What's with the Patriots' Running Back Situation?
The Patriots offseason has been put on hold this week while Bill Belichick has been taking his flip flops and cargo shorts talents to different schools Pro Days. So there was no reason to expect they’d be making any personnel moves. But when His Hoodedness gets back to the office on Monday, it only makes sense that he’ll do something to address the one area of need that’s gone ignored so far: Running back.
Sure, they picked up Rex Burkhead. He’s a quality addition that I heard Greg Cosell rave about on a podcast. Burkhead will be a nice compliment to James White and a Core-4 special teamer. But what I’m talking about is a true factor back. A 15-20 carries a game guy. And it just strikes me as bizarre that we’re practically to Red Sox opening day and they’ve still got that gaping hole on the roster.
I’d say the plan is to grab someone in the draft, as there’s quality in this year’s class. But they not only don’t have a pick in the top 70 (yet), they let it be known this week they’ll pass on Joe Mixon, the most physically gifted back in the group. He could fall to them for the same reason they won’t take him if he does: Video of him Ray Rice-ing a young lady at Oklahoma. And since no one wants to risk being haunted by the vengeful spirit of an angered Myra Kraft, Mixon is a hard no. But even still, there’s depth at the position and drafting one remains a solid option.
Still, I have to think they’ll sign a veteran back and soon. There are three free agents still available: Jamaal Charles, LeGarrette Blount and Adrian Peterson. Of those options, Charles is the one most ready for a “Do Not Resuscitate” bracelet. He’s only played in eight games over the last two years and appears to be dunzo. Blount is obviously a great fit here and has some miles left on his odometer. But the fact he’s unsigned probably means he’s looking for more than the kind of incentive-laden deal he’s been playing under. And with him turning 31 this season, I can’t imagine the Pats would decide now is a good time to give him a bump in pay.
Which is why I keep finding myself going back to Adrian Peterson. I wouldn’t be at all shocked if he ends up in New England. I’m being completely serious. On a one year, all-incentives deal to re-establish himself in order to cash in at the end of the season on one big contract. Personally, I don’t see Peterson as a system fit. But what do I know?. Plus the Krafts would have to sign off on it, obviously. And the organization would have a Category 5 PR shitstorm to weather. But it would blow over soon enough. And the way they could Ian Ziering chainsaw their way through the bad publicity Sharknado is by explaining that Peterson took his punishment, was reinstated by the NFL, played last season in Minnesota, put his past behind him and never talk about it again. I can’t guarantee they’ll sign him. And Peterson has been on Tinder with Tampa, Green Bay and Oakland. But if I’m him and the Pats are an option, I’d be in Foxboro signing the deal before Belchick had time to hang up the phone. Stranger things have happened.
