Patriots Add to Their Running Back Depth, Sign Lamar Miller
We should know by now that the New England Patriots are going to be looking for diamonds in the rough. They look for those players looking for a second chance or battling back from an injury. We’ve seen it with Corey Dillon and Randy Moss, just to name a few. Well guess what Patriots fans? Bill Belichick went out and did it again. The Patriots decided to bolster up their running back core with an interesting signing. Former Houston Texas running back Lamar Miller has agreed to a one year deal with the Patriots, per Adam Schefter.
Former Texans’ RB Lamar Miller and the Patriots reached agreement on a one-year deal, pending a physical, per @RosenhausSports.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 10, 2020
Now with this type of signing, we have to ask a few questions.
How is Lamar Miller’s ACL?
Lamar Miller, who reportedly agreed to a 1-year deal with the @patriots (pending physical), posted this video roughly 11 months after tearing his ACL in a preseason game (HOU) vs. DAL on 8/24/19. https://t.co/arzC3sknMq
— Bob Socci (@BobSocci) August 10, 2020
So like Bob Socci says here, Lamar Miller has been out of commission since August of 2019. He injured his ACL in a preseason game against the Cowboys on August 24th, 2019. Miller looks like he’s moving a lot better on his feet and the ACL looks strong. But how strong can it be for 2020? Remember, Miller was a Pro Bowler in 2018 before missing all of 2019 with that ACL injury. So if Miller can hold up, it only makes the whole Patriots running back core better. But it also ties into the next question…
What’s the Deal with Sony Michel?
News story: With Sony Michel (foot) on active/PUP, and Brandon Bolden opting out of the 2020 season, the short-handed Patriots add at running back with veteran Lamar Miller. https://t.co/5NbCY501N8
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) August 10, 2020
So apparently, Sony Michel is on the PUP list. He’s been having foot problems. So does this mean Miller will get a majority of the carries? Not necessarily. But the move makes sense with Michel questionable right now and Brandon Bolden opting out of the 2020 season. If Michel can get healthy for the season, then Michel, Miller, and Rex Burkhead could be a problem for other teams to gameplay against.
In Conclusion
This is a typical low-risk, high-reward signing for the Patriots. If they get a glimpse of 2018 Lamar Miller, then the backfield becomes that much better. Imagine a team with Cam Newton/Jarrett Stidham at QB, that backfield, plus Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, N’Keal Harry AND Jakobi Meyers? Man, get me to the season already! (Assuming we’re having one?)
-Al Nahigian (@BigAl2793)
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Feat. Image courtesy of cbssports.com/