB or at least an alternative to Lewis if Lewis is down. White could not run the ball. I do hope Gaffney is good enough to demand 7, 8 or more touches per game. |
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Post by portfolio1 on May 1, 2016 19:07:25 GMT -5
While acknowledging that the offensive line was ravaged by injuries, I am with Babe, our problem is first with the OL. No RB is gonna do much if they play like last couple of years. Please no more platitudes about 2014. The OL stunk to high heavens since 2013. Solder: concussion magnet and a turnstile for half the game, each game. Vollmer: back issues for ever Cannon: can't get on the field w/o stubbing his freaking toes Kline: what a joke that the GOAT-QB has anyone like Kline even in the bloody vicinity Of course I know nothing, but surely, no OT? Really? We have problems with 3 kids in the interior and we see that as a problem and address it with more kids? I am really bummed with this draft and FA. Thuney may not be a big steal but he might be a very good boost to interior pass blocking once he gets some strength training and system acclimation... hopefully by the last third or quarter of the regular season. Hopefully. I do wodner whether he might be an example of how we use multiple guards for packages where pass blocking is that much more critical. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2016 0:32:47 GMT -5
They have much greater needs than a RB, like an OL that can run block; or block at all for that matter. I don't think their inability to run block is because they have OLs who can't. I think it's just less of a focus in practice and game planning. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2016 0:38:46 GMT -5
They have much greater needs than a RB, like an OL that can run block; or block at all for that matter. I don't think their inability to run block is because they have OLs who can't. I think it's just less of a focus in practice and game planning. That wouldn't explain how they can't pass block either. |
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Post by Deleted on May 2, 2016 0:40:49 GMT -5
They have much greater needs than a RB, like an OL that can run block; or block at all for that matter. It sure starts there.... But I think we do need (a) a very good short yardage back and (b) either a viable 3 down RB or at least an alternative to Lewis if Lewis is down. White could not run the ball. I do hope Gaffney is good enough to demand 7, 8 or more touches per game. There are lots of possibilities to do those things without the draft. I actually defend BB's GM work with RBs, but still people say I "hate him", LOL. |
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Post by PatsRule on May 2, 2016 5:11:20 GMT -5
While acknowledging that the offensive line was ravaged by injuries, I am with Babe, our problem is first with the OL. No RB is gonna do much if they play like last couple of years. Please no more platitudes about 2014. The OL stunk to high heavens since 2013. Solder: concussion magnet and a turnstile for half the game, each game. Vollmer: back issues for ever Cannon: can't get on the field w/o stubbing his freaking toes Kline: what a joke that the GOAT-QB has anyone like Kline even in the bloody vicinity Of course I know nothing, but surely, no OT? Really? We have problems with 3 kids in the interior and we see that as a problem and address it with more kids? I am really bummed with this draft and FA. Thuney may not be a big steal but he might be a very good boost to interior pass blocking once he gets some strength training and system acclimation... hopefully by the last third or quarter of the regular season. Hopefully. I do wodner whether he might be an example of how we use multiple guards for packages where pass blocking is that much more critical. I get that all interior positions can be upgraded. Its just that our starters are not that good and backups are terrible. This time last year we felt that the interior was being addressed and Shaq & Tre would be good so *this* year, we would address at least one OT starting position. Instead we get this constant tinkering with the interior. It seems we are sporadically ok on the OL and stink otherwise. Anyways, I hope you are right and they have a rotation on interior linemen - Maybe, this year no linemen has to play all positions anymore. This last thing was gut wrenching over last three years. Its almost like we are taking rifraff at OL and making do with one or two less on the team, so that all other positions can be boosted. |
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