FOXBORO, Mass. — There was a lot to like about the way New England Patriots running back James White played Sunday.
Just like his quarterback.
“He was great again,” Tom Brady said of White after the Patriots’ 35-17 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Gillette Stadium. “He’s been such a dependable, consistent player for our team, and the role that he’s been has been spectacular. I can’t say enough great things about James as a player, as a person, as a teammate, his work ethic, his attitude.
“He went to Wisconsin. That’s about the only thing bad about him.”
Brady, a Michigan alum, delivered that final dig with a smile on his face.
White was on the receiving end of two touchdown passes from Brady on Sunday — his first two scores of the season. He caught a team-high eight of the nine balls the Patriots QB threw his way, finishing with 48 receiving yards in the win.
“I just try to get my eyes back to the quarterback,” White said. “If Tom sees me, I’m just ready for the football and just trying to make a play.”
A player some predicted could be cut in training camp, White instead has served as a solid fill-in for injured running back Dion Lewis, who’s eligible to return from the physically unable to perform list in Week 7.
While LeGarrette Blount handles most of the heavy lifting on the ground, White has been a frequent contributor in the passing game. His 12 receptions in the two games since Brady returned from his Deflategate suspension are tied with tight end Rob Gronkowski for the team lead.
“It feels good,” White said. “Whenever I get a chance to help this team, I want to do it. Scoring touchdowns or just getting yards, pass blocking around the football — I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help this team.”
Thumbnail photo via Stew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images
