Patriots bringing in RB Michael Bush for a visit

via NFL Rush

With LeGarrette Blount taking his big body to Pittsburgh, the Patriots have a need for a third back to complement and backup Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen. According to Ian Rapoport, they'll be taking a look at a back almost as big as Blount today.


The 6'1", 245 pound Bush was one of the top running backs available as a free agent in 2012, but was a bit of a bust in Chicago, spending two quiet years backing up Matt Forte. He was an afterthought last year, averaging a career-low 3.1 yards per carry, and his $3.85 million cap hit made him an obvious candidate for release.

However, Bush was a good player earlier in his career in Oakland. His most productive season came in 2011, when he rushed for 977 yards and 7 touchdowns along with 37 receptions for another 418 yards. At his best, he's a big bruising power back with enough versatility to contribute in the passing game.

Versatility could be key for whoever the Patriots wind up adding to their backfield. As good as Blount was at times last year, his inability to play in the passing game left the team without a viable option for their third down role when Shane Vereen was out (Brandon Bolden gutted it out while clearly hobbled by a bad knee). The Patriots were interested last week in another versatile back, Maurice Jones-Drew, but he signed with Oakland.

Bush brings more versatility to the table than Blount, but he also turns 30 before the season starts and has seen his yards-per-carry decline each of the past four seasons. If it were my money, I'd rather spend it on former Giant Andre Brown, who is three years younger with similar versatility and more recent production.

Whoever the Patriots add at running back (the draft is another option to keep in mind), don't expect them to cost much.


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