New England Patriots: Mike Gillislee adding weight, expanding skill set
New England Patriots running back Mike Gillislee is adding weight and improving his pass-catching skills to improve his chances of making the roster.
The New England Patriots reloaded their backfield this offseason. Last season’s leading rusher, Dion Lewis, left as a free agent, signing with the Tennesee Titans. New England replaced him with multiple players this offseason.
Sony Michel was selected with the No. 31 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Rex Burkhead was re-signed in free agency. Jeremy Hill was signed away from the Cincinnati Bengals. They will all be joining pass-catching specialist James White and Mike Gillislee.
Gillislee was signed last year away from the Buffalo Bills. In the early going, it looked like another steal for New England in free agency.
He scored four touchdowns the first two weeks of the season, looking like he would more than adequately replace LeGarrette Blount. However, that would represent the high water mark for Gillislee in the season.
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Gillislee wouldn’t score another touchdown until Week 16 against the Bills. He saw his role diminish after the strong first two weeks, eventually becoming a weekly inactive. He was not on the playoff roster either.
Gillislee’s spot on the roster is in jeopardy, but he is doing what he can to hold onto the spot. This offseason he said he is healthy, adding weight and improving in the passing game.
"Gillislee’s standing on the roster will be decided in training camp, but he feels he’s in solid position for two reasons: He’s healthy (whereas last year he dealt with a hamstring injury that lingered into the summer) and he’s advancing in the passing game.“At home I work on it, (in the) offseason I work on it,” Gillislee said. “And it’s showing.”It’s true: Gillislee looked more natural as a receiver during minicamp than he did at any point in 2017 training camp.After playing this past fall at 212 pounds, Gillislee now checks in at 216. The added weight is the result of his full participation, Gillislee said. A year ago, the hamstring injury limited his ability to take part in certain workouts.“I feel a lot better,” Gillislee said."
Improving his performance the passing game would definitely benefit Gillislee. He has recorded only 16 receptions in five NFL seasons, making him pretty one-dimensional on the court. If he showcases better hands out of the backfield, he could be used in more roles.
The added weight and muscle could help Gillislee’s durability. He struggled with hamstring issues at different times last offseason and regular season, so the added strength should only help. The added size will also help Gillislee in short-yardage situations, the role he will presumably be challenging for.
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New England will not be keeping every running back on the roster. Gillislee will probably be battling it out with Hill for the last running back spot on the roster.