Belichick: It Would Take 'Quite A Bit' For Any Back To Play Better Than James White
By Matt Dolloff, CBS Boston
BOSTON (CBS) -- Much of New England has patiently but eagerly anticipated the return of running back Dion Lewis to the Patriots offense. The hope is that Tom Brady would once again have a dynamic weapon in the backfield who can make eye-popping plays with the ball in his hands. Before tearing his ACL in Week 9 of the 2015 season, Lewis was a revelation, showing the kind of explosiveness and skills that you could only understand by watching him play.
But Bill Belichick would be the first to remind you that the Patriots have had a very capable pass-catching back in James White, who has filled in admirably in Lewis' absence.
Belichick was asked whether White had earned himself a regular role in the Patriots offense even after Lewis returns to the lineup, which he is on track to do for Sunday night's Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks. He responded with as strong a vote of confidence in any one player as you'll hear from the coach this season.
"I think James White's good. He's a good player. What he does is good. Could somebody do it better? I mean, I don't know. But it would take quite a bit, I would say, based on where he is and how consistent he's been, what he's done. It would take someone playing pretty good to be better than him."
In 16 games played since taking over Lewis' role in the Patriots offense during the 2015 season, White has totaled 764 yards on 103 total touches - a 7.41-yard average. Lewis, meanwhile, averaged 7.31 yards per touch in his seven games for the Patriots in 2015. Lewis may look like a better player, but there's been a negligible difference on the stat sheet.
It's likely that the most important number to Belichick is the games played - White's 16 to Lewis' 7, in the span of about a calendar year. Belichick has said before that "Dependability is more important than ability." While Lewis has certainly shown more explosiveness and big-play ability, White has been more reliable to be on the field in the first place. White may not be as dynamic a back as Lewis, but when he's gotten the ball, he's done his job.
Based on Belichick's comments about White, and how good Lewis would have to be to overtake him, expect White to continue to see regular touches. Brady and Belichick clearly trust him enough to keep feeding him the ball, while Lewis will have some work to do to get back the role he seized in a big way in 2015.
If that happens, it can only mean good things for the Patriots offense moving forward.
Matt Dolloff is a writer for CBSBostonSports.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect that of CBS or 98.5 The Sports Hub. Have a news tip or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff and email him at mdolloff@985thesportshub.com.
