FOXBORO, Mass. — Brandon Bolden has spent three years as an understudy in the New England Patriots’ backfield, but his perseverance might pay off with a lead role in 2015.
Bolden mostly has been used as a special-teams ace and versatile backup during his young NFL career, but 10 days into training camp, he looks to be the current front-runner for Shane Vereen’s old third-down role.
Bolden is competing with James White, Travaris Cadet, Dion Lewis and Tyler Gaffney for the pass-catching job. Cadet, Lewis and Gaffney are injured, however, and White is struggling to break through contact.
“Competition is great, especially with these guys,” Bolden said. “We push each other, we make each other better every day. That’s what it’s all about.”
Bolden finished the 2014 season with the Patriots’ third-most special teams snaps with 284, behind Tavon Wilson and Matthew Slater. The running back declared his love for special teams after training camp practice Monday — because he’s allowed to hit people — but playing running back is still his first love.
“Hey, that’s what I’m here for, to play running back,” Bolden said. “Special teams is just an added bonus for me, so yeah, I’m having fun doing what I came here to do.”
Bolden brings much-needed versatility and experience to the Patriots’ backfield, which has been bitten by the injury bug early in camp. Projected starting running back LeGarrette Blount sat out of practice, along with Cadet, Lewis and Gaffney on Monday, giving Bolden increased snaps in early downs and the pass-catching role.
Bolden has 139 career carries for 634 yards with six touchdowns and 25 catches for 171 yards. He took over the third-down role in 2013 when Vereen was injured and caught 21 passes for 152 yards. The Ole Miss product has been sure-handed in practice, but he said catching the ball still is a “work in progress.”
“Everybody is confident with their hands — that’s why we’re here, we’re pretty confident in our hands, but you’re not here because you’re perfect,” Bolden said. “You’re here because you’ll find something to work on, so my hands are one thing that I’m still working on.”
At 5-foot-11, 220 pounds, Bolden is bigger than the traditional Patriots third-down back, but he’s proven to be a solid pass-blocker, which is a key element of the role previously owned by Vereen, Kevin Faulk and Danny Woodhead, during his time with the Patriots. Bolden also could begin the season as the Patriots’ early downs back, since Blount is beginning the season with a one-game suspension.
Despite the competition at running back and the departure of longtime Patriots Vereen and Stevan Ridley, the team’s backfield still has great chemistry.
“We go together great,” Bolden said. “We were talking in meetings earlier, just a goofy group, we laugh at the smallest things. There was a crack in the wall, and for some reason, we just found that the funniest thing ever.”
Thumbnail photo via David Butler II/USA TODAY Sports Images
