How the New England Patriots can feed their running backs this season

In the Patriots Barn, they have several horses ready to run over opposing defenses. James White, Damien Harris, Rex Burkhead, Sony Michel, JJ Taylor, Jakob Johnson and Dan Vitale. Making these men an even bigger threat is a returning offensive line and two new tight ends to help Ryan Izzo out.

According to Justin Trombino, "Over the last two years, New England has become accustomed to utilizing running backs in a variety of different ways. In doing so, the Patriots have also become predictable with their play calls depending on the personnel that is deployed on the field."

Bolden and Burkhead have been used to do everything. White has been primarily a pass catcher, while Sony just runs the ball. Last year Harris was red shirted. Who knows about the others.

Trombino continues "The Patriots can avoid predictable running attacks this season by using all of their running backs in the same type of way — similar to what the San Francisco 49ers did in 2019."

The Patriots run the "Air West Spread" system. Meaning that the running backs, tight ends, and slot receivers are a big part of the game. The Patriots could run a veer set and have two half backs on the field or even go with the flexbone and have 3 backs on the field, the full or power back behind the quarterback and the two half backs behind the tackles.

Formations like this create mismatches as the defense doesn't know who's getting the ball. The Patriots could fake a hand off up the middle and pitch it to the other. They could have the backs run a reverse from the flexbone, or they could have them go out for a pass. 

While I was trying not to suggest it, Trombino suggests the Patriots try one of my favorite formations, and it's something right up Belichick's alley.

"Another formation the Patriots could use to utilize more of their running backs is the old wishbone formation.

The wishbone features two receivers split out wide with no tight ends and also includes a fullback that is set four yards behind the quarterback, along with two running backs set one yard behind either side of him.

Whether it’s a run or a pass, there could be many different outcomes from this formation — but again, it is also another way to get more runners on the field in a confusing/deceiving formation.

Since a fullback is included in the wishbone, the Patriots could put any of their versatile running backs out there to cause confusion while executing the play in this formation." Trombino wrote.

There are so many ways the Patriots can use their stable and being the Patriots have a more mobile quarterback under center for the first time since the pre Bledsoe era (Brissett & Jimmy don't count.), they have so many more options in play calling that McDaniels might bring out some French Vanilla or White Chocolate plays. 

The NFL has been adopting more college style options plays. While the triple option is still rarely used, the RPO is very popular right now. Stidham is going to have to be able to manage a game for the Patriots to execute their offense.

The Patriots have a lot of youth this year on offense and have a lot of players at every position on offense, a tight end reverse option or even a tackle eligible; could be called on any given sunday. It's Time for McDaniels to show show this writer that he still has an imagination.