Burkhead back in running
Veteran looks good for opener
FOXBORO — After missing most of August with a knee injury, Patriots running back Rex Burkhead will be ready to go tomorrow in the season opener against the Houston Texans.
But should he be in your fantasy football lineup?
“I got no comment on that,” Burkhead said, laughing.
The Patriots enter the regular season with a deep and talented backfield. Opposing defensive coordinators — and, most importantly, fantasy owners — are surely wondering how they will use each running back. Burkhead, James White, Jeremy Hill and rookie Sony Michel, who is listed as questionable with a knee injury, all figure to have roles.
A year ago, Burkhead served as the perfect complement to Dion Lewis. He created mismatches in the passing game, sometimes splitting out wide and beating safeties in man coverage. He served as the team’s short-yardage and goal-line back, as well.
To this point, Burkhead hasn’t consistently filled the job of “lead back.” He’s registered 15 or more touches in only three career games. This could be the year Burkhead takes on the No. 1 role.
“I’m just trying to make the most of it,” Burkhead said. “Whatever the coaches want me to do, I’m more than happy to do that, whatever role that may be. Whether it’s a ton of carries and touches or not that many but doing some other things to help the team out for a win, I’m happy to do that. And I think that’s what’s great about being here.”
Burkhead possesses rare versatility, but his durability has been an issue. He missed four games with an injury to his ribs early in the 2017 season, and he sat out three more games, including the AFC divisional playoff game, due to a knee injury.
The 28-year-old veteran would not declare himself 100 percent healthy heading into the Texans game.
“I don’t really want to comment on anything like that but just looking forward to being back out there,” Burkhead said.
Chung does it all
For the first time in his career, Patriots strong safety Patrick Chung was voted a captain by his teammates.
As Bill Belichick noted, Chung “does a lot” for the Pats.
“He’s out there on everything,” Belichick said. “He’s out there on defense, special teams. He runs scout team plays for us on offense . . . . He just loves to get out there and compete. He’s in great condition. He can go hard all day. He’s a very, very well-conditioned athlete with good playing strength, good instincts, good toughness.”
Belichick compared to Chung to Patriots legends linebacker Mike Vrabel and safety Rodney Harrison, both of whom were also willing participants on the scout team.
“They’re just kind of out there on every play, whether it’s their period or somebody else’s period,” Belichick said.
Asked what position Chung plays on the scout team, Belichick said, “Not in the interior line, but yeah, he can play anywhere.”
Chung got a shot at quarterback when the offense and defense switched roles for two goal line reps during an Aug. 2 practice. It didn’t go so well.
The next day, when asked to assess Chung’s quarterbacking skills, Belichick smiled and said, “I’ll stay away from that one.”
White earns kudos
White, the Patriots’ other first-time captain, received a nice endorsement from Belichick.
“He’s done a great job for us both on and off the field,” the coach said. “He’s one of our most dependable players. Everybody has a lot of confidence in him because he’s earned it. He’s earned that confidence and trust from his teammates and his coaches by doing it on a consistent basis. There’s no real magic to that. It’s just going out there and being consistent and dependable. He’s done a great job of it.”
White, who tends to deflect praise, said it was an honor to be named captain.
“For me, it’s just try to lead by example, try to do things the right way, and at the same time, just go out there and perform every weekend and give the team the best I have,” White said.