LaMont Jordan analysis
ANALYSIS
The Patriots signed free-agent RB LaMont Jordan today, bolstering what was already a strong area on the roster.
How might Jordan fit into the mix?
I just exchanged emails with Mike Lombardi, who while working for the Raiders signed Jordan as a free agent in 2005. This is what Lombardi -- whose blog often contains similar insights -- had to say about Jordan: "He is very talented and has speed and power. He has great hands and can run over or around tackles. He just needs to be focused and in shape which won't be hard for Bill [Belichick] to handle."
At 5-foot-10, 230 pounds, Jordan does appear to have the type of versatility the Patriots often seek. The question is where he fits on a stocked depth chart headlined by Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and Heath Evans.
The Patriots kept four running backs out of training camp last year. Perhaps they'll keep five this season.
Morris is coming back from a chest injury that limited him to six games last season, so perhaps Jordan is insurance in that regard. He also potentially could fill in for Faulk in a third-down role.
Taking the roster spot that would otherwise be a blocking tight end. Blitz pickup,decent blocking. Dave Thomas you are now on the clock .
I think that is an excellent point, Cubby Rules. I could see the Patriots keeping two tight ends -- Benjamin Watson and David Thomas -- and five running backs.
--Mike
Jordan may well have second most touches of any RB by season's end. A good pick-up!
Mike, you really think there's a chance the Pats don't keep Pollard around?
I like pollard, except for the fact that I've seen him mail it in when the weather is bad. Did it with the Colts against the Pats in the playoffs, and he acted like he didn't want any part of that Seahawk playoff game last year.
It seems like he is signed in case Sammy Morris can't play to his level. But it would be a pity if Morris is done because he ran great for the Pats last year.
Jordan is a great pick-up....a power North -South runner we needed in the Cory Dillon mode....He also has great hands so he could be interchanging with Kevin Faulk as our 3rd down back....
jordan is a versatile back up who can fill the role of either morris or faulk if one of them goes down due to injury. of course this is if he gets his act together. the guy has a reputation for being lazy with both his conditioning and knowledge of the playbook
The comments from Mike Lombardi and others on this site are the most respectful commments I've seen concerning Lamont Jordan in a while and still they express the concerns places where people seem to feel he falls short. The comments I see here are to me, "constructive criticism" which is very refreshing! I do know that LaMont can do anything he puts his mind to and he definately has the ability to learn play books. He does need to focus on a more full time basis and hopefully with what he just went through, he will be making some changes personally as he goes into this new opportunity. I am hoping that this works for him and the team that has taken a chance on him!
Hi Chuck. I don't think I'd put Pollard on the club. But I could see him being an emergency fill-in should something happen to the top two tight ends during the season. Having him in camp gets him into shape, and also helps him learn the system. I could be off on that one, but I think if it's a choice between LaMont Jordan or Marcus Pollard, the team goes with Jordan.
--Mike
From what has been shown by the Patriots O-line in the Super Bowl and Ravens losses, there is a serious inability to protect the QB. The pass protection was terrible in both games, absolutely terrible, with Brady and Gutierrez in particular taking beatings and all the QBs unable to make plays because of the pressure. Other than hopefully upgrading the line itself, the obvious need is a better than average blocking/blitz protection TE, a position much more important to the Patriots than an extra RB, unless we want to see Brady on the sidelines involuntarily and possibly indefinitely.
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