6 November, 2019
James White is the most talented and dependable
player on the New England Patriots' offensive roster.
There is no caveat, no disclaimers. White is as
steady and consistent a player that coach Bill Belichick has at any skill
position. He can do it all. He'll run the ball right up the gut or try the
edge. He is a dangerous open field runner when receiving in the flat and he
wins against safeties and linebackers when split out wide. He is a willing pass
protector, putting himself between quarterback Tom Brady and rouge linebackers
on the blitz.
He's always available and has never once put the
ball on the carpet in five-plus seasons.
He is subtly elusive, wasting no movements, his signature move a wicked
toe drag, using it like a rudder to change direction on a dime. He doesn't
outrun many people, but he gets every inch there is to be had.
So why isn't he the Patriots' lead back? The truth
is that in the Patriots' complex concept-based offense, he has been the lead
back for quite some time.
Not classically, mind you, but he gets lead back
snap counts as a dual-threat runner/receiver and is always toward the top of
the list for both targets and catches. He is so valuable in that role that
players like Sony Michel do most of the heavy lifting on early downs, leaving
the precision work to White on the later downs.
But even that seems to be shifting towards White
and Rex Burkhead, as Michel has seen his snap count reduced exponentially with
each game. Michel appears to be mired in a Sophomore slump after a terrific
rookie season – and while there are many factors to consider as to why, the
most disturbing part of it seems to be a lack of intestinal fortitude on his
part.
From opening night on, when he can't find the same
creases to run through that he enjoyed during the second half of last season,
his body language suggests frustration-induced indifference – even pouty. He
has been replaced by either Burkhead or White during critical stretches in each
contest, and while they are not getting much more than Michel on the ground,
their countenance hasn't been affected.
It is true that injuries along the offensive line
have decimated the Patriots' running game template. It is also true that not
having Rob Gronkowski, Dwayne Allen and James Develin to ply their trade is a
major issue as well – but while Michel is typically getting only what's blocked
for him, Burkhead and White and even Brandon Bolden still manage yards after
contact.
Another issue is that while Michel has shown an
ability to work in the pattern as a receiver, his targets have been
non-existent after a bad drop on a perfectly designed screen play against the New
York Jets three weeks ago, with nothing but white jersies and green turf
between him and the end zone.
It was a concentration drop that all players
commit at various times, but that drop combined with his dour attitude seemed
to be enough for head coach Bill Belichick to pull him in favor of a
combination of White and Bolden.
Since, White has gotten the lion's share of the
snap counts.
We all know what White is capable of. Known by his
twitter handle “Sweet Feet”, White is as close to a big play back that the
Patriots have, and is as clutch as they come in got-to-have-it situations.
Hell, in Super Bowl 51 against the Atlanta Falcons, he was perhaps the best
player on the field, and came within a whisker of being named the game's Most
Valuable Player.
But while White is fully capable of handling a
greater role as a runner, Belichick uses him sparingly in the running game,
preferring to spare him the beating that runners take between the tackles that
could potentially negatively impact his performance in the role he has shown an
overwhelming aptitude for, that being as a passing back.
Same thing with Burkhead, though his usage is
limited due to the fact that he's fragile, missing three games already this
season with a variety of ailments after missing significant time last season
for the same reason.
So with Michel a basket case and White and
Burkhead not wired for the heavy lifting – not to mention Bolden being a
special teams standout that the team cannot afford to lose by injury – the time
has never been better for Belichick to look to rookie third-rounder Damien
Harris as his between-the-tackles, early down back.
Harris has four
carries in the two games that he's been assigned to the 45-man game day roster,
and that was in garbage time. While exactly the same size as Michel at 5' 11”
and 215 pounds, their running styles couldn't be any different, as Harris is a
rough-and-tumble power back while Michel is a floater.
Obviously, both
styles work in the NFL, but floaters like Michel need vision and patience, while
brutes like Harris just need the ball and a head of steam – and with the issues
along the offensive line in opening big holes, the choice of style is critical
for the success of the running game.
It's time for
Harris to enter the fray.
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