The Pats and Dion Lewis can't lose

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Where others only see the risks, Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has a knack for seeing potential rewards. Such was the case when the team signed Dion Lewis.

Before this season, the running back had not appeared in a game since Dec. 30, 2012. He was originally drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round in 2011 out of Pittsburgh, and appeared in 15 games for Philly in 2011 and nine games the next season. The Eagles traded him to Cleveland before the 2013 season, but Lewis suffered a season-ending leg injury in August of that year. He then tried to make the Browns roster in 2014, but was released before the season. After a short stint with the Colts, Lewis signed with the Pats in February.

Now, suddenly, he's a force. In the first half of the Pats' 36-7 shellacking of Miami on Thursday Night Football, Lewis had six receptions for 93 yards, one touchdown and several very nifty moves.

The first highlight play came in the first quarter when he took a pass from Tom Brady on the left side and juked Koa Misi, making the Dolphins linebacker appear to be moving in slow motion, for a gain of 19 yards.

In the second quarter, Brady dropped back in the shotgun, then went over the middle to find Lewis wide open for a 16-yard touchdown.

Lewis isn't the biggest presence on the field at 5-foot-8, 195 pounds, but in six games this year (he missed the Jets showdown last week because of an abdominal injury), the 25 year-old Albany native is quickly emerging as the team's top pass-catching back, a replacement for the departed Shane Vereen, who left for the Giants in free agency.

Just consider that in 24 games prior to joining the Patriots, Lewis had a total of 21 receiving yards on three receptions and 171 rushing yards on 26 carries with two touchdowns, for a total of 192 yards.

On Thursday night alone, he had a total of 112 yards. And you could tell why. Pats offensive coordinator had the shifty Lewis moving off screens and picks, while finding holes in a Dolphins secondary that was preoccupied with (literally) bigger threats such as Rob Gronkowski (who busted out on his own with 113 receiving yards).

In six games for the Pats this season, Lewis now has a total of 569 yards -- 220 rushing, 349 receiving -- and four touchdowns.

"I'm just excited to be back out there," Lewis said after the game, admitting he still wasn't 100 percent from the abdominal injury. "You know, missing last week, I was eager to get back out there with my guys and try and help the best way I can."

Proving Lewis' value, he was in the game for 42 snaps, more than the other two running backs combined. LeGarrette Blount was in for 28 while James White was in for three.

"It was good to have Dion back today," said Pats head coach Bill Belichick. "He's a tough guy to handle in space and he's a tough kid in line."

He is one of the most energetic, exciting running backs the Pats have had in the Belichick era, capable of ripping off at any time a move like the one he laid on Misi.

Said Brady, "It's a miracle that anyone can touch him, let alone tackle him."

Any team can certainly use a player like that, but not every team can find them and maximize their potential. In case you couldn't tell by now, not every team is the Patriots.

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Maureen Mullen is the sports editor of the Daily Item in Lynn, Mass. She is also the author of Diary of a Red Sox Season, 2007 with the legendary Johnny Pesky, and Yogi Was Up with a Guy on Third, conversations with 53 of the 64 living Hall of Famers.

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