So, for Sunday... it's James White?!?! Where the hell did all our running backs go?!?!

[oldrover]

Wasn't this the deepest spot on the roster like 2 months ago? What the heck! Coach, what's going on?!?!

https://imgflip.com/gif-maker

 

[PatsFan2]

Not deep anymore shallow would be a better word for the position.

 

[signbabybrady]

Wasn't this the deepest spot on the roster like 2 months ago? What the heck! Coach, what's going on?!?!

Seriously Coach, can't you prevent ACLs and concussions.

 

[Ring 6]

I didn’t realize Burkhead and Michel were ruled out.

 

[oldrover]

Seriously Coach, can't you prevent ACLs and concussions.

LOL... man, who'd have thought we'd be missing Gillislee...








...in week 2?

 

[patfanken]

Here's a possible comforting thought. The Jags have a great run stopping D to begin with.. So what to the Pats generally do when confronted by this kind of match up? What they DO is not bang their heads against the wall. So I expect this week to see a LOT of passing. I would have expected this even if we had ALL our RB's available. The loss of Burkhead, if he can't play, isn't as a RB, but what he brings to the passing attack.

Think back to those days when we played Pittsburgh when they had great DL's. The Pats were passing 70% of the time or more in those games. No reason to think this week will be any different. Any run plays will be there to just keep the Jags honest, and any yardage we get will be gravy.

Injuries at the RB position could be an issue long term, but for this week, at least, I don't think it will be as big a factor as some think.

 

[Ross12]

Burkhead/Hill/White/Michel was a very deep group. Even with Michel temporarily banged up but probably back soon, Burkhead/Hill/White was still a very good group. Can't control Hill tearing his ACL and Burkhead getting concussed in the first week.

Assuming Burkhead and Michel are back by week 3 (if they don't play this week) then Burkhead/White/Michel is a still pretty good. They've also added Barner, who I like. If Michel and Barner can stay healthy then I think they can be contributors with time.

 

[AlexB]

Even 1 or 2 injuries can turn a deep position to a shallow one, let alone the 3 injuries to Pats RBs

 

[Sicilian]

I know! Why can't we be like all those other teams who sustain 3 injuries to their running backs and still have 3 available who inspire confidence?

Also, to echo AJ's point, neither Burkhead or Michel have been ruled out yet.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

I would think the Pats use at least 2 RBs for Sunday - can’t have White carrying it on every running play. If Burkhead can’t go, then I expect Michel to make his debut.

 

[Ring 6]

Here's a possible comforting thought. The Jags have a great run stopping D to begin with..

No they don’t.
They were 21st in run yards and 26th in yoc last year and allowed 114 and 5.0 last week.

So what to the Pats generally do when confronted by this kind of match up? What they DO is not bang their heads against the wall. So I expect this week to see a LOT of passing. I would have expected this even if we had ALL our RB's available. The loss of Burkhead, if he can't play, isn't as a RB, but what he brings to the passing attack.

What Jax does well is rush the passer. If we go into the game throwing all the time, ignore their run d weakness and let them overcompensate to the pass rush it would be a huge mistake.

Think back to those days when we played Pittsburgh when they had great DL's. The Pats were passing 70% of the time or more in those games. No reason to think this week will be any different. Any run plays will be there to just keep the Jags honest, and any yardage we get will be gravy.

Jax is a completely different defense than those pitt teams and we torched those Pitt trans through the air because they couldn’t stop it more than that we couldn’t run

Injuries at the RB position could be an issue long term, but for this week, at least, I don't think it will be as big a factor as some think.

This is one if the worst weeks to not be able to exploit run d problems and let a pass rushing team not ha d to worry about the run.

 

[PatsFan2]

I would think the Pats use at least 2 RBs for Sunday - can’t have White carrying it on every running play. If Burkhead can’t go, then I expect Michel to make his debut.

Burkhead is in Protocol definite no go this week and I would sit him for good measures against the lowly Lions next week. Going to need him for a change of pace when Sony gets going.

 

[Froob]

Shame Gilisee signed with the Saints, I’m sure he’d go running back to get back on the squad.

 

[IllegalContact]

White is a machine........30 touches Sunday

 

[PatsFan2]

I have a feeling when Sony gets going every other RB on the Pats except for White on Third Downs will be an after thought. It also seems like Sony can catch too so he could potentially be a complete RB like Bell on the Steelers.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Here's a possible comforting thought. The Jags have a great run stopping D to begin with..

They gave up a lot of rush yards to the Giants last week. I think they can be exploited on D, although it is very good.

 

[slam]

Y'all forget about me?

 

[Kontradiction]

It sure would be nice to have the guy we spent first round capital on to, you know, play.

 

[jah]

It sure would be nice to have the guy we spent first round capital on to, you know, play.

I think it's just great that the earliest draft pick to play in a game for us this year was taken round 5.

I guess it takes away some of the pain to know Bentley is doing better than most recent early round picks this team has made.

 

[nabwong]

Y'all forget about me?

He caused this problem. Lol.