Patriots kickoff 2016: A look at James White
James White wears the No. 28 jersey for the New England Patriots, so he is the focus of discussion today as we mark 28 days until the Patriots open the 2016 season.
James White profile
Size: 5-foot-10, 205 pounds
College: Wisconsin
NFL experience: Two seasons
Selected by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft, White was essentially redshirted as a rookie. He only appeared in three games as a rookie, catching all five passes thrown his way for 23 yards and churning out 38 yards on nine carries. However, White would finally see the field on a more consistent basis in 2016.
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White he may not have been quite as quick as Dion Lewis last year, “Sweet Feet” was a valuable offensive instrument in his own right. White played in 14 regular season games for the Patriots last season, catching 40 passes on 54 targets for 410 yards and four touchdowns. White is far more useful as a pass catcher out of the backfield in the pros, as he racked up just 56 yards on 22 carries (two touchdowns though).
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It’s looking increasingly likely that Lewis will start the season on the PUP list. Even if he doesn’t, Lewis will be used sparingly to start the season. As Lewis adjusts to the speed of the game, White will be the primary pass catcher out of the backfield. LeGarrette Blount and Lewis may be “thunder and lightning”, but Blount and White are “thunder and slightly not as quick lightning”.
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If White plays like he did in Week 13 against the Tennessee Titans last year, the Patriots will be very happy. On that afternoon, White caught 10 passes for 115 yards and a nifty catch-and-run score off a perfectly executed screen pass. Here’s to hoping.
Next: 10 Most Exciting Sophomore Pros on Pats Roster
Be sure to stop by Musket Fire tomorrow as we mark 27 days until the Patriots open 2016 by profiling the owner of the No. 27, cornerback Darryl Roberts.