New England Patriots: Making Sense of Backfield

Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots running back Dion Lewis (33) breaks away from New Orleans Saints linebacker Jerry Franklin (54) for a touchdown during the second half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Patriots defeated the Saints 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

The leading rusher for the New England Patriots in 2014 was none other than running back Jonas Gray, who began the season on the practice squad. He started only three games, finishing the year with 412 yards and 5 touchdowns. 201 of those yards and 4 of those touchdowns came in a single game against the Colts. The week after this amazing game, Gray was late for practice one day, and was then benched for the entire game by head coach Bill Belichick. Gray would total only 91 yards the remainder of the season.

The names you may have associated with the New England rushing attack, Shane Vereen (now with the Giants) and Stevan Ridley (now with the Jets), combined for only 741 yards in eleven starts last season. Vereen had more receiving yards (447) than any player on the team had rushing yards, while Ridley caught only 4 passes for 20 yards.

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The man expected to lead the team’s backfield in 2015, LeGarrette Blount, set the Patriots franchise record for all-purpose yards in the 2013 regular season finally, only to end up with the Pittsburgh Steelers for 2014. He was released mid-season due to off-the field issues, but re-signed with New England to a 2-year deal in November.

Don’t worry if you’re a little bit confused. I am too.

The New England running back situation is, and often has been, one of the most interesting and least predictable in the league, and that isn’t likely to change in 2015. The team’s unofficial depth chart lists LeGarrette Blunt, Brandon Bolden, James Develin, Jonas Gray, Travaris Cadet, James White, Dion Lewis, Tony Creecy, and Eric Kettani at the running back position. It’s definitely not a position they’re trying to add more players at.

The team always seems to go with the hot hand in the backfield, and it can often be extremely difficult to tell who will play how much from week to week. They also have a few different running back roles that can be filled, and different players may fit different spots with varying degrees of success.

Next: The Receiving Back