{"id":45624,"date":"2018-07-08T19:13:23","date_gmt":"2018-07-08T23:13:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=45624"},"modified":"2018-07-08T19:13:23","modified_gmt":"2018-07-08T23:13:23","slug":"goal-line-running-back-new-england-patriots-training-camp-battles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/07\/08\/goal-line-running-back-new-england-patriots-training-camp-battles\/","title":{"rendered":"Goal Line Running Back: New England Patriots Training Camp Battles"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Training camp is almost upon us, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/patriots\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">New England Patriots<\/a> running back situation will be one of the most interesting positions to watch. As per usual, it looks as though the Patriots will roll with a running back by committee. What\u2019s unknown, however, is which running back will serve as the goal line back. With the shifty <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LewiDi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Dion Lewis<\/a><\/strong> now in Tennessee, the New England Patriots will need to find a new goal line running back.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/2018\/07\/04\/slot-receiver-new-england-patriots-training-camp-battles\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong><em>Patriots Slot Receiver Battle<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h1>New England Patriots Training Camp Battles: Goal Line Running Back<\/h1>\n<p>Early reports from minicamp state that incumbent <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BurkRe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rex Burkhead<\/a> <\/strong>will start training camp as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.cbssports.com\/fantasy\/football\/news\/patriots-rex-burkhead-in-the-goal-line-mix\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">goal line back<\/a>. However, that hardly means Burkhead is destined to hold the job all season. With training camp still weeks away, there&#8217;s plenty of time for that to change. First, let\u2019s take a look at all the running backs who could realistically hold the position.<\/p>\n<p>Note that this analysis does not include running back <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/search\/search.fcgi?pid=WhitJa20,WhitJa02&amp;search=James+White&amp;utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">James White<\/a>. <\/strong>White is one of the best receiving backs in the league and can run the ball well enough when called upon. However, he\u2019s not a between the tackles runner capable of breaking multiple arm tackles. He\u2019ll be used in the passing game, but won\u2019t be the team&#8217;s go-to guy for tough runs.<\/p>\n<p>With that in mind, let\u2019s take a look at the top four guys in the running for the position. Each one offers something a little different, and each could easily end up with goal-line duties.<\/p>\n<h1>The Contenders<\/h1>\n<h2>Sony Michel<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/2018\/04\/28\/predicting-sony-michels-rookie-impact-with-the-new-england-patriots\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>Sony Michel<\/strong><\/a> is probably the most talented back on the roster, as the first-round rookie absolutely oozes talent. The third running back selected, Michel was an absolute monster in the Georgia Bulldogs offense. Per NESN\u2019s Doug Kyed, Michel was one of the most electric running backs in college and put up amazing numbers.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Some fun stats on Patriots RB Sony Michel, via <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PFF?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@PFF<\/a>: <\/p>\n<p>&#8212; 14.1% of his 2017 carries were for 15+ yards. Those 675 yards represented 55% of his total 1,227 rushing yards.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212; He averaged 30.7 yards per big run.<\/p>\n<p>&#8212; He still averaged 4.1 yards per carry on runs of under 15 yards.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/DougKyed\/status\/991088607095132162?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 30, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>What Kyed doesn\u2019t mention in this tweet is how Michel runs in short-yardage situations. Despite his 5\u2019-11\u201d, 214-pound frame, Michel was great in short-yardage situations. Per cfbstats.com, Michel received nine carries in third-and-short situations (three yards or less). On those nine carries, Michel recorded 70 yards while picking up six first downs, good for a 66.7 conversion percentage. Granted, 44 of those yards came on one play, but he still boasted a solid conversion percentage.<\/p>\n<p>The biggest question with Michel is the uncertainty that comes with any rookie. Doing it in the NFL is a lot different from doing it in college, as the competition is now considerably bigger, stronger, and faster. While he\u2019ll likely still be good in that role, he probably won\u2019t convert at such a high rate.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Belichick loves to rotate his backs, and Michel is likely to see early-down carries. Michel is far more dangerous on early-down runs and the passing game than he is in the short running game. The only way Belichick will use him in all three roles is if he\u2019s vastly superior to the competition, a la Dion Lewis in 2017. Right now, that seems unlikely. While Michel could fill the role, chances are New England will go in another direction for the goal line and short yardage work.<\/p>\n<h2>Rex Burkhead<\/h2>\n<p>As previously mentioned, the Patriots appear to be giving Burkhead the first shot to win the goal line job. Does this choice come from lack of better options, or is there reason to believe that Burkhead can thrive in this type of a role?<\/p>\n<p>While we\u2019re working with a very small sample size, Burkhead has done well in his limited opportunities. Throughout his career, Burkhead has received nine carries in 3<sup>rd<\/sup>\/4<sup>th<\/sup> and short situations. In those nine opportunities, Burkhead has picked up 43 yards and seven first downs, good for a 78% conversion rate.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Burkhead has received 18 carries in his career in the opponents 1-10 yard line. In those 18 attempts, Burkhead has picked up 40 yards, seven touchdowns, and eight first downs. This success aligns favorably with the average NFL back. In Burkhead\u2019s limited experience, he has performed well in this type of a role.<\/p>\n<p>The two biggest strikes against Burkhead are his inexperience and his injury history. As shown above, the fifth-year veteran doesn\u2019t have the largest sample size to pick from. He only saw serious snaps on offense during the 2016 and 2017 campaigns, and even then he was used rotationally. Nobody knows how his body and production will react to being the go-to guy in a featured role like this.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, there\u2019s the durability question. Given the biggest role of his career in 2017, Burkhead underwent two separate injuries which caused him to miss games. While he performed well when on the field, he struggled to stay there. Short-yardage running is the most physical type of running a back can do. While anyone would be prone to injuries in this role, Burkhead\u2019s worries could be even more pronounced.<\/p>\n<h2>Mike Gillislee<\/h2>\n<p>In 2017, the Patriots brought <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GillMi00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Gillislee<\/a><\/strong> over from the Buffalo Bills to fill this specific role. With <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BlouLe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">LeGarrette Blount<\/a> <\/strong>gone, New England needed a hard-nosed runner capable of picking up the tough yards.<\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately, Gillislee wasn\u2019t that guy in 2017. In nine games, Gillislee recorded just 383 yards and five touchdowns on 104 carries. In short yardage situations, Gillislee received nine carries and picked up a first down just four times. Suffice to say, this isn\u2019t what the Patriots wanted.<\/p>\n<p>However, there are reasons to believe in a Gillislee resurgence. For one, Gillislee\u2019s struggled were exclusive to 2017, he\u2019s been a much better running back in the past. In 2016 with the Bills, Gillislee converted 13 of a possible 16 runs in short-yardage situations. Additionally, he also scored seven touchdowns on 11 carries within the opponent\u2019s 10-yard line. If he can recapture some of his 2016 form\u00a0he should retake the goal line position.<\/p>\n<p>Recapturing that form is anything but a given. Right now, Gillislee isn\u2019t even a sure bet to make the roster. It won\u2019t be easy for him, but he does have the history and the skills to claim the role.<\/p>\n<h2>Jeremy Hill<\/h2>\n<p>The last contestant in the goal line battle is longtime <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/nfl-teams\/bengals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Cincinnati Benga<\/a>l <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HillJe01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jeremy Hill<\/a><\/strong>. Hill and Gillislee are a lot alike in that they both have a history of thriving in roles like this. However, also like Gillislee, it\u2019s been a while since Hill has found that success.<\/p>\n<p>Hill\u2019s best year came in 2014 when the then-rookie ran for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns on 222 carries. While he wasn\u2019t as prolific his sophomore season, Hill still managed to record 794 rushing yards and a league-leading 11 touchdowns. During his first two years in the league, Hill converted 21 of a possible 33 first downs in third and short situations, to go along with 16 touchdowns from within the opponent\u2019s 10-yard line.<\/p>\n<p>After a solid, if unspectacular, 2016, Hill struggled drastically in 2017. Fighting through an ankle injury, Hill recorded just 116 yards and no touchdowns in seven games. Still, even during his somewhat disappointing past two seasons, Hill has still managed to be a solid short-yardage guy. Since 2016, Hill has converted nine of a possible 15 first downs and recorded seven short-yardage touchdowns.<\/p>\n<p>Hill claims to be fully healthy, but there\u2019s no way to know for sure until the games start. If he can recapture some of that 2014 magic, he should take the goal line spot. However, even if he\u2019s not completely 100%, he could still serve as a solid worst-case scenario for goal line work.<\/p>\n<h2>Last Word on Goal Line Running Backs<\/h2>\n<p>While each aforementioned running back is certainly capable of handling goal line duties, some are better suited than others. Burkhead is expected to get the first shot at the role, and that makes sense. He\u2019s the only running back with success in New England, and he\u2019s done well in minimal snaps in the role.<\/p>\n<p>Mike Gillislee and Jeremy Hill are giant question marks, but each has a much higher ceiling in the role than Burkhead. The Patriots believed in Gillislee enough to send a fifth-round pick for his services last off-season. Should Gillislee recapture his 2016 form, he\u2019s the best goal line back of the bunch, and should easily take the position.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, Hill isn\u2019t that far removed from being a successful goal line back. Even during his recent struggles, he\u2019s still converted a solid 60% of short-yardage runs. If he\u2019s fully healthy, he could be the goal line back and should figure into the regular running back rotation. If he\u2019s not, then he\u2019ll compete for Gillislee for the final roster spot on the team.<\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"jYridgL5RphCFUZyfKYm_A\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/914325672\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'jYridgL5RphCFUZyfKYm_A',sig:'b1MVN3e6cJxfgyQw-0w6ELSZABYgqUqHtY1jmwRuQgY=',w:'594px',h:'419px',items:'914325672',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The New England Patriots are in need of a goal line running back. Which one of the running backs will come away with the job? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2376,"featured_media":45641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[54,2,5],"tags":[61,955,735,2435,38,40,1823,3645],"class_list":["post-45624","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-editorials","category-featured","category-patriots","tag-football","tag-james-white","tag-jeremy-hill","tag-mike-gillislee","tag-new-england-patriots","tag-nfl","tag-rex-burkhead","tag-sony-michel"],"modified_by":"David Latham, Managing Editor","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45624","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2376"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45624"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45624\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45641"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45624"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45624"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45624"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}