Brandon Bolden “happy to be back” home with Patriots
After a year away with the division-rival Miami Dolphins, core special teamer and running back Brandon Bolden sounds thrilled to return to the Patriots.
As cold, heartless, and unforgiving as the NFL can be at times – particularly when playing for the notoriously ruthless Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots – it’s always gratifying to read about a player’s homecoming and a happy ending. According to free agent addition Brandon Bolden, that’s exactly what he’s found in making his triumphant return to Foxborough.
"“The grass always isn’t greener on the other side,” Bolden told reporters on Thursday. “You kind of step out, and you always hear stories of people coming here and (saying), ‘Yeah, we did this there and we did this.’ No, we do this all one way. And I had my mindset going down there (to Miami) that I was going to keep everything the same, and it was like — we clashed on a lot of things. We talked about a lot of things. But here, stuff works for a reason. And that’s why I said — I’m going to keep saying it — this is home. I can’t help it.”"
While never necessarily a slam-dunk starter in the NFL, Bolden has carved out a nice role for himself during stints in New England and Miami. Primarily a contributor on special teams, the former undrafted free agent has a knack for being in the right place at the right time and making sensational plays on kickoffs and punts.
He also served as a capable starting running back when occasionally called upon under both Belichick and former Dolphins head coach Adam Gase. In his first four seasons in the league, all with the Patriots, Bolden made the most of his 202 rushing attempts, running the ball for 841 yards, six touchdowns, and a 4.07 yards per attempt rushing average.
His opportunities dipped in 2016 and 2017, and Bolden signed with the Miami Dolphins during the spring free agency period of 2018. Down in Florida, Bolden didn’t start any games but he did play a full 16-game season. The highlight undoubtedly must have been “the Miami Miracle” game last season, in which he had two carries for 60 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
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As sweet as it must have been for Bolden to beat his former team in such dramatic fashion, he openly admits he was rooting for the Patriots the rest of the way as the team clawed their way to a record-tying sixth Super Bowl championship.
“I was sending them text messages like two hours before the (Super Bowl),” Bolden said of his former teammates. “‘Don’t embarrass me. I have been bragging about you guys all year. Don’t do this to me now.’ They delivered. It was great. I talked to everybody in there. I rooted for them. I was happy for everybody.”
And now he can be happy for himself as well, because it sounds like he’s finally home.