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NE Running Back Situation Thoughts (1 Viewer)

Ridley may have jumped to the 2nd round in rookie drafts.
Until Shane Vereen plays in the 2nd preseason game and scores a TD. :rolleyes:
Vereen supposedly looked electric in the *one* practice he was in. And frankly I think he is exactly the kind of dynamic back who could thrive as a 3-down workhorse in the Pats offense and be a real running/pass-catching fantasy force. But can't do that from the tub.
 
Ridley again! this guy looks better and better each drive. Major Sleeper Alert! 3 TDs so far
relax it's preseason. take it all with a grain of salt. While occasionally a curtis martin or terrell davis pops up out of nowhere due to preseason sucess. Most of the starters played a series or two and had 2-3 carries. That he was giveen 16 is kind of a bad sign (if you are drafting for production this year).
 
Ridley is the real deal....all this talk about Vereen and nothing about Ridley. I'm willing to put $ down that Ridley will play an equal part to Vereen in this offense...

 
Just to try to think what BB is thinking gives me a headache. But I think the guy is a no BS guy for sure, and I'm thinking he expects more things out of Vereen than he does Ridley. Why else would he draft him first? At the same time, if he drafted Ridley only a few picks later and that only 2 RB's actually went between those two picks (Leshoure and Murray), I would think it is reasonable to assume he had them rated fairly close to one another. Much more closer than the always talked about whatever amount of picks it was in between. So, my crazy thinking is if Ridley continues the way he has and Vereen doesn't match up the same stats, Ridley could easily swap out and steal touches. And BB always loves a hard worker, injuries aside...

 
Just to try to think what BB is thinking gives me a headache. But I think the guy is a no BS guy for sure, and I'm thinking he expects more things out of Vereen than he does Ridley. Why else would he draft him first? At the same time, if he drafted Ridley only a few picks later and that only 2 RB's actually went between those two picks (Leshoure and Murray), I would think it is reasonable to assume he had them rated fairly close to one another. Much more closer than the always talked about whatever amount of picks it was in between. So, my crazy thinking is if Ridley continues the way he has and Vereen doesn't match up the same stats, Ridley could easily swap out and steal touches. And BB always loves a hard worker, injuries aside...
BB has always been a 'gimme anybody' and i'll run him. You have to think the #1 prioirity out of the RB's has to be keeping Brady from getting hit, and that is why BJGE likely has the edge here.
 
Just to try to think what BB is thinking gives me a headache. But I think the guy is a no BS guy for sure, and I'm thinking he expects more things out of Vereen than he does Ridley. Why else would he draft him first? At the same time, if he drafted Ridley only a few picks later and that only 2 RB's actually went between those two picks (Leshoure and Murray), I would think it is reasonable to assume he had them rated fairly close to one another. Much more closer than the always talked about whatever amount of picks it was in between. So, my crazy thinking is if Ridley continues the way he has and Vereen doesn't match up the same stats, Ridley could easily swap out and steal touches. And BB always loves a hard worker, injuries aside...
BB has always been a 'gimme anybody' and i'll run him. You have to think the #1 prioirity out of the RB's has to be keeping Brady from getting hit, and that is why BJGE likely has the edge here.
True. I agree. But I think its a "for-now" type of thing, since it begs the questions why he drafted rb's in back to back picks in the first place. I think BJGE is very solid, much on the same line as Hightower, but nothing spectacular. I think both Vereen and Ridley have a higher ceiling than BJGE and Ridley just punched first :boxing:
 
Until I see a shred of evidence from Vereen or Ridley to suggest they may be ready, I would expect nothing different.
Are you watching the game this evening? Ridley looks pretty dang good
another grain of salt, it's all against 2nd and 3rd string defenses.
i can understand the "meh, its just preseason" mentality when considering redraft. however, when looking at dynasty players, doing something in the preseason isn't something to just write off imo. sure, the starters play a series or two, then the rookies and journeymen come out to play. these rookies are still playing against better competition than they were up against in college. it's a perfect time to see what they can do in the next level. if they put on a show against 2nd and 3rd stringers, its still a show. this is still the NFL, regardless the "string", ridley put on a show, to just ignore that is kind of ridiculous.

 
Just to try to think what BB is thinking gives me a headache. But I think the guy is a no BS guy for sure, and I'm thinking he expects more things out of Vereen than he does Ridley. Why else would he draft him first? At the same time, if he drafted Ridley only a few picks later and that only 2 RB's actually went between those two picks (Leshoure and Murray), I would think it is reasonable to assume he had them rated fairly close to one another. Much more closer than the always talked about whatever amount of picks it was in between. So, my crazy thinking is if Ridley continues the way he has and Vereen doesn't match up the same stats, Ridley could easily swap out and steal touches. And BB always loves a hard worker, injuries aside...
BB has always been a 'gimme anybody' and i'll run him. You have to think the #1 prioirity out of the RB's has to be keeping Brady from getting hit and not turn the ball over that is why BJGE likely has the edge here.
 
Apparently not anymore (touchbacks galore)

Edited to add - in his defense - he probably didn't realize this rule change would happen as I think it occurred after the draft during labor negotiations if I'm not mistaken.

Also, edited to add This is assuming he drafted those players for special teams purposes, which may or may not be true.

 
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Why would BB use picks on two RBs?

*Not sure how Faulk's health is...even if it's good this is probably his last year...

*BJGE will be a free agent after this year...everyone likes him but my guess is he's not a player they want to use good money on...if Vereen and Ridley both work out you can have low $ tied up in this position as a whole for a few years...

*Both Vereen and Ridley have the potential to be a better package of size/all around skill than BGJE and Woodhead...BGJE is more of a hard-nosed grinder (although he did show a little more last year) and Woodhead's size gives him some limitation...the rookies both have more "potential" to be three down backs...if these two work-out it would really add diversity to the Pats offense and as everyone knows BB loves his diversity...

 
Ridley is the real deal....all this talk about Vereen and nothing about Ridley. I'm willing to put $ down that Ridley will play an equal part to Vereen in this offense...
Why? Because he scored 3 TDs in a preseason game? Victor Cruz did it las year in New York. We have seen the Pats use RBs in the preseason and have good games only to be cut right before the season. Many times players are used in preseason with no intention of really putting them on the roster. I'm not saying Ridley is headed in that direction but BJGE, Woodhead, and probably one of the vet RBs like Faulk or Morris will be kept. Real Deal sounds like you think he will have a large role in the offense. Can you further those thoughts or were you just amped after the preseason game? Did you follow Ridley prior tot he Pats drafting/signing him? Thanks.

 
PS game 2

BenJarvus Green-Ellis also got in on the act, rushing 11 times for 51 yards and two touchdowns.
Combine that with PS game 1
BenJarvus Green-Ellis saw his first action of the pre-season, and responded with several sharp runs, including a 16-yarder to put the Patriots at the one, followed by his 1 yard TD with :06 left in the period. It was 21-0 Patriots after the first quarter. No kidding.
seems like the GL back is gonna be BJGE.
 
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Until I see a shred of evidence from Vereen or Ridley to suggest they may be ready, I would expect nothing different.
Are you watching the game this evening? Ridley looks pretty dang good
another grain of salt, it's all against 2nd and 3rd string defenses.
i can understand the "meh, its just preseason" mentality when considering redraft. however, when looking at dynasty players, doing something in the preseason isn't something to just write off imo. sure, the starters play a series or two, then the rookies and journeymen come out to play. these rookies are still playing against better competition than they were up against in college. it's a perfect time to see what they can do in the next level. if they put on a show against 2nd and 3rd stringers, its still a show. this is still the NFL, regardless the "string", ridley put on a show, to just ignore that is kind of ridiculous.
It's not 'meh it's just PS". PS does matter, but you need a PS decoder ring. I.e It is better to be in for the first quarter and get 5 carries for 14 yards, than it is to be in for the 3rd and 4th and get 15 carries for 150. Both because of the level of competition/defense, but moreso because it shows who the coach is trying to get the first teamers comfortable with.

Don't get me wrong, putting up good numbers is good, but history is littered with he carcasses of rb's who put up gaudy numbers late in PS games, and then were waived/cut/traded the next day.

ETA i also play in 2 refrafts and 2 keepers, but no dynasty. fwiw, so this might be just a slight difference in what we are looking for too.

 
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I thought all 3 of them (not morris) each had some very good runs. Expecting the committee to return to New England. Very curious how well Vereen will pan out.

 
BJGE is the safe play, can grind out first downs to hold leads, and can both protect the QB and the ball.

Early in camp, I thought I caught some rumor/report commenting on Ridley struggling a bit in pass protection. That will get you a nice view from the sideline in NE. I haven't seen much reported on progress in this area, so I don't know if that's either true ( I'm getting old & the memory may be fading ) or improving.

Ridley in last nights game still got some nice yardage and caught the ball well, but fumbled once. That'll be another issue to watch. One is forgivable, but if it happens again, I'd assume the NE coaching staff may be less willing to lean on a rookie with a potential fumble issue.

I'd guess Vereen is out of the primary ball-carrier picture at this point for this year. He hasn't seen the field yet ( well, one practice ), will need a bit of conditioning time to get back, and we're only 3 weeks away from live NFL action. If he's not practicing this week, I don't think he'll be active on the 45-man roster until one of the other RBs gets hurt.

 
It's the Law Firm & Woodhead show in New England this year. Book it.
I think Lawfirm will still be this team's primary ballcarrier, but its really hard to know how much Ridley (and to a lesser degree Vereen) eat into his production.
Agreed...but my guess is it will be less than less year as Ridley will get his share and Vereen is also lurking (Woody is obviously a big factor here as well)...if Faulk comes back healthy he will be used as well...they have a full-house at RB and I see all of them being used...
 
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Ridley is the real deal....all this talk about Vereen and nothing about Ridley. I'm willing to put $ down that Ridley will play an equal part to Vereen in this offense...
fwiw last night he was given the rock on a 4th and inches. Not only did he fail to convert (against TB's 3rd/4thh stringers) but he fumbled and lost possession. That's NOT a good sign for a belly-chick coached team.
 
OOF! watching the replay of the pats/buccs game on NFN, but wow did Danny Woodhead get BLOWN UP (looked like it could even be a possible concussion) on a punt coverage about 1/2 way through the 4th.

 
OOF! watching the replay of the pats/buccs game on NFN, but wow did Danny Woodhead get BLOWN UP (looked like it could even be a possible concussion) on a punt coverage about 1/2 way through the 4th.
Danny Woodhead said he felt "fine" after taking a big hit late in Thursday's preseason game.Woodhead appeared to suffer a concussion, but the Patriots will likely never let anyone know either way. "I saw him in the locker room and he seemed OK," coach Bill Belichick said after the game. Woodhead, who has technically been the starter in each preseason game, should be back on the practice field next week. Aug 19, 8:55 AMSource: Profootballtalk on NBCSports.com
 
My view for the regular season is somewhat of a 3-headed monster

of BGJE with a healthy sprinkling of Ridley and Vereen.

Woodhead as a gadget guy of sorts.

Sammy Morris fades to black with Freddy Taylor.

Faulk should figure into a part time 3rd down role.

All speculation on my part.

 

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