Patriots sign Rex Burkhead

[Hercules Rockefeller]

He'll be this year's Chris Hogan.

"Oh that guy was buried on Cincinnati's depth chart, of course Belichick brings him and becomes a 1000 total yard back (700 yard rusher and 400 yard receiver)

I'm irrationally excited for the Rex Burkhead era; even if he just provides an upgrade over Bolden, Rex will be a success. I suspect he is going to be given a legitimate shot at carries, and that he will succeed with them.

Belichick/Caserio/Adams and the rest of the brain trust watch what players can do and then project whether it will work here. They do not get caught up in past production, because that is often a product of opportunity. In a league with such a small sample size, opportunity is limited. Coaches and scouts get caught up in protecting their egos by trying to justify their past acquisitions. What the Patriots have going for them is a pretty simple yet very powerful advantage: roster decisions are very, very rarely based on anything other than merit; and the team is focused on skill set, not statistical production, when evaluating talent.

One thing the Patriots do better than any team, unequivocally, is pro scouting. No team in the league is better at evaluating other professional football players than the Patriots.

 

[rookBoston]

Finding the guy like Chris Hogan, so under the radar that only their fan base know that he's got untapped upside. Seems like Burkhead is in the same mold. Never used to his full potential, now on a team that will maximize what he brings.

For me, Rex's tweet "the opportunity to compete in New England" says it all. Sounds like verbatim Belichick. Pats see potential in him, but he hasn't earned anything yet. BB will give the ball to the player who earns it in practice, as we famously saw when he benched a healthy Drew Bledsoe.

Burkhead probably takes Bolden's roster spot, expected to win a role on ST, and an opportunity to compete as the featured back. Even without re-signing Blount, Gaffney and Foster will be fighting for those carries too.

After sitting behind higher drafted RBs in Cinci (Gio Bernard was drafted in the 2nd, same year as Rex went in the 6th round), the opportunity to compete must be like water in the desert.

 

[bbobbo]

This is the kind of person we are getting. Damn speck of dust got in my eye while watching this one.

this was cool:



unfortunately, they seem to spend a lot of time in boston for cancer treatments, but on the upside, he can watch his favorite player play for the patriots now.
.

 

[captain stone]

As I wrote in the now-closed Burkhead Visits Foxborough thread, if he's signed to replace Bolden, then I'm all for it; if he's signed to replace Blunt, then I'm not so
all for it.

I still want Blunt re-signed for the same deal he signed last year. And I also still want a Power Back drafted within our first 5 picks.

With all of these potential RBs on the 90, who will stay and who will go? That will be determined by TC performance (and injuries, unfortunately), as it should be. The cap consequences of releasing any of them, should it come to that, won't be a back-breaker.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

As I wrote in the now-closed Burkhead Visits Foxborough thread, if he's signed to replace Bolden, then I'm all for it; if he's signed to replace Blunt, then I'm not so
all for it.

I still want Blunt re-signed for the same deal he signed last year. And I also still want a Power Back drafted within our first 5 picks.

With all of these potential RBs on the 90, who will stay and who will go? That will be determined by TC performance (and injuries, unfortunately), as it should be. The cap consequences of releasing any of them, should it come to that, won't be a back-breaker.

I'd assume this signing prompted Bolden to call his agent to ask about his next job. OTOH I don't see this specifically(??) as having repercussions for LGB.

What this signing does is make the Patriots better. We'd all like nothing but all-pro players to be signed at every position, however, since that soooo won't be the case we can hope that the team improve incrementally as possible. IMHO this signing clearly makes this true. Side note, I tell ya this if we get a decent TE to match with Gronk the Patriots are thick with offense. A satisfactory OL performance in 2017 (and no injury to TB) looks to be another 30+ ppg season statistic.

With the assumed 2017 RB group -- LGB, Lewis, White, Burkhead, Develin -- we have a pretty diverse group of skillsets as well as some in game injury flexibility (in a pinch depth). Also of note is the ? surrounding Lewis' durability. I hate to jump to conclusion on a player who plays on the edge like he does but the reality is in two seasons with the Patriots Lewis hasn't come close to being a 16 to 19 game player.

 

[PatriotDynasty99]

So I've watched his highlights -- in the pros and in college. Checked his results at the draft combine.

A few thoughts.

Surprised he only runs a 4.7 40. Obviously not that fast when it comes to straight away speed. But the guy is incredibly quick, makes great cuts and appears to be a very good WR.

It's easy to envision him being effective in Patriot system. Think he'll be great on special teams and also will be insurance for the talented but too often injured Lewis. More depth and a guy who should contribute. Good pickup.

 

[Kontradiction]

Rex Burkhead may possibly be the whitest name I've ever heard.

 

[Uptown]

I like that white running back on the Lions, it would be hysterical if BB grabbed him as well.

Zach Zenner??

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

I imagine we'll re-sign Blount, or equivalent. I have to admit, though, that the idea of having a stable of run/pass backs, exclusively, really interests me. Burkhead, White, Lewis, Foster, we could put any of them in the backfield and legitimately run or pass being less predictable than we often are. We (and most teams) throw on 3rd and short anyway - often from an empty backfield. Having any of them lined up as the running back on 3rd and 2 with Edelman, Cooks, Hogan, Gronk then splitting the RB out wide would be exciting for sure.

Honestly it drives me nuts when we throw on 3rd and 2 or less, especially with an empty backfield with no running threat, but if we're going to do it why now have all these receiving backs who can all run ? Burkhead and Lewis can definitely be solid runners, White seems to have made some progress and we'll see about Foster. Again, though, I expect LG, or draftee, back cheap.

 

[1960Pats]

Very pleased with this signing. He's just what we needed in the run game. Not too far off to Stevan Ridley in terms of size, speed, and running style. Burkhead is lighter, but seems more physical.

Height: 5102
Weight: 214
40 Yrd Dash: 4.73
20 Yrd Dash: 2.73
10 Yrd Dash: 1.63
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 21
Vertical Jump: 39
Broad Jump: 10'05"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.09
3-Cone Drill: 6.85

Height: 5112
Weight: 225
40 Yrd Dash: 4.73
20 Yrd Dash: 2.77
10 Yrd Dash: 1.66
225 Lb. Bench Reps: 18
Vertical Jump: 36
Broad Jump: 09'10"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.21
3-Cone Drill: 6.78

Interestingly, Burkhead is better in every drill listed except the 3-cone drill, and only loses that by .07 of a second.

 

[ErniesPinkStripes]

Some good quotes from the Cincy board...

Rex Signs With Pats

Geez, thought Rex would fit there like a glove. Look for him to be a breakout player this year with his hands and vision.

The Pats are definately doing great, wish we would try and just follow suit. This is how you do it.

Add players that fit what you like to do. Getting Cooks and Burkhead just made their Offense much more dangerous.

I don't know why they can't just rest on their laurels and give somebody else a chance.

Getting a little bit unfair isn't it?

They just want to dominate this league.

Wish we had one millionth of that want.

Patriots....pfff.... Always making the moves to win Super Bowls, like chumps.

Patriots going to roll off another 3 in a row at this rate, while we struggle for 3rd in the division.

He's going to make a game-changing play in next year's Super Bowl, and I will cry, laugh and vomit all at the same time.

I'm honestly happy for the young man and his family. He's getting a chance to play for the greatest franchise there is.

I'm also pissed, but I'm a Bengals fan and it's March so that's a given.

 

[primetime]

I'd rather see them roll the dice on someone like Charles than bring back Blount, much as I like him.

 

[captain stone]

Rex Burkhead may possibly be the whitest name I've ever heard.

Harvard (how appropriate) Offensive Tackle Max Rich?

 

[patsinthesnow]

BB's highest paid RB since Corey Dillon I'm pretty sure.

Patriots giving him a chance. Analytics love him. Let's go!

 

[Simpelton]

I'm on board with the signing. Seems like a talented player, a bit on the small side but he should find a role here, and I love what I've read about Burkhead's character off the field.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Definitely surprised Rex is only one year. Makes our whole RB crew FA after this year, Rex, Lewis, White.

 

[long distance]

BB's highest paid RB since Corey Dillon I'm pretty sure.

Patriots giving him a chance. Analytics love him. Let's go!

Surprised its just for 1 year.
Not surprised its for a real O option.

 

[long distance]

Sounds more like Burk is betting on himself..



EDIT: He couldn't fully showcase himself in Cincy so he takes the best stage to possibly maximize his first real UFA shot in 2018
.

 

[Soul_Survivor88]

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I'm on board with the signing. Seems like a talented player, a bit on the small side but he should find a role here, and I love what I've read about Burkhead's character off the field.

I keep reading this, but I don't understand it. He was 215 coming out of college, and is rumored to play at 220. How is that small?