With hole possibly opened, RB Green-Ellis promoted
- |
SAN DIEGO - With LaMont Jordan sidelined by a right calf injury and starting running back Laurence Maroney dealing with "issues" - one of which is his banged-up shoulder - the Patriots promoted rookie running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis from the practice squad to the active roster yesterday.
The move is an almost sure sign that Jordan, who was injured last week against the 49ers and didn't practice all week, won't play tonight against the San Diego Chargers at
If the Patriots didn't promote Green-Ellis, they could have left themselves in a situation where the only fully healthy and issue-free backs were Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk. The team also has fullback Heath Evans.
Green-Ellis is an undrafted rookie out of Mississippi. The 5-foot-11-inch, 215-pounder had 14 rushes for 50 yards during the preseason and caught two passes for 16 yards.
Wide receiver Maurice Price was released to make room for Green-Ellis.
The Chargers have 13 sacks this season, tied for seventh in the NFL, and will test the Patriots' pass protection, which allowed five sacks last week and has surrendered 16 on the year, tied for third in the NFL.
New England allowed only 21 sacks during the regular season last year.
"I think there are different reasons for that. It's not all one thing or the other," said Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. "Obviously, we don't want sacks, and we really don't want them in the red area where we had them last week.
"It's a combination of blocking them long enough, reading it quick, and getting it out to the people who can catch and run. You definitely don't want to have four or five sacks in a game; we would like to cut down on that."
One of the many skills quarterback Tom Brady possesses is an uncanny ability to feel the rush and slide in the pocket to buy a little more time. That's a skill Brady's replacement, Matt Cassel, is still trying to master.
"I think it's a comfortability with sliding in the pocket one way or another while keeping your eyes down the field and finding the next receiver sometimes in the progression," said McDaniels. "Or, there are certain plays when you have to know the journey is over; you have to take off and run or throw it away in some instances.
"Again, it's a team thing. The quarterback certainly plays a part of it. The protection certainly plays a part of it, and a lot of times the routes are an important part of sacks - you have to be open for someone to throw it to you.
"There has to be cohesiveness that has to go on to eliminate sacks and cut those down. We are really working hard to try and do that."
Vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli was asked about Meriweather's progress.
"He knows a lot more of our defense now," said Pioli. "He did a lot of things last year. He lined up outside at corner. He lined up at the star [slot corner]. He's lined up at safety. That was all just in preseason.
"He was learning a lot. Talk to our players; we do a lot, and sometimes for young players, it can be initially overwhelming. Brandon is a smart guy. He's figuring it out."
"It's exciting for me to go back," said O'Connell. "Not only did I go to college there, but I also lived there from the time I was about 9 or 10. It's exciting. A lot of family and friends going to the game. A lot of people going to the game as Patriots fans.
"I'm excited for us and the team to go down there and have the opportunity to play against them. It's going to be a tremendous task for us."
O'Connell, who moved to California from New Jersey when he was 10, said he had about 15-20 family and friends going to game, and other friends were trying to get tickets. He also expects his college coach, Chuck Long, to take in the game. Still, O'Connell said, he's limiting distractions.
"It's a business trip for us," he said. "I got to stay focused on what we're trying to do. Luckily, we had the bye week a couple of weeks ago where I got to go home and see everybody."
