New England Patriots: Six Takeaways from the Preseason So Far
By Hal Bent
RUNNING BACK SITUATION SORTING ITSELF OUT:
With the news of veteran running back Donald Brown having been released (with an injury settlement) it appears to indicate that the competition at the position is all but over. Originally having thought to be fighting for a roster spot, veteran starter LeGarrette Blount has come back strong from the hip injury that ended his 2015 season prematurely.
Blount has run hard this summer and put himself at the top of the depth chart. His usual decisiveness hitting the hole, hard-charging style, and deceptive speed have been on display throughout the preseason. As usual, special-teams stalwart and backup running back Brandon Bolden appears to have his role set on the 53-man roster.
With Dion Lewis likely opening the season on the PUP list, that means the maddeningly inconsistent James White will be in the third-down receiving back role when the season starts. White lacks Lewis’ jitterbug ability to make tacklers miss in the open field, but he has good hands, has the size to run between the tackles, and occasionally makes a big play.
One big play has been the only thing that has separated Tyler Gaffney from the pack as his 44-yard touchdown run versus New Orleans in preseason game one stands out. However, outside of that touchdown run he has just 51 yards on 19 carries in the preseason. Gaffney has missed the past two seasons due to injury so he will likely have to get the momentum back on Thursday night.
With fullback James Develin back at full strength from the gruesome broken leg he suffered last preseason, he should be on track to grab a roster spot. His blocking has been spot-on in the preseason so far. His only competition for the last spot has been Joey Iosefa and undrafted free agent DJ Foster. Iosefa has done little to standout and Foster has spent much of the summer out with a hamstring injury.
Short of scooping up another running back after the rosters are cut-down to 53, the Patriots seem to have settled on the running back position.
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