Patriots running back Sony Michel has big day netting first receiving touchdown

For as long as he’s been in Foxboro, it seemed like Sony Michel was a one-dimensional running back.

All run. No catch.

He was able to catch the ball coming out of the backfield when he was in college, but that skill all but disappeared in the NFL.

Until Sunday.

For once, an opposing defense didn’t know what was going to happen with Michel on the field.

He didn’t just run every time he touched the ball, he caught passes, enough to make one think this is something that can carry forward into the future.

Along with rushing for 76 yards on 16 carries, Michel caught 3 passes for 60 yards against the Jets, including a 31-yard touchdown catch, the first of his career.

“It was a cool experience to get that first receiving touchdown,” Michel said after the game, “but coach [offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels] called the play. The offense executed, and once I got the opportunity to catch the ball, I’m just trying to make a play in space and I was able to reach the end zone.”

He did catch the ball and had room to run, basically outrunning the Jets secondary for basically the put-away score in the season-ending 28-14 win.

Michel said he’s been working on that phase of his game.

“I’ve gotten opportunities in practice to work on my ability to be in on the passing game. I just kind of waited and hopefully I was able to execute when coach put me in there,” said Michel. “That’s all you really can do. Be prepared. When your number is called, try to execute, try to do your job as best as you can.”

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has also been pleased by Michel’s progress in that area, saying the back has worked hard to improve after his rookie season.

“He works hard at the passing game. Fortunately we were able to get the ball out to him in space a couple times,” said Belichick. “Sometimes that’s a lot easier than having to block a lot of guys, get through the line of scrimmage. Passes that give the backs the ball with an opportunity to run with it, those are good opportunities. I know backs love those so they can see fewer defenders and see more space. Yeah, it was good.”

With Damien Harris put on injured reserve to finish the season, and losing Rex Burkhead earlier in the year, the running game has basically fallen on Michel’s shoulders the past few games, and he’s delivered.

He’s hit the holes and run extremely hard. It looked like he had a little extra jump in his step the past three games after returning to the lineup after spending some time on IR himself.

He had 10 rushes for 74 yards against the Dolphins, and 10 rushes for 69 yards in losing efforts to the Bills.

“That’s my goal. Each and every year, try to improve. To kind of feel strong, especially towards the end of the year,” he said. “Try to grow, try to be the best version of me. Unfortunately, this season there have been ups and downs for the team, for myself, but at the end of the day, just have to keep going, keep grinding and pushing forward.”

Michel’s recent performance certainly provides some momentum into next season, where he and Harris should provide a good 1-2 punch in the backfield.

 

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/352RYP5