Post-draft RB situations (1 Viewer)

[finito]

Anyone care to comment on the Indianapolis situation?

Vick Ballard was just mentioned on NFLN as being a guy that can come right in and compete.

That's what I've seen too in a few draft grade write-ups. I have to admit I don't know much about the guy though. I would say that Pead and Hillman are very intriguing now as well. I need to do a little more research on them...

I watched him a couple of times and was unimpressed. Didn't really seem to have any strength as a runner - couldn't break tackles at all. Maybe he can bulk up and get stronger but I'm not a fan.

 

[Brunell4MVP]

8-Washington: took a RB (Alfred Morris) in the 6th round: confidence in Helu?

I think RBBC with Helu and Royster/Hightower (if re-signed). Nobody else will play a role. The Patriots may make a move to sign Hightower though. He'd be a good fit for them and I heard he was brought in for a tryout recently. I guess he'll go to whomever pays him the most coin.

 

[TheLurkerBelow]

The Ridley/Pats talk is always interesting to me. It seems the majority feels it is Ridley's job or a share with Vereen, but never Vereen's job or a share with him as the lead. IMO, Vereen looked fine when he played, and he was the back taken earlier in 2011 (over Ridley). I understand Vereen did not snatch the job when he was healthy, but the running game was not in shambles when he returned, so I believe they took a "don't rock the boat" approach and just phased him out. If he can stay healthy, he has a whole camp to establish himself, and when I look at some opponents like my Jets, I would throw out more Vereen than Ridley, as there are not as many speed guys on that D (I would personally not try to run Ridley through the Jets front three, especially with his ball control issues).Not sure where the two are going in redraft now (or where they will go in August), but my gut tells me the better $$ is on Vereen for value, even if it ends up being a split.

Seems like the thinking is that out of the three backs Woodhead and Vereen are two most similar. RBBC is generally seen as a power and speed back to compliment each other. Vereen still has to compete with Woodhead for touches, while Ridley will only have to beat out whatever vet RB they bring in.

Woodhead and Green-Ellis always seemed to be workmanlike guys the Pats started until they could find someone better. Last draft I viewed Vereen as the "new and improved" Woodhead, and Ridley as the "new and improved" Green-Ellis. Although Woodhead is still there, if Vereen plays up to his talent I believe he essentially replaces him on the depth chart.I think it's fair to say you'll see these two new guys play the exact same roles as the previous two, but hopefully with more production. That's actually a good thing for fantasy owners. You get big play and receiving ability from Vereen and grind it out yards and goal line TDs from Ridley, both on a team with a high scoring offense...if all goes well.

 

[Grahamburn]

Definite committee in Tampa. You've got to think Mike Sullivan plans on using Blount/Martin as his Jacobs/Bradshaw.

 

[BallparkFrank]

The Ridley/Pats talk is always interesting to me. It seems the majority feels it is Ridley's job or a share with Vereen, but never Vereen's job or a share with him as the lead. IMO, Vereen looked fine when he played, and he was the back taken earlier in 2011 (over Ridley). I understand Vereen did not snatch the job when he was healthy, but the running game was not in shambles when he returned, so I believe they took a "don't rock the boat" approach and just phased him out. If he can stay healthy, he has a whole camp to establish himself, and when I look at some opponents like my Jets, I would throw out more Vereen than Ridley, as there are not as many speed guys on that D (I would personally not try to run Ridley through the Jets front three, especially with his ball control issues).Not sure where the two are going in redraft now (or where they will go in August), but my gut tells me the better $$ is on Vereen for value, even if it ends up being a split.

Seems like the thinking is that out of the three backs Woodhead and Vereen are two most similar. RBBC is generally seen as a power and speed back to compliment each other. Vereen still has to compete with Woodhead for touches, while Ridley will only have to beat out whatever vet RB they bring in.

Woodhead and Green-Ellis always seemed to be workmanlike guys the Pats started until they could find someone better. Last draft I viewed Vereen as the "new and improved" Woodhead, and Ridley as the "new and improved" Green-Ellis. Although Woodhead is still there, if Vereen plays up to his talent I believe he essentially replaces him on the depth chart.I think it's fair to say you'll see these two new guys play the exact same roles as the previous two, but hopefully with more production. That's actually a good thing for fantasy owners. You get big play and receiving ability from Vereen and grind it out yards and goal line TDs from Ridley, both on a team with a high scoring offense...if all goes well.

All bets are off if the Pats sign a healthy Hightower as I think he's a perfect fit for their offense. His pass protection skills alone would get him a lot of PT in that offense.