Dion Lewis anyone?

PatsFan2 · Sep 23, 2015

Speaking of Dion Lewis I would love to see what Travaris Cadet can do he's also somewhat of an unknown around these parts. BB kept him for a reason, would love to see some of that untapped potential.

primetime · Sep 23, 2015

meatface said:
I haven't seen enough evidence of any of those things yet because it's only been two games. They also aren't asking him to do the same stuff they asked Shane to do yet. Dont get me wrong, I like Lewis but let's wait on his new crown.

They've certainly handed it off to him, particularly up the middle. Vereen rarely carried the ball, and when he did he was hardly effective.

Concussion Protocol · Sep 23, 2015

I love this kid. It's a sin having a RB in this offense who isn't an adept receiver. If he gets the fumbling reasonably under control, I want him to be the primary back here. Spell him with a guy like Cadet or White who is also a threat as a receiver. Keep Blount for unique gameplans.

Soul_Survivor88 · Sep 23, 2015

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound running back was out of the league last year, and he’s already piled up 258 total yards on the ground and through the air for the Patriots so far. He’s played in 81 percent of Patriots offensive snaps, and if he continues to shine, he could keep outpacing 2014 starting running back LeGarrette Blount in reps.

“Dion’s been very productive with the ball in his hands,” Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said. “He’s been very dependable when he hasn’t had the ball. That’s really the bottom line — in the passing game, being able to protect, run routes, catch. In the running game, read blocks and make good decisions and make yards on his own. We’re going to block plays for whatever the yardage is — 1 yard, 2 yards 5 yards, 10 yards, but then any skill player, you want them to be able to add yards to that on their own with their running skill, whatever that is: quickness, speed, power, so forth. It’s a combination of all those things.”

Lewis has shown quickness, speed and power while creating yards on his own by breaking and avoiding tackles. He’s also lined up split out wide, where he runs receiver routes.

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I'll be very disappointed in Lewis if he doesn't figure out how to hold the freakin ball. He has waaaaayyy too much talent to not be on the field. And Belichick knows it

Tom_Montana12 · Sep 23, 2015

PatsFan2 said:
Speaking of Dion Lewis I would love to see what Travaris Cadet can do he's also somewhat of an unknown around these parts. BB kept him for a reason, would love to see some of that untapped potential.

I think Cadet is just injury insurance, to be honest. As long as Lewis stays healthy I don't think we'll see much of Cadet at all this year.

Of course, maybe Lewis has just surpassed expectations and is giving the coaches no reason to take snaps away from him by giving Cadet opportunities.

Soul_Survivor88 · Sep 24, 2015

You have to take a risk with Lewis. He's been out of action for the last two years since beginning as a rookie, so compared to other running backs, he hasn't seen a whole lot of action. He's obviously working hard to improve his ball-carrying technique, and the coaches know it. The more snaps he gets, the fewer number of fumbles we'll see.

http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2015/09/new_england_patriots_running_b_8.html

1). Lewis is really, really good. In the past, Shane Vereen's touches were limited because he wasn't an effective between-the-tackles runner. That's not the case with Lewis, who runs with deceptive power.

2). The Jets, Bills and Dolphins all have big-time defensive lines. Other upcoming opponents -- the Cowboys, Giants, Redskins and Jaguars -- currently rank in the top five in run defense. As we saw Sunday, the Pats often spread these defenses out and let Brady work, not even bothering to establish a run game. These gameplans are conducive to Lewis and, on some level, Travaris Cadet. They're not great for Blount.

3). There's definitely something to the Patriots, and specifically Tom Brady, wanting to rout every team they play. The Pats will throw -- a lot. They'll throw even when they're up 37-13 in the fourth quarter.

4). With Bryan Stork on the short-term IR and a trio of rookies receiving significant snaps on the interior O-Line, the ground game may not be as effective as it was a year ago. Blount is superb at the second level, but he needs holes to get to the second level. Lewis has a better initial burst and can find room in tighter spaces.

Final thought: Lewis won't end the season getting 74 percent of the backfield touches. But, for the reasons outlined above, it's completely reasonable to expect Lewis to see the ball more than Blount, a la Faulk/Antowain Smith in 2003.

Soul_Survivor88 · Sep 29, 2015

primetime · Sep 29, 2015

Lewis is threatening to become the first 3 down back in the history of Belichick's Patriots coaching career. Even 2004 Dillon checked out for Faulk, and while Lewis is not (yet! We can hope!) either Dillon nor Faulk, he's providing a little something reminiscent of both.

Pundits saw the turn to Blount in the 2nd half as a positive sign for Blount and his "power running" style. But I saw it as acknowledgement that Dion Lewis shouldn't be risked in a blowout because along with Edelman and Gronk he's absolutely central to the 2015 offense, while Blount is merely a peripheral piece.

RobertWeathers · Sep 29, 2015

primetime said:
Lewis is threatening to become the first 3 down back in the history of Belichick's Patriots coaching career. Even 2004 Dillon checked out for Faulk, and while Lewis is not (yet! We can hope!) either Dillon nor Faulk, he's providing a little something reminiscent of both.

Dillon was not a 2 down back.

Anything 3rd and 5 or less he stayed in

IllegalContact · Sep 29, 2015

Dillon was pretty good catching the ball

patchick · Sep 29, 2015

IllegalContact said:
Dillon was pretty good catching the ball

He was indeed. Dillon averaged >24 receptions per season over his career -- more than Shane Vereen.

50-yard-line · Sep 29, 2015

Seems like Blount is catching more passes now, too.

meatface · Sep 29, 2015

IllegalContact said:
Dillon was pretty good catching the ball

Corey Dillon was pretty awesome.

supafly · Sep 29, 2015

primetime said:
Lewis is threatening to become the first 3 down back in the history of Belichick's Patriots coaching career. Even 2004 Dillon checked out for Faulk, and while Lewis is not (yet! We can hope!) either Dillon nor Faulk, he's providing a little something reminiscent of both.

Pundits saw the turn to Blount in the 2nd half as a positive sign for Blount and his "power running" style. But I saw it as acknowledgement that Dion Lewis shouldn't be risked in a blowout because along with Edelman and Gronk he's absolutely central to the 2015 offense, while Blount is merely a peripheral piece.

I think it also showcases Blount's main ability, which is to run physically while tiring the defense and killing the clock. In other words, I'd prefer to see Blount in the second half.

Soul_Survivor88 · Oct 1, 2015

With his first three NFL starts under his belt, Lewis ranks 4th in the AFC and 8th in the NFL in yards from scrimmage, and is only that “low” because he basically sat out the second half of last Sunday’s blowout of the Jaguars. He leads the Patriots with 30 rushes for 146 yards (4.9 avg.) with a pair of touchdowns. He’s third on the team with 15 catches for 179 yards (11.9 avg.).

RobertWeathers · Oct 1, 2015

supafly said:
I think it also showcases Blount's main ability, which is to run physically while tiring the defense and killing the clock. In other words, I'd prefer to see Blount in the second half.

Yep. Gotta wait till you really need the heavy duty pickup truck with the snow tires.

PatsFan2 · Oct 1, 2015

Dion Lewis really reminds me of RB Giovani Bernard who is not only a Good change of pace RB but also Lethal! in the passing game. Glad BB is keeping him healthy love him and Blount in the rotation Lewis more so because he puts some much pressure on the Defense with his pass catching ability. Stay healthy Dion Lewis we dont want to get to James White anytime too soon.

Soul_Survivor88 · Oct 1, 2015

PatsFan2 said:
Stay healthy Dion Lewis we dont want to get to James White anytime too soon.

LOL, White actually didn't look half bad against JAX. Not as dynamic as Lewis of course, but he seems like a serviceable back.

PatsFan2 · Oct 1, 2015

Chiuba E. Obele said:
LOL, White actually didn't look half bad against JAX. Not as dynamic as Lewis of course, but he seems like a serviceable back.

I glad you thought it was fuuny I didn't mean it in a bad way James White does have some ability but as stated not Dion Lewis's abilities the kid is quite a find.

Soul_Survivor88 · Oct 3, 2015

Dion Lewis anyone?

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