Report: Patriots Running Back BenJarvus Green-Ellis Headed for Free Agency

As a Patriots fan, this news saddens me: New England running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be a "free agent when the new league year begins Tuesday at 4 p.m ET" per NBC sports. 

Last season Green-Ellis ran for 667 yards, protecting the ball and providing breaks from passing plays. Green-Ellis isn’t explosive, but he is a hard runner and just doesn’t fumble. I mean he never fumbles. That in itself is the appeal of Green-Ellis. 

But if another team makes an enticing offer, the Patriots probably won't be able to match it. 

I was rooting for The Law Firm to come back to New England next year, but most of the Patriots are easily replaceable. That is just the Patriots' way. 

Danny Woodhead, Kevin Faulk and Steven Ridley are more than prepared to fill that hole at running back. 

That being said, the Patriots never relied on the running game to put up points. Future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady will be back next year, along with the TE Party, Wes Welker and (hopefully) Brandon Lloyd. 

He isn’t irreplaceable, but the ball security he posses is hard to find in the NFL. 

The New England Patriots probably won’t miss BenJarvus Green-Ellis, but this fan will.