Backfield runs by committee rules
FOXBORO — Patriots running backs coach Ivan Fears takes a “show me” approach to building an NFL backfield.
“You can (get creative) but the idea is not just how you do it,” Fears said. “The idea is they determine what you do by what they do in practice.
“You give them a little taste and see what they can do. If it looks like it fits it is something you can use. If it doesn’t fit then maybe you need to back out of there. You are not going to ask the guy to go out there and do something in games he is not capable of being successful for you.”
Patriots coach Bill Belichick elected to maintain a stable of five running backs when he set his 52man roster on Sept. 1. The tailbacks left standing were Jeremy Hill, Rex Burkhead, James White and rookie Sony Michel with James Develin at fullback. The Patriots waived veterans Mike Gillislee and Brandon Bolden and signed Ralph Webb to the practice squad.
The Patriots came out of the preseason without a clear No. 1 that can play three downs and carry the rock over 30 times per game. Fears will continue to employ running back by committee when the season opens on Sunday afternoon against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium.
Hill was the most productive in the preseason with 107 yards on 26 rushes and a touchdown. White had nine catches for 78 yards and a touchdown. Burkhead and Michel did not participate in the preseason because of injury.
“You still see some teams that have that an every down back and you see other teams that do it by committee and it is all a preference by the coach on how they want to do it,” said Hill.
“I think (all-purpose yards) is what every back in this league needs to pride themselves on and doing multiple things out of the backfield. That’s what keeps you on the field and where the coaches don’t have to worry about you on blitz pickup or catching the ball.”
JEREMY HILL
Hill started 43 games in four seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals before signing as a free agent on March 17. Hills started seven games in 2017 before suffering a season-ending injury. Hill rushed for 2,873 yards and 28 touchdowns with 484 receiving yards and a touchdown with the Bengals.
Fears’ take: “Jeremy has done nothing but bust his butt to win a spot and I’ve got a good feeling about him.”
REX BURKHEAD
Burkhead played four seasons with the Bengals before signing with the Patriots before last season. He played in 10 games with three starts for the Patriots. Burkhead rushed for 264 yards and five touchdowns and caught 30 passes for 254 yards and three touchdowns.
Fears’ take: “The best thing I can say about Rex is he’s a multi-role player and we will try to take advantage of all his skills.”
JAMES WHITE White enters fifth season with the Patriots entrenched in the role of allpurpose back. A favorite of quarterback Tom Brady, White has 161 receptions for 1,413 yards and 12 touchdowns in the regular season. He made 34 catches for 293 yards and three touchdowns in eight playoff games.
Fears’ take: “James is one of the best third-down backs in the league in my opinion.”
SONY MICHEL
The Patriots second pick in the first round (31st), Michel earned his place in the draft with a stellar four-year career at Georgia. Michel rushed for 3,638 yards on 591 carries and 33 touchdowns. He caught 64 passes for 621 yards and six touchdowns.
Fears’ take: “He played well with his hands in the passing game, he was good in blitz pickup and I expect he will be a hell of a runner for us.”
JAMES DEVELIN
Develin, who earned a Pro Bowl invitation in 2017, is used primarily as a lead blocker and will carry the ball in short yardage situations and on the goal line. He has 19 career catches (four in the playoffs), and is a beast on special teams.
Fears’ take: “Some of the best offense we had last year was with James at fullback.”