Lewis and the running game!

[thecore762]

This guy is special! The way he makes defenders look silly when they think they have him and he still drags them for another 3-4 yards! I saw White running the same play but with different results, just something about Lewis making people miss and still go through their grasps!

It's good to have a healthy Deion Lewis going into the playoffs, it would have been better if we had Gronk too, but this will do for now. Passing game has been on point but the running game has picked up big time since the return of Lewis, also Blount still playing well and getting those tough yards.

 

[jefmblrd]

Lewis has added another dimension to the Pats offense. Always goes full out and makes the tough yards.

 

[RayClay]

He reminds me of a cartoon groundhog. He goes into the pile, you see a ripple, than he pops out for an 8 yard gain on the other side. I lost my breath watching him trying to cut in that slop, though. Knee must be 100%, I guess.

 

[thecore762]

Indeed, crazy how elusive he is, reminds me of a young Sproles back in the day but even better!
I am however a bit worried about having him return kickoffs, there is so much more danger for injury. But that would be fine in the playoffs, just wasn't a fan of it during the regular season. Overall I am happy how our running backs are playing, James White has improved a lot. Our O-Line has been playing lights out and Brady didn't get sacked once today too!

 

[SammyBlueCat]

As I have stated several time, Dion Lewis is quick as a cat.

 

[Schmo]

Ya, I'm ecstatic that he's heading into the playoffs 100% healthy. Huge weapon.

 

[long distance]

From the start this season had a feel of the OPPOSITE of last year.
Lewis is important part of this.
He also feels like a key balance to the Gronk-less offense.
And the feeling is he's just warming up.

Two notes:
1. Its the first time Lewis makes the playoffs.
2. Pats have never lost with Lewis on the field.

 

[scott99]

He's a difference maker. Unlike White, he actually gives you both running plays AND pass catching ability. We missed the SB last year because we didn't have Blount, Lewis, and 3/5 ths of our SB Offensive line. Those guys make a HUGE difference.

 

[thecore762]

Indeed, the oline would be the key for New England to get to the SB this year!

 

[BobDigital]

Indeed, the oline would be the key for New England to get to the SB this year!

If the OL continues to play like it has they will drop points on any D they face. The skill players and Brady are too good when given a good OL.

No team in the playoffs has the CB duo to slow down our passing game without pressure the way Denver could. That means if the OL does this 3 more games they can pass on any team and run on most.

This means our O scores 24+ no matter who they play most likely and on a sub par D it will be more. The D just needs to do pretty good to win which is not asking too much for this unit.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I don't remember them running him btw the tackles a much last year.

Interesting.

 

[convertedpatsfan]

He's a difference maker. Unlike White, he actually gives you both running plays AND pass catching ability. We missed the SB last year because we didn't have Blount, Lewis, and 3/5 ths of our SB Offensive line. Those guys make a HUGE difference.

That was a fair criticism last year, but I don't think that's totally accurate anymore.

Last year, Lewis averaged 4.8 YPC, this year 4.4.

Last year, White averaged 2.5 YPC, this year 4.2.

White is also averaging more yards per catch, although Lewis has a very small sample size to work with so far.

Lewis has been more consistent in terms of production. He's rushed 53 times, and only 2 of those were for negative yards compared to 3 of 37 rushes for White. Lewis has also kept drives moving, as 40 of those 53 runs went for 3 yards or more (75%) compared to White's 23 of 37 (62%). However White has been productive in the run game.

Not saying White is better than Lewis. I love Dion, glad he's on the team. But I think the White bashing about the running is no longer valid. It came up a lot last year, and quite a bit early on this season. It's time to let it go.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

Neon Dion

 

[Patstopia]

I think Lewis is still slower than he was before his injury. He was an ankle breaker last year, this year he only twists their ankle. Every game he regains some of the quickness he had last year, but the memory of the injury needs to fade before he is back to last years quickness.

 

[thecore762]

That was a fair criticism last year, but I don't think that's totally accurate anymore.

Last year, Lewis averaged 4.8 YPC, this year 4.4.

Last year, White averaged 2.5 YPC, this year 4.2.

White is also averaging more yards per catch, although Lewis has a very small sample size to work with so far.

Lewis has been more consistent in terms of production. He's rushed 53 times, and only 2 of those were for negative yards compared to 3 of 37 rushes for White. Lewis has also kept drives moving, as 40 of those 53 runs went for 3 yards or more (75%) compared to White's 23 of 37 (62%). However White has been productive in the run game.

Not saying White is better than Lewis. I love Dion, glad he's on the team. But I think the White bashing about the running is no longer valid. It came up a lot last year, and quite a bit early on this season. It's time to let it go.

White has improved big time this year over the last year, both on the passing and running end. He is much more decisive this year over last year when he runs. I think he is learning a lot from Lewis, which is good for us if one leaves.

Overall I haven't been this excited about our running game in a very very long time, it's been a while since NE had a well balanced running game and a thousand yard runner.

Dante has improved our running game so much with the o-line, these guys are pushing some of these though defenders backwards.

 

[n1997y]

I think Lewis is still slower than he was before his injury. He was an ankle breaker last year, this year he only twists their ankle. Every game he regains some of the quickness he had last year, but the memory of the injury needs to fade before he is back to last years quickness.

Next year.

 

[jah]

I think Lewis is still slower than he was before his injury. He was an ankle breaker last year, this year he only twists their ankle. Every game he regains some of the quickness he had last year, but the memory of the injury needs to fade before he is back to last years quickness.

I think part of his looking just a bit slower this year is more a result of the way he's being used (which could be due to his physical condition, or not). He runs it out of the backfield way more than he catches it, requiring him to use more of a power style. Of course we'll see an ankle-breaker or two a game, but I think they're bound to be at a slower pace as the play develops in the backfield. The surprising thing to me is how good he is at running with power.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

The play action is working so great right now and the balance between run and pass has been more even than in years past.

Those linebackers bit so freakin' hard on the play action TD pass to Bennett.

 

[meatface]

The play action is working so great right now and the balance between run and pass has been more even than in years past.

Certainly better than last year

 

[n1997y]

I think part of his looking just a bit slower this year is more a result of the way he's being used (which could be due to his physical condition, or not). He runs it out of the backfield way more than he catches it, requiring him to use more of a power style. Of course we'll see an ankle-breaker or two a game, but I think they're bound to be at a slower pace as the play develops in the backfield. The surprising thing to me is how good he is at running with power.

Last year he seemed to be used more to go outside, running inside was Blount's specialty. This year it seems they're both being used more evenly, even as the team is running between the tackles much more than last year. It will be interesting to see if the mix of running plays evolves through the playoffs.