Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Born To Run: James White, Harris, Stevenson and New England Patriots 2022 Running Backs

Starting point is 00:00:00 Patriots fans, will James White start the season on the pup list? And if so, what impact will it have on the Patriots' core of running backs? All this and more on our Running Backs Monday here on the pod. Stick around. You're about to be locked in to the Locked On Patriots podcast. You are Locked On Patriots, your daily New England Patriots podcast. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network, your daily New England Patriots podcast, part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, your team every day. Hello to all of you, Foxborough faithful,

Starting point is 00:00:50 and thank you once again for making Lockdown Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage and so your first listen every day. Don't forget, we are free and available on all podcast platforms and apps, including YouTube. So download, subscribe to follow Locked On Patriots wherever you get your podcasts and smash that subscribe button to YouTube. I am your host, Mike DeBate.

Starting point is 00:01:14 I cover your New England Patriots for Patriots Country, Upsports Illustrated. Feel free to reach out to me on Twitter at MDABATENFL. While you're out there, show some love to that Twitterverse, follow the Locked On Patriots account as well at LO underscore Patriots. As you can see, it is hashtag Locked On Murph Monday. The legend himself is going to hop right in here in just a moment. But first, folks, today's episode is brought to you by BetOnline. BetOnline has you covered this season with more props, more odds, and more lines than ever before. BetOnline, where the game starts. Patriots fans,

Starting point is 00:01:51 one of the deepest, one of the most talented depth charts on the Patriots roster this year is found at the running back position. Damian Harris, Ramondre Stevenson, J.J. Taylor, rookies Pierre Strong and Kevin Harris, and of course, the captain James White round out a great group of rushers. But who among that group may hold the key to the Patriots roster building in 2022? Well, we're going to talk about that today here on this episode. And joining me on this episode today is truly one of our favorites here on Locked On Patriots. He is the only guest with his very own branded hashtag. That's right, folks. Hashtag Locked On Patriots. He is the only guest with his very

Starting point is 00:02:25 own branded hashtag. That's right, folks. Hashtag Locked On Murph Monday. And that means the legendary Thomas Murphy of E2GSports.com is here today. Thank you for coming to me and friendship on Murph. Oh, it's not Monday unless we sit down and talk a little Patriots, is it, Michael? Absolutely. It is Monday. It's time to talk patriots and murph we're going to be talking about feature backs we're going to be talking about rookies today and i know that you're excited to get into it as we all are but let's start today with the veteran we're going to start with the captain the man they call sweet feet james white um j James obviously has cemented his place in Patriots folklore with a career that really has span and done so much for the New England Patriots. Super Bowl 51 would not have

Starting point is 00:03:14 been possible without James White. Just one of the glue that keeps everything together, one of the most respected guys in the locker room, one of the great guys off the field, the type of player that you love rooting for. Last year, a bit of a tough year for James, obviously suffering the hip subluxation in week three against the New Orleans Saints. It's so tough to come back from an injury like that. It ended his season, and what was sad is that he was starting to develop a really good budding synergy with Matt Jones at that point. He was one of the Patriots' leading receivers, believe it or not, and was actually running the ball a little bit better than you've seen him run in a couple of years since. That injury itself is so difficult to come back from.

Starting point is 00:03:58 And even for guys that are in the best of shape, it can take a little bit of time. And over the weekend, ESPN's Mike Reese, someone who you and I hold in the best of shape it can take a little bit of time and over the weekend espn's mike reese someone who you and i hold in the highest regard when it comes to patriots reporting did report that at a charity event uh last wednesday james was seen walking in what was described as quote an uncomfortable gate yeah uh this is not surprising uh because it is a difficult injury again and you know obviously the ages is there i would say age i mean it's so tongue-in-cheek to say that 30 years old is old but for a running back that is a little long in the tooth when you look at james white he's fully expected to attend training camp

Starting point is 00:04:38 so there's no uh situation where he might not be ready or anything of that nature he'll get out on the field but there's really i think some rumblings now uh that he may end up having to start the season on the pup list if you're giving it odds my friend uh does james white start the season on pup um 90 90 he starts the season on pup or on er, however you're doing it, you know, with that extended one that's out there on the injured reserve list. It comes down to what is going to happen with everybody else around him as to whether he's on IR and doesn't come back for, you know, an extended period of time or if he's on public, I think it's week six that you can come back off of a pop list and week nine, if you're on the IR, I get a couple of things right every week, people. I'm glad I was able to share one of them with you.

Starting point is 00:05:37 But it's going to depend on what everybody has to get. and of course the medicals. Bill does not want to rush James back. He just doesn't. This is somebody that he's going to want going down the stretch and going into the playoffs. Yes, folks, the Patriots are going to make the playoffs again this year as to when he comes back. We all saw last year what happened, how well-oiled this offense looked before James got hurt, and then things started to get a little rocky after his injury. There was some trouble putting up points and moving the chains simply because that threat was not there in the backfield.

Starting point is 00:06:26 That question mark as to whether or not he was going to be catching the ball out of the backfield, heading to the edge or surprising people and going up the middle and doing James White type things. There are few people that have ever put on a Patriots jersey that I respect as much as Mr. White. That's why I call him Mr. White. When you see me writing about him or talking about him, he's a fantastic ballplayer, a man who lives and breathes Patriots football. And I can't wait to see him back on the field.

Starting point is 00:06:56 We just have to see how everything else shakes out, especially his medicals. Yeah, absolutely. And the medicals ultimately, ultimately i think will tell the tale when it comes to james white i mean you know you're looking at someone who is so adept at being able to catch balls out of the backfield but he's also someone that can you know utilize his skill in terms of being able to run the ball especially in the two-minute drill he's so quick at being able to get into position and when you look at at what he did with Tom Brady for so many years and just how he really ingratiated himself as one of Tom's favorite targets, it's no wonder why people were consistently talking about Tom

Starting point is 00:07:35 as possibly wanting to recruit James down to Tampa Bay. And apparently, I think he did. He tried to do it. And James came pretty close. Yep, he did. He tried to do it. And James came pretty close. Yep, he did. He thought about it. But being a Patriot meant more to him than taking a shot down there in Tampa. And just another reason why he's going to go down in the annals as one of the all-time greats to ever wear this uniform.

Starting point is 00:08:01 So a little tidbit for you people. Who holds the super bowl record for most points scored in a single game james white with 20 three touchdowns and a two-point conversion james white and um and it is i i never want to see him in another uniform absolutely and i don't think anybody uh uh you know when we talk about covering the new england patriots would want to see james wearing anything but Patriot blue, with the exception of those Patriots reds and the Patriots this year that we're really, really looking forward to seeing.

Starting point is 00:08:32 Whenever James does get out there on the field, you know that he's going to get 110%, and you know that he's going to contribute. James would not go out onto the field unless he knew he could contribute and unless he felt he could be a part of that type of camaraderie that will cultivate, you know, the New England Patriots trying to make a playoff run. And look, ultimately, that's the goal this season for any team. That's the goal this season for the Patriots, make the playoffs. And if they can do that, James White is going to play a big role in that undoubtedly assuming that he's healthy and folks james white as important as he is to the new england patriots running back core not the

Starting point is 00:09:10 only running back on this roster with some question marks and believe it or not james white may actually hold the key to how the patriots might build their roster well murph and i are going to get into that in just a moment and we're also going to get into the feature backs in just a moment damian harrison or ramondre stevenson more who looks more fantastic burp and i will discuss that point in just a moment when this monday episode of the lockdown patriots podcast continues but first murph it is that time of year where we're looking at training camp starting to feel all the feels when it comes to professional sports. But folks, don't fret because there is still plenty of sports out there right now to keep you more than satisfied in the summer months. And if you're looking to maybe make a little extra on that knowledge, visit our good friends at BetOnline.net,

Starting point is 00:09:59 who are your number one source for all of your betting needs and sports information. Find all the latest sports developments, league reviews, news, and more at your continued source for all of your sports wagering information, including live betting and esports and scores. That's BetOnline.net. They remain the best spot for all of your sports scores, podcasts, and news this season. BetOnline is the fastest and easiest way to check in on all of your favorite sports and events, including MMA, boxing, and golf. Head to the website today or use your mobile device to learn more about the trends and the action.

Starting point is 00:10:34 BetOnline, where the game starts. Patriots fans, we are back here today discussing Patriots running backs with our good friend, the legendary Connor Murphy Fisto himself, Thomas Murphy of E2GSports.com. Murph, in the previous segment, we talked a little bit about James White and how he may end up holding the key to some roster building. And we're going to get into that in just a moment. But after we've discussed the captain, I think the next most important topic when it comes

Starting point is 00:11:05 to the Patriots running backs this year is the status for the feature backs of this roster and I think the Patriots boast not one but two potential feature backs here on the roster and that is obviously starting with James obviously starting excuse me with Damian Harris and also Ramondre Stevenson. Patriots ran the ball effectively last year. They had some hiccups on offense, some hiccups on defense. It wasn't a perfect season, but I thought they ran the ball very effective last year. Eighth in the NFL in rushing. It feels like last week, but it also feels a lot longer away than that.

Starting point is 00:11:47 But Damian Harris tied for second in the league, 15 rushing touchdowns. So Damian definitely got his touches last year. Ramondre Stevenson proved himself to be a valuable contributor, both in the present and the future, rushing for 606 yards, five touchdowns. Save for a little miscue in week one against the Miami Dolphins. Ramondre looked solid as a runner in this team, and that's very unusual for rookie running backs for the Patriots. Usually they're all wearing that red shirt in their first year.

Starting point is 00:12:17 Damian did it, but Ramondre was put out there, and I think he did a great job of being able to immerse himself into Patriots lore and the way they do business. Heading into this season, I think most people are willing to concede that Damian Harris is going to be the feature back once again for the New England Patriots. And I'm not arguing that point, but Ramondre Stevenson has really started to emerge as that type of dual threat power back yet someone who can run with finesse greater amount of speed than i thought he had he showed it off a little bit last year um he's making his case to be a potential feature back and that to me is interesting because with damian harris's rookie contract kind of winding down now and you're starting to see

Starting point is 00:13:02 handwriting on the walls that maybe there could be a changing of the guard here um in your opinion is this the final season for damian harris as the feature back for this team based on what ramondre stevenson's doing yes it is um unfortunately i would love to see him sign an extension uh if uh bill can get one at a price that he's happy with and see the both of these guys in the backfield for, you know, the next five years, because I think this is a fantastic tandem. I think it's probably one of the best tandems in the NFL. When you add in Mr. White, when you add in the other guys that are on this step chart, I think this is one of the scariest running back rooms or backfields in the NFL. Because Bill is going in a direction that a lot of teams will go into in three or four years.

Starting point is 00:13:59 But he's doing it now. And you're going to need the depth there. Looking back at this draft shows that he is prepared for any situation that comes up injury-related or contract-related going forward. But, no, right now, just to circle back to it, you're going to see both of these guys, without a true fullback on this team, you're going to see both of these guys in the backfield an awful lot together. Bill is going to frustrate the hell out of the fantasy people out there because week to week you're not going to know who gets more touches.

Starting point is 00:14:40 Yeah, that's a good point. And using these guys in tandem, and when you have a rushing tandem that's as talented as the one that the Patriots do boast out there and I'm not putting them necessarily at the top of that echelon but I think they but they deserve to be in the conversation I mean you look at obviously you know Dallas has a very good one-two combination with Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard they complement each other very well. I think Damian Harris and Ramondre Stevenson belong in that conversation because you look at the way these two complement each other in the rushing styles and the running styles that they have. It really is something.

Starting point is 00:15:15 And Mac Jones can heavily utilize that, especially if New England wants to incorporate that Shanahanian type of rushing attack that the patriots look to be doing and we discussed this last week when we talked about the offensive line in terms of getting athletic offensive linemen up there on the line in order to be able to defend against it excuse me protect against it and be able to uh to make those moves so this is definitely something i'm looking at but i agree with you on stevenson i love the, the power that he brings to the running game, but he does have enough athleticism to make tacklers miss in short yardage situations. And we saw that last year. And catch the ball out of the backfield. He didn't get enough of that. You're going to see a lot more of that this year with

Starting point is 00:15:59 him. And I can't wait. I really can't't wait i've been in love with this guy since since before the draft um i didn't have the patriots taking him last year i wish i had uh because the more i see him the more i like him and i think he's going to have a fantastic season yeah i think he is as well and look i think he proved a lot of people wrong with his ability to, again, be able to rise to the occasion and do the job that he did as a rookie. Again, that's not easy for the New England Patriots. It's really it's not. They're not a team that places a whole lot of faith in rookie running backs. Very seldom do they give them the opportunities that Ramondre was given last year, especially after an opening game fumble.

Starting point is 00:16:42 You would have thought that would have just banished him to you know that that's it he's he's off to the land of wasp belichickians and he's not coming back until next year um he did uh rebound and he rebounded quite nicely and i think that's something that speaks a lot about the faith that the patriots have in him and the faith that uh remondre has in himself he got a second he got a second shot you know you might want to say it was when when james white went down but he did get the second shot and he took he took full advantage of it absolutely he did and make no mistake about it folks neither murph nor i are downplaying the impact that damian harris will have on the team this year he will be your feature back i think

Starting point is 00:17:22 he will have a tremendous season the harsh reality of it is is that it's cheaper to keep remandre stevenson on staff and i think if they believe meaning they meaning the patriots that they can get roughly the same amount of production maybe a little less maybe a little more who knows yeah from a guy like remandre that's exactly what they're going to do and it's not the patriots mo to give out big contracts to running backs. They just don't do it. And unfortunately, it may mean that Damian's on the outside looking in. But as long as we have him here in New England, he is truly one of the great guys.

Starting point is 00:17:56 We'd love to cover him. And I cannot wait to see what he has in store for all of us this year. I think a big year coming up for Damian Harris. I do i i agree and and like we said we talked about the contract situation there um you'll notice people that that that players in new england who are on a contract year may get a tick less time on the field a few a few fewer touches than they have. Now, that could change because, you know, no Tom Brady,

Starting point is 00:18:30 so we can't just, you know, use somebody else and know the ball is getting there. But it happens. It's just one of my little conspiracy theories that happens to be true. Absolutely. The Murph Files here on Locked On Patriots each and every week. Definitely take a look. We don't have a smoking

Starting point is 00:18:49 man here, but we're really showing our age now, buddy. In any case, all good stuff. Murph, we are going to wrap things up here on Locked On Patriots in just a moment by discussing Patriots' penchant for rookie running backs. Not one, but two chosen in the draft this year.

Starting point is 00:19:08 Did that surprise anybody? And how does James White factor into all of this? Yep, that's right. Bring it all full circle here when this episode of the Locked On Patriots podcast concludes in just a moment. But first, folks, level with me. We've all been in a situation at some point in our lives where we were a little tight on cash maybe you could only afford to put a few gallons of gas in your tank or you

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Starting point is 00:20:29 Joining me as always, each and every Monday is my good friend, the legend himself, Thomas Murphy of E2G sports and Murph. We've talked several times before about the new England Patriots, about their ability to run the football, and how the running game is going to be a complementary piece of this offense for many years to come. And we've also talked a little bit about the fact that Mac Jones will utilize the running backs this year, maybe in

Starting point is 00:20:57 a little bit of a greater area than have been used the last couple of years uh maybe adopting a little more of a shanahanian offense i was a little surprised that the patriots took two running backs in the draft this year um but when you look at the shift that they might be making toward that shanahanian type uh offense it makes a little more sense but it did surprise me that pierce obviously i wasn't surprised that they took a running back. We talked about this several times here heading into the draft. Pierre Strong, I thought a great choice was their first running back taken. And then Kevin Harris comes into the equation. And all of a sudden you're wondering, OK, well, they're stockpiling running backs.

Starting point is 00:21:39 And each one of these guys has a skill set that allows them to make a strong case for a roster spot this season when you look at these two guys coming out of the box knowing what the patriots do with rookie runners and looking at their individual strengths and weaknesses who has the better chance to make an impact this year pierre strong or kevin harris it's pierre strong and it's simply because of the speed that this man possesses um he didn't do a lot of um kick returning in college but i fully expect him to uh be utilized in that area or at least be looked at quite hard at the beginning of the season uh in training camp and and then as the season progresses if he can hang on to the ball and learn to run those lanes and he has the best chance to do it. He does. And also, you know, not to mention

Starting point is 00:22:35 Kevin Harris is a fantastic running back, South Carolina kid. So we know that our friend, our good friend, Steve Balistrieri, who is my co-host on One Patriot's Place, loves South Carolina, and he's looked at him a lot. He loves the guy. I think that he would have a better chance of making it to the practice squad than anyone else. And let's not forget, people, Bill has no problem in trading a running back when he feels that, you know, it's at the end of the contract. We are going to need it.

Starting point is 00:23:14 So, you know, you could see both of these guys on the roster come final cut down day. It is possible. And I'm glad that you mentioned that because that is going to lead me nicely into my final question for you today but but I agree with you that it is strong although Harris definitely has his yeah go ahead and say it there's definitely uh a a penchant that I think Harris has to maybe make a case maybe a little bit even more stronger than strong. There was no pun intended there, folks. I guarantee you that. That just kind of came off the cuff, and I'm not going to take credit for that dad joke. But bottom line, Pierre is more the type of running back that I can see the Patriots maybe redshirting

Starting point is 00:23:55 or bringing along slowly because of the dual threat that he has. I love the way this kid can move with ease in between the tackles. He's got great patience. He waits for his hole. When he finds it, he's he's got an above average burst that'll push him through it so bottom line if you're looking at i think the runner with the more potential upside long term it's definitely pierre strong and that's no disrespect to kevin harris who i think can also be a very solid runner for this team but strong has the ability i think to maybe be a feature back someday in the nfl because of that speed because of what he can do as a backfield receiver

Starting point is 00:24:31 as well struggled a little bit in that in that area last year but he's still averaged 6.8 yards per catch in 2021 so there's definitely an argument to be made harris is built like a mac truck from the waist down i mean this guy is just his his caps his leg muscles are so well developed i mean that's one of the things that everybody couldn't get over watching in minicamp is just how well built to the ground this kid is so if you look at what the patriots may want to do in terms of getting a complimentary piece someone that's that lumbering type back that can really get your yards based on strength yeah evan harris might end up being the guy but if we're looking again long term i say pierre strong if we're looking in the immediate

Starting point is 00:25:14 i think there's a 50 50 shot but i like the point that you made about both these guys making the roster final question for you my friend if james White starts the season on PUP, does that open the door for both of these guys to get a roster spot? It does. Do they have to make a move? No, it does. I can totally see Bill carrying five running backs to start the season and then deal with what he has to deal with. But James White down the road and getting him a spot on the roster when he is healthy and ready to contribute. But, no, it wouldn't shock me in the least to see both these guys on the roster. Like I said, Strong is probably going – I mean, Harris is probably going to be the easier guy to get onto the practice squad.

Starting point is 00:25:58 And when you're able to do that and with the call-ups this year, I really think that he's going to be if there's an odd man out and it's it's uh it's going to be him and uh unfortunately uh jj taylor yeah i think and that's good we haven't even mentioned jj yet and one of uh one of my favorite guys to cover on this team you just you're right man just great and you love the the mighty mouse way that he goes about playing and i mean that as a compliment folks that's not meant to be a i mean ivan fears absolutely loves this kid he calls him little dion he really does remind me a lot of dion lewis

Starting point is 00:26:34 you know that type of that that type of just no nonsense put your head forward and do it and damn the torpedoes uh jj has that but unfortunately folks there are only so many roster slots available right patriots are pretty robust wide receiver this year they may need to carry a third tight end they might want to go heavy on offensive line so there will have to be some cuts made somewhere and unfortunately when you're dealing from a position of strength at running back there's only so many slots to go around so So we'll see what happens this year, Murph. But I always, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for taking time out

Starting point is 00:27:09 of your busy schedule to join me here on Locked On Patriots. Folks, if you're not already doing so, please follow my friend on Twitter at TeamMurph207. The legendary Thomas Murphy puts out amazing content on E2GSports.com. Check that out, along with all the great work that all their great writers do at E2GSports.

Starting point is 00:27:28 And, of course, you can catch Murph each and every week here on Locked on Patriots, but also in the host chair on his very own podcast that he co-hosts with two great friends of the program, Steve Balistrieri and Claire Glazzi, Claire Cooper. Of course, I'm talking about One Patriots Place. It's a home away from home for me and I love it. You will too. If you haven't already, smash that subscribe button and get to watching

Starting point is 00:27:52 and viewing and listening to that podcast. My friend, always my honor, always my pleasure, Don Murph, humbled and just humbled by your presence and I look forward to talking ball with you again here next week on Locked On Patriots when we're just two short days away from the first training camp practice.

Starting point is 00:28:09 Can you believe it, my friend? God, God. Somebody get me a gas card because I'm going to be traveling up to Foxborough back and forth every single day that they'll let me in the door. Absolutely. And we will be there, boots on the ground, covering training camp for you from Locked On Patriots. And we'll have there, boots on the ground, covering training camp for you from Locked On Patriots. And we'll have all the latest updates.

Starting point is 00:28:27 But in the meantime, folks, please continue to stay safe and stay well. And I thank all of you for continuing to make Locked On Patriots a daily part of your New England Patriots coverage. And, of course, please, folks, now that you've made us your first listen, make your second listen, Locked on NFL, which covers all of the great stories each and every day through the NFL and which NFL stars move the betting lines the most. Well, starting today on July 18th, Locked on gives you the 50 most valuable players in the NFL from the odd makers at BetOnline. Available July 18th, that's today, on Locked on NFL, wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube.

Starting point is 00:29:07 On behalf of the legendary Thomas Murphy, I'm Mike DeBate. Be the change you wish to see in the world, folks. Have a great day, everyone. Peace.

Locked On Patriots - Daily Podcast On The New England Patriots - Born To Run: James White, Harris, Stevenson and New England Patriots 2022 Running Backs

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