Source: former Bengals RB Rex Burkhead is at Gillette Stadium visiting the Patriots today.
Source: former Bengals RB Rex Burkhead is at Gillette Stadium visiting the Patriots today.
He could definitely carry 15-20 balls a game. He's a very sound all-around player. Nothing against White, but he's really not going to get you yards on 1st and 2nd downs. Burkhead can.I didn't follow him closely, so these are straight questions. He weighs in at 214, and I know the Bengals split him out a lot -- with both Lewis and White under contract next year isn't he a bit redundant? Would he be the primary back? Would they acquire him and still have LGBT (or similar) on the roster?
It was a meaningless game, but he showed in Week 17 what he's capable of. It's too bad it took the Bengals four years to realize this while giving Hill 445 carries the last two years. I have no doubt he'd flourish with the Pats.
Agreed. Just saw on Twitter: Burkhead has the same agent as BB.Someone mentioned this in one of the mega threads last week and it made a ton of sense. Would be a very solid pickup.
Jack of all trades to contribute on ST, spell White/Lewis, I say. From his combine profile page: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/rex-burkhead?id=2539265Middle class McCaffrey for Money?
Why not? Remember, we are in 90-man roster season. It should look like they have too many guys everywhere. Let competition (and injury, unfortunately) sort things out.Volin was on NFL Radio this morning and says he sees Blount returning to NE, likely on a 1 year deal. I can't see any way that Blount and Burkhead are here.
Don't White and Lewis spell each other?Jack of all trades to contribute on ST, spell White/Lewis, I say. From his combine profile page: http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/rex-burkhead?id=2539265
Because I think Burkhead and Blount are established enough that they won't sign a contract that puts them in jeopardy of being a training camp cut. I could be wrong.Why not? Remember, we are in 90-man roster season. It should look like they have too many guys everywhere. Let competition (and injury, unfortunately) sort things out.
Burkett is only 26. Not sure if Blount returns and even so, wouldn't you rather have Burkett on the roster than Blount at this stage of his career? Although obviously, the one who's in jeopardy is Gaffney if Burkhead does sign.Because I think Burkhead and Blount are established enough that they won't sign a contract that puts them in jeopardy of being a training camp cut. I could be wrong.
Someone mentioned this in one of the mega threads last week and it made a ton of sense. Would be a very solid pickup.
I like this. Ive always been a fan of the guy, and he seems like the kind of player that could really excel here.Curious if the Patriots would kick the tires on Burkhead to fill the RB opening created by LGB. He seems like a very Patriots-esque type player, although his skillset may overlap a bit too much with what we currently have,
bsj, Thursday at 10:37 AM
Yes, I wasn't making a claim that I'd rather have Blount. I was saying Volin said he thinks he comes back. My point was I don't see them having White, Lewis, Blount, and Burkhead on the roster.Burkett is only 26. Not sure if Blount returns and even so, wouldn't you rather have Burkett on the roster than Blount at this stage of his career? Although obviously, the one who's in jeopardy is Gaffney if Burkhead does sign.
Agree with that. I was wondering about BB making a move on Gillislee, and Burkhead would come w/o giving up a 5th.Yes, I wasn't making a claim that I'd rather have Blount. I was saying Volin said he thinks he comes back. My point was I don't see them having White, Lewis, Blount, and Burkhead on the roster.
Came in here to post the exact same thing. Bolden's a very good S/Ter, but he's essentially useless on offense at this point. Adds value on S/T and manages the (likely) injury exposure of Lewis and White suffering an injury at some point during the year.He was also Cincy's leading special teams tackler last year and #2 in 2015. Could be a Bolden replacement. He seems like he will contribute a bit more on offense than Bolden can.
He had a hamstring injury. Original estimate was two weeks, and I don't believe there's been an update on that. Obviously hamstrings can linger, but I'd assume he's 100% for training camp.Why not Drewdog?
Didnt Lewis get hurt in the SB? Do we know how bad it is?
Because Bolden's salary isn't the same as what Burkhead will get. Bolden is a 4th RB with the PT in the backfield and a paycheck that goes along with that. If you have Blount, White, Lewis, and Burkhead there are going to be different expectations of PT and salary. Is that efficient?Ditch Bolden sign Burkhead and you have improved a roster slot in the bottom 10.
I suppose money could preclude it.
On mobile but I believe it was Mike Reiss Sunday column referenced Lewis has been in Foxboro all offseason working out so looks good.He had a hamstring injury. Original estimate was two weeks, and I don't believe there's been an update on that. Obviously hamstrings can linger, but I'd assume he's 100% for training camp.
Actually, I do. Bolden is a non-factor except on the ST. Burkhead provides a super-utility role on as a pass-catcher, runner, and on the ST. LGBT doesn't do ST, as we all know.Because Bolden's salary isn't the same as what Burkhead will get. Bolden is a 4th RB with the PT in the backfield and a paycheck that goes along with that. If you have Blount, White, Lewis, and Burkhead there are going to be different expectations of PT and salary. Is that efficient?
"Healthy Lewis" is something I am prepared to be disappointed on.Love Evan Silva, but he's probably not beating out a healthy Lewis or beating out James White for White's role in the offense.
How much are you expecting Burkhead to get paid? Bolden had a cap hit in 2016 of $1.27 million. I can't imagine that Burkhead would sign for much more than $1.75 million for this year, he made $675k last year and doesn't have the stats to demand much more than that. I think they could easily justify spending an extra half a million to upgrade from Bolden to Burkhead given their cap situation.Because Bolden's salary isn't the same as what Burkhead will get. Bolden is a 4th RB with the PT in the backfield and a paycheck that goes along with that. If you have Blount, White, Lewis, and Burkhead there are going to be different expectations of PT and salary. Is that efficient?
Me too!I am with SSF.
But is he elite?It's only been like four hours and I've already convinced myself that Burkhead is a MVP caliber running back.
Me too!
And:
- Blount in 2016: 3.88 per carry
- Burkhead in 2016: 4.65 per carry
Also durable as he played in all 16 games (only 7 for Lewis).
- Lewis in 2016: 17 catches w/ 3.43 targets per game
- Burkhead in 2016: 17 catches w/ 1.25 targets per game
Edit: Plus, his nickname is T-Rex. COME ON GUYZZZZZ
How does he compare to David Johnson?It's only been like four hours and I've already convinced myself that Burkhead is a MVP caliber running back.
You left out Develin, but your overall point stands about fusing Blount/Bolden into 1 player.Just thinking out loud, if they intend to carry 5 WR (Edleman, Cooks, Hogan, Mitchell, Slater) , 3-4 RB (White, Lewis, Bolden, Veteran RB) and 2-3 TE (Gronk, Allen, Lengel?) per game, they likely need to build in flexibility. If you can combine Blount/Bolden into Burkhead than you've allowed yourself to carry an extra WR/TE per game.
I saw a love-child between Edelman and Lewis but that's neither here nor there.All caveats acknowledged, in that highlight reel Burkhead looked to me like "Julian Edelman but a running back."
I don't see this happening. Burkhead has two career games with double-digit carries. White has zero (his high is seven). They've always had that 220-pound bruiser type for early downs in the BB era. If it's not Blount, I expect they'll add someone in the draft or free agency.Big fan of his.
Start him and give him 10-15 carries, he's a much better receiver than LGBT
White for 10-15 carries
Lewis for 3rd down and medium/long to keep him fresh for Dec and Playoffs.
It makes it easy for defenses to read whether the running back will catch a pass. They still run PA very effectively in the power formations, they just don't throw to Blount.You left out Develin, but your overall point stands about fusing Blount/Bolden into 1 player.
The very limited use of Blount in the passing game does make it a bit easier for defenses to read pass or run depending on which RB is on the field. Of course, the Pats offense scores a ton anyway.