New York Jets find a do-it-all back in La’Mical Perine | Blewett’s Blitz Film Breakdown

Joe Douglas and the New York Jets found themselves a versatile, do-it-all running back in Florida product La'Mical Perine. An NFL team can never employ too many running backs. Since the league transitioned to a running back-by-committee approach, even a Le'Veon Bell can't stop the first sentence from holding great truth. It's precisely why Joe Douglas and the New York Jets signed Frank Gore and drafted La'Mical Perine in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft. The kid is a bonafide do-it-all back, similarly to Bell, and should contribute immediately. Blewett's Blitz recently broke down Perine's collegiate footage (35 plays). Not the play I was necessarily looking to start with, but it showed up early in his film review. Perine is a willing blocker, both in the passing game and as a lead/frontside player. Here, Florida runs a quarterback power on fourth-and-1 with Perine as one of the lead blockers. Perine works to the edge, the Mike backer scrapes overtop, and Perine drops his shoulder into him as the quarterback gets to the outside for the first down. Florida runs a mid-zone out of this gun set. While working into the mesh point, Perine reads the play side defensive end then defensive tackle. Perine sees the penetration into the B-gap and hops into his cut. It buckles his right leg a little, and he takes an extra step with his left. His legs collide with the right guard, but he is able to get inside. It seems the linebacker is working overtop, so Perine cuts underneath him and works for a few extra yards. Tough spot for Perine here as he takes the handoff on the inside/mid-zone as the right guard gets beat immediately with an inside rip. Perine takes the handoff with the defensive tackle 2-3 yards into the backfield and directly in his track. Perine throws on the breaks, hops inside and makes a yard gain out of what should've been a 3-yard loss. We could've seen cleaner feet for a more sharp/sudden cut inside but still a good play from Perine. Perine takes the handoff on the duo run. Again, he is facing quick penetration on the play side, this time from the 5-tech defensive end. Perine does a good job recognizing the penetration, drops his hips and bounces the run. He makes a 2-3 yard gain out of what could've been a loss or a stuff. Again, we see some of the lack of elite athleticism as he isn't able to maintain his balance. Perine takes the handoff on the one back power. He follows his pulling offensive guard while his eyes flash to the Mike backer, confirming that he needs to get outside. Perine gets his hand on the guard, sees the defensive end spill the run and gets outside. He turns upfield and inside of the tight end with inside leverage on the outside linebacker. Perine lowers his shoulder and falls forward for extra yardage. Not sure if this is an option route for Perine or if it's designed as an angle route. The tight end releases off of the line and runs a slant as the linebacker (#56) works overtop (who is in man on Perine). Perine reads the backer and breaks inside. Perine makes the catch (has to be careful about fully looking it in) and runs in for the touchdown. Florida runs a counter OF to the boundary. Perine takes the handoff and shows good patience letting his blocks develop as he gets his hand onto the tight end, pushing him into the Mike backer. Perine accelerates through the hole and ends up picking up 5-6 yards. Florida runs power. Perine reads the inside leverage of the blocks on the play side linebackers and cuts upfield. Perine lowers his shoulder and he covers the ball and is able to work through the tackle as he hops outside. Perine hops through another tackle and accelerates picking up 15+ yards. Perine (top of screen split out wide) runs a slant underneath the vertical route from the slot wideout. Perine breaks inside with plenty of room and the quarterback puts the ball behind him. Perine is able to adjust to the ball, tuck it and absorb the linebacker's blow (without dropping the ball). Florida runs duo and the play side 4i-tech quickly penetrates into the backfield forcing Perine to get outside or else the rush will be shut down. Perine drops his hips while opening them outside pointing his left foot outside (have seen more sudden breaks then this). Perine breaks the tackle and gets outside. Cuts inside of No. 3, Chiasson jumps in front and Perine lowers his shoulder picking up an extra few yards. Again, he gains 3-4 yards on what could've been a 2-yard loss. Nothing super flashy here from Perine but just another solid, smart play. Florida again runs duo (run this a lot) and Perine gets to the right side of the formation as the play is designed. Perine has the H-back leading the way as the alley/arc blocker. Perine knows that his lead blocker has inside leverage, sets up the backer with his track and burst upfield picking up a decent size gain. Here, it's fourth-and-goal in a big spot. Florida threatens run with the quarterback as the tight end and Perine break out. Not sure exactly how this was designed (maybe a flat-7?), but it seems that Perine sees No. 8 carry his TE into the back corner and tries to sit his route down. The QB throws up a floater, Perine tracks the ball where it is tipped up by simultaneous contact from him and the defender. Nice concentration to bring the ball in after it's tipped up for the touchdown. Yet another duo run from Perine here. Perine reads the mike backer as he takes the handoff and sees him coming downhill hard into the B-gap. Perine shuffles inside to get the LB to change his angle harder inside, jump cuts inside of the LB after dropping his hips. He breaks a leg tackle and picks up 5-6 yards. A lot of games here from the LSU front as they run a cross dog blitz in coordination with a 3-man stunt. Perine fills the A-gap as the offensive center-left tackle slide left. While Perine is mostly solid with his pass blocking assignments he needs to clean up his technique. Here, he fills but receives the blow instead of delivering it. He drops his head and doesn't generate power, something that may work in college football but won't consistently in the NFL. Perine (bottom) has some route-running ability, but I want to see routes like this completely eliminated from his game. Perine doesn't commit to his stop-step or break at all and ends up drifting an extra 2-yards upfield. The quarterback puts it in a terrible spot, but I would like to see Perine attack the ball more here. Nothing much to break down here other then the fact that this is a QB power and Perine's job is to kick out the edge. Perine is a willing enough blocker to the point I can see the Jets running some two-back sets with Perine being a lead blocker for Bell or Gore. Duo from Florida. Perine gets the handoff and presses the line of scrimmage (would like to see him lower and in more control of his feet). The NT gets free in the play side B-gap, Perine is able to get outside of him with the stiff arm as he drops his shoulder and trucks the defensive end. He then carries the nose tackle for an extra 3-4 yards. Perine looks to block inside-out and releases as there is nothing for him to block. Perine sits it down, sees the quarterback moving out to his left, checks upfield and then breaks towards the sideline. Makes the catch after he trips, nods inside to freeze the defender and accelerates past him for a big gain. Perine breaks underneath the formation's right side. The quarterback floats the ball up to get over the edge (ideally, the QB puts it on Perine so he doesn't have to jump). Perine spins out of the tackle from the linebacker, breaks another arm tackle then lowers his shoulder absorbing the blow from the defensive back. Keeps leg churning for another 2-3 yards. Perine (top) runs the fade vs the linebacker split out in man coverage. Perine stems towards the LB who remains flat-footed. Perine takes the outside while throwing up his right arm (prepping for hands of LB). Perine is able to track the ball, make the catch and get his right foot in bounds. Here is an example of Perine conceding his rush too early as the quarterback pitches to him and the O-line is zone blocking. Perine reads his tight end's outside leverage and turns upfield. He reads the left tackle's leverage on the Mike backer, but his eyes stay locked on him as he presses upfield. I would like to see Perine's eyes keep scanning, see the pursuit from the Will backer, press inside and get outside. Florida runs power, Perine takes the handoff and gets inside of his pulling offensive guard, as he sees the defender squeezing the run. He reads the No. 56 helmet that's inside so he cuts inside of him and continues to scan. Perine sees the wide receiver working across to crack the safety and sets up his block as he stays square to the safety. Finally, he absorbs a hit and falls/churns forward for another 3-4 yards. Florida runs a tight/belly zone and Perine bends it to the backside after reading the Mike backer. Perine does a good job of trusting his left tackle and setting up the block here (widening outside) as he anticipates No. 72 peeling off to pick up the Will backer. He picks up 10/11 yards here. Another power run from Florida here. Perine follows his pulling right guard but gives himself enough room to cut inside or outside as he waits for the RG to engage/the backer to declare. He cuts upfield, sees the safety coming downhill, cuts to the right, underneath No. 61 and fights forward for another few yards. Perine gets the toss with the nose tackle/defensive tackle already in the backfield. Perine reads their angles (hard overtop), drops his hips, puts on the breaks and rushes inside of them. He continues to rush to the open part of the field and picks up 10 yards on what could've been a loss. Perine (bottom) is flexed out wide vs. the man coverage linebacker. The backer's feet end up pretty flat as Perine stems vertically, but it's still a pretty impressive break from Perine. He drops his hips into his break step and is able to get his drive step squarely under his frame and he gets inside of the LB. The ball is tipped at the LOS. Florida runs a zone split. The play side 3-tech shoots the A-gap penetrating quickly into the backfield. Perine takes the handoff, drops his hips and is able to jump outside of the defensive tackle (would like to see him open his left foot). Again, Perine gets 8+ yards on what could've easily been a loss. Perine takes the handoff on the zone run. As he takes the handoff he reads the hat of the defensive tackle with outside leverage on the right guard. His eyes then flash inside as he cuts back and sees the backside defensive tackle, working laterally with his left guard with inside leverage. Perine cuts the run back even farther, bursts upfield, breaks an arm tackle and works through another 3-4 defenders for extra yardage. Pin and fold backside with the right guard working up to No. 33, who is able to get inside of the right guard and meet Perine in the hole (not with Perine in an ideal position), Perine is able to bounce off showing that contact balance. He gets outside with one man to beat, which he does so with good angles and beating another arm tackle. Runs for the long score. Florida runs one back power to the boundary side. Perine reads his puller and reads that the LB "spills" the run. Perine bursts upfield off of his puller's outside hip and cuts vertical inside of the cornerback who is on his knees. He's able to outrun another defensive back for a 61-yard TD. Perine (top of screen) gets the reception on the hitch and turns outside. He drops his shoulder while throwing out the stiff arm (keeps the defensive back away and acts a shock absorber) and hops through the grip of the defensive back. Accelerates for the score. I can't see exactly what the run scheme is, but it looks like a belly zone with the fake jet motion. Perine presses towards the line of scrimmage (clogged), bends the run back and sees the defensive back coming downhill but continues to press more vertically holding the DB inside. Cuts outside off him to the sideline, picking up 25 yards. Looks like Florida runs duo, Perine cuts outside of the 4i-tech who is pushing into the backfield. Works vertically, sees the big lane inside and takes it for the TD. Something small here but I like the awareness from Perine here. Florida runs a flea-flicker, as Perine takes the handoff he notices the pressure coming from his left side. Pitches the ball back to the quarterback, then works immediately outside and picks up the block. Allows the QB to get rid of the ball. Good play. Perine takes the handoff on the counter OF. Reads the EMOL (end man on line of scrimmage) spilling and gets outside. He stays patient while reading the block of his tight end and gets outside and the backer works inside. He shows good burst to get through a tight window. The defensive back is able to get hands-on, Perine carries him (keeps feet in) and reaches for the end zone for the touchdown. Love the fight/strength here. La’Mical Perine's strengths and weaknesses: Strengths: Contact balance Vision Churns/falls forward for extra yardage Knows (mostly) when to concede rush and drop pads to fight for yards Sets up blocks well Patient in backfield, letting blocks develop Solid route runner Good hands Manipulates defenders leading to cleaner lanes or blocks for teammates Power in lower-half Quick to burst through open gaps Doesn't dance around in backfield Enjoys contact Smooth runner in terms of carrying speed through changes in angles Solid acceleration Willing pass protector Weaknesses: Short area COD (change-of-direction)/burst One cut runner (not always a bad thing) Doesn't force a ton of misses with wiggle Would like to see him shorten stride while in backfield at times Lateral burst Can get caught running high limiting quick COD/stop ability Sudden cuts vs quick penetration Not often but have seen some examples of him conceding rush too early with lanes open COD is average Pass protection needs work with technical sides of blocking Overall explosion Top-end speed is lacking (overrated overall for RBs, in my opinion)