James White is no longer on track to set the league record for receptions in a season by a running back, but he could set a couple of Patriots records out of the backfield in Miami this afternoon.
FOXBORO – He is no longer on pace to break Matt Forte’s NFL record for most receptions in a season by a running back, but James White has positioned himself to break a couple of franchise records when the Patriots play the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium this afternoon.
With 74 catches for 659 yards through 12 games, White has Tony Collins’ 77 receptions for 684 yards in 1986, both Patriots franchise records for a running back, in his sights. As it is, White has already put himself in second place in team history in both departments.
At his current pace, White would finish the season with 99 receptions, which would fall three shy of the league-record 102 Forte caught at running back with the Chicago Bears in 2014. Ninety-nine catches would put White in a fourth-place tie for receptions in a season by a running back with Larry Centers’ 99 with Arizona in 1996 behind Forte’s 102, Centers’ 101 with the Cardinals in 1995 and LaDainian Tomlinson’s 100 with the San Diego Chargers in 2003.
White’s 74 catches have him tied with New York Giants rookie Saquon Barkley for second among the league’s running backs behind Christian McCaffrey’s 80 receptions with Carolina. McCaffrey is now on pace to erase Forte’s record with 107.
With 76 carries for 329 yards to go along with his reception totals, White enters today’s game on the cusp of 1,000 yards from scrimmage with 988, 28th in the league. With 10 touchdowns (four rushing, six receiving), White has 60 points, 12th in the league among non-kickers.
“He’s an all-around back,” said Rex Burkhead, who returned to the running back mix with Sony Michel and White last Sunday from the neck injury he'd suffered in Week 3. “He can do it all. He’s one of the smartest football players I’ve ever played with definitely. He sees things that other players don’t see, what other backs don’t see, and it’s been cool to be along his side.”
Game stunned Gase: Speaking to the New England media on a conference call on Wednesday, Dolphins head coach Adam Gase says he was surprised by the way his team allowed itself to get overpowered by the Patriots in its 38-7 loss at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 30.
“We didn’t fight back the way that I thought that we would,” said Gase. “I think we’ve had some weeks where we’ve done a lot of things right to where we showed what we needed to show as far as playing like that. We just need to be more consistent with it.
“This is always a tough game, a tough team. The scheme they play and the way that they’re coached, it makes it very difficult and our guys have got to be on what we’re doing and then they’ve got to understand that it’s going to come down to the will on each play and can they win their matchup individually.”
’Tis the season: The 25th annual New England Patriots Foundation Children’s Holiday Party may be behind them (last Tuesday), but the holiday events aren’t over for the team.
This Tuesday, players will visit Boston Children’s Hospital to deliver a box of new toys to the hospital’s holiday store and join the Boston Pops in the patient entertainment center to participate in an annual holiday concert during which they will read “T’was the Night Before Christmas.”
On Dec. 18, Patriots players past and present and their family members will lead 50 children from homeless shelter programs on a holiday shopping spree at Bass Pro Shops at Patriot Place. The kids will receive $400 gift cards to purchase a winter coat, hat, gloves and gifts for themselves and loved ones on a night that will include dinner, photos with Santa and holiday music.