FOXBORO – Turnover is a big part of every NFL team. On the Patriots, that especially rings true for their running back position.
James White can attest to that.
In his time in Foxboro, White has seen countless running backs come and go - LeGarrette Blount, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Jonas Gray, Steven Jackson, D.J. Foster and most recently, Dion Lewis.
"I still talk to those guys," White said. {Lewis] LG, Shane, Rid – all those guys. They helped me [...]
FOXBORO – Turnover is a big part of every NFL team. On the Patriots, that especially rings true for their running back position.
James White can attest to that.
In his time in Foxboro, White has seen countless running backs come and go - LeGarrette Blount, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley, Jonas Gray, Steven Jackson, D.J. Foster and most recently, Dion Lewis.
“I still talk to those guys,” White said. {Lewis] LG, Shane, Rid – all those guys. They helped me out a lot when I was younger guy. It’s only right to stay in touch with them and just check on them, see how they’re doing.”
With the constant turnover at the position, the Patriots usually find a way to carry on. Of course, replacing Lewis won’t be easy. Last season, the pint-sized back led the Patriots with 896 rushing yards to go with six touchdowns. He also added 32 receptions for 214 yards and three receiving touchdowns.
White knows that it’ll take a group effort to replace Lewis this season.
“We’ve got to do it collectively,” White said. “That guy’s a special player. He can run, pass, catch, block. Can pretty much do it all. We have guys in this room that are capable of doing some of those same things and kind of take it on as a group.”
After Lewis signed with the Tennessee Titans, the Patriots added Jeremy Hill to the running back depth charter. Hill joins White, Rex Burkhead, Mike Gillislee and Brandon Bolden at the position. Hill has had success in the NFL, but is coming off a tough season where injuries limited his production.
“I met him at the Combine. We came out the same year,” White said. “But I knew him a little bit through Giovani Bernard. They were teammates, too. But he’s a good dude. He’s had a lot of success in this league. Happy to have him here. He’ll help us compete and win some football games.”
The Patriots might not be done adding running backs, either. The team has been tied to 15 running backs in the pre-draft process. The Pats had LSU’s Derrius Guice and USC’s Ronald Jones in for pre-draft visits this month.
In the event the Patriots add yet another name to the group, White said he’d gladly help the rookie along.
“Definitely. I try to help out anybody that steps in this building,” White said. “Those guys helped me when I was a young guy so it’s only right that I help the younger guys kind of string them along and try to help them succeed the best they can.”