Evans, man of faith, now a Saint
Written by Erik Scalavino on March 6, 2009 – 10:41 am -New England’s backfield-by-committee has lost a member.
Thursday, fullback Heath Evans signed a 2-year deal with New Orleans. Just a couple of weeks ago, at his charity softball and golf event in his native Florida, Evans told reporters that he was not only hoping to re-sign with the Pats, but that he wanted to finish his career here. Apparently, what the Saints offered was enough to change Evans’ mind.
Noted for his devout Christian faith, Evans contributed not only in the Pats running game, but on special teams as well. On offense, New England’s multiple-receiver sets don’t typically employ a traditional fullback on most downs. As a result, Evans saw most of his action in short-yardage and goal-line plays.
Evans’ departure still leaves New England with a stable of backs, however. The roster currently includes Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, Fred Taylor, BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and Laurence Maroney.
If the Pats want to pursue another fullback, there are a few available on the free agent market, the best among them being journeyman Lorenzo Neal (5-11, 255), late of Baltimore. Here are the rest:
Darian Barnes (6-2, 240), New Orleans
Justin Griffith (6-0, 230), released by Oakland
Michael Karney (5-11, 255), released by New Orleans
Dan Kreider (5-11, 255), St. Louis
Terrelle Smith (6-0, 250) Arizona
Naufahu Tahi (6-0, 254), Minnesota
Leonard Weaver (6-0, 242) Seattle
Posted in Free Agency (2009) |
March 6th, 2009 at 11:34 am
No need to pursue any available fullbacks on your list ! See Tyson DeVree’s 08 stats…also- Russ Hochstein [ jack-of-all-positions ] can provide an Evans type role when needed….Fullback postion to me is covered…
March 6th, 2009 at 11:45 am
Good for Heath..Glad he will likely receive more than the league minimum in New Orleans- as he deserves it !thanks for the hard work man and when we are down in Auburn,Alabama we will stop in to your Dunkin Donuts and say hello! God Bless…Enjoy New Orleans..
March 6th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Good stuff, Erik. Thanks! And I had no problem with your Chris Brown/Rihanna thing. (Sorry for bringing it up, but I agree that pop-culture, especially at Patriots.com, has its place.)
March 6th, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Very happy for Evans.
We should wholeheartedly pursue Lorenzo Neal. The man created LT just like Tony Richardson has created Priest Holmes, Adrian Peterson and Thomas Jones.
March 7th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Lorenzo Neal is 38. Maybe the Pats like someone in the draft.
March 8th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
Tim are you nuts? Tony Richardson created Adrian Peterson?????
what? AD is the greatest RB in the league.
March 12th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
Yeah. I don’t see the Pats going nuts trying to sign another FB in the draft or free agency (unless there’s another LeRon McClain lurking around out there somewhere). As an earlier poster said, I think that role is pretty well covered already.
March 13th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
Russ Hochstein 6′6″ 325 lbs of FullBack!!!!Don’t need no little fellas…
March 15th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
I am a saint and patriot fan and I would love to see a guy that doesnt do much in new england go to a team that needs a power runner and somone who can block for Reggie Bush