Patriots sign Steven Jackson: 5 Ripple effects

Patriots sign Steven Jackson: 5 Ripple effects

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The New England Patriots acted upon last week’s meeting with veteran running back Steven Jackson, signing him to a one-year deal on Monday. Here are some ripple effects from that news:

Ripple Effect #5 – Brandon Bolden will go back to special teams

Earlier in the day, ESPN Boston’s Mike Reiss tweeted this out:

Not long after, Jackson was signed.

Look, Bolden is arguably one of the most prototypical Bill Belichick players on this roster. He is a valuable special teamer and capable of his job description as a running back as well. Bolden will still get carries, but he will be able to service the Patriots where they need his skill set the most, at special teams.

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And it’s not like the Patriots special teams has been the best unit in the league. To focus on just one area, the punt coverage team ranks a lousy 24^th with a net of 40.0; the reintroduction of Bolden into that scenario should be a boost there.

Next: 4. Iosefa will have to fight for carries

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Ripple Effect #4 – Joey Iosefa will have to work for carries

In Week 15, Iosefa was the only member of the Patriots’ backfield that you could classify as a power back. James White makes his living catching the ball, and Bolden may be a solid back but he is by no means a snowplow.

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As a result, Iosefa carried the ball 14 times for 51 yards, including a punishing 15-yard run which left Tennessee Titans’ cornerback Coty Sensabaugh on the ground and looking for answers. Weighing in at 245 pounds, Iosefa looked and played like LeGarrette Blount as much as the Patriots could have asked for on Sunday.

But now that a future Hall of Famer is in the mix, Iosefa figures to see fewer carries. That is, if he’s even active on game day roster. It’s quite possible that the Patriots will demote Iosefa to make room for Jackson on the 53-man roster. It all depends on the game plan, of course.

Next: 3. White will barely ever take a handoff

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Ripple Effect #3 – James White will barely ever take a handoff

The signing of Jackson sheds light on the fact that the Patriots don’t really plan to run the ball with White very much. That much has been clear this season, as the sophomore pro has seen just 17 carries in the nine games he’s played in. Meanwhile, he’s caught 33 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns. The Patriots value White almost entirely as a receiver instead of a ball carrier.

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Regardless of who is healthy, the Patriots enjoy having a pass catching back and a downhill runner. When one gets injured, they have a guy with a similar skill set ready to fill the void. Such was the case when Dion Lewis went down and then comparable player White stepped up. Such is the case now that Blount has been placed on injured reserve and Iosefa and Jackson are taking that role.

You get the idea. Especially now that Jackson is in the mix, White pretty much has a monopoly on all the routes out of the backfield, and it will be rarity when he gets his number called for a running play.

Next: 2. Ball could be on the practice squad for awhile

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Ripple Effect #2 – Montee Ball could be on the practice squad for some time

Obviously, it’s too soon to tell who the Patriots will pencil-in on the active roster against the New York Jets on Sunday. But it’s reasonable to assume that the Patriots will go with the wily veteran, and there will be only so many running back slots on the game day roster.

Bolden and White are the only locks, as Bolden is a core special teamer and White is one of Brady’s favorite targets in the aerial attack.

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It’s hard to see Ball getting the nod over Iosefa after the rookie’s impressive play in Week 15. Iosefa has 30 more pounds on Ball, so he makes more sense in power situations.

Considering all the above, it really comes down to Ball and Jackson. The gut is telling me that Jackson will be given a chance against the Jets’ ferocious front seven over the former Bronco.

If that’s the case, then Ball could be stashed away on the practice squad for another week or two, or until another injury hits the backfield if the Patriots’ rash of injuries persist.

Next: 1. Belichick finally gets his guy

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Ripple Effect #1 – Bill Belichick finally gets his guy

The 2004 NFL Draft was a great time in New England. Sandwiched between the super seasons of 2003 and 2004, the Patriots selected a pair of players with their first few picks who would go on to play major roles in their rookie seasons. No one questions the Patriots for taking Vince Wilfork and Benjamin Watson in the first round, but meant that they had to pass on a rare running back.

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Indeed, the Patriots were keen on Jackson back when they owned two first round picks in the spring of 2004.

Over 11 years later, Bill Belichick has Jackson in his possession. Sure, Jackson’s not nearly the player he was when he ripped off eight consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in St. Louis from 2005 to 2012. But just like the Fred Taylor signing 2009, the Patriots are counting on Jackson to reignite the flame if only a little bit to help power them through January.

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Expect Jackson to play with renewed vigor, as this will be his first crack at the playoffs since his rookie season.