Should we anticipate a running back controversy this offseason?

Soul_Survivor88 · Dec 20, 2015

We just saw James White have his best game of the season, and he's looking more and more like a productive, highly dependable weapon for the offense. Granted, he's not as shifty as Dion Lewis, but he's every bit as good as Shane Vereen in my opinion.

With Dion Lewis coming off of a torn ACL (and possibly not playing at 100%), is White in the running for next year's starting position? (pun intended

)

Meanwhile, Joey Iosefa surpassed my expectations today. He might need a little more seasoning, but he knows how to hit defenders hard, can break tackles, and appears to be a little speedier than Blount. Should we consider him a legitimate candidate for next year's starting role?

FYI, Blount is scheduled to become a free agent in 2016. Should we resign him for another year? Or will the Pats decide to promote Iosefa or Monte Ball? If not those two, should Bill decided to draft a RB?

newenglandsports11 · Dec 20, 2015

Lewis and White could complement each other well in my opinion. Still think we should draft a traditional RB in the Spring for obvious running situations, but that's probably just me.

Soul_Survivor88 · Dec 20, 2015

@QuantumMechanic

If you wanna disagree, I'd appreciate you specify what it is your disagreeing with.

RobertWeathers · Dec 20, 2015

They needs a RB. Badly.

farn · Dec 20, 2015

Draft one, sign one. See who wins in camp.

Marinlik · Dec 20, 2015

I definitely think that we should let Blount go in the off season. He really didn't do anything all year. He looked pretty slow, and danced around too much. He will probably not be any faster next year. Iosefa looked to be a better power back than Blount because he doesn't dance around while looking for a hole. I wouldn't mind signing Ridley after his rehab year with the Jets. Ridley > Blount. I also think that the whole "Ridley has a fumbling problem" is extremely overblown. I'd rather have Ridley who can hit the hole fast and with Power, than Blount who stops in the backfield, and doesn't have the acceleration to get going again most times.

Lewis and White is probably a good receiving duo for next year. Always nice to have a backup.

Soul_Survivor88 · Dec 20, 2015

Marinlik said:
Lewis and White is probably a good receiving duo for next year. Always nice to have a backup.

I'm concerned Lewis won't fully recover in time for next season....not sure that'd be enough for him to lose his starting role though

BobDigital · Dec 20, 2015

We have both White and Lewis locked up for the next 2 years. I say let them split 3rd down carries cause i doubt either could hold up for 40 snaps a game all season. Particularly Lewis who is smaller. You can never have enough good 3rd down backs. Personally as long as you have a good 3rd down back I don't worry much about finding someone to put in the the "fall forward but don't fumble role". The kid they had today was more than good enough IMO. Also White looks better than Vereen to me.

Brady_Moss · Dec 20, 2015

Just throwing this out there, but maybe a possible trade with the Eagles for either Ryan Mathews or DeMarco Murray?

Angelpats · Dec 20, 2015

I like what iosefa showed today too. He runs with power and I want to see how that equates to goal line situations. It's good that the coaches rewarded him and it was nice to see return the favor.
White had a great game and he has some good hands.
I like where we are at rb. I know some runs get no yards but after the next two games they and our oline should be ready for the playoffs.

PATSYLICIOUS · Dec 20, 2015

Draft a lead back and/or hope a cheap pickup like Sammy morris\anotain smith is available. That's really all this offense needs right now.

RobertWeathers · Dec 20, 2015

White has impressed the hell out of me. Really proud of him and glad he is on the team.

With that said Lewis is better.

BradyFTW! · Dec 20, 2015

Chiuba E. Obele said:
We just saw James White have his best game of the season, and he's looking more and more like a productive, highly dependable weapon for the offense. Granted, he's not as shifty as Dion Lewis, but he's every bit as good as Shane Vereen in my opinion.

With Dion Lewis coming off of a torn ACL (and possibly not playing at 100%), is White in the running for next year's starting position? (pun intended )

Meanwhile, Joey Iosefa surpassed my expectations today. He might need a little more seasoning, but he knows how to hit defenders hard, can break tackles, and appears to be a little speedier than Blount. Should we consider him a legitimate candidate for next year's starting role?

FYI, Blount is scheduled to become a free agent in 2016. Should we resign him for another year? Or will the Pats decide to promote Iosefa or Monte Ball? If not those two, should Bill decided to draft a RB?

No on Iosefa, IMO. He broke some tackles but all in all looked like a PS player who had a pretty good game.

For White/Lewis, it'll definitely be a battle to see who wins the starting job, but neither makes significant money so there's no real pressure on the Pats. Just let em compete, best man wins the job, and from there you get to feel good about your depth.

jah · Dec 20, 2015

White, to me, is a more dependable Vereen who is slightly better at running but maybe less athletic. No huuuuge differences, though.

Lewis seems like an All-Pro caliber Woodhead.

While both are great assets, one is clearly superior to the other.

Se7eN · Dec 20, 2015

It's the Patriots, there won't be a controversy.

I hope White gets more touches in games though, he's proving a lot of us wrong who thought he couldn't make people miss.

Gronkowski123 · Dec 20, 2015

need a new lead back. blount isnt good enough

rochrist · Dec 20, 2015

Chiuba E. Obele said:
We just saw James White have his best game of the season, and he's looking more and more like a productive, highly dependable weapon for the offense. Granted, he's not as shifty as Dion Lewis, but he's every bit as good as Shane Vereen in my opinion.

With Dion Lewis coming off of a torn ACL (and possibly not playing at 100%), is White in the running for next year's starting position? (pun intended )

Meanwhile, Joey Iosefa surpassed my expectations today. He might need a little more seasoning, but he knows how to hit defenders hard, can break tackles, and appears to be a little speedier than Blount. Should we consider him a legitimate candidate for next year's starting role?

FYI, Blount is scheduled to become a free agent in 2016. Should we resign him for another year? Or will the Pats decide to promote Iosefa or Monte Ball? If not those two, should Bill decided to draft a RB?

At his best, White is a decent backup to Lewis. He isn't nearly as good.

Sciz · Dec 20, 2015

Does anybody else in the NFL want Blount? If not, then the Pats should get him for near minimum and I don't see any harm in giving him a chance in camp for that.

DaBruinz · Dec 20, 2015

BradyFTW! said:
No on Iosefa, IMO. He broke some tackles but all in all looked like a PS player who had a pretty good game.

For White/Lewis, it'll definitely be a battle to see who wins the starting job, but neither makes significant money so there's no real pressure on the Pats. Just let em compete, best man wins the job, and from there you get to feel good about your depth.

He looked like a PS player who had a pretty good game? 11 of 14 runs for 2 or more yards.. Compared to Bolden who was 5 for 10..

Smh.. And your slide continues..

IcyPatriot · Dec 20, 2015

I'm on to the rest of this season ...

This thread is way premature .....

White - Lewis - Devlin and one more - no need to replace the first 3.

Should we anticipate a running back controversy this offseason?

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Practice Squad Player

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Member of the Seattle 7 & Roadie for Metallica

Pro Bowl Player

Rotational Player and Threatening Starter's Job

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Pro Bowl Player

On the Game Day Roster

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

PatsFans.com Supporter

Member of the Seattle 7 & Roadie for Metallica

Goodell sucks

Degeneracy Expert

On the Roster

Pro Bowl Player

Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal

PatsFans.com Supporter

Pats, B's, Sox

Wall of Fame

Similar threads