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RB James White, NE (1 Viewer)

mrnick33

Footballguy
Dont remember seeing a thread about him. Lots of good news trickling out slowly but surely. So far one of my favorite rookie draft mid/late round grabs. Seems to be going late 3rd mid 4th round. Ppr appeal. Volatile backfield/ coach who is not afraid to play rooks. I realize NE backfield can be a mess, but I see that as a positive for White earning more time as season goes on. I have a feeling this will be a guy people wish they had drafted and stashed a year and a half from now.

 
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Dont remember seeing a thread about him. Lots of good news trickling out slowly but surely. So far one of my favorite rookie draft mid/late round grabs. Seems to be going late 3rd mid 4th round. Ppr appeal. Volatile backfield/ coach who is not afraid to play rooks. I realize NE backfield can be a mess, but I see that as a positive for White earning more time as season goes on. I have a feeling this will be a guy people wish they had drafted and stashed a year and a half from now.
I grabbed him for that exact reason. Not counting on him this year but don't want to be kicking myself should there be fire.

 
Rotoworld:

ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss said rookie RB James White "will play more than 20 percent" of the Patriots' offensive snaps in his bold predictions column.

This lives up the bold prediction moniker, but it may not be too far off reality. White was one of the more pro-ready backs in this year's draft class, and he has only an injury-prone Shane Vereen and fumble-prone Stevan Ridley ahead of him on the depth chart. There are many scenarios that could see White earn this kind of playing time and perhaps even some redraft value this season.

Source: ESPN Boston

Jul 19 - 9:54 AM
 
Not sure why this guy isn't getting drafted in every league. Guarantee he'll be a viable fantasy option for that random 3 week period when Belicheck hates Ridley for his fumbling. And he's a Vereen injury away from an every week flex play

 
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This isn't for redraft, right? It could be just him, Vereen, and Stephen Houston this time next year, but that's a story for next year.

 
This isn't for redraft, right? It could be just him, Vereen, and Stephen Houston this time next year, but that's a story for next year.
I wouldn't be shocked if he has some redraft value down the stretch of 14..... but mainly feel he's a good dynasty rookie draft value.

 
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White doesn't play spectacular or anything, but he does most things good enough - classic Patriots type player. I like White as a player a lot more than any of the other running backs drafted around the same time. But I would have liked him in dynasty a lot better had he went somewhere else. Even though the Patriots have some free agents probably leaving soon, I would expect White to fit into the Danny Woodhead role - not lucrative or reliable for fantasy purposes.

 
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Being a diehard Badger fan, I saw plenty of White. The guy is electric in space and attacking the edge, but he's got enough to credibly run between the tackles. His only fault in college was being in the same backfield as Ball and then Gordon. He'd give NE more than Ridley and Vereen will because while he does not match their strengths, he has enough overall game to be better than either when looking at their weaknesses. He has the ability to be on the field in all situations, which is ideal when NE is cranking up the tempo of the game to control D changes based on down and distance.

That said, the NE backfield is a crapshoot on any given Sunday, and that risk certainly drives his and all other NE RBs' value down.

.

 
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Being a diehard Badger fan, I saw plenty of White. The guy is electric in space and attacking the edge, but he's got enough to credibly run between the tackles. His only fault in college was being in the same backfield as Ball and then Gordon. He'd give NE more than Ridley and Vereen will because while he does not match their strengths, he has enough overall game to be better than either when looking at their weaknesses. He has the ability to be on the field in all situations, which is ideal when NE is cranking up the tempo of the game to control D changes based on down and distance.

That said, the NE backfield is a crapshoot on any given Sunday, and that risk certainly drives his and all other NE RBs' value down.
He has the ability to stay on the field, but I wouldn't call him an asset in all situations. He won't force Ridley off the field during clock eating time, or when the offense has a power advantage. If Ridley's fumble-itis fits return, I would expect to see Bolden brought in for those situations before White. As much as I like your former Badger as a role player in the NFL, I don't think he translates well as a three down back. In some ways I think he found the perfect situation. The Patriots will use his skill set about as well as anybody. Unfortunately though, they won't turn him into a reliable fantasy asset.

 
Being a diehard Badger fan, I saw plenty of White. The guy is electric in space and attacking the edge, but he's got enough to credibly run between the tackles. His only fault in college was being in the same backfield as Ball and then Gordon. He'd give NE more than Ridley and Vereen will because while he does not match their strengths, he has enough overall game to be better than either when looking at their weaknesses. He has the ability to be on the field in all situations, which is ideal when NE is cranking up the tempo of the game to control D changes based on down and distance.

That said, the NE backfield is a crapshoot on any given Sunday, and that risk certainly drives his and all other NE RBs' value down.
He has the ability to stay on the field, but I wouldn't call him an asset in all situations. He won't force Ridley off the field during clock eating time, or when the offense has a power advantage. If Ridley's fumble-itis fits return, I would expect to see Bolden brought in for those situations before White. As much as I like your former Badger as a role player in the NFL, I don't think he translates well as a three down back. In some ways I think he found the perfect situation. The Patriots will use his skill set about as well as anybody. Unfortunately though, they won't turn him into a reliable fantasy asset.
I think we're in agreement here. Given Ridley's strong point of his game - barring fumbles - he'd be better than White in pounding the running game in clock killing mode.

Vereen is better in defined passing downs. But IMO White attacks the edges and is better in passing downs than Ridley, and he's better between the tackles than Vereen. In short, he 'a less of a specialist, which may get him on the field more when NE wants to mix its O.

 
Being a diehard Badger fan, I saw plenty of White. The guy is electric in space and attacking the edge, but he's got enough to credibly run between the tackles. His only fault in college was being in the same backfield as Ball and then Gordon. He'd give NE more than Ridley and Vereen will because while he does not match their strengths, he has enough overall game to be better than either when looking at their weaknesses. He has the ability to be on the field in all situations, which is ideal when NE is cranking up the tempo of the game to control D changes based on down and distance.

That said, the NE backfield is a crapshoot on any given Sunday, and that risk certainly drives his and all other NE RBs' value down.
He has the ability to stay on the field, but I wouldn't call him an asset in all situations. He won't force Ridley off the field during clock eating time, or when the offense has a power advantage. If Ridley's fumble-itis fits return, I would expect to see Bolden brought in for those situations before White. As much as I like your former Badger as a role player in the NFL, I don't think he translates well as a three down back. In some ways I think he found the perfect situation. The Patriots will use his skill set about as well as anybody. Unfortunately though, they won't turn him into a reliable fantasy asset.
I think we're in agreement here. Given Ridley's strong point of his game - barring fumbles - he'd be better than White in pounding the running game in clock killing mode.

Vereen is better in defined passing downs. But IMO White attacks the edges and is better in passing downs than Ridley, and he's better between the tackles than Vereen. In short, he 'a less of a specialist, which may get him on the field more when NE wants to mix its O.

 
To me he seems like the perfect Vereen handcuff. He's the most likely candidate to step into the Vereen/Woodhead role if Vereen gets hurt, which offers decent rb2/flex potential in PPR. I don't see much other value or any 3 down potential, outside of a lot of other injuries.

 
Rotoworld:

Patriots RBs coach Ivan Fears praised fourth-rounder James White on Thursday.
"I like his running style," Fears said. "He runs like a big guy for a little guy (5-foot-10, 195 pounds). He plays big. ... Right now, he's doing everything right. It's hard not to be in love with him." Fears' lavish praise comes one week after ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss predicted White would be on the field for more than 20 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps this season. He's a name to keep an eye on behind fumbler Stevan Ridley, and injury-prone Shane Vereen.

Source: Boston Herald
 
Interesting stuff, the question is: does he represent something new or just a muddying of what already was?

 
Sounds like he's already in line to back up Vereen, who has missed time the last two years. Reports of White have been nothing but positive, could be in line for some opportunities this year. There was a reason he forced splits in time at Wisconsin with Montee, and Melvin Gordon...... he was too talented to keep off the field.

 
mrnick33 said:
Sounds like he's already in line to back up Vereen, who has missed time the last two years. Reports of White have been nothing but positive, could be in line for some opportunities this year. There was a reason he forced splits in time at Wisconsin with Montee, and Melvin Gordon...... he was too talented to keep off the field.
His cutting/juking ability is ridiculous. At 195 however, with average speed, he is not going to be a 20 touch guy. He can maybe be a Danny Woodhead type, and IMO that is his ceiling. He's not as good a player as Vereen or Ridley, but he is good at what he does. I can see him getting a series or two per game by mid season. But as a rookie, I don't see him as talented enough to put on the field a lot. Too much of a risk for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, who are completely dependent upon protection of Mr. Brady for success.

 
Faust said:
Rotoworld:

Patriots RBs coach Ivan Fears praised fourth-rounder James White on Thursday.
"I like his running style," Fears said. "He runs like a big guy for a little guy (5-foot-10, 195 pounds). He plays big. ... Right now, he's doing everything right. It's hard not to be in love with him." Fears' lavish praise comes one week after ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss predicted White would be on the field for more than 20 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps this season. He's a name to keep an eye on behind fumbler Stevan Ridley, and injury-prone Shane Vereen.

Source: Boston Herald
This is what's annoying with rotoworld- part of the ... in their blurb was the coach saying "We'll see what he's like when the pads come on", and they left out the coach giving similar praise to undrafted rookie Stephen Houston.

 
I still don't understand how he's not taken in EVERY fantasy draft, even as a late rd flier. It's almost a given he'll have fantasy value at some point this season. I'm pretty sure every NE rb in the last 5 yrs has had legit fantasy value, whether its 1 week or 5 weeks. Bolden/Blount/Vereen/Ridley/Faulk/Woodhead/BJGE/Morris....Just add White's name to this list at some point...

 
I still don't understand how he's not taken in EVERY fantasy draft, even as a late rd flier. It's almost a given he'll have fantasy value at some point this season. I'm pretty sure every NE rb in the last 5 yrs has had legit fantasy value, whether its 1 week or 5 weeks. Bolden/Blount/Vereen/Ridley/Faulk/Woodhead/BJGE/Morris....Just add White's name to this list at some point...
Maybe because the only way he's really worth anything right now is on dynasty league rosters. Redraft is just a frustrating crapshoot and those teams can't usually handle the extra spot being eaten up. Dynasty would be ok but the Patriots are such a breeding ground for these situations. Every year they have some darkhorse RB/WR/TE/LB/DE that people buzz about and, lately, they haven't panned out. I saw Zach Studfeld talked up. K. Thompkins or whatever his name was. That little short WR that Bloom loved. But they haven't really panned out.

 
5-10. 204..... 4.57 40 time..... cutting/juking..... plus reciever/pass pro..... Who does that sound like?
I thought he was 5-10, 195.

No idea who he sounds like.
White was 5'9" 204 at the combine. NFL.com has him at 5'10 206.

mrnick is comparing him to LeSean McCoy. There are some similarities there, but it's obviously a reach.

I doubt White will ever be a top 10 FF RB, but I think he'll carve out a decent role in the NFL. So much of RBs production in the league is due to opportunity. My guess is that White will be good enough to have that opportunity knock for a few seasons.

 
I still don't understand how he's not taken in EVERY fantasy draft, even as a late rd flier. It's almost a given he'll have fantasy value at some point this season. I'm pretty sure every NE rb in the last 5 yrs has had legit fantasy value, whether its 1 week or 5 weeks. Bolden/Blount/Vereen/Ridley/Faulk/Woodhead/BJGE/Morris....Just add White's name to this list at some point...
The guys you listed off had some fantasy value, but usually at the expense of someone else (guys getting hurt, poor play, fumbling, etc.). How is that any different than 31 other teams? At this point, White should be considered the 4th option after Ridley, Vereen, and Bolden. Should we as fantasy owners collectively roster NFL 4th string RBs? I mostly play redraft, and my leagues don't have enough roster space to carry guys that may or may not have much of a defined role . . . especially if it might be a limited role at the end of the season. That's why they make waiver wires.

 
Totally a reach. However similar measurables.... stranger things have happened than a dude like White being a fantasy starter. He's being overlooked in dynasty drafts. McCoy didn't do much year one either.

 
I still don't understand how he's not taken in EVERY fantasy draft, even as a late rd flier. It's almost a given he'll have fantasy value at some point this season. I'm pretty sure every NE rb in the last 5 yrs has had legit fantasy value, whether its 1 week or 5 weeks. Bolden/Blount/Vereen/Ridley/Faulk/Woodhead/BJGE/Morris....Just add White's name to this list at some point...
The guys you listed off had some fantasy value, but usually at the expense of someone else (guys getting hurt, poor play, fumbling, etc.). How is that any different than 31 other teams? At this point, White should be considered the 4th option after Ridley, Vereen, and Bolden. Should we as fantasy owners collectively roster NFL 4th string RBs? I mostly play redraft, and my leagues don't have enough roster space to carry guys that may or may not have much of a defined role . . . especially if it might be a limited role at the end of the season. That's why they make waiver wires.
Well my point was more team-dependent then anything. Pretty much every team but the Pats have a pretty defined backfield in terms of roles. Vereen/Ridley 'should' be the 2 focal pts, but who the heck knows with Belichek. I guess James White on any teams sans-New Eng, shouldn't be rostered...

 
Rotoworld:

Patriots RBs coach Ivan Fears praised fourth-rounder James White on Thursday.
"I like his running style," Fears said. "He runs like a big guy for a little guy (5-foot-10, 195 pounds). He plays big. ... Right now, he's doing everything right. It's hard not to be in love with him." Fears' lavish praise comes one week after ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss predicted White would be on the field for more than 20 percent of the Patriots' offensive snaps this season. He's a name to keep an eye on behind fumbler Stevan Ridley, and injury-prone Shane Vereen.

Source: Boston Herald
This is what's annoying with rotoworld- part of the ... in their blurb was the coach saying "We'll see what he's like when the pads come on", and they left out the coach giving similar praise to undrafted rookie Stephen Houston.
I've been high on both White and Houston pre-Draft. Both great stashes to replace Ridley/Vereen in 2015 if those guys not re-signed. Houston could even replace the Bolden/Blount role this season.

 
http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/07/26/saturday-patriots-practice-report-first-day-with-full-pads/MWssL8D7woc7bn1MkvjtIK/story.html

■ RB James White: Rookie fourth-round pick showed great burst on his outside runs, and got a ton of work on Saturday along with Stevan Ridley.

■ RB Brandon Bolden: Barely got any action in team drills on Saturday, losing reps to White, Stephen Houston and Jonas Gray, and is in serious danger of losing his roster spot.
http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4765431/james-white-more-than-a-3rd-down-back

"It’s been good working with James White. He’s a very interesting and versatile player," Belichick said on the program. "He does a good job in the passing game and in the running game -- both inside and outside. Blitz pickup -- we have a pretty extensive offense for him to learn, but he’s working hard at it. We’ll just let him go and see how it goes, but I think he has the ability to compete on all three downs, in both the running game and the passing game."
https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/494152090537951233

The Patriots are giving James White a lot of reps for a rookie. Could see a role in 2014.
 
James White: More than a third down back

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bill Belichick's annual sit-down with Sirius XM NFL Radio usually enhances one's knowledge of the New England Patriots and this year was no different. Belichick was interviewed by co-hosts Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan, with the segment airing Monday, and the biggest takeaway was how public perception of rookie running back James White (4th round, Wisconsin) might differ from the internal view.

Specifically, White has been labeled by some as more of a "passing back" in the mold of Kevin Faulk. But that doesn't mean he won't be part of the consideration in more traditional running situations as well.

"It’s been good working with James White. He’s a very interesting and versatile player," Belichick said on the program. "He does a good job in the passing game and in the running game -- both inside and outside. Blitz pickup -- we have a pretty extensive offense for him to learn, but he’s working hard at it. We’ll just let him go and see how it goes, but I think he has the ability to compete on all three downs, in both the running game and the passing game."

White is listed at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds on the Patriots' roster, which might be slightly generous height-wise and puts him closer to the physical profile of Ravens running back Ray Rice (5-8, 206).

Traditionally, the Patriots' "lead" back has been a bit bigger than that, with Stevan Ridley (5-11, 220) the most recent example. LeGarrette Blount (6-0, 250) was the biggest of them all, and when he signed with the Steelers in free agency this offseason, it was easy to assume the Patriots would look for another big back to fill the void.

Instead, they went the smaller route with White, who gives the Patriots a potential different look in that he can sometimes be tough for defenders to locate behind bigger blockers. We've seen that early in training camp, such as the time White squirted through the right side with a strong burst, something he did often at Wisconsin in averaging 6-plus yards per carry.

So while White's pass-catching ability has been noted often in recent months, Belichick's remarks about him competing on "all three downs" remind us that White should also be part of the consideration when it comes to early-down running plays.
 
James White: More than a third down back

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Bill Belichick's annual sit-down with Sirius XM NFL Radio usually enhances one's knowledge of the New England Patriots and this year was no different. Belichick was interviewed by co-hosts Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan, with the segment airing Monday, and the biggest takeaway was how public perception of rookie running back James White (4th round, Wisconsin) might differ from the internal view.Specifically, White has been labeled by some as more of a "passing back" in the mold of Kevin Faulk. But that doesn't mean he won't be part of the consideration in more traditional running situations as well.

"It’s been good working with James White. He’s a very interesting and versatile player," Belichick said on the program. "He does a good job in the passing game and in the running game -- both inside and outside. Blitz pickup -- we have a pretty extensive offense for him to learn, but he’s working hard at it. We’ll just let him go and see how it goes, but I think he has the ability to compete on all three downs, in both the running game and the passing game."

White is listed at 5-foot-10 and 205 pounds on the Patriots' roster, which might be slightly generous height-wise and puts him closer to the physical profile of Ravens running back Ray Rice (5-8, 206).

Traditionally, the Patriots' "lead" back has been a bit bigger than that, with Stevan Ridley (5-11, 220) the most recent example. LeGarrette Blount (6-0, 250) was the biggest of them all, and when he signed with the Steelers in free agency this offseason, it was easy to assume the Patriots would look for another big back to fill the void.

Instead, they went the smaller route with White, who gives the Patriots a potential different look in that he can sometimes be tough for defenders to locate behind bigger blockers. We've seen that early in training camp, such as the time White squirted through the right side with a strong burst, something he did often at Wisconsin in averaging 6-plus yards per carry.

So while White's pass-catching ability has been noted often in recent months, Belichick's remarks about him competing on "all three downs" remind us that White should also be part of the consideration when it comes to early-down running plays.
Second link I posted above.

 
Just something to consider, but in prior seasons the Pats played some RBs in camp a ton, even having them run with the ones, and as soon as the season started they went back to the back of the pack.

 
Just something to consider, but in prior seasons the Pats played some RBs in camp a ton, even having them run with the ones, and as soon as the season started they went back to the back of the pack.
They also used to win Super Bowls 10 years ago. I hear you but the Pats have cut their nose off to spite their face on offense for a while. In the last 3-4 years they have lost or released Randy Moss(HoF), Wes Welker(HoVG), Aaron Hernandez(Pro Bowl caliber), this offense has been on a downward trend and I don't see them bringing in or drafting real playmakers. Brandon LaFell? Danny Amendola?(Did snag 54 balls in 6 starts)

I'm not OK with just giving the Pats the go ahead on offense. Good/Great OL, but the skill positions are lacking IMO.

 
They cut their nose off to spite their face by trading moss for a third and cutting hernandez?

What happened to the shark pool?

 
They cut their nose off to spite their face by trading moss for a third and cutting hernandez?

What happened to the shark pool?
Their stubbornness to not go out and replace or try to re-tool the skill positions for Brady to work with is sorely lacking IMO. How many teams would Julius Edelman rack 105 balls for? Just seems like the last couple seasons thru their actions or lack of that they don't seem to think any of us know what we are talking about, perhaps that's true but I see a team with a declining QB in the twilight of his career, a HC who is rapidly coming to the end of the line, this team will be in major transition the next few years and I don't see the urgency to try and grab some talent at the skill slots to make life easier for Brady.

I just don't like what is going on there from a FF perspective and I as well am perplexed at the SP but for different reasons than you obviously. Good Luck.

 
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They cut their nose off to spite their face by trading moss for a third and cutting hernandez?

What happened to the shark pool?
Their stubbornness to not go out and replace or try to re-tool the skill positions for Brady to work with is sorely lacking IMO. How many teams would Julius Edelman rack 105 balls for? Just seems like the last couple seasons thru their actions or lack of that they don't seem to think any of us know what we are talking about, perhaps that's true but I see a team with a declining QB in the twilight of his career, a HC who is rapidly coming to the end of the line, this team will be in major transition the next few years and I don't see the urgency to try and grab some talent at the skill slots to make life easier for Brady.

I just don't like what is going on there from a FF perspective and I as well am perplexed at the SP but for different reasons than you obviously. Good Luck.
considering people have been saying this same stuff for about the last 8 yrs I think there's some chance they just might be warm on that.

julius would probably rack all kinds of balls on another team if a half dozen receivers got hurt or thrown in jail, and I think it's a testament to the organization that they not only have a guy who can do that from the 7th round, but also fill in as an emergency db, and still manage to be the best looking punt returner in the league.

don't write tim brady off yet

 
James White - RB - Patriots
Coach Bill Belichick sees fourth-round RB James White as a three-down back.
White was pegged as a "passing back" by some as he came out of Wisconsin, but the Patriots don't see it that way. "He does a good job in the passing game and in the running game -- both inside and outside. ... I think he has the ability to compete on all three downs, in both the running game and the passing game," said Belichick. White is shaping up as the primary backup to both Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen.
Related: Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley

Source: ESPN Boston
Jul 31 - 9:05 AM

 
They cut their nose off to spite their face by trading moss for a third and cutting hernandez?

What happened to the shark pool?
Their stubbornness to not go out and replace or try to re-tool the skill positions for Brady to work with is sorely lacking IMO. How many teams would Julius Edelman rack 105 balls for? Just seems like the last couple seasons thru their actions or lack of that they don't seem to think any of us know what we are talking about, perhaps that's true but I see a team with a declining QB in the twilight of his career, a HC who is rapidly coming to the end of the line, this team will be in major transition the next few years and I don't see the urgency to try and grab some talent at the skill slots to make life easier for Brady.

I just don't like what is going on there from a FF perspective and I as well am perplexed at the SP but for different reasons than you obviously. Good Luck.
I'll go with you regarding Welker. They let something, whatever it was, get in the way of doing the no-brainer thing and they paid for it.

But they got a 3rd for Moss who has done nothing in the league since being traded and they really had no control over Hernandez.

I think this organization has done a great job on offense (defense is a different story, recently). It was them, after all, that found the Gronk and Hernandez and Ridley and Welker, and assembled them in a way that looked untraditional at the time but became the model for many teams.

Bad luck and circumstances can kill any team. If something occurred and Aaron Rodgers couldn't play anymore or Calvin Johnson was suddenly unavailable, those teams would show their warts in a hurry too. The fact that the Pats have remained legitimately in the discussion for a SB appearance all these years says a lot imo.

 
They cut their nose off to spite their face by trading moss for a third and cutting hernandez?

What happened to the shark pool?
Their stubbornness to not go out and replace or try to re-tool the skill positions for Brady to work with is sorely lacking IMO. How many teams would Julius Edelman rack 105 balls for? Just seems like the last couple seasons thru their actions or lack of that they don't seem to think any of us know what we are talking about, perhaps that's true but I see a team with a declining QB in the twilight of his career, a HC who is rapidly coming to the end of the line, this team will be in major transition the next few years and I don't see the urgency to try and grab some talent at the skill slots to make life easier for Brady.

I just don't like what is going on there from a FF perspective and I as well am perplexed at the SP but for different reasons than you obviously. Good Luck.
I'll go with you regarding Welker. They let something, whatever it was, get in the way of doing the no-brainer thing and they paid for it.

But they got a 3rd for Moss who has done nothing in the league since being traded and they really had no control over Hernandez.

I think this organization has done a great job on offense (defense is a different story, recently). It was them, after all, that found the Gronk and Hernandez and Ridley and Welker, and assembled them in a way that looked untraditional at the time but became the model for many teams.

Bad luck and circumstances can kill any team. If something occurred and Aaron Rodgers couldn't play anymore or Calvin Johnson was suddenly unavailable, those teams would show their warts in a hurry too. The fact that the Pats have remained legitimately in the discussion for a SB appearance all these years says a lot imo.
Solid and neither of us has to come off our POV on this. I agree with some of your post.

 
Getting back to what I mentioned earlier, training camp has not really been an indicator of what plays out in the regular season. One year, Maloney wasn't running with the ones . . . and then went out on opening day and was the lead back. Vereen had one camp where he was the guy . . . and then barely touched the ball in the regular season. BJGE has had years where he played with the starters and others with the back ups and ended up being the lead back. The point being, they may just be seeing what they have in White and how he fits in. They may be planning to use him quite a bit. They may be praising him to basically send a shot across the bows of Vereen and Ridley. Bottom line, we just don't know what it means, as the Pats have been all over the map with what they've done with their backs in training camp.

 
Getting back to what I mentioned earlier, training camp has not really been an indicator of what plays out in the regular season. One year, Maloney wasn't running with the ones . . . and then went out on opening day and was the lead back. Vereen had one camp where he was the guy . . . and then barely touched the ball in the regular season. BJGE has had years where he played with the starters and others with the back ups and ended up being the lead back. The point being, they may just be seeing what they have in White and how he fits in. They may be planning to use him quite a bit. They may be praising him to basically send a shot across the bows of Vereen and Ridley. Bottom line, we just don't know what it means, as the Pats have been all over the map with what they've done with their backs in training camp.
Right but clearly Vereen is their guy at RB when they want to move it thru the air. He'll take a couple handoffs here and there to keep teams honest but mostly he lines up in a different spot/situation/reason than say Ridley or presumably when James White is in there.

Someone for New England is likely to take 240+ handoffs from Tom Brady. I think it boils down to the 2 RBs in Ridley and White, my gut says Ridley as he has done it before and even though BB benched him I believe he will enter the season as the lead RB1 between the tackles, 3rd and short when they want to run, and also red zone inside the 5 yard line when they want to punch it in. 1 RB and only 1 RB will have that role. It is separate from the role Shane has in this offense.

What I am saying is Vereen can have a top 25 season doing what he does but you could also see a traditional RB in this offense gather up 250+ carries, maybe not a lot of receptions but also cash in for double digit TDs.

Do you agree or disagree with my premise of there is plenty of room for 2 RBs in this offense to excel right now? Total lack of weapons wide in the receiving department IMHO, the Pats are gonna work the short field and underneath with Edelman, Vereen, Amendola, send Gronk a little longer up the seams. I don't think you should view Vereen as a traditional RB, he is a bigger part of the passing game than running game is all I am saying.

 
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