James White praises former teammate Sony Michel

Former New England Patriots running back Sony Michel’s services were needed by the Los Angeles Rams; that doesn’t mean his old teammates with the Patriots won’t miss him.

The Patriots traded Michel on Wednesday afternoon to the Los Angeles Rams for a conditional fourth round selection in the 2022 NFL Draft. The former Georgia star running back has battled through injuries the past few years, playing just nine games in 2020.

One of his best friends in New England, James White, said it was tough seeing his former backfield mate leave.

“Definitely tough. That’s my guy,” running back James White said, via Ryan Hannable of WEEI. “Being with him since his rookie year, kind of helping him become the player he is today and he’s gotten better and better each year. It’s tough to see him go, for sure. He’s a hard worker, tough guy.”

Both Michel and White are from the state of Florida, so they shared a connection in a variety of ways, White said. “He’s from where I am from, so us Florida guys we kind of gravitate towards each other. Just tried to take him under my wing a little bit and tried to help him be the best player and man on and off the field that he could be. Like I said, it’s tough to see him go for sure, but I am sure he will do great out there”

Michel had his moments in New England, rushing for 931 rushing yards and 4.5 yards per carry in his rookie season. He also rushed for 94 yards and a touchdown in the 2019 Super Bowl, helping lift the Patriots to a 13-3 victory over the Rams.

Experience like that in big games are exactly why the Rams are brining him in, according to Los Angeles general manager Les Snead.

“We identified Sony for many reasons, No. 1 being his experience,” Rams general manager Les Snead said. “Meaning a player who’s carried the ball in big games, in big moments, big drives, big series. The experience of where he played, how he was coached. If we were going to go the route of experience, he was someone that we were definitely eyeing from the start.”

Georgia connection with the Rams

In playing for the Rams, Michel follows in the path of former Rams’ franchise running back Todd Gurley. Both Michel and Gurley were teammates on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Michel’s new running back coach with the LA Rams will be Thomas Brown, a former Georgia Bulldog, as well.

Rams running back room changing

The Los Angeles Rams have been hit with a number of injuries and departures at the running back position the past few months; a huge reason why they are picking up Michel. They lost Cam Akers to an achilles tendon injury earlier this offseason. The Miami Dolphins picked up former Rams backup running back, Malcolm Brown. Los Angeles current starting running back Darrell Henderson, left practice early on Monday with a sprained thumb, a big reason they made the move to acquire Michel.