Patriots sign Rex Burkhead

[Rdforty2]

After seeing the contract, I think we're targeting a back in the draft.

Buckhead is a solid fallback kind of guy. Not a guy you want to lead the backfield, but if called upon, he can produce.

You can find an immediate impact RB in rounds 3-5. We draft a kid with an eye toward being the lead back. If he struggles with pass pro or anything, Buckhead takes some reps out of the gate while he gets acclimated. His contract says he's more than just a Bolden replacement.

I expect big things from DJ Foster in 2018. I could see both White and Lewis leaving, but more likely one will be brought back. But we'll at least have the rookie(then a 2nd year man) and Foster in the fold for 2018 if the price for everyone gets too rich for the role.

 

[RobertWeathers]

This is lining up to create a lot of competition for the RB position this year, plus the ability to run just about any play regardless of which of the three of them is on the field. Someone can get hurt and there are still two of them to rotate through.

Also, I wouldn't be surprised to see White get an extension during training camp this year...a total of three years including 2017. He's shown the dedication that the Pats like before showing the dedication back.

With the amount Rex is being paid he just might be the lead RB.

I'm surprised by this.

 

[Sfpat]

I actually saw a segment on the NFLN yesterday where they went to 4 radio talking heads (?) in a studio and the topic was "ARE THE PATRIOTS BAD FOR FOOTBALL?" And led by someone from jets media(?)they discussed how the Patriots being so good was bad for football. Lmao, there was a guy supporting the Patriots as well, and the jet talking head didn't get any support as he cried about how unfair it is that the Patriots always win and don't give the others a chance. It was really comical

What if we gave participation trophies to the Jets (and Colts)?

 

[maineman209]

After seeing the contract, I think we're targeting a back in the draft.

Buckhead is a solid fallback kind of guy. Not a guy you want to lead the backfield, but if called upon, he can produce.

You can find an immediate impact RB in rounds 3-5. We draft a kid with an eye toward being the lead back. If he struggles with pass pro or anything, Buckhead takes some reps out of the gate while he gets acclimated. His contract says he's more than just a Bolden replacement.

I expect big things from DJ Foster in 2018. I could see both White and Lewis leaving, but more likely one will be brought back. But we'll at least have the rookie(then a 2nd year man) and Foster in the fold for 2018 if the price for everyone gets too rich for the role.

$3.15M says to me that ...
A) the Pats don't view Burkhead as replacing Bolden on ST even a little
B) they expect him to be the lead RB in 2017

OTOH, because it's only a one year deal, what the Pats now might do about RB in the draft is still pretty murky.

 

[Rdforty2]

$3.15M says to me that ...
A) the Pats don't view Burkhead as replacing Bolden on ST even a little
B) they expect him to be the lead RB in 2017

OTOH, because it's only a one year deal, what the Pats now might do about RB in the draft is still pretty murky.

There's definitely a bit of a leap on my part in regards to the draft.

I just can't possibly see Belichick handing the reigns to Burkhead without something else on the horizon. He's never been a lead back in the NFL, even for a regular season. Let alone adding the very likelihood of an extra 2 or 3 games in the playoffs. Considering that, we have to add something to the RB mix. A name like Blount is going to want more money than the Burkhead deal, so it's tough to see that happening.

Getting a rookie gives depth, but could also help protect Burkhead. It also gives us someone to count on for 2018 with everyone else hitting FA. I don't see Belichick just giving carries to a rookie.
Burkhead is the stopgap until the rook earns his keep. Then the tandem leads the backfield carries the rest of the way to keep them fresh and give defenses different looks.

 

[patfanken]

C'mon ken you are way too good of a poster to not understand the difference between a #1 corner who was 10-11 million dollars underpaid last year versus a very good but not elite 3rd down back who at most was 3 million underpaid. Butler is the cornerstone of the defense that makes the rest of it work, White is just a nice piece that did his job. Butler was one of the top 5 players on the field week in and week out. White had an outstanding game. Love them both, hope they are both here long term but you have to be able to see the difference in caliber of player, thus the "outrage" for butler and the silence for White.

Back on topic, I am really curious about this signing because it sounds exactly like the kind of guy Bill loves. Under used with starter potential on another team that clicks all the measurables he wants. Granted he doesn't have the strait line speed to be a 8 million a year superstar RB but he does sound like the guy you give 15-20 carries to every game and you get 60-80 yards. In this offense that is all you really need, just the threat of an actual running game, so I am cautiously optimistic.

The one year deal is also curious and says to me Rex is betting on himself. IMO an average 1000 yard back is worth about 4-5 million a year so over a 4 year deal that's 20 mil. I bet Bill would have been willing to sign Rex to a 4 year 12 mil deal but that's not what he wants because he believes he is better then that. So one year prove I am a starter deal might get him more money in the long run.

I probably should have used some kind of emojy, because my intent wasn't to create an apples to apples comparison. It was rather to use the White example to confront those who kept saying how "we HAVE to py Butler because we don't win Superbowl 49 without him". Well White had a record breaking superbowl, and we "wouldn't have won without him". So when I said "where's the drama" I was being sarcastic, not calling for the Pats to pay White more. Hope that explains it.

 

[PatsFan37]

What I like about him, he doesn't telegraph a running play like Blount or a passing play like White. That equal capability on run/pass is worth a lot. If he can learn the no-huddle, and that's no gimme, there's a lot of formations that give Brady tremendous flexibility at the line with the defense unable to substitute.

And he'd better not fumble. God help him if he does.

 

[Love The Drake]

His offense in Nebraska ran the no huddle at times.
I believe they did against ohio State

 

[goheels22002]

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.
.

That guy is small, slow and looks completely lost out there. The Colts will snap him up in the first round.

 

[RobertWeathers]

$3.15M says to me that ...
A) the Pats don't view Burkhead as replacing Bolden on ST even a little
B) they expect him to be the lead RB in 2017

OTOH, because it's only a one year deal, what the Pats now might do about RB in the draft is still pretty murky.

Yea while I am still skeptical that he'll be a 200+ carry guy it sure as hell seems they want him to be. Whether they expect him to be is another question.

I believe they will draft a RB. Maybe the kid from Texas. I forget his name. Big kid.

 

[maineman209]

What I like about him, he doesn't telegraph a running play like Blount or a passing play like White. That equal capability on run/pass is worth a lot. If he can learn the no-huddle, and that's no gimme, there's a lot of formations that give Brady tremendous flexibility at the line with the defense unable to substitute.

And he'd better not fumble. God help him if he does.

Fumble 3 times in 410 touches his last two seasons at NEB (1/137),which is pretty decent. Fumble twice in 111 touches his last two seasons with CIN (1/55) which is not so good. Ridley was 1/80 with the Pats over four years.

 

[maineman209]

Yea while I am still skeptical that he'll be a 200+ carry guy it sure as hell seems they want him to be. Whether they expect him to be is another question.

I believe they will draft a RB. Maybe the kid from Texas. I forget his name. Big kid.

For the past 8 seasons, Pats lead RBs have averaged 15 carries/60 yds per game. But that includes Blount's 299-tote 2016 and Ridley's 290-tote 2012. But it also includes 2014 when 3 RBs had 89-96 carries each (and another had 60). The rest of the time, 189 was the average.

"... big kid from Texas"? Foreman? 6002/233? The kid who fumbles a lot ?

 

[RobertWeathers]

For the past 8 seasons, Pats lead RBs have averaged 15 carries/60 yds per game. But that includes Blount's 299-tote 2016 and Ridley's 290-tote 2012. But it also includes 2014 when 3 RBs had 89-96 carries each (and another had 60). The rest of the time, 189 was the average.

"... big kid from Texas"? Foreman? 6002/233? The kid who fumbles a lot ?

Yea Foreman. I know he has slippery hands. I think thats correctable. I like his talent. We'll see

 

[chumpchange]

What if we gave participation trophies to the Jets (and Colts)?

The Colts are way ahead of you:

 

[dafoe2016]

This is a depth/versatility signing. Most likely a Bolden replacement. Even with Bill's disdain for the RB position there is no way he has this guy slotted as the lead back. Sick of seeing Brady play with one hand tied behind his back. Bring back Blount. Or AP if he has anything left.

 

[maineman209]

This is a depth/versatility signing. Most likely a Bolden replacement. Even with Bill's disdain for the RB position there is no way he has this guy slotted as the lead back. Sick of seeing Brady play with one hand tied behind his back. Bring back Blount. Or AP if he has anything left.

Bolden has been (was?) almost exclusively a special teamer since 2013 and not an RB (as the dire injury emergencies that caused him to be pressed into service in 2015 amply demonstrated).

Burkhead's $3.15M one-year contract is nearly 3x what the ST leaders (Slater and Ebner) and Bolden made in 2016. It's also more than any Pats RB has made since, IDK, Dillon maybe?

At that price, Burkhead is certainly slotted in as the lead RB. Someone else will be taking Bolden's ST snaps.

 

[rochrist]

This is a depth/versatility signing. Most likely a Bolden replacement. Even with Bill's disdain for the RB position there is no way he has this guy slotted as the lead back. Sick of seeing Brady play with one hand tied behind his back. Bring back Blount. Or AP if he has anything left.

Because Bill always pays more money to the depth signing than to any of his other RBs.

 

[bormio]

This is a depth/versatility signing. Most likely a Bolden replacement. Even with Bill's disdain for the RB position there is no way he has this guy slotted as the lead back. Sick of seeing Brady play with one hand tied behind his back. Bring back Blount. Or AP if he has anything left.

Whether Burkhead or Blount is the lead back next year, hard to say that Brady will be playing with one arm tied behind his back. I think all the RB snaps will be open for competition in TC - White, Lewis, Burkhead, Blount (if back), Foster, ? draft pick - are all going to be competing. I do not think BB was happy with our trouble converting 3rd and 1's on the ground. Burkhead's advantage is that he is both a legitimate run and catch threat - a better runner than White or Lewis.

 

[Rdforty2]

Because Bill always pays more money to the depth signing than to any of his other RBs.

In 3+ years as a Patriot, Blount has made approximately $3.5mill.

Burkhead will make damn near that this year.

He's signed to do more than simply replace Bolden. Whether any of us like it or not.

To me, he's a step up from Bolden but should not be a lead back. Paying him $3mill puts him much closer to lead back than special teamer.

 

[dafoe2016]

You guys are nuts. No way in hell this guy is a lead back. He paid him more because of his versatility. Maybe he has taken his hatred of the RB position to the next level. But I would be shocked if even Bill went into a season with three third down backs.