Brandon Bolden Is Biggest Surprise for New England Patriots
When the New England Patriots released running back Joseph Addai, no one was helped more by that move than undrafted rookie Brandon Bolden. Signed out of Mississippi, Bolden had an outside chance of making the team this season and even then was likely to become a part of the special teams unit. But over the last few days Bolden has continued to impress giving the Patriots their biggest surprise so far in training camp.
During his junior year at Ole Miss, Bolden accumulated an impressive 1,320 yards putting him on the radar of NFL teams throughout the league. But just as his stock began to rise, he fractured his ankle in the first game of his senior season. The lingering injury caused many to question whether he would be able to fully recover and be as productive as the previous year.
In addition to the injury, Bolden was suspended during his senior season along with three teammates for the Alabama game for breaking team rules. Though Bolden didn’t have a history of behavioral problems, many began to question his character. This, along with the injury, led to Bolden dropping completely out of the draft.
Despite these problems, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick doesn’t seem too concerned. He said he likes how Bolden has performed thus far and doesn’t see any problems with work ethic. When meeting with the media, Bolden wasn’t shy about answering any question challenging his character. In fact, he challenged anyone to investigate him if they feel the need.
Coincidentally Bolden also has a similar resemblance to a recently departed Patriot. In 2008 the Patriots signed an undrafted free agent out of Ole Miss named BenJarvus Green-Ellis. At 5-foot-11 and 225 pounds, the rookie had a mixture of power and quickness. The young running back’s emergence during that training camp caught everyone off guard and he soon became the team’s starting back. Green-Ellis isn’t the first undrafted free agent that Belichick has taken a chance on. At 5-foot-11 and 220 pounds Bolden possesses these same attributes and could possibly be headed in the same direction.
Patriots 2011 NFL draft picks Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen still have the edge on playing time at running back whether Bolden makes the team or not. However, Bolden so far has outplayed Vereen. Neither Ridley nor Vereen have had extensive time in the NFL which could leave the door open for Bolden. After all, when it comes to the New England Patriots, expect the unexpected.
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