A change in roles saw James Develin get the ball five times on Sunday. The fullback answered by scoring two touchdowns to help carry the Patriots to a 24-10 victory over the Minnesota Vikings.
FOXBORO – It was a rare Sunday at Gillette Stadium.
The Patriots got James Develin the ball five times.
When it was over, wide receiver-kickoff returner (and, when called upon, running back) Cordarrelle Patterson gave the fullback props.
“He’s the player of the game in my eyes,” said Patterson. “He stepped up big. He’s always blocking, lead blocking, third down, first down, whatever. His name was called and today he got the opportunity to carry the ball a lot, and he did a hell of a job.”
Indeed, he did.
While his five touches accounted for all of 14 yards (four carries for 5 yards; one catch for 9), Develin scored his second and third touchdowns of the year, only the third and fourth of his six-year career (fourth and fifth counting the postseason), in the Patriots’ 24-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
Surely, this was the type of day the 6-foot-3, 255-pounder has frequently dreamed about.
Well, no, for such dreams would qualify as fantasy football for a guy who began the day with 44 touches in 87 games (regular season and postseason) over his career, one who began the day with one carry for 1 yard and a touchdown and eight catches for 33 yards this year.
“Honestly,” said Develin, “I’ve never dreamt about a game like this. This is the first time I’ve ever thought about it. I know my role, and that is to get these other guys in the end zone, but it’s a really a cool experience to get in myself. I’m thankful for the coaches having the confidence to call those plays, and thankful for our offensive line doing a great job opening up holes.”
Develin’s 1-yard run 5:27 into the game capped off an eight-play, 81-yard drive that gave the Patriots a 7-0 lead. His 2-yard run with 10:54 to play in the game put the finishing touches on a six-play, 50-yard drive and the day’s scoring.
“It’s awesome,” running back James White said of Develin’s effort. “Not many teams use a fullback across the league. We are one that does, and he makes plays for us, not just blocking, he catches it, he’s getting touchdowns. So, I mean, it’s definitely well-deserved for him. He works hard for us each and every week at fullback, on special teams, just does whatever needs to be done. So, he’s a great player and a great teammate.”
As one would expect given the blue-collar nature of his job, there was nothing fancy about about either of Develin’s touchdown runs simply taking a handoff from quarterback Tom Brady and plowing straight ahead into the end zone in both instances.
“It was awesome, though I really have to give all the props to the offensive line,” said Develin. “All I did was get the ball and follow those guys and fall forward. They did a really awesome job all game, they were paving open holes all game. Those guys are a bunch of dogs, and I’m blessed to work with them.”
The feeling is mutual, the team’s 300-pounders looking at Develin as one of them. Given the amount of blocking he does – Develin earned a Pro Bowl berth a year ago despite touching the ball just six times (all receptions; he didn’t carry the ball once) – it’s only right.
“Those guys are the best,” said Develin. “Like I’ve said before, I’m just really lucky to go to work with those guys. I’m honored that they call me an honorary offensive lineman, that’s really cool, but you know I’ve got to give those guys all the props.”
McDaniels' name circulating again: With Mike McCarthy's firing by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Patriots offensive coordinator-quarterbacks coach Josh McDaniels' name has already begun to circulate on the rumor mill.
McDaniels was in line to become the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts this season, of course, but he called an audible and backed out after the team called a press conference to introduce him, choosing to remain an assistant on Bill Belichick's staff in New England.
"If (becoming a head coach is) in the cards for me, then that’s great. I've said that before," McDaniels said during a conference call on Tuesday. "But again, I’m not worried about that right now."