Patriots RB snapshot

Great picture

and good point about them not losing a fumble last year. I didn't know that.

The patriots offense was the best in the league without a back who had some great games in the start of the season(Morris). This should be a great group

Mike - How do you expect the Pats to use the running backs this year? Given our offensive weapons in the passing game last year , the running game took a back seat to the passing game. We will have most of our passing weapons back this year, but do you see the Pats having a more balanced attack this year?

In addition to staying healthy, it would be nice to see Maroney catch the ball and be in there a little more often on 3rd downs. With Kevin Faulk up there in years it would be great to see Maroney step it up in these areas. He will have to if he wants a #1 RB contract. He isn't going to get one from the Pats based on what he has done so far. Right now he is just part of the crowd at the position and has hardly made himself the indispensable featured back that the Pats have been missing since the 2005-2006 season (Dillon).

The four key running backs are awesome; Maroney, Faulk, Morris and Evans. They are as good or better than any other NFL teams. They too will find it hard to replicate what the Patriots as a team did last year. There's only one improvement they can make and its not in wins and losses in the regular season. Its winning every playoff game and the Supe Bowl. Go Patriots!

This is an under-the-radar group thanks to the passing excellence of the OL/T.B./WRs that might keep us in the game come crunch-time. Looking forward to Maroney-Morris-Faulk-Evans handling the ball as safely as 07.

Hi Ajay. I don't see much change in the usage of the running backs this year. Assuming everyone is healthy, I still see the Patriots making their most decisive mark in the passing game. With the current rules in the NFL, I think a strong passing game trumps a strong running game in most instances.
--Mike

I think having a healthy Morris is important. He's an incredibly shifty back which will help in short yardage situations; a role Faulk has traditionally and successfully, taken on. I'm eager to see Morris play a full year regardless of his role. What kind of success is/was he as a receiver out of the back field. Anybody?

This is not a strong group. This is an average group. Let's not get carried away here. This was a passing team last year and really ran to set up the pass. A strong group of running backs would run to set up the pass. This is an adequate group, nothing more, nothing less. They will be counted on more heavily than last year. One further note, why isn't Faulk in some sort of danger of losing his job for the "incident"?

"One further note, why isn't Faulk in some sort of danger of losing his job for the "incident"?
Because Faulk was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor charge of marijuana possesion (for personal use, which is a lesser charge than intent to distribute). I work for the state and I wouldnt even be released for that charge, so I highly doubt the NFL or the Pats would do anything about it. Players dont even get suspended for DUI's which is a much more severe offense than misdemeanor marijuana charges.
On a further note, this would be a strong group if the system allowed them to be. They didnt stop running because they had weak running backs, they stopped running because they had the most explosive passing game in NFL history (or so the records would indicate). Clearly you are not a Pats fan, as you only point out the negatives here.

If the Giants in fact created a blueprint for slowing the Pats, then the running game will be more important this year. I see Maroney really stepping up and having a 1300-1500 yard type of year. Faulk is the ultimate check-down, safty valve type receiver. Hopefully Morris is healthy and can do the tough running between the guards.