Half Full Backfield?

While many aren’t high on RB Laurence Maroney, there’s a lot to like about the backfield.

Fred Taylor, though he has a lot of mileage, has a productive history and is durable. Sammy Morris is a punishing runner that comes up big when on the field. BenJarvus Green-Ellis was an unexpected surprise last year as a rookie free agent. He gained the trust of the coaches and fans to be counted if his number is called. And Kevin Faulk is a top notch third down back, a playmaker as a runner or as a receiver.

This group likely will constitute the backfield for the year. Absent from the quintet is a true blocking fullback.

Heath Evans held that role with the Patriots last year, but he departed as a free agent. Because New England spreads the field on offense, Evans spent a majority of his time on the sideline.

On occasion, Evans did factor into the attack as an effective blocker in short yardage situations. Evans was an under-utilized weapon as well. He could catch and run if the ball was put in his hands.

Will the decision to play without a fullback backfire? It’s a small void, but how will the Patriots adjust to having no fullback?

Maybe the answers are in the preseason. In the first game, Morris started in the backfield alongside Maroney. At 230 pounds, Morris is the heaviest back on the team. While he isn’t fullback size, Morris won’t shy away from contact.

What works in Morris’ favor is the fact that linebackers aren’t as big as they used to be. There are more 230-240 pound backers in the league, which levels the playing field for Morris.

The problem is, among division rivals, two of the three teams run 3-4 defenses. Miami and the New York Jets are stacked with thumpers 250 pounds or heaver. Buffalo, a 4-3 team, is a fair reflection of the rest of the league with just on 250-plus ‘backer.

If New England wants a huskier backfield, they could turn to a tight end. David Thomas lined up in the backfield as the lead blocker several times in game one. For a player that could be on the bubble when the cutdown days arrive, the added versatility could keep Thomas on the roster.

When Thomas isn’t enough, the Pats will double-up and use two tight ends. But at this point, who the two tight ends will be is still up in the air. Chris Baker seems likely to make the team. Ben Watson, last year’s top player at the position, hasn’t taken a snap this preseason, putting him behind Thomas and Alex Smith.

The best teams consistently convert short yardage opportunities. But already the Patriots came up short when they needed two yards and two chances to gain a new set of downs. New England had problems on third downs last year. If the Pats can’t win the game of inches, it will cost the Patriots games this year.