I Think People Forget Dion Lewis' Year

[Adam Seward]

Thanks for your service James White, but I think a lot of people forget how good Dions hands are..

If he can get back to form, he knocks off White in every category, especially pass protection.

 

[Tuck]

Dion's better than James White but White has become a very reliable and important part of this offense and I hope we get some personnel packages where Edelman/Hogan, Gronk, Bennett, Lewis, White on the field at the same time.

White looks much bigger this year. I was pleasantly surprised at what I saw of him in foxboro Sunday. Last year he looked a little small but he's put on some size and looks like a top tier back now.

 

[SuperStang83]

Dude's a straight Beast!! I love the highlight where he lowers his shoulder into Darby for a TD.

I think his highlight against Dallas and Edelman's diving TD against Denver are two of my favorite recent Pat's highlight videos!! Just classic!

 

[Tuck]

I think people (on this forum and just in general) are forgetting how explosive Dion Lewis really was last year.



I see lots of praise for James White (and I am one of them, he has played well!) but its not really a comparison (if Dion is fully healthy).

I don't think people have forgotten about his explosiveness. I just think you have to be realistic about how much he'll contribute coming back from two knee surgeries. We all hope he'll perform at the same level he left off but we also know that's not likely.

 

[TheFlyingWedge]

When Lewis comes back he might not be able to re-establish the same level of play as last year. Not sure if it's even reasonable to expect that concidering the pace he was on last season and the injury he sustained?

Regardless, James White has been doing a fine job so when Lewis comes back to anywhere close to full strength, he'll be a great weapon in an already stocked arsenal.

 

[long distance]

I don't think people have forgotten about his explosiveness. I just think you have to be realistic about how much he'll contribute coming back from two knee surgeries. We all hope he'll perform at the same level he left off but we also know that's not likely.

I don't know that. He doesn't know that. Nobody knows that.

 

[bigballas]

@ 2:40...amendola seems like a giant..hahah

 

[deroc5050]

I loved watching Dion play. He was very elusive, and I think he is a better pass catcher than White.

 

[TBR]

I certainly haven't forgotten

 

[drewskie]

He came back from a fractured fibula before he joined us last year. While he may not be as relied upon this year, his game breaking ability from the backfield in both running/catching make this offense absolutely unstoppable.

Imagine him with Gronk/Bennett/Jules/Hogan as our base offense.

1400 yards from scrimmage, of which almost 900 would have been receiving including the most elusive rating in the history of the league? That's All-Pro level production over a full season.

 

[pheenix11]

The difference with Dion Lewis is similar to what Edelman and Amendola do in terms of scrapping for a few extra yards and sometimes coming up with a first down they really had no business converting. That one extra first down can keep a drive alive and lead to more points and completely change the complexion of a game.

In a game of inches guys like him can be the small difference between winning and losing.

 

[obgod3]

What do you mean, "No News"? He was in the locker-room last week and walking around just fine.. While he didn't say anything specific, he hinted that he'd be back this week.

Well I think I said "substantial" and I figured someone would say that ....being in the locker room and walking without a limp really doesn't mean much. Just my way of seeing it, i have a lot of experience at this knee thing. I didnt see anything that "hinted" at him being back.

When will Dion Lewis return from injury?

Anyway I sure hope I am wrong but im sticking to my original comment.

 

[Gronk]

I haven't forgotten. But I also haven't forgotten that he's failed to make it through a full pro season in 5 tries. He (obviously) won't this year either. I welcome and am excited for his return, he was an all-new sort of explosive from a Pats RB, but especially given that he's had knee work done it's not something I'm willing to pine for or depend on, and I think the elevation of him to Moss/Gronk-level offensive weapon based on just 6.5 games is totally crazy.

 

[Fencer]

First things first.
There is no guarantee that Vollmer is coming back this year. Initial reports was that he was done and that the PUP was a formality..

Next, you forgot about Tre Jackson who is also on the PUP. He's not as much of a need.

Lastly, players who could be cut:
Coleman, Foster, Grissom, Karras, Johnson,

Also, there is the potential for Bolden to be IRed.. I know it hasn't happened yet, but that doesn't mean anything.

More generally, I'd say that there are a lot of questionably healthy DL/LB. Another of them could be IRed.

 

[Fencer]

guys like him can be the small difference between winning and losing.

Good word for Lewis!

 

[RayClay]

White has better hands but Lewis really does add a special dimension.

I agree he is a net plus if...I worry he can't do his magic only a year from knee surgery. If he can, he's a weapon few teams have and a compliment to Blount and white.

 

[RayClay]

I'm not sure where the "White's a better pass catcher" theory comes from, but the numbers don't really back it up.

Lewis (2015)
36 out of 50, .72

White (2015)
40 out of 54, .74

White (playoffs 2015)
7 out of 19, .37

White (2016)
25 out of 33, .76

White (regular season 2015 and 2016)
65 out of 87, .75

White (total of all 2015 + 2016)
72 out of 106, .68

They're basically at the same catch percentage, and Lewis was tasked with making harder catches.


If it's an eye test thing, then so bit it. The numbers don't tell the same story, though.

Because people watch the games. Data tells you a lot less than watching. Lewis is better with the ball, but White is a very good, fluid receiver. Lewis does more after he catches it, sometimes.

 

[Marqui]

Because people watch the games. Data tells you a lot less than watching.

Except when it tells you your team as an elite defense.

 

[supafly]

I haven't forgotten. But I also haven't forgotten that he's failed to make it through a full pro season in 5 tries. He (obviously) won't this year either. I welcome and am excited for his return, he was an all-new sort of explosive from a Pats RB, but especially given that he's had knee work done it's not something I'm willing to pine for or depend on, and I think the elevation of him to Moss/Gronk-level offensive weapon based on just 6.5 games is totally crazy.

Who was the poster last week that was comparing him to Barry Sanders? I admire his optimism, but found it to be a bit too early for such a bold statement. Wish I could remember who it was.

 

[supafly]

I certainly haven't forgotten

Dion Lewis 2015 = #NeverForget