Dion Lewis vs James White

[brdmaverick]

The Pats have a great backfield trio in Blount, Lewis, and White.

Blount and J.White are for the most part one trick ponies. When Blount is on the field you think 'run' whiel when White is on the field you think 'pass'.

I think part of Dion Lewis' value is that he is effective as both a rusher and a receiver. Therefore, when he is on the field he doesn't tip the offenses hand at all.

Obviously we all know by now that James White was the hero of Super Bowl LI. He was obviously very effective but I'm curious as to why his number was called instead of Dion Lewis. After seeing more and more of these Sound FX and Mic'd up specials, I have a working theory.

It was quite apparent that the Patriots as a team respected Atlanta's tenacity to gang tackle/strip the ball from rushers/receivers. After Blount fumbled you see the RB coach disappointed in him and saying something along the lines of 'this is exactly what we talked about. This is what they do.'

With that in mind, I think White's number was called because of the recent fumbles that Lewis experienced in the divisional round. If Lewis doesn't fumble in the Houston game, I think it is Lewis that gets the bulk of the work in the Super Bowl comeback. What do you think?

Am I overthinking it? Is James White clearly that much better of a receiver and pass rusher?

 

[yopats]

What will be interesting is what they decide to do w/ DJ Foster.

If the rumors are true w/ Amendola retirement could we see DJ Foster become a slot replacement?

 

[ChessToCheckers]

I think the Pats tend to go with the hot hand on offense, with receivers and running backs alike.

The Pats think VERY highly of Jame White, more so, I think, than many of us on this board.

IMO, of the three, James is a better receiver and pass protector. Thus far, he is durable and his ball security is outstanding. His running ability, especially between the numbers, has been suspect, but SB 51 has gone a long way to put that one to rest as well. Can't wait to see him in the upcoming season!

 

[jimnance]

The Pats have a great backfield trio in Blount, Lewis, and White.

Blount and J.White are for the most part one trick ponies. When Blount is on the field you think 'run' whiel when White is on the field you think 'pass'.

I think part of Dion Lewis' value is that he is effective as both a rusher and a receiver. Therefore, when he is on the field he doesn't tip the offenses hand at all.

Obviously we all know by now that James White was the hero of Super Bowl LI. He was obviously very effective but I'm curious as to why his number was called instead of Dion Lewis. After seeing more and more of these Sound FX and Mic'd up specials, I have a working theory.

It was quite apparent that the Patriots as a team respected Atlanta's tenacity to gang tackle/strip the ball from rushers/receivers. After Blount fumbled you see the RB coach disappointed in him and saying something along the lines of 'this is exactly what we talked about. This is what they do.'

With that in mind, I think White's number was called because of the recent fumbles that Lewis experienced in the divisional round. If Lewis doesn't fumble in the Houston game, I think it is Lewis that gets the bulk of the work in the Super Bowl comeback. What do you think?

Am I overthinking it? Is James White clearly that much better of a receiver and pass rusher?

Reiss reported that Lewis tweaked his hammy in the 1st quarter of SB-even tho he was able to come back-im sure this affected Pats gameplan.

 

[Huckleberry1]

What will be interesting is what they decide to do w/ DJ Foster.

If the rumors are true w/ Amendola retirement could we see DJ Foster become a slot replacement?

What Amendola retirement rumors?

Link?

I just googled it and nothing came up.

 

[The Scrizz]

Lewis wasn't nearly as explosive this year it seemed to me. Hopefully a full off season will help him regain some of that.

 

[mosi]

Reiss reported that Lewis tweaked his hammy in the 1st quarter of SB-even tho he was able to come back-im sure this affected Pats gameplan.

Yes, that last play went meant for Lewis but since his injury, they ran it with White.

White grew in that game. I expect we will see a lot more of him - and Mitchell next year.

 

[drewskie]

White was hot against ATL and couple that with Dion not being as effective in this game (as previously stated he was battling a hammy) then it made sense to go to White.

 

[Froob]

I prefer James Lewis.

 

[brdmaverick]

Oh, I was unaware that he had gotten hurt earlier in the game. That obviously would be a factor.

 

[p8ryts]

What will be interesting is what they decide to do w/ DJ Foster.

If the rumors are true w/ Amendola retirement could we see DJ Foster become a slot replacement?

What rumors?

 

[p8ryts]

I think the Pats tend to go with the hot hand on offense, with receivers and running backs alike.

The Pats think VERY highly of Jame White, more so, I think, than many of us on this board.

IMO, of the three, James is a better receiver and pass protector. Thus far, he is durable and his ball security is outstanding. His running ability, especially between the numbers, has been suspect, but SB 51 has gone a long way to put that one to rest as well. Can't wait to see him in the upcoming season!

Yes, pass protection is a White strength. I think that is why he's in there sometimes

 

[Adam Seward]

What rumors?

Must be the one he just made up

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Lewis last year when healthy was a one man show. If that can be expected for 16 to 19 games a year he's BMOC. However, at this point it's fair to be somewhat concerned about his durability over a full season while my gut tells me White is the guy who likely will be durable over a full season. Durability/consistency through the whole season is an underrated value and, IMHO, trumps another who may be better but cannot stay on the field for 16 to 19.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

RB is in such a weird situation.

It's a great year to draft a Blount replacement. But Blount would likely come back cheap and has relatively low wear and tear for his age. But he's the only big back we have.

Then we're overloaded with smaller backs with White, Lewis and, I assume, Foster. I know we have Gaffney as a backup big back but my guy says Foster is more likely to help long term even though he was released briefly.

In the perfect world we'd have just two smaller backs (which we do if you don't include Foster) and a younger big back behind Blount. Maybe the obvious is staring me in the face, Blount, White, Lewis, mid round draftee big back (can probably get a fairly good one as so many real good ones will go in the first 3 rounds).

 

[deroc5050]

We all knew that Lewis wouldn't be the same guy this year.. but next year he might be back to his 2015 season abilities. If thats the case Lewis is an unreal talent. He is more explosive than White.. but if White continues to get better at running the ball, then he could be over all the better player. Its hard to say what happens. Lewis was great at Catching and running in 2015.. Lewis didn't have a lot to do with the passing game this year. White did great in the passing game.

I expect Lewis to make a full recovery and get his explosiveness back next season.

Lewis and White are not the issues though. Blount is going to be 31 years old and lets face it he is an average big smash mouth running back. I think we could definitely upgrade Blount, but maybe BB rides him another season. I personally would like to see them upgrade for a power running back.

 

[PatsFan2]

Both are in their last year on the Books White might be more coveted because of his durability. Teams might shy away from Lewis due to his injury History. So we could re-up Lewis and pair him with Foster going forward. That said Foster needs to add more weight and mass to that WR frame. This is the year to really address RB in the Draft really good dept at the position this year. Patriots could Draft a all purpose RB.

 

[pheenix11]

I think Lewis and White complement each other well. I think Lewis was still working his way back from his injury and White is getting better every year so I expect them both to be even better next year. I have no problem with the hot hand philosophy, I think having two shifty backs who can both catch passes helps to distribute the load better and keep both of them healthier. Lewis is a little better in the open field, and White is better blocking and catching passes. It's nice to have so many options.

A guy like Leveon Bell who can do it all is great, but it's a lot of abuse for one guy to handle. It caught up to him in the AFCCG.

 

[New England Pride]

What will be interesting is what they decide to do w/ DJ Foster.

If the rumors are true w/ Amendola retirement could we see DJ Foster become a slot replacement?

Do you have a link to the Amendola speculation?

 

[RIpats88]

all the backs compliment eachother well.

houston was lewis' game with the 3 tds, steelers was hogans. and the superbowl was James whites.