8th best in Overall rushing and tied for 11th in yards per rush. Considering the top back went down for the year in week 7 and the new top back missed 3 or 4 entire games this is pretty darn good.
Combine that with one of the Top 3 passing offenses in NFL history, and I think we've got ourselves and undefeated super Bowl Champion on our hands.
2007-12-05 01:11:04 · 18 answers · asked by BAGOFSWAGS 5 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
Sammy Morris had the most yards when he went down injured. That is the "top back" in most people's books. Maybe that wasn't the plan, but hey, that's what he was.
2007-12-05 01:42:01 · update #1
"Their running game is bolstered by their passing game."
So, are Moss, Brady, Welker and Stallworth going to play this weekend?
2007-12-05 01:43:17 · update #2
"I can't wait for your excuses when their old, slow, defense and pathetic running game lead them to a playoff one and done."
You'll have to wait a few years for that. you must be very patient. I admire that.
2007-12-05 02:12:40 · update #3
I'm surprised they haven't pressed the running game more. They'd be in the top 2 rushing team, if not for the passing game.
Pass blocking is much different from run blocking, and the line relies on momentum. The more you run block, the better you get.
So they need to balance this the two aspects.
2007-12-06 22:20:44 · answer #1 · answered by Mr. Me 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lol... wait... did you just call Sammy Morris their top back? You did... you seriously did. Wow.
For starters.... Sammy Morris is NOT the best back on that team... that honor belongs to Maroney, despite all the people who are knocking him. Morris is a 30 year old back who has never started in the NFL. He just stumbled into a starting roster spot on a team with one of the best lines and best passing attacks ever seen in the NFL. Then he had two one hundred yard games.... against the two worst defenses in the NFL in the Browns and Bengals.
Their running game is bolstered by their passing game. Teams defend the pass first when they are playing the Patriots,and their primary concern is Randy Moss. Look at what the Eagles and Ravens did - they jammed their receivers at the line, bullied them, put some big hits on them, and they will start dropping balls, and Randy Moss will start taking plays off. Combine that with good pressure on Brady, and you have the basic gameplan to hold the Pats in check.
Notice that I didn't even mention the running game in any of that. That's because having a couple of runstuffers will negate the running game for the Patriots. Why? Because it simply is not that good. Sammy Morris would probably not make most NFL rosters. The same applies to Kevin Faulk. Maroney is okay, but he is nothing spectacular (not what the Pats expected). People are not afraid of their running game, and the gameplans that defenses make are to take away the passing attack. They will let New England to run on them. In fact, they beg them to because they know they can stop the run game.
The running game's effectiveness is exaggerated because teams are coming out in dime and nickel sets a lot to defend the pass. Any back in the NFL can gain 4 yards a carry running into a dime defense.
EDIT - No, their "top back" is their best back. Sammy Morris was their leading rusher. That's like saying the top back in Washington is Ladell Betts because he was their leading rusher last season.... No, he's not their top back. Portis was just injured. Maroney missed games 4,5, and 6. So when Morris was injured, Maroney had played half the games that Morris had, and Morris had 21 rushes a game against two of the worst defenses in the NFL. Through the first three games (the only time he was healthy), Maroney was their leading rusher. Then he got injured.
2007-12-05 01:38:02 · answer #2 · answered by Jim Baw 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
yes 8th overall playing 3rd overall this weekend. Yes the top 2 backs have gone down and that is how "Fast Willie Parker" got his debut too. An undrafted player out of UNC making league minimum as a 3rd stringer who got the start because Deuce and the Bus were injured. The Pats running game is good but the Steelers allow less than 80 yards a game against them. They may go undefeated but probably not. I do think they have a better chance at going undefeated for the regular season than they do of winning the Super Bowl.
2007-12-05 03:39:27 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
With Sammy Morris done, they lost presence between the tackles and I have to say it, the Pats running game looks unimpressive since then. Brady has been sacked more often too.
Kevin Faulk is one of the most versatile in the league and a great 3rd down back. Maroney could be great, but he has to prove that he can carry the load.
Still the 8th best rushing attack (it was the 4th at some point), but it's starting to look more like a concern.
2007-12-05 01:48:21 · answer #4 · answered by M. Diego 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Their running game is better than average, but I wouldn't call it great.
Maroney can't carry the ball 20 times without getting hurt, and Faulk's more of a receiver, and Morris is hurt too.
The thing that makes New England able to run the ball is their pass game taking defenses out of their run D.
2007-12-05 01:18:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That includes Sammy Morris. Faulk is a better runner than Maroney, and Maroney in space is better than Faulk. I say use Faulk as the regular back and Maroney as the 3rd down back.
2007-12-05 01:23:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i wouldnt call pats running game great. i think it is ok, but not great. it was better when sammy morris was healthy. i thought maroney, morris, and faulk were a good trio.
undefeated superbowl champs could be in the cards, though.
2007-12-05 01:15:27 · answer #7 · answered by negaduck 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I can't wait for your excuses when their old, slow, defense and pathetic running game lead them to a playoff one and done. Try watching a game once in a while. For now, just keep telling yourself how great your heroes are.
2007-12-05 02:03:07 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
Anybody ever notice how this BAGOFSWAGS character constantly swallows the Patriots' kids?
2007-12-06 03:22:07 · answer #9 · answered by Ro Daddy 56 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What a great personal overview! I say you are not only correct, but brilliant! And talk about a 'Dream Team'! GO PATS!!!!
2007-12-05 01:30:16 · answer #10 · answered by Angel 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋