Already a steady piece of the Patriots' offense, James White knows he's going to be counted on even more in 2018

FOXBOROUGH — When James White was told running backs coach Ivan Fears said his football knowledge was “second only to (Tom) Brady,” White didn’t flinch.

That doesn’t mean White isn’t appreciative of Fears’ statements. He knows the words carry some weight. Instead, it’s simply a form of vindication, an acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication White has shown since he arrived in Foxborough as a fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin in 2014.

“He’s the one guy who works more than anybody else, as far as studying and preparing and being ready,” Fears said of White.

It's heady praise for any player to be in the same conversation as Brady, and White acknowledges the statement. But for him, when it comes to “football knowledge,” it's a pretty simple definition.

“I think it’s a combination of everything,” White told BostonSporstJournal.com.


“Trying to know what the offensive line is trying to get done,” he said, ticking off a list of his responsibilities. “Trying to know what Tom knows. Trying to learn all the routes the receivers run. Trying to be as knowledgeable as possible in the whole offense, so I can do my job fast enough.”

Frequently, New England’s high-level offensive skill position players not only have to learn the traditional aspects of their position, but the rest of the responsibilities within the offense as well. That’s why Rob Gronkowski has to familiarize himself with the nuances of lining up flush against a tackle, in the slot or split wide.

To that end, for the 26-year-old White, 2018 represents a different phase of his career. He had already carved out a niche as a dependable part of Brady’s circle of trust (he’s one of just seven backs with 150 catches or more since 2015) and also has the postseason resume to suggest that he’s capable of greatness.

But without Julian Edelman the first four games and a thinned-out wide receiving corps, he’ll now be asked to take on even more responsibility in the passing game. That’s why it’s no surprise that entering his fifth year in the league, he said he's had more stacked on his plate this offseason.