Patriots Report: Green-Ellis Back In The Fold / No Umenyiora For Now

Email to a friend Permalink

Thursday, August 04, 2011

Scott Cordischi, GoLocalProv Sports Editor

He rushed for 1008 yards (4.4 yds/carry) and 13 TD’s in 11 starts for the Patriots last season. And he will be back in the fold again this year.

Restricted free agent BenJarvus Green-Ellis has gone from an undrafted rookie free agent to the starting running back for one of the premier franchises in the National Football League.

Green-Ellis seized the #1 spot on the depth chart at tailback last year after first round disappointment Laurence Maroney failed to live up to his potential.

What Green-Ellis does that Maroney seemingly never did was run straight ahead. While Maroney preferred to do a lot of east-west dancing in the backfield, Green-Ellis is a north-south runner which is exactly what Bill Belichick and the Patriots coaching staff is looking for.

-2011 first round draft choice Nate Solder is the only Patriots draft choice who has yet to sign. The OT out of Colorado is expected to challenge Matt Light for the starting left tackle position protecting Tom Brady’s blind side.

-The Patriots held a practice session at Gillette Stadium last night that was only open to season ticket holders. The biggest news of the night was that rookie RB Shane Vereen pulled up lame during a drill from what appeared to be a hamstring injury. He did not return to the field.

-With the outstanding season that Devin McCourty had as a rookie last season, a lot of people forgot about the injured Leigh Bodden. Bodden had a solid 2009 season for the Patriots and should play right corner opposite McCourty this season.

-Patriots fans can forget about the possibility of Osi Umenyiora coming to New England. The Giants have reportedly told Umenyiora and his agent that they may no longer seek a trade. The Giants were reportedly seeking a first round pick for Umenyiora but found no takers. There have been reports linking both the Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens to having interest in the defensive end. With the Patriots looking like they are making the move from the “3-4” to the “4-3” defense, a player like Umenyiora (when healthy) could be a big force putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks. However, that does not appear to be an option at the moment.