Patriots sign Rex Burkhead

[Hercules Rockefeller]

After reading a lot of the posts, I can't quite figure out why some people don't think Burksy can be a lead back. Is it his size? Does he have some injury history that I might not be aware of?

For me it's two pronged. One, any fan base is going to be skeptical of a veteran being brought in to fill a role he hasn't been asked to do before in the pros. This could be anything from trading for/signing a backup QB (ahem, Jimmy) to giving a guy more of a focus than previous teams had (people were very skeptical about giving up a 2nd for Wes Welker). This happens in all sports--I can remember a Celtics discussion about trading for Marcin Gortat when he played for Orlando, and the "if he's so good why doesn't he start" argument coming up, when he was backing up Dwight Howard at a time when Howard was the premier player at his position (ahem, Jimmy).

Two, and disclaimer **this is not a racism accusation and is not directed at anyone**

I think at least part of it is that there hasn't been a white tailback in quite some time who wasn't a pure bruiser. When there's a physical trait that is very different from the norm, I think people have a harder time buying into it until they see it for themselves, as they don't have a frame of reference for the player to fit into. Christian McCaffrey has been so dominant in college that he probably won't have this issue. But look at Isaiah Thomas--how long it took for NBA teams to believe he was a legit player at his size. Jeremy Lin gets stopped at the player's entry, still! We don't think twice about black quarterbacks now but I distinctly remember it being a part of the Steve McNair draft discussion, because there had not been many black QBs who were standouts at the time, just a little over twenty years ago. Jason Sehorn. Yao Ming. There are a lot of examples. Rex will always kinda be known as a "White running back", but if/when he has a few good games it will be a norm rather than a novelty, like with McCaffrey.

I could be well off, but I think that's at least part of it. And there's no bigotry involved there, it's just a commonly seen phenomenon.

 

[pdangle]

BTW - Pats active RBs don't play ST unless they're returning punts or kicks. Blount, Lewis and White combined for a total of 39 ST snaps in 2016. Bolden had 277 ST snaps by himself (and 13 total on offense).

Based on Burkhead's $3.15M contract (more than Blount, Lewis and White made combined in 2016), BB is definitely planning on him being an active RB and won't have him performing double-duty on ST.

Correlation is not causation. If NE had had any active RB's that could effectively play ST, I'm sure they would have.

All another reason for the salary bump. More downs = more money with BB.

 

[Uptown]

Christian McCafferey?

Jason Seahorn?

 

[manxman2601]

Jason Seahorn?

I think @captain stone has already mentioned him. It's a prospect in this draft from Harvard called Max Rich. Although, when I come to think of it, whilst that could be the name of the son of a Wall Street tycoon, I could also see it being the pseudonym for a rapper.

 

[doesntmatter1]

Looking at a few clips shows great vision and some good balance. Might already be the best pure rusher on the squad.

My problem is, I was really looking forward to drafting a rb or 2 and this signing makes that less of a possibility lol. I guess I should stop being greedy for new flashy toys. I have always wanted to see what would happen if we drafted a wr in the first and in a way we have with Cooks.

 

[maineman209]

Correlation is not causation. If NE had had any active RB's that could effectively play ST, I'm sure they would have.

All another reason for the salary bump. More downs = more money with BB.

1) Injury risk on punt and kick coverage
2) Time taken away from studying/practicing the offensive playbook and from huddling up with McD when the offense is off the field during games

 

[scott99]

I've been trying to figure out who Burkhead reminds me of running style wise. It was driving me crazy trying to figure it out, because it seemed so familiar to a former NFL player, but I couldn't quite place it, and then it hit me. He runs very similar to former 49er (and Husker) Roger Craig. Hits the hole hard and always leaning forward with power like Craig always did, VERY similar running style. I don't think he has the speed and power Craig had, but similar style running back.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I've been trying to figure out who Burkhead reminds me of running style wise. It was driving me crazy trying to figure it out, because it seemed so familiar to a former NFL player, but I couldn't quite place it, and then it hit me. He runs very similar to former 49er (and Husker) Roger Craig. Hits the hole hard and always leaning forward with power like Craig always did, VERY similar running style. I don't think he has the speed and power Craig had, but similar style running back.

Go watch Mark van Eaehen. Dead ringer for running style. He's white too which will have people giving me crap for saying that.

 

[DaBruinz]

Yea while I am still skeptical that he'll be a 200+ carry guy it sure as hell seems they want him to be. Whether they expect him to be is another question.

I believe they will draft a RB. Maybe the kid from Texas. I forget his name. Big kid.

DOnta Foreman. 6'0 2/8 - 233 lbs.. 10 1/8" hands 31 3/8" arms
Only did the bench press at the combine.. 18 reps..

 

[DaBruinz]

Well see. 200 carries is helluva lot more than what he's done.

Because he's not been given the chance to this point.. And you hold it against him when you keep harping on it..

 

[RobertWeathers]

Because he's not been given the chance to this point.. And you hold it against him when you keep harping on it..

I will hold it against him until he actually does it.

Some guys can handle being a full-time RB. Some can't.

We will find out and I suspect because BB only gave him a 1 year deal, he isn't sure either.