Who should we target, if anyone? Do we just draft someone? Are we all in agreement that we need a powerful back? Legarette(sp?) Blount? James Starks and Kuhn are FAs, would imagine Kuhn might stay. MJD anyone?
Tampa Bay has first rounder Doug Martin and UDFA Bobby Rainey who are both NFL RB's. I'd shoot a 5th or 4th over for Mike James.
I find it curious that we have had no former packers on the coaching staff or the roster. Usually you see more of that influx.
I wonder if MJD is worn out from his time in Jax... he had to shoulder the load and may have been overworked. I haven't watched many Jags games but does he have anything left in the tank?
there not FA [but they may end up as ] i take a look at 2 or 3 of these guys rumored to be getting cut http://www.spotrac.com/blog/nfl/
I actually don't think MJD is washed up. He was solid til the injuries hit him last year and then this year. He has mileage but is only 28. He had three niggling leg injuries this year and because his injury hit him last year in the middle of the season, he was still rehabbing and had almost zero off-season training. He noted how much that hindered his preparation for this season. Frank Gore is 30 and has nearly 2,200 carries; MJD has 1800+ and is 28. Gore is still going strong but needs some backup to take the load off. So would/does MJD. The other factors for MJD: a) no one is going to offer him a huge deal after last year so he could be had at a bit of a cheaper price; and b) he is at a point we can platoon him which would give him some needed rest. c) MJD can block while our current backs cannot. He would be a huge upgrade here. Don't underestimate that significance for RT. d) MJD would bring veteran leadership in training, experience and knowledge. Blount would be another interesting back. Would not trade for a RB. Esp. with others on the market. We need a veteran.
Sign Toby, and draft Tyler Gaffney and we could have a modern version of Butch and Sundance, if they get the damned line set.
Joique Bell would be my top candidate, but Detroit would be foolish to let him get away as a RFA, imo. James Starks would be my other big target. They're both very talented and under-utilized, imo. Stephens-Howling looked surprisingly good pre-injury, may be worth a look to see if he bounces back. After that, meh. Unfortunately I'm a little meh on the draft class as well at this point, hopefully someone really pops in the next few months.
Or we could have re-signed one of the best RBs in the NFL this year, Reggie Bush, and Jake Long and passed on the overpriced duo of Ellerbe and Wheeler. Just those moves alone should get Ireland fired.
Restricted Free Agents like Joique Bell rarely go anywhere. Ben Tate would be an attractive option in a ZBS, although I haven't really paid any attention to his skills as a pass protector. I think Mark Ingram would be attractive if he were to be released. He came on fairly strong towards the end of the year, so that may preclude that from happening. Another guy I've always liked should he be released is Michael Bush. Pretty good pass protector but not as bruising as a back his size would lead you to believe. James Starks and John Kuhn would probably also merit strong consideration coming from Green Bay. At the end of the day I don't think Miami will be looking for a feature back as much as a back that can get some tough yards and more importantly, pass block. I think they still have a certain level of confidence in Lamar Miller and should, given that when the line did an admirable job in run blocking Miller delivered fairly well.
^This. The blocking of an MJD could benefit this team. Miami does not need to be the MJD of yore. Also, if you take away his injured '12 season where he only played in six games, he is averaging nearly 50 receptions a year. I think he can be so good as an outlet guy for a Miami team. Also, the tough yards have an issue the last couple of years. He can get them for you. I believe a short-term contract for him could be just what Miami needs, and what he needs. Honestly, this is almost a too perfect scenario for Miami. Jones-Drew brings a true runningback threat; runs hard, blocks hard, tough, veteran leadership, legitimate pass catching back. I would be very surprised if Miami does not consider him high on thier list. It will be on MJD to realize that he may never be that 1100-1300yd/8-10TD guy he was 4 years ago. That is okay. Miami does not necessarily need that. They just need a guy who has the ability to move the chains on 3rd and shorts and get you TDs in goal-line situations. I know the O-line is an issue, but a veteran back can hide some blocking deficiencies.
It didn't have to be, he could of easy been ours, along with Keenan Allen with our other 2nd round pick, and Sheldon Richardson in the first if we stayed status quo..then maybe move up a tad for Tyronne Mathieu at the top of the third... Could of been had..
Just for his pass blocking and short yardage and goal line carries alone, this is a no brainer. Felt a trade during this season would have paid HUGE divedends...Could think of about 10 spots in the last 2 games where he would've been a gamechanger for us.
We need to do better than Ben Tate, mike bush, mike turner, Starks, etc... One vet I'd look into is frank, just to see if he wants to come home, he be 31 during the whole 2014 season, so a two year contract wouldn't be out of the question, you know your gonna get a back that knows how to run the football downhill, and who we know will take care of his body in the offseason.
Too many young talented RBs out there to go w older ones like MJD and blah Michael Turner. Surprised nobody mentioned Rashad Jennings from OAK.
Ben Tate was mentioned and he'd be my guy if in fact we are looking for a new featured back. I'm not giving up on Lamar Miller because I like what I saw from him when he had lanes to run through. However...Ben Tate would make perfect sense if in fact we hired a new coordinator and changed personel on the O-line. I think Tate is a guy that if featured as a go to back would be a 1,400 yard type player. He can also catch the ball out of the backfield and is a very good pass blocking back. Ben Tate is my top choice followed by Rashad Jennings, and Darren McFadden. I think Miller stays in the fold no matter what we do this offseason. He's too talented not to be a part of this offense.
I would not take Turner at all. He is known for not taking care of his body, and has had off-the-field issues. The reason I would choose an MJD over a young guy who were back-ups on other teams is that this guys knows how to play. His knowledge alone can help younger backs become better. Bring in one of those younger guys as well. Competition is always nice, but the situation is almost too perfect for Miami to not consider him, and vice versa. Gore would be fantastic, but he is a 9er legend, and I doubt he considers it. Too much of a good thing going out on the west coast. They're getting a new stadium. I just do not think it is realistic.
I love MJD but it'd be waiting for the wheels to fall off, imo. W Gore I think you saw his wheels fall off this last month.
I think you're looking at spending a 3rd/4th round pick on a running back. We need a guy that can move piles.
He had a pretty bad game against a very, very stout Arizona run D. I think he injured his knee. But I disagree that his wheels have fallen off in Dec. His other games were pretty solid. 1100 yds/9TDs/4.1 ypc; I'd take that all day.