Tag Archives: Sony Michel

Who Will Make the Cut at Running Back

Leave a reply

Which Running Backs Will Make The Team

It’s no secret the New England Patriots have lots of running backs at the moment. Injuries have plagued the position early on. Newly drafted Sony Michel has a knee injury. According to Jeff Howe of the Athletic Michel had his knee drained earlier this month due to a tear in his meniscus. Running back Rex Burkhead is also dealing with a slight tear in his knee but according to Howe it’s a minor injury and nothing serious. James White seems to be Tom Brady’s go-to guy as we saw on Thursday night against the Eagles. Fighting for a roster spot on the Patriots is running back Mike Gillislee who had 383 yards last season and 5 touchdowns.

Rex Burkhead was initially on the practice field Sunday afternoon but would go to the lower field with teammates on the physically unable to perform list. Rex Burkhead has not taken a preseason snap yet. Rookie running back Sony Michel was a no show in practice yesterday. Undrafted free agent Ralph Webb made a good impression in the first preseason game this season. Bill Belichick had this to say after the game against Washington:

“It’s what he was like at Vanderbilt: he ran hard, he’s tough. He’s not the biggest guy, but he’s got good strength for his size and he runs hard. … He’s a tough kid, runs with good pad level. Webb’s got good speed, catches the ball well. Made a nice catch on the two-point play. It was a low ball, made a good adjustment on the catch and got it in.”

My Predictions

In my opinion, I think the following running backs make the team.

  • James White. He had 429 yards and three touchdowns last season. He also is Brady’s most trusted running back on the team.
  • Rex Burkhead. He had 264 yards and five touchdowns last season.
  • Ralph Webb. He’s had a decent preseason and Belichick seems to like him.
  • Sony Michel singed a rookie contract and has the potential to be the next Dion Lewis.

That leaves Mike Gillislee not making the roster for the upcoming season. Last season Gillislee finished the season with 104 carries for 334 yards. Gillislee appeared in just one of the team’s final eleven games last season. He would injure his knee in that game and miss the entirety of the postseason.

The second running back who will be cut is Jeremy Hill. Hill never found the end zone and only had 116 rushing yards last season. The Patriots will carry four running backs on the roster heading into the season.

 

Rookie Number Prognostication: Part 1

Leave a reply

What is in a jersey number? They are the printed numerals that are on a player’s jersey. A quick means of identifying that player on the field. The individual is easily recognizable so that yardage, catch, penalty, or score is tallied correctly.  But they are so much more than that. Certain generations of New England Patriots fans can remember moments and envision number 12, 87, and 3 on jerseys. Older fans have memories of 78, 57, and 73 when remembering both heartbreaking moments or fantastic triumphs. Still, others will fondly recall number 20, 89, and 79 especially when beginning a sentence with, “Remember that game…”

Will a young child today recall a time when #5, #29 or #34 made the game-changing play?

Bill Belichick allowed the 2018 Patriots rookie class to don their permanent numbers just prior to the first preseason game of this year. In years past rookies weren’t assigned numbers until at least the end of minicamp. This was seen as a motivational tactic to have them earn a roster spot. Of course the NFL saw something that Belichick was doing and put a stop to it. And naturally when getting told not to do something that is different and to get in line, he handed out the rookies numbers starting in the 50s. The NFL has rules regarding which positions can wear certain numbers. So everyone knew what was going on.

People began weighing in on what numbers they should get. There is a trend on social media and among football analysts about who will have a great career based upon their number. These takes are backed up by insane reasoning, including how good the number looks on a certain body type, if an all-time great around the NFL had worn it, or if it was one of the numbers that the mysterious TV show Lost featured. I will dive right in and add my thoughts on the Patriots rookie class. I will not be using any of those criteria. Instead, I will base their future New England greatness on how prestigious the previous wearers of that number were, or if there is room for someone to make his mark on the numeral. And there may be a few wild cards thrown in, as you’ll see below.



Danny Etling No. 5.

It’s amazing that on a team as storied as the New England Patriots that there is a single digit number with as little wear as this one. Etling shares the number with other Patriots such as Greg Davis, Pat O’Neill, and Fred Steinfort. In fact, the only ones I recognized was Shayne Graham, when he filled in for Gostkowski in his injury-shortened 2010 season, and Kevin O’Connell for a single season.

Greatness Verdict: Yes!! Patriots greatness awaits #5 and Danny Etling. No one has yet impressed the fan base wearing that number. And a youthful first name will propel him to what will undoubtedly multiple Pro Bowls!


Corey Bojorquez — No. 7

It was nearly the same single digit wasteland as #5 until I remembered that Jacoby Brissett wore this for his cup-of-coffee stint in New England. Why does this change the destiny of the number? When Brissett inevitably reaches free agency and steals the starting job from Baker Mayfield or Josh Allen he will lead his new team to Super Bowl glory. Aside from Charlie Gogolak, John Huarte and Hugh Millen, no one else held the number for more than a single season.

Greatness Verdict: Not this kid. Unfortunately with the dual strikes of being an undrafted punter and following in Brissett’s footstep it will not be Corey that we remember the 7 for on the Patriots


Braxton Berrios — No. 14

At first glance you could say that he has a shot at claiming this number. Brandin Cooks, Tom Yewcic and Zoltan Mesko are some of the more familiar names to put in that number. However, you simply cannot compete to a guy that played for 16 seasons at the games most important position. If not for injuries, Steve Grogan may well have his number retired and an underdog Super Bowl Victory under his belt.

Greatness Verdict: Almost, but not quite. For every Welker and Edelman that go on to make a name for themselves there are a dozen more slight, slot receivers that never do. And the added pressure of reminding fans of a painful Super Bowl memory doesn’t help.

Sony Michel — No. 29

Now we are getting into the critical numbers and players for the New England Patriots. The jersey number selection is becoming important in determining a players ultimate success. No. 29 has been worn by some young prospects (Shane Vereen, Sterling Moore), and some veterans on short stints with the Patriots (Chris Hayes, Myron Guyton). One of the greatest names ever for a football player ever in Earthwind Moreland as he spent a year wearing it in New England. Here’s where it gets interesting. Recent fan favorite LeGarrette Blount wore it for three seasons. Being a veteran journeyman that won his Super Bowl and moved on. That to me says that the number is ready for a home-grown running back to hang that number up.

Greatness Verdict: This one is easy. It will be in the rafters when Sony Michel hangs his cleats up. Having a fantastic name and being the perfect new age running back. He can be a featured name in the Patriots as they transition from the Brady Belichick Era to a possible Etling and Michel Era.


JC Jackson — No. 34

We have a dilemma here. This is an undrafted player that can be a star. Made some mistakes in college and one of the most professional teams in the NFL is willing to give him a chance. The only problem I see is that he chose a number that is filled with decent role players. Tebucky Jones, Sammy Morris, Prentice McCray, Ron Sellers, and Shane Vereen. The most notable name is the Boston Patriots DB Chuck Shonta. An eight year career in the 60s that saw him intercept QBs 15 times is not great but okay. There is a huge risk in wearing this number because as a CB it appears that its best times were in eras past.

Greatness Verdict: Not wearing this number! JC Jackson may be the next good undrafted cornerback, but not wearing #34. It saw its best days when double bar helmets and Pat the Patriot were things.

 

Look for Part 2 very soon when I dive into the rest of the Patriots rookie class.

All photos courtesy of Getty images unless noted otherwise.

Be sure to check out other great articles for all your favorite Boston sports teams on Bostonsportsextra.com

Follow me on Twitter: @ALykins32

Lesson Plan for Sony Michel

Leave a reply

The Patriots shocked everyone when they selected UG bulldog Sony Michel running back in the first round. But you don’t let your lead running back leave in free agency without a backup plan. Nearly 900 yards on the ground, and another 200 in the air.

Dion Lewis was an atypical lead back. His cutting style and small frame powering through the line of scrimmage. What’s more is that he played the part well. In the 2017 season he looked like a lead back. This production was bittersweet when he signed a free agent contract with the Tennessee Titans. Replacing the yards from his snaps would not be easy. The team did resign Rex Burkhead and looked for free agent options. Eventually deciding on Jeremy Hill as a low risk, veteran gamble.

The Lesson

One only has to look at the Dallas Cowboys as a recent lesson. They did not properly plan for a succession at that position. DeMarco Murray’s production was not immediately replaced when he left in free agency. The Cowboys scrambled with a group that produced a thousand yard rusher in Darren McFadden and little else. In response to this, the Cowboys scrambled and drafted Ezekiel Elliott the next year. This ensured that the position was set. The Patriots have made one thing clear. It’s that they won’t allow that sequence of poor performance to sink a chance at a championship.

Michel carrying the ball for the Bulldogs

The Method

The selection of a running back in the first round is in defiance of current mode for thinking for NFL draft strategy. A common line of thought is to get multiple talented individuals and rotate them. The Patriots have themselves been a primary proponent of this philosophy. This year, however, they swam against the current of this method. With pick 31 they got Michel, an offensive weapon that could rival some of the best in the NFL.

The Application

How best can the Patriots utilize Michel talents? Ideally, he could come in and replace every one of Dion Lewis’s snaps and provide a home run threat at running back. The teams haven’t had a threat in the backfield like that since the early promise of Laurence Maroney, or even as far back as prime Corey Dillon years.

Michel’s skill set is ideally suited for today’s NFL running game. His pass-catching skills and route running are very developed for a soon to be rookie. He is falling forward or getting those extra yards after contact. Michel’s biggest need for improvement will be in pass blocking. In film study he made read errors such as staying in when he should’ve been running a route for a hot read or getting caught up in traffic and not able to make a clean block. When he was able to square up and put everything into it, I saw a blocker that looks like they will be able to learn and grow as an NFL blocker.

The Application Part II

His running style reminds me the most of a more upright Devonta Freeman. His offense at Georgia utilized a lot of the cutback and outlet passes. He commits decisively and does not waste too much time dancing in the backfield. When he sees daylight his second and third gear are activated very quickly. Michel is at his best when he’s trying to let a hole develop he is very patient and almost looks Le’veon Bell-esque. Allows the blocks to open up and keeps his feet moving and eyes up until he sees what he wants and then goes.

Conclusions

At the very worst, the Patriots have drafted for themselves a contributor that will learn from the veterans on the roster. Michel will hone the weaker parts of his game and be ready to steal all the snaps in future seasons. At best they may have drafted a complete running back in today’s NFL that can have his name read with the games great. An exciting future for sure.

Sony Michel- the Patriots’ Lead Dawg

Leave a reply

Top Dawg

Jan 8, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Sony Michel (1) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

With the 31st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Patriots selected Georgia Bulldog Sony Michel. This is the first running back the Patriots have selected in the first round since Lawrence Maroney.

Michel comes into the league with a tremendous opportunity to produce in a Tom Brady led offense. In the past, the Patriots have been known to have a game-by-game approach with their running backs. However, this situation feels different. Bill Belichick spent a first round pick on Michel for a reason.  He joins a backfield with James White (pass catching specialist), Rex Burkehead (often injured), and Brandon Bolden (Special Teams). With the departure of Dion Lewis, and his 180 carries, the backfield is wide open.

Greatness Awaits

At Georgia, Michel often played second fiddle to Nick Chubb. However, Michel was able to flash lead-back talent when he was given a sufficient workload. For example, during the Rose Bowl, Michel ran for a whopping 181 yards on 11 attempts. He also added four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown.  He followed that performance up with a 98 yard effort on 14 carries versus a stout Alabama defense.

Michel has the ability and situation to be a successful NFL running back. Michel will be an important part of the Patriots offense, but he will not be the centerpiece of the offense. In an offense that features Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, and Julian Edelman, Michel will have room to grow. In recent history, running backs who have entered the league in a stable offense have had time to develop and thrive. This will allow him to ease into the NFL and have a better understanding of the game. Michel is a smart player and will thrive in the NFL. He has the mental and the physical abilities to produce. The fact that Belichick was willing to spend a first round pick on him should indicate the kind of player he can and should become.

Patriots’ Picks in the First Round of the NFL Draft

Leave a reply

Wild Night at the NFL Draft

Via UGA WireThe 2018 NFL Draft began last night and once again Bill Belichick fooled everyone. He did not pick a quarterback in the first round. Instead, the Patriots drafted two players from the University of Georgia. They drafted offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn at No. 23 and running back Sony Michel at No. 31. The Patriots filled the hole Nate Solder left at offensive tackle early.  They also addressed  running back Dion Lewis leaving. The quarterback question remains going into the second round.

Tom Brady Gets Help on Offense

Tom Brady got help in the first round with adding an explosive running back. They also added an offensive lineman to replace Nate Solder.  Running back Sony Michel had a conference call last night and said, “I’m just honored just to be able to get a call from a prestigious program like the Patriots and it was just so much excitement. No words can really describe what the feeling was like.” And Isaiah Wynn also is excited to be a Patriot saying on a conference call. “It’s awesome. Who wouldn’t want to get a phone call from them? I mean it’s great and I’m just looking forward to starting this new chapter of my life”.

Will the Patriots Select a Quarterback on Friday?

The Lamar Jackson speculation is over as he was selected by the Baltimore Ravens. He was selected with the No. 32 pick in the draft. However, Nick Caserio joked when he met the media Thursday night after the draft. Caserio said, “There are some quarterbacks left in the draft? Look, there’s a lot of good players and a lot of positions. We will re-calibrate in the morning see where we are”. Furthermore, Tom Brady turns 41 in August and fans did not like that New England didn’t select a quarterback in the first round. Remember, Tom Brady wasn’t selected until the sixth round. The top quarterbacks left in the draft are Oklahoma State’s Mason Rudolph, Richmond’s Kyle Lauletta, and Washington State’s Luke Falk.