Sammy Morris

he Patriots ride the young stallions into the season, the coaches can feel confident moving on from Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk as they contributed just nine yards this preseason so far.

This production wouldn’t be possible without the stellar play of the offensive line. The unit hasn’t missed a beat with Dan Connolly replacing the retired Stephen Neal at right guard. Left guard Logan Mankins, who held himself out for the first six weeks of 2010 over the lack of a contract extension, was made the highest paid guard in the NFL and is locked up for seven years.

Continue reading "Run Game Gaining a Lot of Ground"

Veterans Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis were all free agents with Green-Ellis, the leading rusher, expected to be back.

I thought through the options. I wanted a veteran to lend his wisdom to Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. Forget injury-prone Morris and Taylor. Go get Miami’s Ricky Wiliams. The Pats need a good north-south thumper as a compliment.

Continue reading "Ridley Me This, and Ridley Me That"

Now they find themselves behind veterans BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Kevin Faulk, and Sammy Morris. All three were free agents, but only Green-Ellis was a lock to return.

Further hampering Vereen is an apparent hamstring injury suffered Wednesday. He hasn’t practiced since.

Continue reading "Rookies in Waiting"

Appreciate them because these will be his last carries as a Patriot, maybe for his career as well. Sammy Morris could see his run in New England come to an end as well.

Sunday will be an opportunity for Thomas Clayton. The former practice squad player will make his case to the Patriots. College bowl season is in progress and the Pats are very familiar with Daniel Thomas, Mark Ingram, Evan Royster, and others. Clayton ran well in the preseason. With a strong performance in the finale, Clayton makes a statement that backfield depth starts with him.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 17"

After the second preseason game where RB Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris ran through the Atlanta defense, I lamented that I didn’t like that the team’s best running backs were injury-prone. Now every week is filled with nervousness following the trade of RB Laurence Maroney. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 2"

But ahead of the player nicknamed Law Firm are Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris. The pair missed 14 games last year. 

Discarding the flotsam known as Maroney made sense. Hopefully the trio

Continue reading "Maroney a Patriot No More"

On just 17 carries, Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris combined for 106 of the Patriots’ 120 rushing yards. They also missed 14 games combined last year. Owner Robert Kraft’s decision to build Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center as part of Patriot Place looks smarter by the day. Hopefully there’s an express lane just in case for Taylor and Morris. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Preseason Game Two"

spot. 

With the injury history of the back-ups (last season Fred Taylor missed 10 games and Sammy Morris was sidelined four games), one would think someone new would be added to the mix. Anyone else (BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Chris Taylor, Clayton Thomas) doesn’t appear to be a legitimate threat. Kevin Faulk will remain the third down back. 

Continue reading "Starting 11"

But more of a concern is the durability of Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor. 

In three years with the Patriots, Morris missed 17 of 48 games. Taylor was out for 10 games in his first season with the Pats last year. The lack of durability for a pair of between the tackle runners age 34 (Taylor) and 33 (Morris) doesn’t bode well for the upcoming season. 

Continue reading "In the Running for Unga?"

Taylor and Sammy Morris (four last year, 17 since signing with the Pats in 2007) both missed games. Because the coaching staff won’t utilize BenJarvus Green-Ellis, he isn’t part of the conversation. 

Continue reading "Hours Away"

burned. 

A few things I’m looking for: 

My Turn(over): RBs Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, and Fred Taylor will get carries, but it’s the drops (seven fumbles combined, six lost) that concern me. Ball security is paramount. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Wild Card"

Maroney was able to get away with it earlier in the season when RBs Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris were hurt. But after his fumble against the Jaguars, Maroney did not get another carry. 

Continue reading "Loose Laurence"

After the fumble, Maroney didn’t get another carry. Those carries went to Sammy Morris, who almost became the third running back to run for 100 yards this year with 95 on Sunday. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 16"

RBs Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris will get closer to returning to action, as will LT Matt Light. QB Tom Brady might have his hands full, thanks to his wife Gisele (lucky), but I’m sure he’ll sneak in extra work to fine tune his game. 

Continue reading "Good Bye"

That’s what is expected out of Maroney from now until Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor return to action. 

Of course Maroney can’t do it alone. In his defense, the offensive line hasn’t consistently opened holes for Maroney in the early part of the season. With the combined talent in the backfield, the ground game should improve on the 6th overall ranking from last year, averaging 142 yards per game. The ranking has more than doubled, dropping to 13th overall and gaining 116 yards per game. 

Continue reading "Staying On the Run"

I’m talking about Sammy Morris and Laurence Maroney going against the third-ranked run defense. Maroney can’t fear being hit if the ground game is to be productive. 

Red Rover, Red Rover: RB Johnson is averaging six yards per carry! Keep the ball out of his hands or spy Johnson all game long. 

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 6"

half pretty much died as the offense played cautiously pretty much the rest of the way. 

RB Sammy Morris got the start over Laurence Maroney. Can we officially say Maroney has been demoted? Just five carries in the game. Overall it’s startling that the same offensive line that was sixth overall in rushing offense last year can’t sustain a consistent ground game with what appears on paper to be an improved backfield. 

Continue reading "Pick Six: Week 5"

It’s no guarantee that Maroney will get more carries with Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk running aggressively. If Laurence isn’t performing well early, he will assume his regular spectator position on the sideline. 

Continue reading "Opportunity to Run"

eld. 

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. 

Continue reading "Half Full Backfield?"

And with Corey Dillion retired and replaced by career back-up Sammy Morris, the path was cleared for Laurence to reach new heights. 

But a shoulder injury (Maroney says it was broken) cost him 13 games and the belief of the Patriots faithful. 

Continue reading "Follow Fred's Footsteps, Laurence"

k-turned receiver Julian Edelman. 

The running backs feature Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. 

Why in the world do the Patriots need Michael Vick for? 

Continue reading "Signing Vick ?"

The top three could be starting on other teams, but they will take turns gashing defenses. 

Sammy Morris will again be the power back. A healthy Laurence Maroney can slash through zone blocking for chunks at a time. And new arrival Fred Taylor is a considerable upgrade over LaMont Jordan. 

Continue reading "Camp Countdown"

If Laurence Maroney and Sammy Morris stay healthy, they are joined by Fred Taylor and have depth provided by BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Add third down back Kevin Faulk and the Pats have a rotation that enables them to run all day long if needed. 

Continue reading "Brady Back, but Patriots Still Not Complete"

But adding Taylor to the rotation with Sammy Morris, BenJarvis Green-Ellis, and Lawrence Maroney (maybe) would create a stacked backfield that could improve on the sixth best rushing attack.

The question is whether Taylor would accept a complementary role. With Jacksonville, Taylor knew either he or Maurice Jones-Drew would get the carries. With the Pats, he might get about 10 touches per game.

Continue reading "Three Points"

Also joining him was WR Donte' Stallworth, RB Sammy Morris, and two trades for receivers that played beyond the price paid, Wes Welker and Randy Moss.

2006 was another visit to the bargain bin that yielded just WR Jabar Gaffney and a out of retirement LB Junior Seau.

Continue reading "The Bi-annual Free Agency Splash"

He wasn't on the active roster last week, but because Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan missed games due to injuries earlier this season, Green-Ellis would be insurance in case either Morris or Jordan slips and pulls something during the game. Stuff like that happens in weather like this. But as a team, the Patriots can't afford to lose their footing and fall further behind Miami and the New York Jets.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 16"

Why is BenJarvus Green-Ellis not playing? 

It’s a trend that started the moment Sammy Morris was able to play again. With the nine-year back’s return to health, the rookie free agent has been sent to the bench. He now only sees carries in a Boston Celtics “Gino” role: BJGE dances only after the game is won. 

Continue reading "Where Have You Been, BenJarvus?"

Now that task is up to his back-up.

New England

RB Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan -While this is old news, it's important to point out that having the depth to keep throwing at Bills DT Marcus Stroud all afternoon to tire him would be valuable.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 10"

Running back is first on the list with the starter, Laurence Maroney, his back-up, Sammy Morris, and the back-up's back-up, LaMont Jordan, ranked as first, and quarterback, because of the significance of the loss of Tom Brady, in a close third.

Continue reading "Another One Bit by Bug?"

the Patriots lose player after player to injury, the Indianapolis Colts are getting healthy.

RBs Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan will miss their second game in a row while Indy's Joseph Addai likely returns.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 9"

RBs Sammy Morris and LaMont Jordan are expected to miss today's game and Laurence Maroney is on injured reserve. Last year that wasn't a problem as the Patriots would go five wide and spread the field. But with QB Matt Cassel running a simple offense, he will need a productive ground game.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 8"

tore some depth lost at the running back position, BenJarvis Green-Ellis played the second half for Sammy Morris and averaged five yards a carry. Green-Ellis finished with 65 yards.K Stephen Gostkowski continues to have a breakout year as he added eleven points to the night, including two field goals and five extra points. He missed just one field goal this season, a 48-yarder.DL Le Kevin Smith made the most of his limited playing time by recovering a fumble.OLB Pierre Woods got a quarterback hit on a play that led to an interception.

Continue reading "Youth Serving"

The cherry on top is after RB Sammy Morris shredded the Denver defense, he doesn't return for the second half, leaving the ball carrying to rookie free agent BenJarvis Green-Ellis.

Not that mind giving the rookie some run (he's looking alright so far). I'm just tired of a very talented player not performing up to his potential. This was the guy I picked as the break-out player for the team, but instead he just broke down.

Continue reading "Moving On Without Maroney"

Keep sending RBs Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Heath Evans, and company down Denver's throat.

At Least Distract - New England's anemic pass rush takes on an O-line that has allowed just two sacks. The Pats must also contain the mobile Cutler. If you don't get close, get those hands up to bat a pass down or make Cutler blink.

Continue reading "Hours Before Kickoff: Week 7"

games this year, it would be nice to have someone the team can count on to help carry the load with Sammy Morris. While the Patriots did rush for more than 100 yards against San Diego, 29 of those yards came from QB Matt Cassel on seven carries.

Continue reading "A Young Stallion"

hen they play cautious.

If L-Boogie doesn't get the message he will keep on losing carries to RBs Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan (when healthy), and Kevin Faulk. I don't think it was an accident

Continue reading "A Yard is a Yard"

RB Sammy Morris got the first down a play later, but the absence of toughness from Maroney on that play sticks out from my mind. If Maroney continues to shy away from contact, he will lose his

Continue reading "Quick review"

sses they've used in the past two games as well as with the backfield committee of Maroney, Jordan, Sammy Morris, and Kevin Faulk.

But it boils down to defensive execution. The front seven needs to kick the ass of San Francisco's big uglies. The next step, which has been a problem this year, they have to tackle the ball carrier.

Continue reading "Ground to a halt"

This isn't meant as an insult to RB Sammy Morris, but the diverse running styles is part of the reason why the ground game is off to a good start. Morris pounds away, Maroney slashes, and Jordan is somewhere in between. If one or more cogs is out of the machine, that might mean Cassel has to produce more offense. That's not the position the coaching staff wants to put him in.

Continue reading "Backfield in Motion"

No matter the blockers, I want to see Sammy Morris run behind that line. I also want to see record-setting WRs Randy Moss (NFL-record 23 TDs) and Wes Welker (team record 112 receptions) ta

Continue reading "First look at Brady"

The Pats had a good 1-2 punch with Maroney and Sammy Morris when both were healthy. Jones would had been no better than third. Forte's back-up is The Other Adrian Peterson from Georgia Southern. A healthy Jones has a good chance of beating this competition as opposed to the Pats' backfield.

Continue reading "Another former Jet"

the Patriots' recent track history, I would be optimistic of the prospect of Taylor as a Patriot:

Sammy Morris -- He went from back-up to Reggie Brown to sharing the load with Lawrence Maroney. When Maroney went down with an injury, Morris had his first 100-yard game. A week later, in his first career start, he broke the century mark again.

Continue reading "Taylor Trash"

in this draft.

Could the Pats really be interested is McFadden with Lawrence Maroney backed up by Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk in his typical role? It wouldn't seem likey. M&M make for a good 1-2 backfield punch of a shifty big play runner with a tough between the tackles thumper.

Continue reading "Interest and Gamesmanship"