New England Patriots: Sony Michel going into 2019 ‘full tilt’ and ready
While the expectations are high for New England Patriots running back Sony Michel entering his second NFL season, but his knee is the one thing that can hold him back.
Following a successful and productive rookie season with the New England Patriots in 2018, second-year running back Sony Michel is primed to be even better in 2019. That is, if health doesn’t hold him back.
After missing most of the preseason during his rookie campaign due to a knee issues, Michel has undergone another procedure on the knee as the team prepares for training camp next month.
The bad news is that he had to undergo the knee surgery, but the good news is that he is recovering and “progressing quickly” following the procedure according to a report from Mike Giardi of the NFL Network:
Multiple sources say that Sony Michel is progressing quickly since his most recent arthroscopic knee surgery and has been running full tilt. The 2nd year RB has also been spending considerable time at @TB12sports like so many before - and after - have/will. #Patriots
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) June 23, 2019
Besides the fact that Michel is “full tilt,” something else that leaps out from the report is that he has been spending time at the TB12 facility, which means Alex Guerrero. With the tensions between the team and Guerrero well documented, this could only mean two things:
First, those tensions are no longer, and any rift New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and the training staff had with Alex Guerrero has simmered down, which it appears it has.
Secondly, it means that Sony Michel is doing all he can to make sure he is healthy headed into his second season in the NFL and stays health. As Guerrero has been monumental in prolonging Tom Brady’s career, Michel just hopes he can stay healthy throughout an NFL season.
In all, Michel’s productive rookie season, highlighted by his even more impressive postseason, establishes him as one of the most important players going into the 2019 NFL season because of the team’s focus in the power running game.
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Running back insurance
Sonny Michel is an important aspect to the Patriots’ offense, but the team is not leaning fully on the Georgia alum due to the health concerns surrounding his knee.
As this is the second consecutive offseason Michel has had a procedure on his knees, the team has some back up this time around. In drafting Alabama running back Damien Harris, along with bringing back Brandon Bolden, the New England Patriots are pretty deep at the running back position going into training camp.
This is important because he does take some of the load off Michel, but also gives the team options in case he has to miss time during the season. With James White and Rex Burkhead also spearheading the running back depth chart, the Patriots should be well prepared if Sony Michel has to miss snaps for a prolonged period of time.
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The hope, however, is that the second-year running back grows even more productive and turns into the all-around weapon he was when he was running wild all over the SEC.