Patriots Face Fascinating Choose-Your-Own-Adventure At Running Back originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The New England Patriots’ final running back spot might come down to one simple question. Would Mike Vrabel prefer a Swiss Army knife or a sledgehammer?
Lan Larison and Hassan Haskins enter Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns as two of the leading candidates to become New England’s third running back behind Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson.
They offer almost completely different solutions.
Larison is a 5-foot-11, 209-pound runner whose receiving ability and special-teams versatility could give Josh McDaniels another movable piece. Haskins is a 6-foot-2, 228-pound power back built to run between the tackles and absorb the punishment that comes with short-yardage work.
Boston.com’s Conor Ryan projected Larison to win the job, but the decision remains unsettled entering New England’s final exhibition game.
Larison supplied the strongest recent argument.
He accumulated 128 all-purpose yards in the Patriots’ 24-21 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles. He also scored a fourth-quarter touchdown and converted a pivotal fourth-and-1 opportunity. Vrabel praised Larison for delivering a “gritty, tough performance.”
That probably qualifies as a positive review from a coach who treats the word “tough” like a five-star restaurant treats its best bottle of wine.
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Larison Offers Patriots Intriguing VersatilityLarison’s receiving ability separates him from the other candidates. He caught six passes for 38 yards in New England’s preseason opener against Indianapolis, salvaging an otherwise ugly rushing performance in which he gained only one yard on seven carries.
That production was not an accident.
Larison caught 127 passes for 1,626 yards and 10 touchdowns during his college career at UC Davis. In his final season, he set school records with 2,387 all-purpose yards and 6,504 career all-purpose yards. He also has handled kickoff and punt-return responsibilities during camp.
Haskins provides a more traditional alternative.
The former Michigan standout has four carries for 16 yards this preseason and has received work as a kickoff returner. His size could make him a useful complement to Henderson, whose speed and receiving ability already give New England a dynamic option behind Stevenson. The competition opened after injuries removed Terrell Jennings and Myles Montgomery from consideration. Jam Miller and JaMycal Hasty also remain on the roster, but Larison appears to have captured the momentum.
Thursday represents the final exam.
Larison can strengthen his case by showing that his production against Philadelphia was more than one good night. Haskins can change the conversation by demonstrating that New England needs his power and reliability.
The Patriots already know Stevenson and Henderson will lead the backfield. The identity of their third running back remains far less obvious.
It is versatility against power.
Swiss Army knife against sledgehammer.
One roster spot, two very different answers.
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