Eight's A Crowd in the New England Patriots' Stuffed Backfield

(Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Images)

Omar Cuff is another prospect to be looked at closely.

He is likely little more than a “camp body” for the Patriots as he's the sixth running back on the depth chart and would arguably have to beat out at least two incumbents to earn his spot.

He had a very good I-AA career at Delaware where he rounded out his four years by rushing for nearly 2,000 yards and 35 touchdowns in his senior year, including a I-AA single-game record of seven in a game against William and Mary.

Since entering the league he has bounced around numerous practice squads and camps but never caught on anywhere.

Given the incredible depth the Patriots already have, and the quality ahead of him, it would take a virtual miracle for the athletic back to sniff the 53-man roster.

But the various teams in the league has eyes in many places and while he may not have the stuff, in the end, to make New England's roster, he may do enough to impress other teams.

Eric Kettani / Shun White

Kettani and White are somewhat difficult to get a bead on because both come from the Naval Academy.

As such (and like Army prospect Caleb Campbell) they will be required to serve a minimum of two years before they can apply for a leave from service to pursue a career as a professional athlete.

Barring that policy changing, neither would be available to play in the NFL until 2011, although White may have to take classes in the Fall so his availability is even more undetermined at this point in time.

Kettani is currently listed on the Patriots' roster as a RB, while White is listed as a WR, perhaps due to his blazing fast speed (ran a reported 4.36 in the 40).

White played the "slot back" in Navy's Rubik's Cube of an offensive system, the "triple option," and, like Kettani, carried the ball quite often, gaining over 1,000 yards in his senior year.

Both are NFL-level athletic, with Kettani in particular a specimen who would be an intriguing project back if he didn't have to serve two years in the military.

But, truthfully, there are more important things than football ahead for these guys. While they may eventually return to the NFL, you have to wish them luck in wherever life takes them.

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