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Patriots Coach Bill Belichick Showers Running Back James White With Praise

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David Hookstead Sports And Entertainment Editor
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New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick made clear that he’s a massive fan of running back James White with some recent comments.

White has turned into one of the most dynamic backs in the entire NFL, was the hero of the Patriots last Super Bowl but somehow still doesn’t get the respect he deserves. Well, Belichick certainly has noticed just how incredible the former Wisconsin Badgers star is at the sport.

The Patriots coach told ESPN the following during a long profile on White:

He’s a great kid. He’s smart, he works hard, very tough, dependable, his ball security, his decision-making, situational football — I mean, he is one of those guys that almost always does the right thing. Sometimes things come up that aren’t exactly the way they were practiced or doesn’t exactly follow the rule that you’ve outlined, but he has to make a decision quickly, whatever the circumstances or situation is, and he almost always makes the right one. Some of that’s just instinctive and good judgment on his part that’s, I’d say, beyond coaching … He knows how to play football.

 

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Belichick wasn’t the only one to shower White in praise. Brady also added to ESPN, “James White is like my oldest son. He just does everything right and you can never get mad at him. If he doesn’t make the play, he feels worse about it than you do. He’s just the best teammate.”

 

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This profile from ESPN made me so happy to read. There are some great parts about his father in there, too, that I’d encourage you all to read, but right now I want to focus on the praise from his coach and quarterback.

White is, without a doubt in my mind, one of the most under-appreciated and underrated players in the entire NFL. He’s flown under the radar since entering the league after his days at Wisconsin were over.

Hell, you could even make an argument he flew under the radar with the Badgers. He just never seems to get the attention and praise that he’s earned on the field. (RELATED: This New England Patriots Running Back Is Putting Up Better Numbers Than Elite Receivers)

It might be because he’s a bit of a silent guy who just goes out there and puts in the work. He doesn’t feel the need to shoot off his mouth at every single turn. He’s just a football player focused on winning.

You can’t put a price on having guys like that on your team. I never watched a tons of Patriots games before they drafted White, but he’s borderline required viewing for big football fans.

The way he plays the game is simply incredible. He can make all the catches out of the backfield, he’s shifty in space and, again, he was the man responsible for the amazing comeback from 28-3 down against the Falcons in the Super Bowl.

I hope like hell more people start paying attention to how great he is. Otherwise, they’ll keep overlooking White and he’ll keep destroying them.

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