BenJarvus

Green-Ellis

After getting out-carried by Danny Woodhead in Week 1, Green-Ellis took the ball 13 more times than New England’s diminutive passing-down back. However, seven of his 17 carries came with the Pats trying to drain the clock on their final two drives. The Law Firm remains little more than an average flex option in standard leagues.

Green-Ellis was afforded three goal-line opportunities and was stuffed all three times. He began losing entire series to a noticeably more explosive Stevan Ridley in the second half. There could be a changing of the guard in the New England backfield over the next few weeks.

BJGE’s 136 yards are the most by a Patriots back in three years. His hard-charging style worked perfectly against a lighter Jets defense that came out in a 3-1-7 format to counter the Patriots’ spread look. For the second straight week, though, the Patriots produced a balanced attack with a 33:35 pass-to-run ratio. After outplaying streaking rookie Stevan Ridley, Green-Ellis now has the hot hand heading into a Week 6 home game against the Cowboys.

It’s a massive total for Green-Ellis, who severely outplayed Stevan Ridley (13 snaps). Green-Ellis’ extra snaps can be credited to Danny Woodhead’s (ankle) absence, as BJGE took over on passing downs. Beat writer Mike Reiss confirms that the Patriots view Green-Ellis as the better pass protector, ahead of Ridley or Shane Vereen (zero snaps).

One source tells CSN New England that Green-Ellis will be a “coveted” prospect once he hits free agency. We suspect that source is Green-Ellis’ agent. While his pass protection, short-yardage skills, and ball security are excellent, BJGE’s per-carry average dropped to 3.7 last season with a season-long run of just 18 yards.

It appears the Jets are Green-Ellis’ “mystery team.” However, the New York Post reports Gang Green’s interest is “preliminary,” and “nothing is imminent.” Green-Ellis would be an interesting signing for a “ground and pound” team that nevertheless had trouble grinding out tough yards in 2011, but wouldn’t be a suitable replacement for free agent third-down back LaDainian Tomlinson despite his skill in pass protection. BJGE has just 26 career catches.

Green-Ellis visited Cincinnati on Monday, and it’s believed he’ll be cheaper than top free agent running back Michael Bush. The addition of BJGE shouldn’t prevent the Bengals from adding more talent to the position in April’s draft.

The 27-year-old Green-Ellis has been a system back in New England, preying on defenses that refused to leave seven defenders “in the box” against Tom Brady & Co. He’s still a fine complement to shiftier Bernard Scott in Cincinnati, with elite ball security and vision, and underrated pass-blocking skills. Green-Ellis is unlikely to keep pace with his 24 touchdowns over the past two seasons, but he certainly could push for eight or nine scores as the heavy favorite for goal-line work with the Bengals. The team may also add another early-round back in the draft to create a three-way committee. Regardless, Green-Ellis should only be a middle-round consideration in 2012 fantasy drafts.

“I don’t know what it will be,” Gruden said of the rotation. “But (Green-Ellis) deserves to carry the ball. (Bernard) Scott deserves more carries. ... If a guy gets hot, he’ll get the carries. They both understand that. ... That’s going to be worked out in training camp.” Although Scott has a stark playmaking edge, Gruden loves Green-Ellis’ ball security and ability to avoid negative plays.

Reiss believes the Pats have “set a value” on Green-Ellis that he’s not comfortable signing for “before seeing what interest he might generate on the open market.” A power back who slumped to 3.7 yards per carry as he nursed a toe injury in 2011, BJGE has precious little leverage with the Pats after they spent early-round picks on Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen last spring.