FOXBORO — The Patriots have had a number of veteran free agent operating backs are available in for visits this preseason, however haven’t pulled the set off on signing any of them – but.
Perhaps the Patriots are ready and hoping for any of their younger operating backs to impress sufficient within the preseason to earn a possibility behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson, which might deem including a veteran pointless. But their performances in Thursday’s preseason opener didn’t precisely remove the Patriots’ want within the backfield.
With Stevenson taking the night time off with the remainder of the offensive starters, nobody within the backfield stood out within the Patriots’ 20-9 loss to the Texans or emerged as a favourite as New England’s No. 2 again. Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris and J.J. Taylor every acquired alternatives whereas Ty Montgomery continued to take a seat out injured, however behind a makeshift offensive line that didn’t give them a lot room to function, they mixed for simply 35 dashing yards on 18 makes an attempt.
“I mean, we’re dealing with some injuries on the offensive line,” Bill Belichick stated. “But the guys that were in there got some experience. But, yeah, it’s tough for the backs. It’s tough for the quarterback. Yeah, we didn’t have a lot of space on the offense for the most part tonight.”
Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson have every visited Foxboro and stay accessible, and the requires a veteran like them will solely develop louder after Thursday.
“As a unit, we went out there and gave it our all,” Taylor stated. “We did what we might do and generally doing what we will do just isn’t sufficient however at different occasions it’s. Just be taught from it, come again tomorrow and choose up from there. …
“I haven’t watched the film, but all I know is this is going to be something to learn from, we can learn a lot from it and as a group, we’re going to come in tomorrow and pay attention, study, learn from it and then hopefully come out (better) next time.”
While the road actually didn’t do them any favors, the Patriots’ backs couldn’t make a play for themselves.
Harris, who completed the night time with 10 yards on eight carries, has seemed good throughout short-yardage conditions in camp however didn’t benefit from a chief alternative on the Patriots’ opening sequence of the third quarter. Facing fourth-and-1, the massive second-year again couldn’t discover any floor and was stuffed on the line of scrimmage for a turnover.
Strong, the starter at operating again, couldn’t convert on a possibility within the passing sport, the place there’s clear alternative as a third-down again behind Stevenson, who figures to be the early-down workhorse. The Pats confronted a third-and-2 early within the second quarter when Bailey Zappe discovered Strong on a dump-off within the flat, however the again couldn’t make a defender miss and fell wanting a primary down.
Taylor led the operating again trio with 21 offensive snaps – many on third down – whereas Harris completed with 15 and Strong had 14. The elusive Taylor, who’s in his fourth camp, appears to be like essentially the most succesful within the passing sport however actually must do extra to cement a spot. He caught two passes for 11 yards, and had simply 4 carries for 4 yards.
“Always have something to prove,” Taylor stated on his preseason strategy. “I mean, we’re in the NFL. It’s a job based off of performance, so just trying to prove myself and prove that I belong here.”
With lower than a month till the season opener and a few preseason video games remaining that may embody joint practices, there’s time for somebody to emerge on this backfield. But if Thursday was any indication, they might have to convey somebody in from the surface.
For now, this room will get again to work with subsequent week’s sport in opposition to the Packers forward and search for methods to enhance.
“The (running back) room is great. The camaraderie is amazing,” Taylor stated,.” We all look out for one another. We all acquired one another’s again. I do know we’re combating for jobs and stuff like that, however on the finish of the day, all of us wish to see one another succeed.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com