Rex Burkhead's versatility could be a big problem for defenses

HOUSTON — The Patriots have always relied on the versatility of their players to make life difficult for opponents.

“The more things you can do…” may not be the most uttered line in the Patriots’ locker room during the Bill Belichick era, but it’s pretty close.

However, most of that versatility has been illustrated on defense and the offensive line, where players have been forced to switch roles due to injuries and matchups.

This season, it looks like they’re taking the versatility factor to another level on offense.

After years of trotting out traditional backfields filled with either power backs for the first two downs, and pass-catching backs for third downs or subpackages, the Patriots now, after watching his debut against the Texans, have a back in Rex Burkhead who can fill both roles.

It used to be that opponents had a fairly good idea that if LeGarrette Blount was in the game, the Patriots were looking to run. And if James White and/or Dion Lewis entered the game, a pass was more likely. Burkhead, after posting 70 total yards and a touchdown on 10 touches in the Patriots’ 27-23 loss to the Texans on Saturday night, looks equally adept at both running and catching.

Good luck with that, opposing defenses.

On second-and-7 with 23 seconds left in the third quarter, the Patriots sent out their “regular” personal (two backs, a tight end and two receivers) with Burkhead at running back, fullback James Develin, tight end Rob Gronkowski and receivers Julian Edelman and Brandin Cooks. The Texans, as most defenses would, countered with their “regular” defense of four linemen and three linebackers, even though the Patriots were in shotgun with Burkhead in the backfield, Gronkowski on the line and everyone else spread out. That made it easy for Brady to pick out the best matchup, which was Burkhead one-on-one with linebacker Brian Cushing. Burkhead was wide open for the 16-yard catch to move the chains.

“I think that’s what makes a good offense,” Brady said. “Having a lot of versatility and I’ve said for a long time, I throw where the guys are open. If they double someone, everyone else is singled across the board. You’ve got to be careful who you double. If we’ve got the right play call against certain defenses, it’s tough to stop us.”

Burkhead continued to show off his own versatility for the rest of the drive. He caught a 12-yard pass when Brady was under pressure and looking for an outlet. Burkhead was in the featured back role for runs of 4 and 3 yards behind two-tight end sets.

The Patriots used the similar look out of “regular” personnel to score their first touchdown when Burkhead faked linebacker Zach Cunningham out of his shoes, and went untouched 22 yards.

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/899072162346094592

“It was a great play,” Brady said. “He had a one-on-one matchup with the linebacker they had in coverage, and he made a really good move to the out, and then broke across to space. I knew there was a lot of space in there if he could make the catch. He made a great catch and obviously a good run. It was a big play.”

Of course, the Patriots’ backfield is still a work in progress. Mike Gillislee can do many of the same things as Burkhead, but he’s been sidelined since early in camp with a hamstring injury. Both White and Lewis (eight touches, 43 yards) are dynamic through the air. And Brandon Bolden (eight carries, 33 yards) has shown that he can run with power when needed. Even reserve D.J. Foster showed off his pass-catching ability with 52 yards on four catches, including a 25-yard touchdown that looked very similar to Burkhead’s.

“We have a ton of great guys, and everybody produces, everybody competes, and I think that’s what’s so great about our backfield is we compete, we root for one another,” Burkhead said. “Whenever we make a great play, we’re right there cheering each other on. Whatever roles the coaches want to put us in, we’re more than happy to do it.”