Lewis v White

Ross12 said:

I have to wonder if the Pats using two passing backs on the field at the same time frequently signals they might want to keep more backs than usual.

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Quoted for emphasis

Chiuba E. Obele said:

This is what I'm hoping for. That somehow BB manage to carve out a role for all three. Doesn't seem likely, but each have unique abilities that make for interesting formations and plays.

This is definitely a talented group of 3rd down running backs!

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All three may not stick. I think White will find himself on the roster. It really comes down to Lewis and Cadet. They're both different players, but they both would presumably offer something in the KO return game . . . something NE has lacked for many years now. Cadet needs to get it in gear and get out there to show what he has, or the train is going to leave him behind. I just read a report that said he came back today, so we'll see.

Lewis is intriguing to me because he runs bigger than his size. However, how much pounding can he take? Even if he may not be asked to more than be a 3rd down back and/or KO return guy, durability would still be my concern with him. I very much like what I saw the other night, but that was admittedly against lesser competition and a very small sample size. But if he can do that for a full 16-game season and beyond, then I'm all for him. He has good quickness, explosiveness and I liked his hands. I also like how he pushed the pile (with some help) the other night. I did not see him pick up the blitz, probably because there never really is much of that this early in preseason (if at all). He could factor big in the return game game.

Cadet was for NO what we need him to be here, albeit a lesser role. That means he should be able to come in here and do what we want for him to do. He could factor in the return game, like Lewis. The injury set him back, as it does a lot of people this time of year. Can he block? I would imagine well see a lot of him in game three and possibly the final game.

All three definitely bring something to the table, and what I like is that they all have strengths that the other does not have, while still managing to offer a lot of the same things as well. But I doubt all three get kept because of roster concerns in other areas. I'd rather carry an extra LB or bodies in the trenches than three "specialty" backs. Two stay and my money would be White and Cadet (I know I know). Call me crazy about Cadet. I just feel he is more likely to stick even with the time missed. We'll see though. There's two more preseason games to be played. Injuries are the great equalizer. So is unimpressive play, I suppose. I'll say this though . . . if Lewis has another performance like the other night, they might as well prepare his locker for the upcoming season.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

We all are assuming that Brandon Bolden's position is secure. Is that something that isn't likely to change?

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Bolden was arguably the best ST's player last season not named Matt Slater. He was even rewarded with an extension. He isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

manxman2601 said:

I remember seeing White out there on a Dion Lewis run last night which I though a little odd. I wondered whether he had lined up at WR. Clearly not. Interesting wrinkle from BB.

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AWESOME!!!!

Chiuba E. Obele said:

Yes, because he's only accrued two seasons. I'm not sure Lewis would want to be there, but Jonas Gray was on the practice squad and was eventually put on the roster midseason

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Let's just keep Lewis and White and Cadet and Bolden and also keep a WR corps of Edelman, LaFell, Wayne, Amendola, Dobson, Harper, Slater... Is that too much to ask?

In reality, though, I wouldn't be surprised if the team kept an extra back and treated them as an RB plus WR depth plus ST depth. For instance, a group of Lewis, Cadet, White, Bolden, Edelman, Wayne, Amendola, Dobson, and Slater, with LaFell on PUP and Harper on the PS, doesn't seem outside of the realm of possibilities.

Ross12 said:

In reality, though, I wouldn't be surprised if the team kept an extra back and treated them as an RB plus WR depth plus ST depth. For instance, a group of Lewis, Cadet, White, Bolden, Edelman, Wayne, Amendola, Dobson, and Slater, with LaFell on PUP and Harper on the PS, doesn't seem outside of the realm of possibilities.

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One thing to keep in mind is that Blount won't count against the initial 53-man roster because he's suspended by the NFL for the first week. So that might give the Pats time to figure out the RB situation

http://knoxsportsnews.com/patriots-preseason-game-2-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/

One interesting note was how Josh McDaniels used both White and Lewis on the field at the same time. On one occasion, he spread White out as a wide receiver and ran with Lewis. On another, Garoppolo connected with Lewis on a 20 yard route with White as the decoy in the backfield. I’m not certain if they can keep both backs but I thought it was an interesting wrinkle to the offense when they took the field together.

Doesn't Cadet save NE most salary if cut?

pdangle said:

Doesn't Cadet save NE most salary if cut?

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He is the best pass-catcher of the three

Chiuba E. Obele said:

We all are assuming that Brandon Bolden's position is secure. Is that something that isn't likely to change?

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Try to find precedent of a player being extended during the season and not making it through camp the following year. Maybe there are a few, but I can't think of any.

Chiuba E. Obele said:

http://knoxsportsnews.com/patriots-preseason-game-2-the-good-the-bad-the-ugly/

One interesting note was how Josh McDaniels used both White and Lewis on the field at the same time. On one occasion, he spread White out as a wide receiver and ran with Lewis. On another, Garoppolo connected with Lewis on a 20 yard route with White as the decoy in the backfield. I’m not certain if they can keep both backs but I thought it was an interesting wrinkle to the offense when they took the field together.

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Yes! I noticed that as well.

We have all seen the Pats split out wide their 3rd down backs.

Its the added layer of lining up Cadet in the slot, wide and in the backfield that makes his role so unique on this team AND having White/Lewis in the backfield.

Keep in mind, Cadet is 6-1 210...he looks like a WR out there. Payton played him all over the place in New Orleans. Maybe @pherein has some additional insights into his strengths?

Oswlek said:

Try to find precedent of a player being extended during the season and not making it through camp the following year. Maybe there are a few, but I can't think of any.

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Bolden isn't going anywhere....

My worthless guess....

Blount (Power)
Gray (Power)
Bolden (Power/3rd down,ST)
Cadet (3rd down/slot WR/split out WR/ST/KR/PR)
White OR Lewis (3rd down, KR)
Develin (FB/TE/RB)

Call me crazy but I think James White is the odd man out on the final 53 I think he could easily make our PS. I also think Cadet and Lewis along with Bolden are better options. Again losing White wouldm't be a major loss. Ofcourse if he has good games this week and next I could change my tune.

A few months ago there were threads bemoaning the lack of a 3rd down RB. Now folks perceive a rich banquet. I think we're gonna be good to go at RB barring an injury plague.

The BIG concern about the 2015 Pats is CB. Too bad I'm only 5'9" 190.

PatsFan2 said:

Call me crazy but I think James White is the odd man out on the final 53 I think he could easily make our PS. I think Cadet and Lewis along with Bolden are better options. Again losing White would be no major loss. Ofcourse if has good games this week and next I could change my tune.

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Its so up in the air. I've been on the Cadet bandwagon and am confident he makes the team but he only received a $65k signing bonus. He could easily get cut. Same for Lewis and White.

The only thing I go back to is that White was drafted by this team. He really hasn't had a lot of opportunities and I think he has done well this preseason. If he had been a disaster then it would be a no brainer to pick Lewis over him as he has looked real good....Just don't know.

The other question is which player has a greater upside?

PatsWickedPissah said:

A few months ago there were threads bemoaning the lack of a 3rd down RB. Now folks perceive a rich banquet. I think we're gonna be good to go at RB barring an injury plague.

The BIG concern about the 2015 Pats is CB. Too bad I'm only 5'9" 190.

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I agree. I'm liking this group a lot.

PatsWickedPissah said:

A few months ago there were threads bemoaning the lack of a 3rd down RB. Now folks perceive a rich banquet. I think we're gonna be good to go at RB barring an injury plague.

The BIG concern about the 2015 Pats is CB. Too bad I'm only 5'9" 190.

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Then that already makes you sturdier than Terrence Wheatley.

BB on White (From Reiss):

"I think [he] has really had a good camp and a good offseason; he’s performed well in the opportunities that he’s had. He’s made yards on his own, made people miss in space, caught the ball well, his blitz pickup has been good. Like a lot of our second-year players, he’s improved in a lot of ways from Year 1 to Year 2 – mentally, the overall understanding of our opponents and defenses and things like that. His offseason training improved and his fundamentals at his position have improved. He works really hard [and] he’s a smart kid."

Looks like a lock to me.

White does look good in space......but showed me nothing inside or speed to the edge.......If he's PS eligible, stash him there when Blount returns....JMHO