Rex Burkhead

[Don Wassall]

How about this crock of ******** revisionist history by Marvin X that's regurgitated by The Boston Globe without the reporter questioning it or doing any of his own research. More fake news, reminds me of how Mike Mayock single-handedly labeled Ryan Swope as "concussion prone" as it was instantly parroted by the rest of the hive media as gospel. Just watch how this will become the new party line -- Burkhead didn't get opportunities in Cincinnati because he was injured all the time, even though he somehow managed to be an indispensable special teams ace:

New Patriot Rex Burkhead struggled with injuries in Cincinnati

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said injuries played a factor in why new Patriots running back Rex Burkhead didn’t get as many opportunities as he would have liked in Cincinnati.

Burkhead, who signed a one-year, $3.15 million free agent deal with New England, has been a standout special teamer and showed flashes at running back last season, including a 119-yard game in Week 17.

“A lot of the times when Rex got opportunities to play, he wasn’t quite 100 percent, so that kind of limited him some,’’ said Lewis, acknowledging that Burkhead also was behind Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard on Cincinnati’s depth chart.

“Even in preseason opportunities and so forth where he’d go into the games and it would be Rex’s ballgame to carry the ball in the first and second quarter and he wasn’t able to suit up, and that’s one of the things he’s battled over the years is being 100 percent completely healthy.’’

full article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2017/03/29/pnotes/S1ViCe0TLwv9wS2YPVCUPP/story.html

 

[Extra Point]

How about this crock of ******** revisionist history by Marvin X that's regurgitated by The Boston Globe without the reporter questioning it or doing any of his own research. More fake news, reminds me of how Mike Mayock single-handedly labeled Ryan Swope as "concussion prone" as it was instantly parroted by the rest of the hive media as gospel. Just watch how this will become the new party line -- Burkhead didn't get opportunities in Cincinnati because he was injured all the time, even though he somehow managed to be an indispensable special teams ace:

New Patriot Rex Burkhead struggled with injuries in Cincinnati

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said injuries played a factor in why new Patriots running back Rex Burkhead didn’t get as many opportunities as he would have liked in Cincinnati.

Burkhead, who signed a one-year, $3.15 million free agent deal with New England, has been a standout special teamer and showed flashes at running back last season, including a 119-yard game in Week 17.

“A lot of the times when Rex got opportunities to play, he wasn’t quite 100 percent, so that kind of limited him some,’’ said Lewis, acknowledging that Burkhead also was behind Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard on Cincinnati’s depth chart.

“Even in preseason opportunities and so forth where he’d go into the games and it would be Rex’s ballgame to carry the ball in the first and second quarter and he wasn’t able to suit up, and that’s one of the things he’s battled over the years is being 100 percent completely healthy.’’

full article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2017/03/29/pnotes/S1ViCe0TLwv9wS2YPVCUPP/story.html

This sounds like a cover your @#$ move by Lewis. The Patriots signed Burkhead for 3 million+ so that means they see something in him. The Patriots have a record of success with such moves.

So if Burkhead does well in New England it would raise the question of why Lewis didn't play him in Cincinnati. So Lewis preemptively claims it was due to injuries.

I remember a playoff game in which Burkhead played well in the first half and wasn't allowed to play in the second half. I don't recall there being a mention of him being injured then. In fact the mainstream media barely discussed it and never questioned Lewis about it.

I think if Burkhead does well in New England it will highlight the real reason why he wasn't given an opportunity before. He's white.

 

[Heretic]

How about this crock of ******** revisionist history by Marvin X that's regurgitated by The Boston Globe without the reporter questioning it or doing any of his own research. More fake news, reminds me of how Mike Mayock single-handedly labeled Ryan Swope as "concussion prone" as it was instantly parroted by the rest of the hive media as gospel. Just watch how this will become the new party line -- Burkhead didn't get opportunities in Cincinnati because he was injured all the time, even though he somehow managed to be an indispensable special teams ace:

New Patriot Rex Burkhead struggled with injuries in Cincinnati

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said injuries played a factor in why new Patriots running back Rex Burkhead didn’t get as many opportunities as he would have liked in Cincinnati.

Burkhead, who signed a one-year, $3.15 million free agent deal with New England, has been a standout special teamer and showed flashes at running back last season, including a 119-yard game in Week 17.

“A lot of the times when Rex got opportunities to play, he wasn’t quite 100 percent, so that kind of limited him some,’’ said Lewis, acknowledging that Burkhead also was behind Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard on Cincinnati’s depth chart.

“Even in preseason opportunities and so forth where he’d go into the games and it would be Rex’s ballgame to carry the ball in the first and second quarter and he wasn’t able to suit up, and that’s one of the things he’s battled over the years is being 100 percent completely healthy.’’

full article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/patriots/2017/03/29/pnotes/S1ViCe0TLwv9wS2YPVCUPP/story.html

The NFL has stats for everything. I would think that this could be verified by some journalist that really wanted to, but since this is most likely just another "fake news" hit-piece on a White NFL player, journalistic investigation (or integrity) is not necessary.

Doesn't each team have to provide the NFL with the injury status of players during the week before each game, like "Questionable", "Probable" etc.? If Burkhead "wasn't able to suit up" (according to Lewis), couldn't that be corroborated by the official NFL injury data for him or did Marvin Lewis not follow prescribed NFL protocol?

 

[Jimmy Chitwood]

per heretic's request:

http://www.bengals.com/team/injuryreport.html

it's only for this year, but it gives the names of every player on the injury list in alphabetical order, day by day, starting with Wednesday and up to game day.

a quick review of the list reveals that Burkhead only was limited in practice on the Wednesday of Week 6, and was limited some during Week 5 and as questionable on that game day. in Week 6, he had 2 carries for 16 yards and returned a kickoff for 15. in Week 5, he returned one kickoff for 23 yards. in both games, he participated as normal on special teams.

Marvin X is full of $h!t.

 

[Westside]

How many more years will Marvin X get to reach the SB??

 

[icsept]

Absolute scumbag statement by Marvin Lewis, who is 0-7 in playoff games. I expect him to be fired this season.

ESPN sources say Adrian Peterson to visit Pats on Monday...smh. I can't believe they would even consider it.

 

[Don Wassall]

The NFL has stats for everything. I would think that this could be verified by some journalist that really wanted to, but since this is most likely just another "fake news" hit-piece on a White NFL player, journalistic investigation (or integrity) is not necessary.

Doesn't each team have to provide the NFL with the injury status of players during the week before each game, like "Questionable", "Probable" etc.? If Burkhead "wasn't able to suit up" (according to Lewis), couldn't that be corroborated by the official NFL injury data for him or did Marvin Lewis not follow prescribed NFL protocol?

Burkhead played in every game in 2015 and 2016, almost solely as a White Special Teams Demon until the end of '16 when the Bengals were forced to start him because of injuries to their black backs. In his rookie season of 2013 Rex played in only one game as he was a healthy scratch for the other games. In 2014 he suffered a knee injury during training camp that caused him to miss the first part of the season but he played in every game after that. So other than one injury he's been very durable.

I found this information in about 5 minutes of searching and also by quickly going back over this thread -- in fact I found this quote from Marvin X in post #8: Bengals coach Marvin Lewis indicated he envisions sixth-round RB Rex Burkhead as a special teamer during his first season. Lewis believes Burkhead can "uplift special teams while competing for a spot" in the backfield.

Too bad The Boston Globe couldn't spend even that amount of time doing some basic fact checking. But then again it would make Marvin X look bad, and it would also contradict the conveniently concocted fake narrative that the durable Rex Burkhead is injury prone.

 

[Freethinker]

Some great posts and research here. Our "amateur journalists" put the corporate sports media to shame just like the Alt media reveals the msm in a similar manner.

I was wondering if we'll start to see similar "cover his ass" reports about Marcus Hunt as well? Hunt signed with Indy this offseason after being criminally underused on Marvin X's Caste plantation. The Eastern Block is an athletic freak who was never permitted to be anything more than a rotational 4th DE. Would anyone be surprised if he exploded into a premier D lineman with proper playing time in Indy? It would be wonderful to see Marvin eat crow on both Rex and Margus only to be fired at season's end.

 

[celticdb15]

Some great posts and research here. Our "amateur journalists" put the corporate sports media to shame just like the Alt media reveals the msm in a similar manner.

I was wondering if we'll start to see similar "cover his ass" reports about Marcus Hunt as well? Hunt signed with Indy this offseason after being criminally underused on Marvin X's Caste plantation. The Eastern Block is an athletic freak who was never permitted to be anything more than a rotational 4th DE. Would anyone be surprised if he exploded into a premier D lineman with proper playing time in Indy? It would be wonderful to see Marvin eat crow on both Rex and Margus only to be fired at season's end.

****! Screw end of the season. Here's to hoping they start season 0-6 so they can finally fire Marvin X before Christmas!!

 

[Don Wassall]

The Patriots signed RB Mike Gillislee to a two-year offer sheet for $6.4 million. Reportedly the Bills are unlikely to match it. Burkhead's deal was for one year for $3.15 million. It's almost like Gillislee insisted on just a bit more than Burkhead ($3.2 mil average for two years vs. Rex's $3.15 mil), and I've seen articles already slotting in Gillislee to replace Blount as the team's early down back. Gillislee is 5' 11" and 218 pounds, Burkhead is 5' 10" and 210, so there's little size difference between them. Of course previously after Burkhead was first signed the media had him pegged as merely a special teams player until the size of his contract became known. As always they're more than eager to downplay and demote a White player, especially at running back. Nevertheless, the signing of Gillislee is something to be concerned about.

The Patriots also recently signed James White to a three year extension worth $12 million, with $4.69 million guaranteed. Gillislee, Burkhead, White, and Dion Lewis can all be used roughly the same way, so our high hopes for Rex may have been a little premature, we'll have to see how it plays out in training camp and the regular season.

 

[white lightning]

The Patriots signed RB Mike Gillislee to a two-year offer sheet for $6.4 million. Reportedly the Bills are unlikely to match it. Burkhead's deal was for one year for $3.15 million. It's almost like Gillislee insisted on just a bit more than Burkhead ($3.2 mil average for two years vs. Rex's $3.15 mil), and I've seen articles already slotting in Gillislee to replace Blount as the team's early down back. Gillislee is 5' 11" and 218 pounds, Burkhead is 5' 10" and 210, so there's little size difference between them. Of course previously after Burkhead was first signed the media had him pegged as merely a special teams player until the size of his contract became known. As always they're more than eager to downplay and demote a White player, especially at running back. Nevertheless, the signing of Gillislee is something to be concerned about.

The Patriots also recently signed James White to a three year extension worth $12 million, with $4.69 million guaranteed. Gillislee, Burkhead, White, and Dion Lewis can all be used roughly the same way, so our high hopes for Rex may have been a little premature, we'll have to see how it plays out in training camp and the regular season.

What a shame. I thought he might have been in the perfect situation but it's just like it was on the Bengals. Way too many running backs. I hoping Burkheads versatility will win out. He should at least be the 2nd string back in a fair competition. Let's see if he can make Coach B. believe in him. It won't be easy. Look how long it took J. Edelmann to gain his trust. I'm gonna stay positive & hope for the best.

 

[Don Wassall]

Potential bad news for Rex as Buffalo declines to match New England's offer. Burkhead is a better all-around back than Gillislee, Lewis and White, but he may end up as just one component of a large RBBC. At least he's on a team that will play based on talent and productivity, so I still think there's a decent chance that Rex ends up having a big year.

Bills declined to match RB Mike Gillislee's two-year, $6.4 million offer sheet, making Gillislee a New England Patriot. Because Gillislee was a restricted free agent tendered at the original-round level, and was originally drafted in the fifth round, the Bills will get the Patriots' fifth-round pick (No. 163 overall). Albeit in limited duty behind a great line and with a dual-threat quarterback to help free up running lanes, Gillislee was one of the most efficient per-play backs in football last season, averaging 5.71 yards per carry with nine all-purpose touchdowns. He will compete for snaps with Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead. James White is locked in as New England's primary passing-game specialist.

 

[white is right]

This is a crowded backfield. I suspect somebody is going to be shipped off or cut. This backfield is the kind of backfield that you saw on run first powerhouse teams like the Lombardi Packers. For the pass first Patriots quite a few backs will be pulling splinters out of their backside.

 

[Leonardfan]

The sad thing about the Burkhead situation is that the Pats could very well have been the only team who had interest in signing him. Quite a few teams could of used his talent but since he is white they more than likely ignored him all together during Free Agency.

 

[Don Wassall]

Tom Brady likes to dump off a lot of passes to his backs. Rex is an excellent receiver as well as being an excellent runner. That, along with the inevitable injury bug that almost always strikes RBs, gives me hope that Rex can separate himself from the pack based on talent and productivity. Of course he has to avoid the injury bug himself for that to happen.

 

[Don Wassall]

From Peter King's latest Monday Morning Quarterback, for whatever it's worth and it's not quite accurate to call Burkhead a "scatback":

"I think Rex Burkhead will wind up being New England’s most important running back this season. Great receiver, good runner and a better blocker than fellow scatbacks Dion Lewis and James White."

 

[white lightning]

From Peter King's latest Monday Morning Quarterback, for whatever it's worth and it's not quite accurate to call Burkhead a "scatback":

"I think Rex Burkhead will wind up being New England’s most important running back this season. Great receiver, good runner and a better blocker than fellow scatbacks Dion Lewis and James White."

I agree Don but I must say any press that speaks highly of Burkhead and others we root for is rare these days. I'm hoping
that Rex is finally on a team that will appreciate his imense talent. I also hope that he will become a star on the national level as he is on one of the best teams in the nfl ever put together. The public will finally get to see this kid put on a show. He could not have went to a better team!

 

[Thrashen]

One of the first images of Rex practicing with the Pats. He'll be wearing #34 instead of #33...

This could be the best season for white RB's in decades. McCaffrey could be the starter with the Panthers, Woodhead should be a major contributor with the Ravens, Burkhead should get snaps in New England. Fullbacks like Juszczk in San Fransisco, Ripkowski in Green Bay, Janovich in Denver, and Kuhn in New Orleans could also contribute, especially if injuries to the "real" starters occur.

The Patriot offense should feature Brady, Gronkowski, Edelman, Hogan, Amendola, Burkhead Develin, and 3 white OL. A true miracle in the modern Caste NFL. Amendola could always get cut, but do they really want to part ways with a quality player that has been so clutch in their past two playoff/Superbowl runs? Edelman was healthy all last season, but he's still an injury prone player. I think Amendola will stick again in 2017.

 

[sprintstar]

you forgot

One of the first images of Rex practicing with the Pats. He'll be wearing #34 instead of #33...

This could be the best season for white RB's in decades. McCaffrey could be the starter with the Panthers, Woodhead should be a major contributor with the Ravens, Burkhead should get snaps in New England. Fullbacks like Juszczk in San Fransisco, Ripkowski in Green Bay, Janovich in Denver, and Kuhn in New Orleans could also contribute, especially if injuries to the "real" starters occur.

The Patriot offense should feature Brady, Gronkowski, Edelman, Hogan, Amendola, Burkhead Develin, and 3 white OL. A true miracle in the modern Caste NFL. Amendola could always get cut, but do they really want to part ways with a quality player that has been so clutch in their past two playoff/Superbowl runs? Edelman was healthy all last season, but he's still an injury prone player. I think Amendola will stick again in 2017.

Z2K in Detroit, if he doesn't get screwed over again he should be in the mix as well.

 

[Thrashen]

I didn't forget about him, but it doesn't look too promising. With the return of the bust, Abdullah, Zenner might be 3rd or 4th on the depth chart behind Abdullah, Riddick, Washington, and any other melanin-laden scrub they can find (last year it was the washed-up Justin Forsett) in free agency.

I'm hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. With any luck, they'll all get injured (again) and we'll have another guy to root for.

 

[Carolina Speed]

One of the first images of Rex practicing with the Pats. He'll be wearing #34 instead of #33...

This could be the best season for white RB's in decades. McCaffrey could be the starter with the Panthers, Woodhead should be a major contributor with the Ravens, Burkhead should get snaps in New England. Fullbacks like Juszczk in San Fransisco, Ripkowski in Green Bay, Janovich in Denver, and Kuhn in New Orleans could also contribute, especially if injuries to the "real" starters occur.

The Patriot offense should feature Brady, Gronkowski, Edelman, Hogan, Amendola, Burkhead Develin, and 3 white OL. A true miracle in the modern Caste NFL. Amendola could always get cut, but do they really want to part ways with a quality player that has been so clutch in their past two playoff/Superbowl runs? Edelman was healthy all last season, but he's still an injury prone player. I think Amendola will stick again in 2017.

In addition to Zenner, Dalton Crossan, RB Indianapolis Colts making the roster would be a bonus. He may move to receiver though. Let's hope not.

 

[Ambrose]

Not exceptionally elusive like CM, but strong after the catch/carry, and protects ball well.

 

[Don Wassall]

Bill Belichick was interested in Rex Burkhead before end of 2016 season

Belichick used his connections with another former Bengals player to pick up information about Burkhead.

by Kyle Phelps

Losing Rex Burkhead was one of the most disappointing parts of the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2017 offseason. Before 2016, he was one of the Bengals’ best kept secrets, only recording 13 carries for 31 yards and a touchdown, in addition to 17 catches for 143 yards and a touchdown in his first three seasons. Then, he broke out with 74 carries for 344 yards and two touchdowns in addition to 17 catches for 145 yards in 2016, despite only starting in the Bengals’ final game of the season.

Needless to say, Burkhead’s performance in the final game of his rookie contract drastically increased his value heading into free agency. There was talk about the Bengals trying to retain him, but ultimately he chose to sign a one-year, $3.15 million contract with the Patriots. That said, according to Andy Dalton, the Patriots may have had their eye on Burkhead long before he broke out against the Ravens in Week 17.

“I remember talking to a tight end who was with us, Matt Lengel, he ended up with the Patriots this past year. They picked him up off our practice squad,” Andy Dalton told Pardon My Take podcast. Lengel said he’s had a couple of conversations with Bill Belichick since arrive in New England, and one of the conversations was asking about Rex.

Dalton began to explain what he felt like Belichick was trying to do.

“I kinda felt like...” Dalton began.

“He was sniffing around,” One of the hosts chimed in.

Dalton laughed and seemed to agree. If true, it means Belichick may have realized Burkhead’s potential long before his breakout game, which launched his status as a free agent from ‘extremely low-profile’ to ‘potential starter’. There is a good chance the Patriots would have pursued Burkhead this offseason whether he had a chance to break out or not.

“This was in the middle of the year,” Dalton said. “Once he got to free agency, I think Rex fits perfect for what they do.”

Although the Bengals and their fans were disappointed to see Burkhead go, it was hard to see him ever reaching his full potential in Cincinnati. Even so, the Patriots have an extremely crowded backfield and if they can find playing time for him, couldn’t the Bengals have done the same? Instead, the Bengals brought in Joe Mixon and Brandon Wilson through the draft and signed some talent at the position after the draft was finished.

With a revamped running back unit in Cincinnati, Bengals fans can be happy for Burkhead as he receives a new opportunity with the Patriots.

“Rex is one of my good buddies,” Dalton said, refusing to say anything negative about losing him to an AFC foe.

Hopefully, Burkhead moving on to New England will be a good thing for him and a good thing for the Bengals as the addition of Mixon should power Cincinnati to possess a top-ranked running back unit.

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2017/5/2...ted-in-rex-burkhead-before-end-of-2016-season

 

[sprintstar]

“This was in the middle of the year,” Dalton said. “Once he got to free agency, I think Rex fits perfect for what they do.”

Haha Rex fits perfectly on any team that runs the ball lol

 

[Don Wassall]

Rex Burkhead making a strong impression at Patriots minicamp

by Carl Brooks

Rex Burkhead is still new to the Patriots roster. But the running back was easily one of the best offensive players on the field yesterday during the second day of minicamp.

Signed as a free agent away from Cincinnati, Burkhead established a strong connection with Tom Brady, catching all five passes from the quarterback during 11-on-11 drills.

And while he may be new, he seems to know the way to answer questions in typical, understated Patriots style.

So to what did he attribute his success with Brady?

“Just making sure I was on my assignments. I still have a lot of room to get better and improve my game,” he said. “I still have room to get comfortable and make sure I know what I’m doing.”

Burkhead saw plenty of first-team reps, catching passes from both Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo. He pulled in passes while working from all over the field, coming out of the backfield, shifting out to the slot and lining up outside. He was even spotted on the punt coverage team, communicating well when asked to do so.

With a loaded depth chart at the running back position, Burkhead will have to continue to showcase his versatility as he jostles for playing time.

“Whatever role they want to put me in, I’m up for,” he said plainly when asked about the difference in how he was used with the Bengals with how the Patriots have used him so far. “Whatever way or role gives us the best chance to win.”

Burkhead is in the midst of a huge transition, going from being a seldom-used target in the Bengals offense to being asked to be a do-it-all option in this offense. With all due respect to Andy Dalton and Marvin Lewis, there is a different level of talent on the Patriots with Brady and Bill Belichick.

So Burkhead knows how important these practices are, even in June, as he seeks to earn Brady’s trust.

“It’s huge,” he said. “Learning the system, making sure I know what to do when I’m out there . . . learning from the mistakes you make the day before and knowing (your job) day in and day out.”

When pushed further on the difference in culture between Cincinnati and the Pats, Burkhead gave a telling answer, one that focused on the improvement in weather from Tuesday to Wednesday. It seems that he’s already fallen in line and has learned to give generic media answers when in a tough spot.

“The rain is good for us. We’re probably going to play in a rain game sometime during the year. Rain, snow, whatever, so (yesterday) was good for us. Especially with catching the ball, ball handling, anything like that. Helps us stay in top of our game.”

With only 121 career touches (87 rushing attempts, 74 of which came last season, and 34 receptions) in his four seasons, Burkhead is still somewhat of an unknown commodity who has shown flashes when given the opportunity.

Yesterday could qualify as one of those flashes, and one area that stood out was in the red zone. Burkhead looked fluid in his footwork inside the 20-yard line and had many reps in that spot.

Knowing the importance of those plays to the Patriots offense, he’ll make himself indispensable if he continues to thrive in that position.

http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/...king_a_strong_impression_at_patriots_minicamp