I'm Getting Excited About Dion Lewis

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

First off, Reiss puts him at the top of his player's to learn more about column running today.

RB Dion Lewis: One of the smallest players on the roster at 5-foot-8 and 195 pounds, Lewis earned praise from quarterback Tom Brady for his route-running on back-to-back days. Lewis, who is competing with James White, Travaris Cadet and Brandon Bolden for the role of pass-catching running back, entered the NFL in 2011 as a fifth-round draft choice of the Eagles and played in 24 games under head coach Andy Reid, rushing for 171 yards and catching three passes. The Browns, under the direction of then-general manager Michael Lombardi (now an assistant to the Patriots' coaching staff), then traded for him in April of 2013. Lewis missed '13 with a leg injury, was released by the Browns at the end of '14 training camp (they were under a new regime), and had a six-day stint with the Colts. Lewis' addition to the Patriots' roster has Lombardi's fingerprints on it, with Bill Belichick noting that Lewis has had a good spring.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...ers-to-learn-more-about-after-offseason-camps

So, Brady's praising his receiving. But wait, the bonus is...this guy is a real running back. Heisman trophy consideration, Barry Sanders clone[lol, Millen's a meathead, but still], Out lifting his linemen at Pitt.

A ways to go to compare to Faulk or vereen receiving, but he's competing against sluggish White and non runner Cadet. Imagine, draws and runs against a sub defense with this guy.

This is one game, not a highlight film, please watch the end. that's how hard he's running after 40+ carries [47].

Ross12 · Jun 20, 2015

Talk about shake & bake, he put some serious moves on some guys... But still had the power to break through some tackles even after 40 carries. If he does show well, he could be a legitimate rushing threat on 3rd down.

But, this highlight film is 6 years old. A lot happens to a running back in 6 years... He did just have essentially 2 years off, though. I'll keep my expectations low, but I am also interested in the little guy. Roy Finch 2.0!

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

Ross12 said:
Talk about shake & bake, he put some serious moves on some guys... But still had the power to break through some tackles even after 40 carries. If he does show well, he could be a legitimate rushing threat on 3rd down.

But, this highlight film is 6 years old. A lot happens to a running back in 6 years... He did just have essentially 2 years off, though. I'll keep my expectations low, but I am also interested in the little guy. Roy Finch 2.0!

One, Lombardi had him at Cleveland, as they let him go, two reports from camp of Brady twice giving him the thumbs up. Yes, it was a long time ago, but he was a freshman in college. Probably came out too early, got injured, but the actuarial tables say, just coming in to his prime. He's only 24 years old!

I seriously doubt Roy Finch out lifted everyone on his college team, this guy is not Roy Finch. Of course, I assume finch has greater straight line speed, but lewis is more like a Maurice Jones Drew to me.

Of course, he needs to be a quality receiver first, that's the job, but if he is, he's got to be a ton better RB than sluggish white and Cadet.

FourierSeries · Jun 20, 2015

I knew finding a Vereen replacement wouldn't be difficult. Belichick has a knack for finding/developing good receiving RBs.

BradyBranch39 · Jun 20, 2015

Dion Lewis has shown more in the regular season than Roy Finch did in the preseason. So I wouldn't let that comp get off the ground...

Ross12 · Jun 20, 2015

RayClay said:
One, Lombardi had him at Cleveland, as they let him go, two reports from camp of Brady twice giving him the thumbs up. Yes, it was a long time ago, but he was a freshman in college. Probably came out too early, got injured, but the actuarial tables say, just coming in to his prime. He's only 24 years old!

I seriously doubt Roy Finch out lifted everyone on his college team, this guy is not Roy Finch. Of course, I assume finch has greater straight line speed, but lewis is more like a Maurice Jones Drew to me.

Of course, he needs to be a quality receiver first, that's the job, but if he is, he's got to be a ton better RB than sluggish white and Cadet.

I was just making the comparison in the sense that it's a relatively unknown RB showing well in camp/preseason who looks exciting and fans get hyped about. I would agree Lewis probably has a higher chance of success than Finch did, just similar occurrences.

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

Ross12 said:
I was just making the comparison in the sense that it's a relatively unknown RB showing well in camp/preseason who looks exciting and fans get hyped about. I would agree Lewis probably has a higher chance of success than Finch did, just similar occurrences.

Understood. Finch was seriously undersized, though. Lewis is short, but real strong.

Ross12 · Jun 20, 2015

RayClay said:
Understood. Finch was seriously undersized, though. Lewis is short, but real strong.

Agreed, that was partly why I liked him though. Fun watching such a tiny guy pinball around. Lewis could be in the mold of a Ray Rice somewhat? Short but strong, good receiver.

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

Ross12 said:
Agreed, that was partly why I liked him though. Fun watching such a tiny guy pinball around. Lewis could be in the mold of a Ray Rice somewhat? Short but strong, good receiver.

One could hope. I thought Jones Drew. matt "melonhead" Millen keeps saying he's Barry Sanders on that video, but that's a bit much. Still, If he's running good routes [and catching the ball], as they say, how could he not beat out White?

Froob · Jun 20, 2015

I still think Cadet wins the job. What's the deal with James White though? Nobody knows anything about him it seems.

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

Ross12 said:
Agreed, that was partly why I liked him though. Fun watching such a tiny guy pinball around. Lewis could be in the mold of a Ray Rice somewhat? Short but strong, good receiver.

He was fun to watch, as in "I'd love to watch the 3 quarters of this guys NFL career up to the point they grabbed both legs and snapped him like a wishbone.

Ross12 · Jun 20, 2015

RayClay said:
One could hope. I thought Jones Drew. matt "melonhead" Millen keeps saying he's Barry Sanders on that video, but that's a bit much. Still, If he's running good routes [and catching the ball], as they say, how could he not beat out White?

Yeah, MJD is probably not a bad comparison either. I had hoped the Pats would kick the tires on him a couple years ago when he hit free agency, but it turned out he didn't have much left.

Thanks for pointing out he's still only 24, that's pretty great. Definitely prime years for a back.

The Brandon Five · Jun 20, 2015

RayClay said:
First off, Reiss puts him at the top of his player's to learn more about column running today.

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...ers-to-learn-more-about-after-offseason-camps

So, Brady's praising his receiving. But wait, the bonus is...this guy is a real running back. Heisman trophy consideration, Barry Sanders clone[lol, Millen's a meathead, but still], Out lifting his linemen at Pitt.

A ways to go to compare to Faulk or vereen receiving, but he's competing against sluggish White and non runner Cadet. Imagine, draws and runs against a sub defense with this guy.

This is one game, not a highlight film, please watch the end. that's how hard he's running after 40+ carries [47].

Yikes! 47 carries? Guy is a horse.

This stat in that video caught my eye (and maybe BB's as well): 0 fumbles lost in 271 carries.

PatsWickedPissah · Jun 20, 2015

RayClay said:
Understood. Finch was seriously undersized, though. Lewis is short, but real strong.

Watch out guys!
Last year I posted assertively but not disrespectfully that Finch would not make the 53 and someone who was a Finch fanboi peppered all my posts thereafter with Dislikes.
Someone here (I forget who) likes 'em small.

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

Ross12 said:
Yeah, MJD is probably not a bad comparison either. I had hoped the Pats would kick the tires on him a couple years ago when he hit free agency, but it turned out he didn't have much left.

Thanks for pointing out he's still only 24, that's pretty great. Definitely prime years for a back.

I really liked drew, but we had no second, for some reason and we had a #21 pick. In hindsight, it would have been a lot better than maroney, especially if a trade down.

EDIT, forgot we traded up for Jackson, so we had a big gap between our second and third.

Tony2046 · Jun 20, 2015

RayClay said:
One could hope. I thought Jones Drew. matt "melonhead" Millen keeps saying he's Barry Sanders on that video, but that's a bit much. Still, If he's running good routes [and catching the ball], as they say, how could he not beat out White?

I can't stand when the media say, "he could be the next _________" (Fill in the blank).

The Pats don't need the next Barry anyways. They need the next Shane Vereen or Kevin Faulk which is tough enough shoes to fill let alone Barry Sanders.

His combine sheet states that he doesn't have enough bulk to push the pile but he has outstanding elusiveness.

http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/dion-lewis?id=2495469

EDIT: This post is misleading. I did not intend this to look like an anti Lewis post. I posted the combine report for informational use only. I think Dion Lewis looks like a great prospect.

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

RayClay said:
His combine sheet states that he doesn't have enough bulk to push the pile but he has outstanding elusiveness.

It's a video. you can watch him, you don't have to read what they say he can't do.

RayClay · Jun 20, 2015

I don't think I'd cut Barry Sanders

Schmo · Jun 20, 2015

Good thread. Thanks for putting a spotlight on this guy.

Pats fans seem to be comparing our options at 3rd down back to Faulk (pats legend) or vereen (most recent), but to be honest, my favorite was Woodhead. He was a shifty back who could catch, and he knew how to throw his weight around and get dirty to keep Brady clean. Lewis seems like a close comparison to DW on paper and on tape....

DL 5'8" 195
DW 5'8" 200

Both had minimal previous NFL experience, are shifty and like contact (but can hide behind linemen). I think there's a big difference between 195 in college and in the pros, but if the kid can stay healthy, expect things from him.

From what I've seen, I still think that Cadet is completely unimpressive. The door is wide open.

Gumby · Jun 20, 2015

Nice video, but didn't show much of his ?5?+ recs in the game. If he is competing for the 3d back role he needs to be good route runner (and pass protection blocker).

Anyway, this is the time of year that a mediot writing a story about some guy doing well (Davis last week) or a fan starting a binky thread, seem to always be the guy's obituary. For his sake, I hope the op didn't jinx him

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