Patriots Talk: A Dog Fight At Running Back

The Patriots are an interesting team because they make the most value out of their players but at the same time this opens up a lot of players that will not likely make the final 53 man roster. Bill Belichick has been one who will always have his full decision in when he knows for certain and right now, he is trying to create competition for each player to demonstrate their full abilities. The running back position this year is literally up for grabs as he had traded for running backs Rex Burkhead and Mike Gillislee (who returned to practice today and commented that he is feeling ‘at 100%’, so the heat is on for the team vs Detroit to see what he is capable of showing on Friday) this off season.

Bill Belichick said it best during his press conference on Sunday when asked how his thought process would be starting and how much time a player is given in the preseason.

“It could be a number of things, but I’d say the bottom line is we try to go through each player and each position and kind of have a rough idea of what our expectations are for that player during that particular game. Sometimes, Game 2 plays off of Game 1, so maybe somebody that didn’t get a chance to play in Game 1 plays more in Game 2 or vice versa. Sometimes you want to see different combinations of players. Again, at this time of year, all the players have played with all the other players at their position, so there really isn’t too much of that. But, sometimes it does give the coaches an opportunity to see how a certain group of players would work together – a certain group of linebackers or defensive backs or receivers, whatever the position is. So that could play into it, as well.”

RB Mike Gillislee says he was a full participant in practice today. Has been limited the last two weeks with hamstring. pic.twitter.com/V3U2EXgBoz

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 22, 2017

Different Approaches Lead To Different Results

This is true as no matter what, each game a team will need to approach differently. Belichick has known this fact his whole coaching career dating back to his time in Cleveland. Each group of players at a certain position will need to be used in different ways that can demonstrate what a player’s approach will be when given the chance. All running backs are divided into categories like power backs, scat backs, receiving backs etc. Each player will have something to show. As of  this writing the Patriots current Running Backs core consists of:

• D.J. Foster (27)
• James White (28)
• Dion Lewis (33)
• Rex Burkhead (34)
• Mike Gillislee (35)
• Branden Bolden (38)
• Leshun Daniels Jr. (39)
• James Devlin (46)*
• Glenn Gronkowski (27)*

*RB/Fullback

With the exceptions of Gronkowski and Devlin, the running backs currently consist of seven players. Now so far, there hasn’t been enough fully shown so far to say who will be guaranteed a spot but many feel that Brandon Bolden will remain due to his ability on special teams, D.J. Foster has been shown to be a competitor so far James White and Dion Lewis have given their workload as well. Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee and Daniels Jr. are the only ones who still have a lot left to prove to get a spot on the roster. It’s clear that at least one or two of the players listed will not make the final cut.

Rex Burkhead Is Still Learning

Belichick included was asked on how newcomers like Burkhead were adjusting to his system within The Patriots offense.

“Rex has missed very little time. He’s basically been out there every day and we’ve worked with him in all areas of the game that we think he can contribute in, which is all three downs offensively and the four phases of special teams that he’s been involved with, from Day 1. And we do that with really all of our players. So, even though a player might not be first or second on the depth chart in a certain unit like a sub back or the punt team or goal line, whatever it happens to be, he might be fourth team or fifth team listed on the depth chart, but he’s in there and he’s learning those responsibilities.”

RB Rex Burkhead was not present at the start of practice for the second day in a row. Makes it unlikely he will play vs. Lions on Friday.

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 23, 2017

Despite what Belichick has stated here, it is evident that the Patriots are valuing Burkhead’s ability as a special teamer as well, which was clear from day 1; Burkhead a player that can do a little of everything. It is clear he is still trying gauge where he would feel Burkhead is best and Mike Gillislee is still trying to show what he can do. With Burkhead unlikely to make the Detroit game at Ford Field he will have a lesser chance to demonstrate his abilities which leaves the others to get the opportunity. Based on the current roster, I will predict that the team will likely have 6 running backs for the 53 man roster (majority of NFL teams carry about 4 but the team last season carried over 5). Glenn Gronkowski, D.J Foster and Daniels Jr. will likely not make the final cut and be put onto practice squad for this season.

Patriots Talk: 27-23 Loss To Texans Shows Need For Improvement

It’s hard to believe that the Patriots still won their fifth Super Bowl at NRG Stadium (the second time in the team’s history this has happened since Super Bowl 38).

With this game, the Patriots were competing with the Houston Texans lead by former Patriots OC Bill O’Brien but the difference between the two was fairly clear: The team still has a lot of question marks on their depth chart. After Saturday night’s game, much of the team showed some good but there was quite a bit of bad.

Despite, this being the first preseason game that Rob Gronkowski played since 2012, he was relatively non-factor since the starters were only in the game for the 1st quarter only. In fact, the majority of the Patriots starters including Malcolm Butler, Stephon Gilmore, Julian Edelman, Brandin Cooks were among those who played in the first quarter.

Here is who stood out and what ultimately burned out. Just click the next button to continue.

The Bits and Pieces of a Patriots Weekend

Well, you know what they say about pre-season football in the NFL?

No really, do you know because I do not. I do know that it is never a good indication of how the regular season may pan out for any team. It is still a trial period for most teams and coaches to try new plays, let some rookies and newbies get some playtime, and for the New England Patriots, return to the site of last year’s Super Bowl and remember their amazing second-half come from behind victory in which I am still awe-struck.

Here some bits and pieces of what went down in Houston. And with a fumbling backup quarterback, a star defensive end not in action, and a 27-23 loss; I hope the Patriots don’t have a problem in regular season.

The Patriots got a friendly reminder of Super Bowl LI when they returned to Houston’s NRG Stadium Saturday night. Red and blue confetti were found in the Microsoft Surface phone system along the sideline. Could this be a sign from the football gods that the Pats are destined to go the distance again this year?

Tight End Rob Gronkowski played his first preseason game since 2012. The Gronk’s non-play up until now was based on coach’s decisions to limit exposure to injuries the star tight end was recovering from. Gronkowski for 14 of the team’s first 16 plays, but he finished with no catches and no targeted passes.

“It felt good to be out there, get my feet wet, to get the speed of the game. I love to play football,” Gronkowski said.

On the other side of the football, defensive end Trey Flowers did not play Saturday night. Flowers led the team with seven sacks last season. It is not believed that he is dealing with an injury, as he is one of the few top players that was not in action.

Quarterback Tom Brady also started Saturday night in Houston, playing for two drives and completing 6 of 9 passes with 67 yards and one touchdown.