Rex Burkhead [UPDATE: ACL not believed to be torn!]

[luuked]

Lewis is the lead back, primarily running the ball/not catching passes (though any given Sunday he may see some bump in his targets especially like a Miami game where need for targets was desparate). Burk is the tweener back (more targets, less carries).
I think the averages (??) over the last couple months probably are Lewis around the 1 to 2 pass targets a game with 15 carries where Burk has been around 10 carries but closer to 4 pass targets.

Here's the problem: Gill can't fill the Burk role and we can't have Lewis taking 20+ carries and 4 or 5 pass targets. If Gill is going to be used then he'll be the 'takes handoffs' back role while Lewis will be the less carries but more pass targets role (I assume they won't change White's role).

Maybe I am missing something but I don't see how Lewis can be used the same way he has been used the last 2 months. Unless the plan is to run it 30 times against Buff, I'd expect to see Lewis getting less carries (hopefully the game is salted away mid 4th and we can give a steady diet of Gill at that point).

Everyone is dismissing Gillislee because he is a pure RB with very, very limited receiving potential which might give away the run but at the same time this will just make play action easier to sell and as long as he continues being as strong as he was early in the season in pass protection it is not that much of a change. With Cannon out it already feels like we are using more RBs staying in/chipping than before and he can certainly do that without affecting the WRs and TEs that are out in patterns.

 

[maineman209]

I think the averages (??) over the last couple months probably are Lewis around the 1 to 2 pass targets a game with 15 carries where Burk has been around 10 carries but closer to 4 pass targets.

Really close. Since Burkhead came back from the rib injury that kept him out of weeks 3 thru 6 ...

LEWIS ... 12.5 totes ... 2 tgts
BURKHEAD ... 8 totes ... 4 tgts
(I did NOT include Burkhead's "interrupted session" from last night in his averages.)

FYI ...
WHITE ... 2.5 totes ... 4 tgts

 

[Brewskies]

On to Buffalo, a must win and will be a tough game. Need all the help we can get from everyone. I don't think Buffalo will look for revenge they need the win can't lose to penalties.

 

[maineman209]

Everyone is dismissing Gillislee because he is a pure RB with very, very limited receiving potential which might give away the run but at the same time this will just make play action easier to sell and as long as he continues being as strong as he was early in the season in pass protection it is not that much of a change. With Cannon out it already feels like we are using more RBs staying in/chipping than before and he can certainly do that without affecting the WRs and TEs that are out in patterns.

If Gillislee can run the ball well enough to keep the ground game on pace for the final two regular season games, he (and White) may even provide an opportunity for Lewis to get a bit of a "breather".

Gillislee certainly hasn't been sitting on his thumbs during the weeks while he's been inactive. There's at least some chance that he's improved a bit in practice (and he wasn't "bad" at all to begin with). Also, the run blocking by the OL, Allen and Gronk is probably a bit more coordinated and consistent now than it was in the earlier part of the season.

Also, it's not as if Gillislee has never caught a pass. If he's smart, he's probably been putting in some extra work to improve that part of his game, too. Who knows? At some point in the next two games, he could be the RB on a play-fake, AND catch the pass for 15-20 yards and a crucial 1st-down on 3rd-and-long (cue opposing DC spiking his clipboard on the sideline).

 

[Mack Herron]

Really close. Since Burkhead came back from the rib injury that kept him out of weeks 3 thru 6 ...

LEWIS ... 12.5 totes ... 2 tgts
BURKHEAD ... 8 totes ... 4 tgts
(I did NOT include Burkhead's "interrupted session" from last night in his averages.)

FYI ...
WHITE ... 2.5 totes ... 4 tgts

White's declining productivity both rushing and especially passing is remarkable. I wonder how much it is affecting our 3rd down productivity?

 

[maineman209]

White's declining productivity both rushing and especially passing is remarkable. I wonder how much it is affecting our 3rd down productivity?

"Declining productivity" compared to what?

 

[VegasGuy]

I'm a big fan of Rex' so this makes me happy.

I think we will see a combo of White and Gillislee to fill his shoes. Can't give the ball to Dion 25+ times.

 

[VegasGuy]

"Declining productivity" compared to what?

Exactly. He's producing, just not getting the opportunities.

 

[BlueThunder]

The upside is Gill gets to knock off some rust with game day experience before the playoffs.........Burkhead has a month to get healthy before Playoffs....maybe BB even rests him for an extra week...assuming he is rehabilitated enough to play at that point....Just hope the diagnosis is correct and no setbacks...

 

[RobertWeathers]

White's declining productivity both rushing and especially passing is remarkable. I wonder how much it is affecting our 3rd down productivity?

I wonder if he is also nursing a boo-boo.

Ever since the Chargers game hes been pretty MIA.

He also might be impacted by the two headed monster of DLew and Burk

 

[BlueThunder]

Not sure how Pats rank with injuries with other NFL teams but it must be close to #1 on the list....There are currently, by my count, 11 players that could play active role on Patriots this year if healthy....if I missed any, please add to the list

Injured: Burkhead,Hogan,Cannon,Branch, Van Noy, Waddle.....

IR: Valentine, Mitchell, Edelman, Rivers, Hightower

 

[PatsWSB47]

Lewis is a better runner. Burkhead can catch like White and he is more powerful a runner especially after contact. That's why we've not seen as much of White in my opinion. That said, White is barely a drop off from Burkhead. Glad we have him.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Not sure how Pats rank with injuries with other NFL teams but it must be close to #1 on the list....There are currently, by my count, 11 players that could play active role on Patriots this year if healthy....if I missed any, please add to the list

Injured: Burkhead,Hogan,Cannon,Branch, Van Noy, Waddle.....

IR: Valentine, Mitchell, Edelman, Rivers, Hightower

In terms of man games lost, they have to be in the top 5

 

[Mack Herron]

Lewis is a better runner. Burkhead can catch like White and he is more powerful a runner especially after contact. That's why we've not seen as much of White in my opinion. That said, White is barely a drop off from Burkhead. Glad we have him.

I think White is still the primary 3rd down back. 20 snaps yesterday for 2 receptions for 8 yards. Just not producing. It looks like Burkhead or Lewis could step into that role. Of course it all changes now with Burkhead out, and White was also injured although he returned.

 

[Uptown]

Ian Rapoport on Twitter

“Heading into the MRI, the #Patriots believe RB Rex Burkhead suffered a sprained knee, along with a bruise from a player landing on it. No torn ACL. The early hope is for a return for the playoffs.”

 

[RobertWeathers]

Ian Rapoport on Twitter

“Heading into the MRI, the #Patriots believe RB Rex Burkhead suffered a sprained knee, along with a bruise from a player landing on it. No torn ACL. The early hope is for a return for the playoffs.”

Good news.

There is no such thing as doctor/patient confidentiality and HIPPA compliance and the NFL.

 

[Angelpats]

White is just not getting playing time. When he’s in he does his job well. That’s a great backup to have. The same with Gilly. I don’t think he’s anything great but we could use him now.

 

[WhoaDirty]

Not sure how Pats rank with injuries with other NFL teams but it must be close to #1 on the list....There are currently, by my count, 11 players that could play active role on Patriots this year if healthy....if I missed any, please add to the list

Injured: Burkhead,Hogan,Cannon,Branch, Van Noy, Waddle.....

IR: Valentine, Mitchell, Edelman, Rivers, Hightower

Also Ebner and McClellin. Possibly Cyrus Jones and Tony Garcia depending on how loose your definition of "active role" is. Might as well throw Bennett on the list too.

 

[RobertWeathers]

White is just not getting playing time. When he’s in he does his job well. That’s a great backup to have. The same with Gilly. I don’t think he’s anything great but we could use him now.

White got playing time yesterday and the game before that and the game before that.

 

[Angelpats]

White got playing time yesterday and the game before that and the game before that.

Oops, I know. I meant to say not enough playing time but then I realized he had 20 snaps for 2 catches and 8 yards. It’s frustrating seeing Gronk doing all the work and other guys not breaking coverage. That’s a recipe for disaster if another team decides to double or triple Gronk and our other receivers don’t get open.