REPORT: Steven Jackson Set to Join Patriots
(PHOTO: David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 2 minutes
Posted Under: Patriots News
(PHOTO: David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports) 🕑 Read Time: 2 minutes
New England Patriots > Patriots Blog
(PHOTO: David Butler II - USA TODAY Sports) The Patriots have been a little thin at the running back position, but it looks like Bill Belichick has plans to add another player in hopes of getting a little stronger heading into the postseason.
According to ESPN.com, the Patriots are set to sign free agent running back Steven Jackson to a one-year deal. Jackson hasn’t played since being released by the Falcons back in February but was in for a workout with the team last Wednesday.
New England went into Sunday’s game with Brandon Bolden and Joey Iosefa getting the majority of the carries during their win over Tennessee, with Iosefa leading the way with 14 carries for 51 yards (3.6 avg), while Bolden carried 10 times for 36 yards. Both received praise from Belichick after the game.
“All of them helped us – Joey [Iosefa] and Brandon [Bolden] and James [White],” Belichick told reporters after Sunday’s win. “That’s what we need – going to need guys to do different things – same thing with the receivers, same thing with the tight ends. We have confidence in all those guys. Sometimes it’s different combinations or different roles, but all of them work hard and the backs, they gave us some good plays today.”
The big question now will be how much the 32-year old Jackson has left. He played in 15 games last season, rushing for 707 yards on 190 carries in Atlanta along with 6 touchdowns.
He’s already received an endorsement from former teammate Danny Amendola, with the two having played together during their time in St. Louis.
“(Jackson’s ) a great player,” Amendola said via NESN. “He’s a very physical back. He’s smart. He’s a veteran. He’s a good teammate. He’s physical. He’s smart. I loved playing with him.”
Now it will be interesting to see if they can make a little magic together here in New England.
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