Should we anticipate a running back controversy this offseason?

[TheBostonStraggler]

I think Lewis is going to need time to bounce back from his injury. But does that mean he loses his role as a starter in 2016? That's why I'm jumping the gun and calling this a controversy

Ah, ok CEO, I see your point.
I was working under the assumption that Lewis will be ready for camp. If he isn't then the next 5 wins will be White's full chance to prove he is the most effective third down back for next year.

As far as who loses what job? I'm with BB on this point. Regardless of why player X gets a chance to play (even if the starter misses games simply due to injury), whoever ultimately provides the greater chance to win is who deserves to be the starter going forward. I know it sucks to lose a job due to injury, however, a team that doesn't operate with 'best chance to win' mentality is the team more likely to be sitting home during the POs.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

I think you're replying to my post as if it were more of a knock on Lewis. My point was more that he's an absolute lock but might get/stay injured.

I didn't think you were putting him down at all. I just wanted to point out that Lewis is basically in the same boat that Gronk was in: a tremendously talented, All-Pro player with an extensive injury history, but still worth keeping nonetheless.

Luckily for us, the gap between Lewis and White is not as big as the gap between Gronk and Hoomanwani was

Knocking wood that Lewis can return to a reasonable semblance of his old self, he and White have the receiving side of the RB corps in good shape. Then they'll just need a Blount replacement. Not much of a controversy, IMO.

Both White and Lewis are team-players, but I doubt that either wants to play back-up to the other

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

@TheBostonStraggler Quite frankly, I think it's awesome that we have two really great 3rd down backs... if picking between them is gonna be a dilemma for Bill, then that's best kind of dilemma you could ever ask for

By the way, both are under contract through 2017

 

[varjao]

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.

Ridley looks toast, and he was never special to begin with, the Patriots can and should explore many other options before thinking in giving Ridley a shot.

 

[patchick]

Both White and Lewis are team-players, but I doubt that either wants to play back-up to the other

Well sure. Any young NFL player who wants to warm the bench is one I don't want on my roster.

I know White has improved week by week with extra reps. I'm glad to have him. Heck, I may be the only lunatic who actually mocked him to the Pats in the 4th! But he's not a dynamic player, and isn't a factor running the ball (2.8 ypc). Receiving back is such a critical role in this offense that I want more from a long-term starter.

 

[JJDChE]

my big question is which posters will lose their sh!t next offseason when we don't make any moves at RB.

I could see us rolling with exactly who we started this year with. I think Blount is the question. BB seems to like him, but will his health be a problem and is there anyone out there who can fill that thumper role. I don't think it's Iosefa, but if he can hone his FB chops he might make the roster.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

@TheBostonStraggler Quite frankly, I think it's awesome that we have two really great 3rd down backs... if picking between them is gonna be a dilemma for Bill, then that's best kind of dilemma you could ever ask for

By the way, both are under contract through 2017

Absolutely! If what we are seeing from White is what he now is or is ultimately progressing into, that's a nice problem to have for 2016.
I'd love to see both guys on the roster, however, it is rare to see two potent third down backs on the same team. With one almost always getting the lion' share of the snaps it is not a good thing leave proven production standing on the sideline 90% of the time. IMHO guys like this need snaps to keep their skills at their functional peak.
What I have seen from White is obviously not at a Lewis level. Unless White takes another major step on top of the major step he is currently taking/taken -- this is certainly possible -- Lewis is still clearly the premier third down back for the Patriots. But the durability concern with Lewis sure would make it nice to get White on the field for a meaningful number of snaps. While that might achieve prolonging Lewis' chances to stay healthy/on the field as well as keep White's skills sharpened/productive, taking Lewis off the field for non health reasons probably equals less production from that position.
White is a bit bigger than Lewis. Thinking out loud on this one -- seeing him put just a little more on his frame might make him a good tweener. It sure would be great to have added flexibility

As far as contracts? I'm largely ignorant of these unless I look them up. Most of what I posted is under the guise of each player is a hypothetical season to season decision. How the contracts factor in (as well as their importance in STs contributions) just might make my posting a lot of rambling hot air

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Well sure. Any young NFL player who wants to warm the bench is one I don't want on my roster.

I know White has improved week by week with extra reps. I'm glad to have him. Heck, I may be the only lunatic who actually mocked him to the Pats in the 4th! But he's not a dynamic player, and isn't a factor running the ball (2.8 ypc). Receiving back is such a critical role in this offense that I want more from a long-term starter.

I agree with you PChick that White wasn't a dynamic player. However, that he "isn't" a dynamic player isn't now necessarily the accurate description. As he has received more snaps and started producing, my own observations suggest his comfort and confidence level is rising hand in hand with him making better moves/decisions/being a bit more dynamic.
IMHO White has now shown enough to leave open the question of where his 'dynamic' level will be by season's end and into next season. And while I have my doubts it will ever reach Lewis' purity of dynamic level, if White proves durable that's a pretty important aspect to consider in the equation. I think it is fair to wonder about Lewis' durability level.

 

[mgteich]

Belichick will find a role for Lewis, White, Bolden and Iosefa. Also, Gaffney is under contract and will compete in camp.

Perhaps we will try to re-sign Blount and/or Develin, perhaps not. At the right price, both could be patriots.

 

[DaBruinz]

I do expect a RB controversy. That controversy is: will we have a conventional running game that is actually successful? And If we do it will be (write name here) who steps up to be that solidly productive #1 RB. No one currently on the roster -- including Blount -- strikes me as a good bet to be that #1.
The third down RB spot is diamond solid, however, Lewis' durability may be an issue. So even the third down back spot is open for White or _____ to show they are needed on the roster.

2016 RB roster guess: Lewis, Develin or Iosoefa (Sp?), Bolden, New Guy, White or _____. (injuries always a wildcard).
-Shockingly, Lewis is a 100% lock (noting durability may be an issue).
-Boldin is very close to a lock due to his relatively cheap expense, BB like level of commitment, solid STs play and ability to fill in both RB spots sometimes/semi-adequately when needed. (BB loves his commitment and flexibility)
-Either Iasoefa (SP?) or Develin will be a lock. Develin proved his worth so it is hard to see him losing out, however, while it is early to declare Iosoefa 'arrived', Iasoefa's beginning looks like a guy BB correctly identified as a Patriot type player that is perfect for the position the Patriot staff has been grooming him for. If Iosoefa is a sure 2 to 5 yard hand off, can plow a hole in the line, and can every so often contribute pass blocking with a catch here and there, this will be a hell of a camp competition between the two. What is Develin's cap cost is an other question to ask. If it's close then the cheaper guy probably wins.
-Blount, unless he has been hampered by some ailment most of the season, he doesn't look close to the Blout of old. This is where the new guy comes in. Patriots can really use that feature back in the ballpark of a Dillon type contribution.
-With Lewis being a lock and White-Lewis filling virtually the same position, hard to say if White is a sure roster spot (how is his STs contrbutions?). The excellent news for White is the Patriots badly need an effective third down back. Therefore White has that singular opportunity every low-ish round pick sitting behind an effective starter (Lewis) wants; on a team that may go to the SB and the third down back is crucial to their offense he is going to get a lot of of meaningful snaps. Now is when he gets to put his name on the stat sheet to establish he is too productive to be relegated to that infrequently used backup.
My gut says White is going to look better and better each week. He is hitting that confidence level that will allow him to better showcase his abilities.

Just an FYI Blount is an UFA. Most people felt his time was done, ala Antwain Smith..

Develin is a UFA, but I expect the Pats to bring him back since he's been such a good team player.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Belichick will find a role for Lewis, White, Bolden and Iosefa. Also, Gaffney is under contract and will compete in camp.

Perhaps we will try to re-sign Blount and/or Develin, perhaps not. At the right price, both could be patriots.

MG, you think Develin is already on the outside looking in?? Develin has proven to be pretty solid in the role that he is asked to perform.
While I don't necessarily disagree with your prediction, that's a lot to assume given Iosefa's first game started only 12 hour ago

 

[JJDChE]

I wouldn't be that surprised if we went into '16 with Bolden, Lewis and White as the key contributors.

 

[mgteich]

MG, you think Develin is already on the outside looking in?? Develin has proven to be pretty solid in the role that he is asked to perform.
While I don't necessarily disagree with your prediction, that's a lot to assume given Iosefa's first game started only 12 hour ago

Iosefa has a spot in camp because he has no choice. He is an ERFA playing for peanuts. I usually start my expectations with those players who are already signed and ERFA's.

Develin may very well be re-signed. However, I would note that he is an UFA coming back from an injury.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Just an FYI Blount is an UFA. Most people felt his time was done, ala Antwain Smith..

Thanks for the info/correction DB. I don't stay up on player contract status as much as I should. I incorrectly thought Blount had one more year left on his contract. My bad

One has to believe -- close to for sure now -- that Blount is done in NE with the exception of he isn't signed anywhere else, he accepts a closer to minimum to return, and he point blank knows he has to outright win the job in camp or be cut. That seems pretty unlikely IMHO.
I may be wrong about this but my gut says Blount is losing the level of enthusiasm needed to succeed in the NFL. Wouldn't surprise me at all if next October he is on a beach somewhere saying "All I need are some tasty waves, cool buzz and im fine". If that is the case? Good for him(I'm envious).

 

[DaBruinz]

Iosefa has a spot in camp because he has no choice. He is an ERFA playing for peanuts. I usually start my expectations with those players who are already signed and ERFA's.

Develin may very well be re-signed. However, I would note that he is an UFA coming back from an injury.

You're assuming he's an ERFA playing for peanuts. Neither Miguel nor Over The Cap have the updated contract information for Iosefa. For all you know, they gave him a 2 year deal at the minimum.

 

[mgteich]

I wouldn't be that surprised if we went into '16 with Bolden, Lewis and White as the key contributors.

Does anyone disagree?

We will not go into camp or to Game One without more RB/FB's. Gaffney, Iosefa, and Develin seem likely to be in camp, along with a veteran thumper (which could be Blount).

 

[VrabelJr]

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.

Blount was averaging 4.3 yards a carry before he got hurt so yeah he was doing pretty good. There's just nothing sexy about Blount's game so we tend to **** on him a lot.

 

[DaBruinz]

Does anyone disagree?

We will not go into camp or to Game One without more RB/FB's. Gaffney, Iosefa, and Develin seem likely to be in camp, along with a veteran thumper (which could be Blount).

I think it's much more likely that the Pats draft someone in the 3rd round than it is they bring in a veteran. Why? Because we have a lot of young players that will need to be signed to extensions/new contracts within the next 2 years, including Butler, Collins, Jones, and Hightower, and Ryan. Akiem Hicks number keeps going up with every week that he excels.. There is only so much money to go around. And Miguel already has the Pats at $154M or so.. Granted, they'll free up money with Signing Jones and Hightower to extensions, but I don't see them dropping a ton of cash/cap on a vet RB.

 

[Wheelman]

Really? James White? He looks great when nobody is near him just like he did in his Wisconsin tape but as soon as he gets tackled he drops like an anchor.

The fact that the Bills DB couldn't tackle White at the end of the half was absolutely pitiful...just pitiful! But I loved seeing how angry wrecks was.

Edit: unnecessary comment removed

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Iosefa has a spot in camp because he has no choice. He is an ERFA playing for peanuts. I usually start my expectations with those players who are already signed and ERFA's.

Develin may very well be re-signed. However, I would note that he is an UFA coming back from an injury.

Ah, again my ignorance of contract status factors in to my posting. I really should start reading Miguel's page more often .
Thanks for the info and I agree that the cheaper option the Patriots all but own the rights to is more attractive when all things are relatively equal. So unless Develin comes at a clearly reasonable cost I'd expect Iosefa to have the inside track to be next year's "FB" (provided he doesn't perform poorly in our next 5 wins).