What They're Saying: Patriots Sony Michel "Continues to Be the Top Running Back on the Depth Chart" After Strong Start

After a solid first season, Sony Michel continues to improve at training camp and appears on track to be the team’s top back again in 2019.

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s been written about him so far during this training camp:

“Running back Sony Michel and center David Andrews also returned to practice. Michel was activated off the physically unable to perform list.” – Doug Kyed, NESN – 7/27/19

“Michel got the first carry for an 11-on-11 run game installation, followed by rookie running back Damien Harris.” – Henry McKenna, USA TODAY – 7/27/19

“Back from the PUP list, Sony Michel took the first rep during running back during team drills, but departed for conditioning work on the lower field when the contact ramped up.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 7/27/19

“Michel spent some time catching passes from Brian Hoyer early on before retreating to the lower rehab field for some conditioning work. He appeared to run well coming off an offseason knee procedure.” – Paul Perillo, Patriots.com – 7/27/19

“Fellow second-year pro Sony Michel was limited. Michel, who came off the PUP list on Saturday, did not receive any reps in 11s.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 7/28/19

“Sony Michel and David Andrews were both more active than they have been to date in practice, though it was obviously not a full-contact workout.” – Andy Hart, WEEI – 7/29/19

“Running back Sony Michel (knee) saw reps in competitive team drills for the first time. On one carry, Michel showed nice burst and change-of-direction skills. He looks to be making progress.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 7/31/19

“Running back Sony Michel saw an uptick in work for the second consecutive day. Michel earned the first carries in several 11-on-11 periods. After undergoing a minor knee procedure in the spring, Michel looks to be at or near full speed. He’s running with burst and agility in practice.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 8/01/19

“At one point the offense committed a false start and literally everyone on offense had to run a lap. Even Edelman joined his teammates on the jog. Shortly after that, Brady and RB Sony Michel bungled a handoff and the offense had to run yet another lap.” – Matt Dolloff, 98.5 The Sports Hub – 8/01/19

“Can’t cough one up after the entire offense just ran a lap. Even if there was something off about the exchange from Brady.” – Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston – 8/01/19

“In a promising development for his potential to be a three-down back for this team, Michel was much more involved in the passing game in this practice and showed off some nice hands/agility on a few receptions.” – Greg Bedard, Boston Sports Journal – 8/02/19

“Many are looking for Sony Michel to improve in the passing game this season. The second-year back did make a nice stretching catch on a ball from Brady to beat Jamie Collins’ coverage in an early group drill.” – Andy Hart, WEEI – 8/02/19

“Sony Michel saw more work as a receiver on Friday than we’d seen all throughout camp. ” – Phil Perry, NBC Sports Boston – 8/02/19

“Particularly impressive catches: running back Sony Michel. Michel has been more and more involved in the passing game as the summer has progressed.” – Doug Kyed, NESN – 8/02/19

“Michel is getting more and more reps in the passing game, which is a positive development after he was a non-factor as a pass-catcher in his rookie season.” – Matt Dolloff, 98.5 The Sports Hub – 8/02/19

“This was a busy day for running backs in the passing game. And Sony Michel appears to be making progress in that department. In a 7-on-7 drill, Michel made a nice catch from Tom Brady on an out route, fully extending to secure the ball. On another rep, Michel caught a pass in the flat and immediately dodged the first defender, exhibiting impressive agility.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 8/02/19

“Sony Michel continues to see more involvement in the passing game. And he looks pretty smooth doing it. We’ll see if that carries over to the regular season.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 8/05/19

“Overall it was a good day for the Patriots so this could have been a number of players but Michel looked vintage tearing through huge holes and, as a bonus, he continues to be more involved in the passing game and caught a RZ TD from Brady.” – Greg Bedard, Boston Sports Journal – 8/05/19

“Michel caught a red zone TD from Brady.” – Greg Bedard, Boston Sports Journal – 8/05/19

“Running back Sony Michel fumbled a toss from Jarrett Stidham during 11-on-11s. Overall, this was a sloppy day on offense.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 8/06/19

“We haven’t seen much from rookie running back Damien Harris this summer. Harris did not play in the first preseason game, and he hasn’t received many practice reps over the past week. On Monday, Sony Michel, Rex Burkhead, and Brandon Bolden handled the bulk of the reps. As always, James White was on the field as a pass-catching specialist. There’s plenty of time left for Harris to show something. At the moment, though, it’s clear that Sony Michel is the team’s top ballcarrier.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 8/12/19

“Despite competition from a group of strong backs, running back Sony Michel continues to be the top running back on the depth chart.” – Henry McKenna, USA TODAY – 8/13/19

“Brady spent time working in a group with Sony Michel, James White, Ben Waston and Phillip Dorsett early in practice when most of the team was involved in positional drills. Interesting to see the work in two-back sets, something that will be worth watching as the preseason moves on.” – Paul Perillo, Patriots.com – 8/13/19

“Lots of work for the running backs in today’s practice. The final period of 11-on-11s featured two Sony Michel runs, a James White carry, a Brandon Bolden carry, and a pair of screens to Rex Burkhead. Rookie Damien Harris participated, but wasn’t heavily involved.” – Kevin Duffy, Boston Herald – 8/14/19

“Brady completed passes to nine players and targeted 12: Rex Burkhead (4 of 4), Dorsett (2 of 3), Jakobi Meyers (2 of 3), Maurice Harris (2 of 3), Ben Watson (2 of 2), James White (2 of 2), Braxton Berrios (2 of 2), Sony Michel (1 of 1), Dontrelle Inman (1 of 1), Lance Kendricks (0 of 1), Damoun Patterson (0 of 1), Ryan Davis (0 of 1).” – Jeff Howe, The Athletic – 8/14/19

“Brady’s targets: Braxton Berrios (5 of 7), Jakobi Meyers (4 of 4), Sony Michel (2 of 2), Rex Burkhead (2 of 2), Gunner Olszewski (1 of 3), James White (1 of 3), Dontrelle Inman (1 of 3), Ben Watson (1 of 2) and Damoun Patterson (1 of 1). Brady also had one throwaway.” – Jeff Howe, The Athletic – 8/15/19

You can see more players at our 2019 Patriots Training Camp Player News Database, updated each night during camp.

About Ian Logue

Ian Logue is a Seacoast native and owner and senior writer for PatsFans.com, an independent media site covering the New England Patriots and has been running this site in one form or another since 1997.

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