2009 Report Card: Running Back

On day two of the position reviews for 2009, we look at running back:

Maroney and Morris Celebrate a TD | Courtesy Patriots.com

Laurence Maroney

Laurence Maroney had a year marred by inconsistency.  For the first time in his career, he was healthy for all 16 games, which is certainly a positive considering his past.  He also revamped his running style by midseason, cutting out the dancing and making quicker decisions, while pounding the ball and defenders time and time again.  It seemed that for a while, at least once or twice a game, he would lower his shoulder and completely level a defender.  He also turned in a career high nine touchdowns in 2009, and he could still hit the home run.  However, by the end of the season, Maroney seemed to be in Belichick’s doghouse.  It started after a 1st quarter goal line fumble against Jacksonville, his second goal line fumble, and fourth lost fumble of the year.  Maroney didn’t play another snap in the regular season, and while he started the Patriots’ playoff game against Baltimore, he only saw one carry.

Season Grade: B-

Future: Laurence Maroney will enter the final year of his contract in 2010.  While he hasn’t lived up to the hype that surrounded him during his rookie campaign, Maroney was very effective at times in 2009.  While the Patriots could look to pick up a veteran bruiser or a young weapon at the position in the draft, I would expect Maroney to be the Pats’ opening day running back in 2010.  Beyond that, nothing is clear.

Fred Taylor

Fred Taylor, when he was healthy, was productive for the Patriots in 2009.  At age 33, Taylor started off his Patriots career nicely, including a 105 yard performance against Atlanta in week 3.  However, the following week, Taylor went down with an ankle injury, and was sidelined until week 16.  When he returned, Taylor picked up where he left off, scoring two touchdowns in the season finale.

Season Grade: B-

Future: Today is Taylor’s 34th birthday, and while Taylor hasn’t publicly said anything about retirement, it can’t be very far off for the veteran.  Assuming Taylor does return, he could be a solid weapon for the Patriots in 2010.  He still has good quickness, makes good decisions, and has some elusiveness and power left in him.  I would expect him to be the Patriots primary backup in 2010.

Sammy Morris

Sammy Morris can do a lot of things for the Patriots.  In 2009, Morris lined up at both halfback and fullback, often the team’s lead blocker.  He ran the ball effectively, at 4.4 yards per carry, including a 95 yard performance against Jacksonville.  He was also a weapon as a pass catcher, hauling in 19 catches, all while missing four games with injury.  There’s no question that when Sammy Morris is healthy, he’s one of the better backs in this league.

Season Grade: B

Future: Sammy Morris, like Maroney and Taylor, will be entering the final year of his contract in 2010.  Even though he will be 33, he hasn’t really slowed down much at all, and should be a part of the Patriots running back corps in 2010.

Kevin Faulk

Remember those jerseys? | Courtesy Patriots.com

Will this guy ever slow down?  In 2009, Kevin Faulk took back his usual role as third down/passing back, and had another great season.  It seems that the older he gets, the more effective he gets running the ball, as he rushed for 5.4 yards per carry this year, and had the second highest yardage total on the team, behind Maroney.  Faulk was also tied for 3rd in receptions, behind just Moss and Welker.  You could definitely argue that Faulk was the Patriots starting back, considering he started more games and played more downs than any other Patriots’ back.

Season Grade: A-

Future: Faulk is an unrestricted free agent this offseason, but chances are Faulk, the only player left on the roster to have donned those royal blue uniforms of the 1990’s, will be back for another run in 2010.  Faulk has a defined role, and he has yet to slow down.  He is a great team player, and a leader, and one of the team’s most reliable players.

BenJarvus Green-Ellis

Green-Ellis in '08

In 2009, BenJarvus Green-Ellis once again found his way onto the field.  While Green-Ellis managed to carry the ball only 26 times in 2009, he got some short yardage work in, and even found his way onto the field as a lead blocker, paving the way for two Fred Taylor touchdowns in the season finale.  Green-Ellis isn’t the most patient runner, as he lower his shoulder and hits the hole quickly.  He is the youngest back on the Patriots roster, and therefore provides some needed youth at the position.  He also improved a lot in pass protection in 2009, and was very effective running the ball in a blowout against Tennessee.

Season Grade: C+

Future: Green-Ellis, like virtually every back on the Pats’ roster, is signed through 2010.  While he will have his work cut out for him again to make the roster, Green-Ellis brings some solid north-south running, youth, and new-found versatility to the Pats’ running backs.

Overview

Statistically speaking, the Patriots’ running back group had a good year in 2009, as the Patriots ranked 12th in the NFL in rushing.  However, this group, throughout the year, was inconsistent with no true every down back.  Maroney never truly became the feature #1 back, and Taylor and Morris missed a lot of time due to injury.  While the Pats may continue with the back-by-committee approach, there seems to be a need for some young legs at the position, probably in the form of an explosive young back.  Some game breaker types in the draft include C.J. Spiller, Jahvid Best, and Dexter McCluster; all of whom could be targets for the Patriots.  The Patriots could also look towards a power back such as Jonathan Dwyer of Georgia Tech, or a Michael Bush type in LeGarrette Blount of Oregon.

Season Grade: B