I don't think its necessary. I think Gilly, Miller & Gray comprise a quality backfield and are good enough to send Thomas on his way.

 

That's fair. I just also think that was part of the reason we drafted Gilly.

 

That Gillislee and Gray are quality at the NFL level is speculative at this point. I have no problem seeing what they can do, but I wouldn't have an issue with signing Bradshaw, either.

 

Of course its speculative. It would be speculative to think Bradshaw could actually help us or is better than anything we already have too.

 

Being picked in the 6th round has zero bearing on his ability to block. In the reports I've read, his low round status is due more to what he does with the ball and one of his strengths is pass blocking.

 

I'm all for signing Bradshaw. I think it's a bit optimistic to rely on Gillislee early on, and I don't think Jonas Gray even belongs on the radar in that regard.

 

Not really. Without a doubt in my mind Bradshaw is the best blocking running back in the league. Good locker room guy as well and he worked with David Wilson last year on blitz pickups and understanding coverages. Given how many times I've watched him play severely hurt I would say he also might be the toughest player in the league. He's played with a fractured foot for a month. How one does that...I don't know. Hes a pretty darn good back as well. He would give us an element of toughness we really don't have on offense right now. Definitely in favor of such a move.

 

Except your stance when followed to its logical conclusion means any position in the NFL needs a FA to fill it if its empty. I think, its ok to go with rookies at times and positions....especially a specialist running back position.

 

His blocking sucks when he's injured on the sidelines. That's why its speculative he can help us.

I see no point in giving a roster spot to an old, broke down RB solely for the times we'd need him to pass block, when that spot can be given to a younger player with potential.

 

Didn't know missing 8 games in 5 years was injury prone? http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BradAh00.htm?mobile_long=false

 

I think the author is taking a look at our roster and filling in the gaps .We have seen that Ireland favors youth over experience .I think we stick with what we have .

 

Or gamble on an old player with a severe injury history at a position most likely to break down because of injuries and the roster spot that eats up? We drafted a guy to do that job.

Filling every hole with FAs is the old way of thinking Pads, considering Shula did it almost 20 years ago. The most consistent teams in the league, year in, year out tend to be growers, not show-ers.

 

Well, Sims should help out a lot on 2 TE sets. I'd love to have Bradshaw, but he has to be our backup. all those times staying in to block for NYG probably didn't help his health, which was already shaky. If Bradshaw would sign for a reasonable price, he'd be a great addition to our stable. for the recommended price of 2.5 million, I'd be okay with Bradshaw. I'd feel better about an incentive laden deal

 

And yet...he's teamless....hmmmmmm

 

Cmon, there's missing games...and then there is being injured all the time. Bradshaw is clearly the latter and it has affected his playing the last 2 years.

 

I wasn't in favor of keeping Long nor am I in favor of keeping Thomas.

 

I am somewhat indifferent to Bradshaw, but personally, I think it's a bit optimistic to rely on Miller, Gillislee and/or Gray early. None has shown to be legit runners nor pass protectors... Don't get me wrong, it's apparent that the staff feels that that Miller is ready, but we don't really know that yet either...and pass pro is certainly not his forte...


I just am not sure that we look at Bradshaw...that would be another FA coming off injury that we aren't really sure what we are getting...

 

I get what you're saying, Pads. Right now we have: a 4th-round pick with an injury history who hasn't done much of anything in the NFL to show he can be a 'feature back', being backed up by a 5th-round rookie, backed up by a possible bust with concussion problems, backed up by an UDFA coming off an ACL. None of these guys have done anything significant at this level.

But I just think we've signed so many free agents that it's time to stop. Winning teams are seldom made from adding this many new FA starters and new players to the organization all at once. (To backtrack, I would've signed a different vet RB, kept Bess, passed on Gibson, and drafted a WR.) We've added a ton of new FAs already and we need to start building with and developing guys in-house. The running game is my biggest concern for this year, yes; but I think we have to roll the dice on it as is to keep the roster young and think long-term (we've done enough hole-plugging) - give our own guys playing time and the opportunity to develop.

 

So why is this never hurt, 27 years young, amazing RB not signed by anyone?

We didn't grab just anyone to cover pass blocking from the RB position, we grabbed a guy whose strength is pass blocking. That generally nets you a lower draft grade.

And your praise of Rex Ryan's "approach" contradicts your excitement over Jordan.

 

I would love to have a back that you know can read and pick up the blitz. If RT throws well at all this year teams will try to speed up his decision making by blitzing and while I think the addition of Clabo makes a significant difference in the quality of our line, Martin's play is still in question. A solid blocking back, who not only knows how to block but where to block, would make for some nice insurance. Maybe help teach the youngsters too.

 

I wouldn't be opposed to a Bradshaw signing at this point. Although I do think the combination of Lamar Miller and Mike Gilislee, with Jonas Gray battling Daniel Thomas and Cameron Marshall for the third spot, is sufficient.

 

Meh.....I'd be all for it if it wasn't for Bradsaw's feet. The dude's feet are shot to hell and it might be 1 play or 1000 plays before he has to hang up the cleats due to them. Maybe if he was splitting time with Miller and someone else it'd be a good fit. Felix Jones is another viable option if you want a bigger back for yardage and downs situations.

 

Again, Padre, rookies are allowed to fill holes. Your concept of FAs being used to fill every hole has NEVER WORKED in the NFL.

Bradshaw, has been cleared for plenty of time for him to have been signed.

 

At least there's a proven resume there. If we can sign him to a deal with little or no guaranteed money I'd have no problem with it.

 

Padre I love ya man but your FA RB suggestions scare me annually.

Bradshaw is a better idea than Hillis but how things went down w him and PIT should tell you what kind of shape that foot is in.

 

I don't know why I have OCD for little things but I do. We played the Browns in 2011. Jon Martin wasn't on the team then. Marc Colombo had some struggles, but they pressured us up the middle. Jabaal Sheard did nothing, especially against Jake. Chad Henne ran into about 3 of the 5 sacks the Browns had to boot. He played horrible in Chad Henne fashion.

Either way, I think having Ahmad Bradshaw would help. Although Daniel Thomas' pass pro hasn't been poor and I think it's one of the things that keeps him on the roster.

 

How is it an exaggeration? Its the logical conclusion of your argument. If a rookie can't fill the very specialized blitz pick up RB position, then they can't fill any position.