Bolden's back

[Dagg]

While I get Bolden is special teamer I was hoping the RB crew might see a make over this year. While we are solid at 3rd down back. We have alot of other questions. Personally I like Burkhead he can do more than people think. I was hoping we would see some young blood via the draft and maybe a vet (charles/peterson/blount).

I was a huge Blount advocate going back to the days of him vs ridley but would also like to see some more explosive plays and consistent production.

Vet
Rookie
Burkhead
White
Lewis
Bolden
(am i missing anyone else?)

Can we really carry 6?

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Does it matter if it's only a one year deal?

Bolden and Burkhead (unless BB sees something else in him) are both core special teamers/reserve running backs. They essentially have the same role - not sure there's room for that on the 53 but we'll see.

 

[PatsBoy12]

While I get Bolden is special teamer I was hoping the RB crew might see a make over this year. While we are solid at 3rd down back. We have alot of other questions. Personally I like Burkhead he can do more than people think. I was hoping we would see some young blood via the draft and maybe a vet (charles/peterson/blount).

I was a huge Blount advocate going back to the days of him vs ridley but would also like to see some more explosive plays and consistent production.

Vet
Rookie
Burkhead
White
Lewis
Bolden
(am i missing anyone else?)

Can we really carry 6?

I agree that the position needs more consistent explosiveness from someone who can take the pounding. Lewis, while explosive, cannot. And no, I highly doubt the Pats keep six RB's. Even five, to me, seems a stretch.

 

[PatsBoy12]

Bolden and Burkhead (unless BB sees something else in him) are both core special teamers/reserve running backs. They essentially have the same role - not sure there's room for that on the 53 but we'll see.

I don't entirely disagree, but I can see Bill at least trying to use Burkhead in a more prominent role offensively if he makes the team. He seems to have the talent and hands that Bolden simply does not.

 

[BobDigital]

When is the last time the Patriots allowed a kick off or punt return for a TD?

I like the signing. Yes you would love another RB but besides White/Lewis/Burkead it is unlikely any other RB touches the ball on offense unless injuries happen.

We often get too carried away with depth and forget 35 players take care of offense and defense while the other 11 are STers and backups (and about 5 of those top 35 players don't see the field all that much and gets more snaps on STs than O or D).

 

[moosekill]

My guess would be Burkhead is a primary back and doesn't play a lot of special teams, while Bolden stays in his roll as a special teams player/emergency running back.

 

[maineman209]

Ugh. I thought Bill finally weaned himself off his binky as Bolden's PT was greatly reduced. This RB stable is starting look very underwhelming.

Bolden's playing time wasn't "reduced". He merely returned to his regular job as a special teams coverage specialist.

 

[maineman209]

Bolden and Burkhead (unless BB sees something else in him) are both core special teamers/reserve running backs. They essentially have the same role - not sure there's room for that on the 53 but we'll see.

Unless he's returning a punt or kickoff, Burkhead won't be seeing any special teams snaps. His role and Bolden's are totally different.

 

[maineman209]

While I get Bolden is special teamer I was hoping the RB crew might see a make over this year. While we are solid at 3rd down back. We have alot of other questions. Personally I like Burkhead he can do more than people think. I was hoping we would see some young blood via the draft and maybe a vet (charles/peterson/blount).

I was a huge Blount advocate going back to the days of him vs ridley but would also like to see some more explosive plays and consistent production.

Vet
Rookie
Burkhead
White
Lewis
Bolden
(am i missing anyone else?)

Can we really carry 6?

It's more like ...

Burkhead: lead rusher
White: 3rd-down, receiving back
Lewis: 3rd-down, receiving back
Foster: 3rd-down, receiving back (possibly converts to slot WR)

Blount, if he returns, would likely share lead carries with Burkhead.

Bolden doesn't count; he's a special teamer.

The Pats will likely carry 7-8 RBs through the summer and into Camp. Final cuts will whittle that down to 4 or 5 (NOT counting Bolden).

 

[ctpatsfan77]

We often get too carried away with depth and forget 35 players take care of offense and defense while the other 11 are STers and backups (and about 5 of those top 35 players don't see the field all that much and gets more snaps on STs than O or D).

Players who only played STs in the Super Bowl:

Ebner
Mingo
King
Bolden
J.Jones
Slater**
Grissom
Gostkowski
Allen
Cardona

**Slater had one snap on O (the kneeldown IIRC).

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

Unless he's returning a punt or kickoff, Burkhead won't be seeing any special teams snaps. His role and Bolden's are totally different.

How so? Burkhead has been a career special teamer thus far who started one game at running back last year due to injuries. He is unproven in anything but special teams. What do you assert his role is then?

 

[wizwor]

 

[Bradyking12]

 

[Joey007]

Good observation

 

[Joey007]

 

[Clonamery]

Good observation

Don't embolden him.

 

[pdangle]

Unless he's returning a punt or kickoff, Burkhead won't be seeing any special teams snaps. His role and Bolden's are totally different.

How so? Burkhead has been a career special teamer thus far who started one game at running back last year due to injuries. He is unproven in anything but special teams. What do you assert his role is then?

You are both right. Why do you think BB paid Burkhead 3.5M? As a ST'er? As a 3rd down back? As a 1st down back? No, he's at least a 3, possibly even 4 down player, and was paid like one. I expect we'll be seeing a lot of him in most Off & ST situations.

 

[bbobbo]

Front bolded

 

[bbobbo]

 

[bbobbo]