Smeg, it's good news/bad news for me, and possibly bad news/bad news for you, concerning the Patriots running game: 1. Given the unsettled position of the Patriots offensive line, it is difficult to evaluate the team's running game, but it certainly seems as if fifth-year veteran Kevin Faulk now has a viable chance to supplant the aging Antowain Smith as the starting tailback. The much quicker Faulk averaged 5.2 yards per carry in 2002 and, on Friday night versus the Eagles defense, was by far the niftier and more productive back. Smith once again looked slow, rushing for a puny 26 yards on 14 carries, and at age 31, doesn't seem to have much left in the gas tank. The questions surrounding Faulk are ones of durability, since he is just 5-feet-8, has never carried more than 164 times in a season, has averaged 81 rushes in his four NFL seasons, and lately has been primarily a third-down back. There is a chance the Pats will once again be forced to use a committee approach at tailback but, as history has demonstrated, that rarely bolsters a running game. And the Pats, who statistically ranked No. 28 in rushing offense a year ago, and who averaged a microscopic 2.5 yards per carry on Friday night, need some kind of boost, not to mention more balance. Then again, it might not be fair to cast total culpability for the running game woes on the backs. With injuries, abrupt retirements and general ineptitude, the New England offensive line remains in flux. So much so that, newly-acquired guard Corbin Lacina could well be a starter by opening day, and the team is still thinking about signing former Bears right tackle James "Big Cat" Williams. Last year's starter, Kenyatta Jones, is still recovering from surgery on both knees during the offseason and the tandem of Adrian Klemm and Tom Ashworth hasn't excited anyone. Line coach Dante Scarnecchia is one of the league's best, but he isn't a miracle worker, and this simply isn't a unit that comes hard off the ball yet. For the Patriots to be as good as some people in their organization feel they are, they've got to run the ball better, but there are scant indications that will be the case in 2003.
Sounds like a good place for duce Staley to play. The Eagles could get a viable rb like Smith to backup and a good draft pick.
Staley is supposed to report to the Eagles this week, and, according to ESPN, the Eagles are not listening to trade offers.
Speaking of the Vikings, I think I'll take Kenny Mixon, DL Hopefully he won't continue his drunken driving rampage and get thrown in jail.
hey fade, check the other footy thread. and note to all: go ahead mark down your matchup against me as a loss. I'm winning this **** this year.
smeg, no need to apologize - it was the last pick so worthless...besides it is not your fault this stupid computer doesn't function right...I miss mine.
For some odd reason I cannot get into the draft area of the site couldn't last nite either. I want Jonathan Wells if he is still available Edit: Now that I did get in it won't let me pick since my time is elapsed but Wells is who I want
