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RB snapshot

(Second in a series of position snapshots leading into the start of Patriots training camp, July 28.)

Running back

STARTER: Corey Dillon (10th year)

RESERVES: Kevin Faulk (8th year), Laurence Maroney (rookie), Patrick Pass (7th year), Heath Evans (6th year), Earl Charles (1st year), Patrick Cobbs (rookie)

2005 RUNNING BACKS: Dillon, Faulk, Pass, Evans (signed during season), Mike Cloud (signed during season), Amos Zereoue (signed during season)

2006 ROSTER LOCKS: Dillon, Faulk, Maroney

OUTLOOK: Last year, the Patriots kept three running backs coming out of training camp and had Kory Chapman on the practice squad. When injuries ravaged the group, and Chapman was signed to the Colts’ active roster, the Patriots turned to the free-agent market. To protect against that, the Patriots might be wise to keep four running backs on the 2006 roster, which means Pass and Evans would be vying for the final spot. Charles and Cobbs are longer shots. Perhaps the primary question is how to split the carries among the top three. The Patriots averaged 27 carries per game last season, and an early-season projection (assuming Maroney is in camp on time) would give Dillon 17, Maroney 6 and Faulk 4. Dillon would get the early-season edge based on his experience in pass protection. One potential problem area to watch is how Dillon responds if Maroney cuts into the workload. Also, does Dillon look more like the top-end back of 2004, or the declining back of 2005? When at their best, each of the top three backs bring a different dynamic -- Dillon with power, Maroney the ability to accelerate to top speed quickly, and Faulk a smoothness in the passing game that made him one of the team’s top players in production-per-play in 2005.

QUOTE OF NOTE: “I think the biggest thing for any rookie running back is the passing game -- routes, coverages protections. Most pro teams do a lot more than college teams do in that area. I'm sure that’s true of us and I'm sure that’s true of all pro teams and probably almost all college teams. We do blitz pick up everyday.” -- Bill Belichick on the greatest challenges facing a rookie running back (Patriots minicamp, June 13, 2006).