J.J. Taylor is one of a group of running backs trying to earn playing time for the Patriots behind Rhamondre Stevenson. Winslow Townson/AP Images for Panini
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Patriots had several veteran free-agent running backs come in for visits this preseason, but have not pulled the trigger on signing any of them – yet.
Perhaps the Patriots are waiting, and hoping, for one of their young running backs to earn an opportunity behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson, making any addition unnecessary.
None of those young running backs proved worthy of the job in Thursday’s preseason opener.
With Stevenson taking the night off along with the rest of the offensive starters, no one in the backfield stood out or emerged as the favorite as New England’s No. 2 back in a 20-9 loss to the Texans. Pierre Strong, Kevin Harris and J.J. Taylor each received opportunities, while Ty Montgomery continued to sit out injured. Behind a makeshift offensive line that didn’t give them much room to operate, they combined for just 35 yards on 18 attempts.
“I mean, we’re dealing with some injuries on the offensive line,” Patriots Coach Bill Belichick said. “But the guys that were in there got some experience. But, yeah, it’s tough for the backs. It’s tough for the quarterback. Yeah, we didn’t have a lot of space on the offense for the most part tonight.”
Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Darrell Henderson have each visited Foxborough and remain available, and the calls for a veteran like them will only grow louder after Thursday.
“As a unit, we went out there and gave it our all,” Taylor said. “We did what we could do and sometimes doing what we can do is not enough, but at other times it is. Just learn from it, come back tomorrow and pick up from there. …
“I haven’t watched the film, but all I know is this is going to be something to learn from, we can learn a lot from it and as a group, we’re going to come in (Friday) and pay attention, study, learn from it, and then hopefully come out (better) next time.”
While the line certainly didn’t do them any favors, the Patriots’ backs couldn’t make a play for themselves.
Harris, who finished with 10 yards on eight carries, has looked good during short-yardage situations in camp but didn’t take advantage of a prime opportunity on the Patriots’ opening series of the third quarter. Facing fourth-and-1, the big second-year back couldn’t find any ground and was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
Strong, the starter at running back, couldn’t convert an opportunity in the passing game, where there is clear opportunity as a third-down back behind Stevenson. The Patriots faced a third-and-2 early in the second quarter when quarterback Bailey Zappe found Strong on a dump-off in the flat, but the back couldn’t make a defender miss and fell short of a first down.
Taylor led the running back trio with 21 offensive snaps – many on third down – while Harris finished with 15 and Strong had 14. The elusive Taylor, who’s in his fourth camp, looks the most capable in the passing game but certainly needs to do more to cement a spot. He caught two passes for 11 yards, and had just four carries for 4 yards.
“Always have something to prove,” Taylor said on his preseason approach. “I mean, we’re in the NFL. It’s a job based off of performance, so just trying to prove myself and prove that I belong here.”
With less than a month until the season opener and a couple of preseason games remaining, there’s time for someone to emerge in this backfield. But if Thursday was any indication, they may need to bring someone in from the outside.
“The (running back) room is great. The camaraderie is amazing,” Taylor said.” We all look out for each other. We all got each other’s back. I know we’re fighting for jobs and stuff like that, but at the end of the day, we all want to see each other succeed.”
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