New England Patriots: Top Position Battles on Offense Heading into Training Camp
By Hal Bent
Aug 28, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New England Patriots running back James White (28) against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim O
The New England Patriots seem ready to go into 2015 with the same lead back from 2014 with LeGarrette Blount. Blount will likely be the lead back on offense although one-game wonder Jonas Gray has the ability to step in and give offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels the one-two punch he prefers in that role. Replacing Shane Vereen in the spread offense will be much more difficult.
The Patriots have the trio of James White, Travaris Cadet, and Dion Lewis in camp to challenge for the lead receiving back role. White was picked in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft. White was very productive in college at Wisconsin and now has a year of learning the offense behind him after spending a year on the sidelines. White played just 31 snaps last year and had just 9 rushes for 38 yards and 5 receptions for 23 yards.
However, like Vereen was before him sitting behind Danny Woodhead, White was basically on a redshirt season last season learning the offense. White’s college tape shows he has the potential to be the top back in the New England passing offense with solid receiving skills and elusiveness in the open field. With little track record as a pro White is going to have to show his worth on the practice fields and in the preseason, but should get plenty of reps with the offense.
Oct 19, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Travaris Cadet (39) is tackled by a Detroit Lions defender during the second quarter at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
New England also signed in free agency former New Orleans Saints receiving threat out of the backfield, Travaris Cadet. Cadet was primarily a special teams player his first two season in New Orleans being stuck behind free agent signing Darren Sproles. With Sproles gone last year he finally got his chance with the offense and was productive catching 38 passes for 296 yards from quarterback Drew Brees.
Cadet may just be insurance if White does not step up in the preseason, but he has excellent hands and can run routes like a wide receiver. In the right situation, Cadet could turn into a real weapon on offense. Cadet has the ability to get lost by the defense like Danny Woodhead and Kevin Faulk did so well in the New England offense for so long.
The Patriots also have Dion Lewis who was signed to a futures contract in December. The talk is of Cadet and White filling the void at receiving back and Lewis gets overlooked. He was out of football last year after spending time with the Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns after starting out with the Philadelphia Eagles as a fifth round draft pick in 2011. Lewis, who is a slippery five-foot-eight and 195 pounds, is one of the biggest long-shots on the roster. Like Jonas Gray last year, the extra time in the condition system and learning the playbook could be a big plus.