In anticipation of the NFL Draft, each position will be evaluated for the team's need at that position. Each position will be rated for their need, with 1 being not a need and 5 being ugent:
Runningback
Laurence Maroney, Sammy Moris, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Need: 3
Most of Patriot Nation has given up on Maroney. I haven’t. If he runs like he did after the bye for a whole season, he could gain 1,000 yards for the first time in his career, health permitting.
The concern is the overall age of the unit with three backs in the 30 and over club. Faulk (33), Morris (33) and Taylor (34) don’t have much time left in their careers and the Pats have to reinvigorate the unit. If the coaching staff showed some faith in Green-Ellis, it wouldn’t be such a concern.
It’s on the Patriots’ mind as Tennessee’s Montario Hardesty is scheduled to visit with the team sometime before the draft. He has the desired measurables (6-0 225), though he had problems staying healthy until his senior year. My suggestion: Michigan’s Brandon Minor. Staying healthy was a problem for him during his college career. But when he played, Minor (6-0 214) clearly looked like the Wolverines’ best ball carrier.
Questions? Comments? Send to talktome@randolphc.com
Keywords: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Brandon Minor, Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk, Laurence Maroney, Montario Hardesty, New England Patriots, Sammy Moris
