https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLnJvy7EjVQ
Going into this season, my biggest positional concern for the Patriots that went entirely unaddressed in any major way was running back. Some people had concerns about depth at tackle, some had concerns about depth at linebacker.
We all know that Dante Scarnecchia is back to coach the offensive line, and part of the tackle depth problem last year was that the actual depth also kept getting hurt. At linebacker, there’s some less-proven talent added, but two former first round picks, in Shea McClellin and Barkevious Mingo, plus a sixth round pick in this year’s draft with Kamu Grugier-Hill.
Running back, however, was not addressed in any major way or on any nationally televised stage.
The moves: Donald Brown (already cut), and undrafted free agent DJ Foster. I’ve been pretty high on Foster’s potential since various camp footage had surfaced, along with seeing him in person at the practice inside Gillette Stadium. Foster hadn’t played in any preseason games this season before week 3, when he finally got on the field in the third quarter.
Did he set the world on fire? No. Did he show some promise? Yes. Let’s take a look.
His first touch was on this slip screen. He makes the catch, shows great patience and body control in allowing the blocks to set up in front of him, aggressively takes the corner when his opening is there, and picks up the first down. Bonus points to Jacoby Brissett for being very patient with the blitzing defender in his face before releasing the pass.
Two plays later, Foster was back in and caught a swing pass. The pass was placed in a spot that caused Foster to have to slow down for a second, which allowed us the first chance to get a good look at his acceleration. Within one step, Foster had the jets turned on to full speed, picking up 9 yards. His next reception led me to believe this play would have gone for more if this pass was more on target, allowing him to hit full speed quicker.
Another slip screen to the right, this time instead of taking it to the sideline, Foster used his vision and athleticism
to turn it up field closer to the numbers. A great plant and cut and Foster had suddenly burst up the field for a 13 yard
gain before the initial defender knew what happened. These are the the type of moves we didn’t see as much last year after Dion Lewis went down.
Foster also had two carries. One to the right where he got tripped up, and one to the left. Both went forward, one for 4, and this one for 5. On this play, he was contacted by a defensive lineman after just one yard but churns his feet to keep it going for the next 4 yards.
There are other smallish running backs on the roster that have a history of not moving piles very well, so this is something that is nice to see. In fairly limited action, we can observe one thing: Foster seems to only go forward.
The other sneaky thing about DJ Foster is that in college, he played running back as a junior. As a senior, he played
wide receiver. That Belichick guy really likes players with roster flexibility, so that could certainly play into his
favor and increase his chances of making initial 53 man roster as opposed to being a practice squad candidate. Someone like James White might need to start playing with his hair on fire with Foster around.
Thanks for the review Rick!
Don’t put him in the hall yet