Sports
Breakout Brothers: A Report on the Next Lethal Rushing Duo
Matthew Schultz
Over the last two decades of football in New England, the Patriots have avoided a “run-first” mentality on the offensive side of the ball. Yes, there are names like Antowain Smith, Corey Dillon, Lawrence Maroney, Benjarvis Green-Ellis, Steven Ridley, LeGarrette Blount, and Sony Michel who have cycled through this offense and then eventually been dumped for future draft picks. We cannot speculate with Bill Belichick at the helm, especially with running backs, but these number neighbors have all but green grass in the future ahead of them.
How Did We Get Here?
After winning Super Bowl 53 in February of 2019 (strongly due to stellar play by RB Sony Michel), the Pats took Damien Harris in the third round (87th overall). With strong ties to Alabama and Nick Saban, Belichick clearly knew what he was getting out of a player who split carries with pro bowler Josh Jacobs in 2018. Saban must have given Bill some great insight. While Harris was a lock for a day 1 or 2 selection, Stevenson was not. He and Ronnie Perkins (also drafted by NE) failed drug tests in the 2020 bowl season at Oklahoma. They both returned to play just under half the games in the 2020-2021 season for the Sooners. Even with major off-field issues, Belichick took the risk by drafting Stevenson in the 4th round (120th overall) of the 2021 draft due to his proven talent on the field (7.2 yards per carry).
Though both showed potential, Harris was splitting carries with Sony Michel, and Stevenson (who couldn’t complete the team’s conditioning test) sat at the bottom of the running back depth chart behind Harris, Michel, J.J. Taylor, James White, and Brandon Bolden.
After rushing for 217 yards and 5 touchdowns on only 30 carries in the preseason, Stevenson proved his skill was worthy of a roster spot. Trading Sony Michel in late August helped Harris earn the starting job.
Cold Feet
On his second regular season touch in week 1, Stevenson coughed up the ball on a reception from Mac Jones leaving Miami with the ball in New England territory (1st Quarter). Later on, New England (trailing 17-16) was looking for a game winning drive. Harris gained the initial 3 yards before fumbling the ball at the Miami 7 yard line, leaving the Dolphins with 3:30 on the clock and 2 first downs from a victory. Despite his efficient stat line (23 carries and 100 yards), Harris cost New England the game.
It wasn’t just week one. What had seemed like a bang-bang rushing duo turned into a tension-filled snafu. Stevenson was benched until week 5 where he averaged 2.09 yards per carry against a miserable Houston run defense. Harris averaged a meager 3.5 yards per carry through weeks 2-5 (-4 yards on 4 carries against Tampa Bay). At 2-3, their potential was heading into a ditch of endless ball security and route running drills (Get it? Because they can’t run [or hold on to] the ball!)
Feet Warmers
Despite losing to Dallas in Week 6, Harris totaled 101 yards on 18 carries and Stevenson scored his first NFL touchdown. This is where I really was able to see how they complemented each other. Obviously, Harris would be the feature-back going forward since he earned it. But no feature-back is good without a power/short yardage back like Rhamondre Stevenson. From week 7 and on, they combined for 1059 yards and just under 5 YPC.
These numbers aren’t staggering by any means but when watching the games, it feels different. Harris’s downhill/sneakily shifty running style is perfectly paired with Stevenson’s “shoulder into your helmet/I’m going to run over you” mentality. Both backs also have some of the best ball carrier vision I have seen this season. These two clips should show you why: (Harris from start and Stevenson at 0:14).
“It’s The Lineman”
Yes, haters, you are correct, the Patriots have a great offensive line. But do not let that distract you from each of these players’ true abilities. On multiple occasions, the line has completely combusted (as all good lines do once in a while) and both backs constantly fight for extra yardage. And the other 9 rushing duos in the top 10 (Yes, the Patriots are in the top 10) also have incredible offensive lines (Cleveland, Tennessee, Indianapolis, etc.) 1464 yards and 19 touchdowns is exactly what you want for a young team.
Speculation
Not only is the future bright for #37 and #38, so is the future for the Pats. Having a strong running back duo where you don’t have to make one the workhorse is key in successful (offensive) teams. Take a look at teams like the 2011 New Orleans Saints who had 4 backs carrying the ball at least 75 times (the 8th best offense ever in my opinion). Another team to look at is the 1984-85 San Francisco 49ers. They went 15-1 in the regular season as Wendell Tyler (1262) and Roger Craig (649) combined for 1911 yards and 14 touchdowns (along with a Superbowl ring).
Having a secondary back like Stevenson to take some weight off Harris is going to be the key to New England’s success for the near future. Maybe both can become superstars together. 800 yards and 6 touchdowns each? Who knows? But in the end, it’s about winning and Belichick has quietly built one of the scariest rushing tandems in the NFL.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, ‘Mondre is 23 and Dame is 24. Be frightened.
