FOXBOROUGH— Training camp is in full swing at Gillette Stadium as running backs and the defensive line took center stage at today’s full-padded practice.
The Patriots are now without Dion Lewis, who torched defenses with his ability to pound the ball up the middle and catch it out of the air for big gains. With Lewis signing a four-year deal with the Tennessee Titans, all eyes are on James White, who entered the spotlight with his historical performance in Super Bowl LI.
However, nothing is being handed to him. The running back position is deep in talent and the competition for roster spots and starting positions are some of the most heated at training camp. White said he believes that the competition does not hurt the development at the position—especially with rookies like Sony Michel—but enhances it.
“[We’ve] got a lot of good players and we compete with one and other,” White said. “We are going to find a way on this team and let the coaches sort the rest out.”
White said he was also able to offer the rookies Michel and Ralph Webb some advice on how to handle the professional level.
“There’s going to be a lot thrown at you,” White said. “At the end of the day, you’re going to go out there and just play football. Just take in all that the coaches say, just play fast, you’re gonna make mistakes, just have fun out there that’s what’s most important that’s why we play the game.”
Still University of Wisconsin alum still maintains that there isn’t just one thing he still has to work on with his game.
“I try to work on everything, it’s never just one thing,” White said. “Everything’s got a little bit to work on whether it’s blocking, running, catching, learning special teams, learning the offense as a whole. There are all these little things you can work at, so I just try to work on everything, just to become a better overall football player.”
On the other side of the ball, defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. must now face his draft classmate Derek Rivers for playing time, as well as prized free additions Adrian Clayborn and Danny Shelton. However, Wise said it is not a competition, but a new experience that the defensive line did not have this past year.
“They both came in as vets, both experienced,” Wise said. “They bring in their experience to this D-line, an experience that myself and other young guys may not have or may not know, they bring in another part, another intricate part of the game.”
Wise, while no longer a rookie, still claims that he’s still trying to learn while also trying to teach the younger players on what to expect.
“I’m still trying to be a student of the game right now,” Wise said. “This is only my second year and I’m still learning, still have room to improve, and while I’m learning I’ll also tell the guys came in behind me small things that help me out like the vets did me.”
The Patriots practice Monday in front of season ticket holders and Foxborough residents before having a day off on Tuesday. Their first preseason game is on Aug 9 against the Washington Redskins
