Shane Vereen (1 Viewer)

[The Moz]

IMO he will be the best of the recent Cal backs -- not saying alot aside from last years first 3 weeks out of Best, But he'sthe total package even smallish - just at around 200-205 pounds -- the best pass blocker in the class , great reciever , explosive , more power than his size would show -- almost always falls forward. Just think he could end up the best of the R class this year. ( Yeah I just took him but still ). Ingram I think will be in a meddled backfield and be a semi bust based on them having Pierre , Ivory , and Bush -- maybe Igngram gets the most carries but either thomas or Bush will be the passing down back.

thoughts

 

[Mister CIA]

IMO he will be the best of the recent Cal backs -- not saying alot aside from last years first 3 weeks out of Best, But he'sthe total package even smallish - just at around 200-205 pounds -- the best pass blocker in the class , great reciever , explosive , more power than his size would show -- almost always falls forward. Just think he could end up the best of the R class this year. ( Yeah I just took him but still ). Ingram I think will be in a meddled backfield and be a semi bust based on them having Pierre , Ivory , and Bush -- maybe Igngram gets the most carries but either thomas or Bush will be the passing down back.thoughts

I like Vereen very much and despite the recent committee history in NE, I'm willing to pay the going rate for him (around 1.07/1.08) and hope I'm getting a guy who can buck the trend and throw up very good FF numbers.I think you are off by a mile on Ingram. I love what Pierre Thomas can do on the field but a commitment has been made and I think Ingram will deliver. I don't do projections, but I'd be surprised if Ingram gets fewer than 275 carries in his rookie season (assuming 16 game season).

 

[ChainsawU]

31 reps on the bench at the combine was pretty cool.

The first thing everyone is going to say is, "Obvious RBBC," but the Pats didn't draft him not to use him.

That is a lot of backs in one backfield though. And now Faulk wants to return too..

Has BB kept this many backs in the past? Seems like he might want to trade BGE since his value is pretty high and teams need RBs.

This is just pure speculation on my part though, but yeah Vereen has appeal. Wish he would have fallen to me in this year's draft.

 

[KellysHeroes]

I like Vereen but don't sleep on Ridley; was only drafted 17 picks later. Vereen should get more carries in his career but will never be a full-time guy.

 

[The Moz]

I like Vereen but don't sleep on Ridley; was only drafted 17 picks later. Vereen should get more carries in his career but will never be a full-time guy.

disagree man -- he is smallish but his strength makes up for it. Who thought CJIII was an everydown back or MJD. His biggest asset he is a GREAT pass protector who has awesome hands. I can see 140 carries for 600 yds 45 rec and 5 total scores a solid back up RB4 or a nice low end RB 3If Javis is traded his value skyrockets

 

[massraider]

RBBC can't be mentioned as a concern about one guy, if on the other hand you are excited about a Pats back.

Woodhead, Green-Ellis, Vereen, the kid drafted RIGHT AFTER Vereen..........I don't think anyone can dismiss any of those guys as potential top fantasy point producer for the Pats. Woodhead could catch 80 balls, BJGE could rush for 10 TDs again, with 700 yards. And Vereen or Ridley could be future Hall-of-Famers. Lot more uncertainty there than Nawlins.

Vereen doesn't have a draft position that demands he see carries. Ingram does. And it's a lot easier to see the Saints kissing all those other backs goodbye than the Pats. Belichick ain't going to use Woodhead and BJGE? They are proven contributors in his system. Vereen would have to be special to take a lead dog role, without getting sniped by the committee system that Belichick has used lately. Is he special, or is he a nice back, that 'if he got a shot', could do something?

It's very possible he could be the latter, and never really see the field.

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

RBBC can't be mentioned as a concern about one guy, if on the other hand you are excited about a Pats back.

Woodhead, Green-Ellis, Vereen, the kid drafted RIGHT AFTER Vereen..........I don't think anyone can dismiss any of those guys as potential top fantasy point producer for the Pats. Woodhead could catch 80 balls, BJGE could rush for 10 TDs again, with 700 yards. And Vereen or Ridley could be future Hall-of-Famers. Lot more uncertainty there than Nawlins.

Vereen doesn't have a draft position that demands he see carries. Ingram does. And it's a lot easier to see the Saints kissing all those other backs goodbye than the Pats. Belichick ain't going to use Woodhead and BJGE? They are proven contributors in his system. Vereen would have to be special to take a lead dog role, without getting sniped by the committee system that Belichick has used lately. Is he special, or is he a nice back, that 'if he got a shot', could do something?

It's very possible he could be the latter, and never really see the field.

BJGE=UndraftedWoodhead=Undrafted

Vereen=2nd round

Ridley=3rd round

Does draft position mean everything? No, but BJGE and Woody got opportunities in New England. Vereen and Ridley are more talented and drafted for a reason.

Why did BJGE and Woody get a shot last year? Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk got injured, Maroney got traded...which left some playing time open.

I think that by 2012 it will be Vereen.

 

[loose circuits]

RBBC can't be mentioned as a concern about one guy, if on the other hand you are excited about a Pats back.

Woodhead, Green-Ellis, Vereen, the kid drafted RIGHT AFTER Vereen..........I don't think anyone can dismiss any of those guys as potential top fantasy point producer for the Pats. Woodhead could catch 80 balls, BJGE could rush for 10 TDs again, with 700 yards. And Vereen or Ridley could be future Hall-of-Famers. Lot more uncertainty there than Nawlins.

Vereen doesn't have a draft position that demands he see carries. Ingram does. And it's a lot easier to see the Saints kissing all those other backs goodbye than the Pats. Belichick ain't going to use Woodhead and BJGE? They are proven contributors in his system. Vereen would have to be special to take a lead dog role, without getting sniped by the committee system that Belichick has used lately. Is he special, or is he a nice back, that 'if he got a shot', could do something?

It's very possible he could be the latter, and never really see the field.

BJGE=UndraftedWoodhead=Undrafted

Vereen=2nd round

Ridley=3rd round

Does draft position mean everything? No, but BJGE and Woody got opportunities in New England. Vereen and Ridley are more talented and drafted for a reason.

Why did BJGE and Woody get a shot last year? Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk got injured, Maroney got traded...which left some playing time open.

I think that by 2012 it will be Vereen.

By the same logic does that mean Ryan Mallet is going to beat out Tom Brady? Brady= late 6th Round Mallett= early 3rdBGE was basically running with the 1st team from day 1. He started the 1st few preseason games and never looked back. At the time, everyone was writing it off as BB playing games..but they like the kid

to the other poster that asked...New England has carried that many backs, they did last year. Vereen takes FT's place, Ridley takes Sammy Morris'. You may say Woodhead took K. Faulk's place, but they also had Thomas Clayton on the 53 at times...

 

[Clifford]

IMO he will be the best of the recent Cal backs -- not saying alot aside from last years first 3 weeks out of Best, But he'sthe total package even smallish - just at around 200-205 pounds -- the best pass blocker in the class , great reciever , explosive , more power than his size would show -- almost always falls forward. Just think he could end up the best of the R class this year. ( Yeah I just took him but still ). Ingram I think will be in a meddled backfield and be a semi bust based on them having Pierre , Ivory , and Bush -- maybe Igngram gets the most carries but either thomas or Bush will be the passing down back.thoughts

Type slower

 

[benson_will_lead_the_way]

RBBC can't be mentioned as a concern about one guy, if on the other hand you are excited about a Pats back.

Woodhead, Green-Ellis, Vereen, the kid drafted RIGHT AFTER Vereen..........I don't think anyone can dismiss any of those guys as potential top fantasy point producer for the Pats. Woodhead could catch 80 balls, BJGE could rush for 10 TDs again, with 700 yards. And Vereen or Ridley could be future Hall-of-Famers. Lot more uncertainty there than Nawlins.

Vereen doesn't have a draft position that demands he see carries. Ingram does. And it's a lot easier to see the Saints kissing all those other backs goodbye than the Pats. Belichick ain't going to use Woodhead and BJGE? They are proven contributors in his system. Vereen would have to be special to take a lead dog role, without getting sniped by the committee system that Belichick has used lately. Is he special, or is he a nice back, that 'if he got a shot', could do something?

It's very possible he could be the latter, and never really see the field.

BJGE=UndraftedWoodhead=Undrafted

Vereen=2nd round

Ridley=3rd round

Does draft position mean everything? No, but BJGE and Woody got opportunities in New England. Vereen and Ridley are more talented and drafted for a reason.

Why did BJGE and Woody get a shot last year? Fred Taylor and Kevin Faulk got injured, Maroney got traded...which left some playing time open.

I think that by 2012 it will be Vereen.

By the same logic does that mean Ryan Mallet is going to beat out Tom Brady? Brady= late 6th Round Mallett= early 3rd

BGE was basically running with the 1st team from day 1. He started the 1st few preseason games and never looked back. At the time, everyone was writing it off as BB playing games..but they like the kid

to the other poster that asked...New England has carried that many backs, they did last year. Vereen takes FT's place, Ridley takes Sammy Morris'. You may say Woodhead took K. Faulk's place, but they also had Thomas Clayton on the 53 at times...

See bolded

 

[karl722]

I like Vereen but don't sleep on Ridley; was only drafted 17 picks later. Vereen should get more carries in his career but will never be a full-time guy.

I agree. Vereen is the more talented back, but I like Ridley's value a lot better in rookie drafts. Belicheat is too hard to figure out on a week to week basis to rely on any NE offensive player not named Brady to score consistently in FF. Given this, I'd rather take my chances on Ridley in the late fourth/early fifth than Vereen in the mid first.

 

[finito]

Love Vereen, took him recently at 1.06 and some thought I reached. We'll find out.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

Dropped to me at 2.01 so I took him. I wasn't even considering him since the Ellis/Woodhead owner was picking at 1.09. I thought for sure he'd be going to him if not earlier.

Not sure what to think yet. He had a great combine work out, and we've seen plenty of 205ish guys do great things. But the situation worries me a bit. I think BB is not going to give much credence to draft pick priority, and he's so unpredictable. Plus the other 2 guys have been getting the job done. I think it'll take Vereen blowin it up to get the #1 job.

I like what I paid for him, but he could turn out to be a career rbbc guy and never warrant any better than rb3/flex in ff...

 

[Zdravko]

The first 1-2 seasons might be underwhelming from an FF standpoint because of BJGE and Woodhead, but in my opinion Vereen is the guy to own long-term.

It's worth pointing out, though, that the ceiling here is not as high as in other places. The Patriots have shown a strong commitment to RBBCs and making players specialize in specific roles. No matter how good Vereen turns out to be, he just won't see an opportunity to be a 3-down bell-cow.

I second the poster that said not to sleep on Ridley. He has an excellent skill set for short yardage and GL assignments and will sooner or later replace BJGE. That puts a small dent in Vereen's long-term upside.

 

[jacobo_moses]

It should be noted that in Maroney's 1st and 2nd yrs he had 175 rushes per 14 games and 185 rushes per 13 games and 835 yards and 6tds. Lets not kid ourselves. Most would agree that Vereen has more desire and better all around talent then Maroney did coming out of college. And they say Vereen has a really high football IQ.

Vereen will be used early and often. So expect like Maroney's stats but maybe a few more TDS also.

 

[Boston]

RBBC can't be mentioned as a concern about one guy, if on the other hand you are excited about a Pats back.

Woodhead, Green-Ellis, Vereen, the kid drafted RIGHT AFTER Vereen..........I don't think anyone can dismiss any of those guys as potential top fantasy point producer for the Pats. Woodhead could catch 80 balls, BJGE could rush for 10 TDs again, with 700 yards. And Vereen or Ridley could be future Hall-of-Famers. Lot more uncertainty there than Nawlins.

Vereen doesn't have a draft position that demands he see carries. Ingram does. And it's a lot easier to see the Saints kissing all those other backs goodbye than the Pats. Belichick ain't going to use Woodhead and BJGE? They are proven contributors in his system. Vereen would have to be special to take a lead dog role, without getting sniped by the committee system that Belichick has used lately. Is he special, or is he a nice back, that 'if he got a shot', could do something?

It's very possible he could be the latter, and never really see the field.

Pretty much agree with this...unless Vereen is really a dynamic player I don't see the other RBs not contributing...if you're committed to football, play hard and show you can be productive BB is going to find time for you...as a Pats fan I hope Vereen is a stud and relegates the others to the bench but I just don't see the scenario where Woody and BGJE (as well as Ridley if he can play and Faulk if he goes back to form) aren't contributing...while neither Woody or BJGE is a stud (and one reason they used two picks on RBs) they can play and are well-liked by the coaching staff...RB has a chance to be a real strength for the Pats this year but it's going to take a RB who can play at a Pro Bowl level to really distance himself from the pack...

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

BJGE is a FA isnt he? Is he a lock to come back?

 

[jacobo_moses]

I think Bloom says it best in his Post Rookie Draft:

9.Shane Vereen, RB, NE - Don't overthink this. Vereen is more than good enough to excel in New England and the team clearly coveted his skills. None of the other backs on the roster are at his talent level. Here is your target if you are holding a late first and you aren't sure which way to go. I know I will feel like I got away with something when I land Vereen. Could end up being the best value in rookie drafts this year.

Let me just say this. Woodhead and Law Firm (If still there) will be used. And that takes some from Vereen. But that will actually keep Vereen fresh and void from some of the pounding. I think Woodhead and Law Firm get 40% of the snaps and Vereen 50% and Ridley 10%. This is just guesswork which is what Fantasy Football is all about.

But you don't trade up to grab a player in the High 2nd if you are going to have him holding a clipboard behind Woodhead, and Law Firm or have him just take 1/4 of the snaps. Vereen will be used early and often.

Vereen has excelled in Pass Protection. Has a great QB to keep pressue of him. Lets not kid ourselves. The Kid will be a top 30 dynasty RB by the end of the year. And probably top 20 in 2012 sometime.

 

[Dr. Octopus]

BJGE is a FA isnt he? Is he a lock to come back?

He's a RFA that was tendered. As a third year guy his tender would likely stick even under a new CBA.

 

[MTskibum]

If the patriots thought that Vareen was a lock to be the man they would not have selected a runningback in the 3rd round.

My guess is that even Bill Bellicheat does not know how the runningback situation is going to play out. He collected quite a few guys that have some talent, and he will use the preseason to sort out the pecking order.

 

[eakfootball]

I got him at 10 and was thrilled

 

[keisersose]

I traded two lower 3rd round picks in 12 team dynasty rookie draft for the 2.11 for Vereen, primarily b/c of the comments in this thread. I pick again in 4 picks and will likely take Ridley, but Powell (Jets) is a guy I like here a lot (got Leshoure in the 1st round.)

Hope it works out.

 

[Clifford]

If the patriots thought that Vareen was a lock to be the man they would not have selected a runningback in the 3rd round.My guess is that even Bill Bellicheat does not know how the runningback situation is going to play out. He collected quite a few guys that have some talent, and he will use the preseason to sort out the pecking order.

 

[FavreAndAwayAnIdiot]

Has the thinking on this guy settled at all over the last month or so? I see he was ranked 8th overall in the board-participating rookie draft, and that seems way too high considering the factors in NE. Still, I have an opportunity to snag him in the 2nd round and I need RBs. I just don't want to waste a 2nd round pick if it's looking like he'll be the dreaded "change of pace" RB.

 

[Willie Mays Hayes]

I think 8th overall holds - go watch vereens highlights on YouTube. He's got potential to be more than a COP back.

 

[JoeSteeler]

picked him up at 2.01 in a 16 team (idp) draft that is going on right now. was stunned to get him in that spot.

 

[runner06]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.

I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

 

[bonesman]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

By a whole half a round I think that says they see them about equal and couldn't pass on Ridley despite addressing their need at RB 17 picks earlier.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

By a whole half a round I think that says they see them about equal and couldn't pass on Ridley despite addressing their need at RB 17 picks earlier.

Says to me that Ridley was the one they could do without of the 2, if one of the teams picking behind them decided to grab their guy.. They couldn't have been guaranteed Ridley or Vereen would be there at the next pick. Vereen made it higher on the priority list. 17 picks away is A LOT of picks to wait on a guy.. When you have several players you want at your next pick, if you're 16 picks away, many of those guys will be gone if not most of them, when it gets back to you. 17 picks isn't small potatoes.. There is a good chance that there were 3-6 other guys they would have considered taking ahead of Ridley that were taken in that 17 pick period.. I doubt very seriously that they ranked those guys equally..

 

[ninerfanatic492000]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

i personally like Vereen's chances. on the flipside.............. teams do screw up,(maybe not the patriots) but it does happen. DHB/murphy or bryant johnson/anquan boldin off the top of my head

 

[Kree]

Other than last year, when have the Pats ever been reliable drafters, especially fantasy wise?

Being drafted by the Pats should be one of the negatives people have to overlook for this guy (Purely in terms of talent evaluation).

That being said, I like Vereen a lot more than Ridley, esp in a PPR.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

i personally like Vereen's chances. on the flipside.............. teams do screw up,(maybe not the patriots) but it does happen. DHB/murphy or bryant johnson/anquan boldin off the top of my head

I agree with that, but until we find out more, all I can do is base it on what I see, and how they proceed. As of right now, they thought more of Vereen, no proof how much more, but enough to make sure they got him when they did. Who knows, they might have been surprised he fell to them there, then again, they might have flipped a coin between Vereen and Ridley, and been surprised Ridley dropped to their next pick...

 

[runner06]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

i personally like Vereen's chances. on the flipside.............. teams do screw up,(maybe not the patriots) but it does happen. DHB/murphy or bryant johnson/anquan boldin off the top of my head

This. It's not that the Pats don't like more then Vereen. That was shown by drafting him 17 picks earlier then Ridley. However, they probably do value them similarly given how close in the draft they were taken to one another. As someone else said, maybe they rate 4 to 6 players between them? That's not really that many players. The margin of error on picks is definitely great enough where Ridley could easily end up being their guy. It's also certainly possible both could bust. All I am saying is that in my opinion Ridley is being taken way to late in rookie drafts. There is no way he should be taken ahead of Vereen in rookie drafts but Ridley in probably worth somewhere between a mid 2nd and a early 3rd in my opinion.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

i personally like Vereen's chances. on the flipside.............. teams do screw up,(maybe not the patriots) but it does happen. DHB/murphy or bryant johnson/anquan boldin off the top of my head

This. It's not that the Pats don't like more then Vereen. That was shown by drafting him 17 picks earlier then Ridley. However, they probably do value them similarly given how close in the draft they were taken to one another. As someone else said, maybe they rate 4 to 6 players between them? That's not really that many players. The margin of error on picks is definitely great enough where Ridley could easily end up being their guy. It's also certainly possible both could bust. All I am saying is that in my opinion Ridley is being taken way to late in rookie drafts. There is no way he should be taken ahead of Vereen in rookie drafts but Ridley in probably worth somewhere between a mid 2nd and a early 3rd in my opinion.

That's where he's going in my drafts... Mid second-early third... And Vereen has been going late first..

 

[Mr Rodgers neighborhood]

The Patriots move into the redzone...

Out goes Vereen, in comes Stevan Ridley.

Stevan Ridley for the touchdown.

 

[gianmarco]

Other than last year, when have the Pats ever been reliable drafters, especially fantasy wise?Being drafted by the Pats should be one of the negatives people have to overlook for this guy (Purely in terms of talent evaluation).

The Patriots have been atrocious the last few years in drafting skill players.

 

[Carolina Hustler]

The Patriots move into the redzone...Out goes Vereen, in comes Stevan Ridley.Stevan Ridley for the touchdown.

I would generally agree with that statement, but since when have the pats been predictable..?Point taken though, Ridley is definitely better suited for goal line and short yardage work.

 

[Sinrj]

Smart move is to get both players. It can be done and you won't have to wonder who will be better.

 

[Faust]

Draft round for the Patriots is almost inconsequential now, as their methodology is to play the players who fit their system and give them the best chance to win. They will play whomever they feel is playing and practicing the best regardless if that player is Vereen, Ridley, Law Firm, Woodhead, etc., and they will use a liberal dose of the RBBC system with interchangeable RBs unless they feel like one player evolves to becoming the next Curtis Martin or Dillon for them. At this point in time, I like Vereen's chances to be the clubhouse leader in carries and yards, but that could still only end up being 40% to 50% of the Patriots RB production. I just don't see a clear cut "bell cow" RB on the roster right now, as I see more of the same from what we have come to understand about their RBBC system.

I will monitor training camp reports, beat writers and Yudkin's analysis to see if this outlook changes, but I am not expecting anything different then the Patriots status quo for now.

 

[Mr Rodgers neighborhood]

The Patriots move into the redzone...Out goes Vereen, in comes Stevan Ridley.Stevan Ridley for the touchdown.

I would generally agree with that statement, but since when have the pats been predictable..?Point taken though, Ridley is definitely better suited for goal line and short yardage work.

I think long term they see Vereen as a very good change of pace/third down back. Stevan Ridley is a grinder, or a closer. As solid as BJGE was, I don't think he's the closer that they want pounding it in the fourth quarter. Long term it's a committee with Ridley filling the BJGE role and Vereen fitting in the Faulk/Woodhead role.

 

[loose circuits]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

By a whole half a round I think that says they see them about equal and couldn't pass on Ridley despite addressing their need at RB 17 picks earlier.

Says to me that Ridley was the one they could do without of the 2, if one of the teams picking behind them decided to grab their guy.. They couldn't have been guaranteed Ridley or Vereen would be there at the next pick. Vereen made it higher on the priority list. 17 picks away is A LOT of picks to wait on a guy.. When you have several players you want at your next pick, if you're 16 picks away, many of those guys will be gone if not most of them, when it gets back to you. 17 picks isn't small potatoes.. There is a good chance that there were 3-6 other guys they would have considered taking ahead of Ridley that were taken in that 17 pick period.. I doubt very seriously that they ranked those guys equally..

I don't really want to pretend to know what BB is thinking, but do you think it is possible that they thought most teams had Ridley lower on the board so they took Vereen who they assumed most teams had higher?

 

[runner06]

I think the fact that the Pats spent both a late 2nd and an early 3rd on Vereen and Ridley says they probably aren't overly thrilled about BGJE and Woodhead. I wouldn't expect either one of these guys to be a long term guy in New England. Does that mean Vereen will pan out? No, but he certainly could.I also wouldn't sleep on Ridley. He was taken just 17 picks after Vereen and was given a 3rd round grade by the NFL Draft Committee.

I like Vereen better than Ridley, because the Pats valued him more.. Proven by the fact they picked him first..

By a whole half a round I think that says they see them about equal and couldn't pass on Ridley despite addressing their need at RB 17 picks earlier.

Says to me that Ridley was the one they could do without of the 2, if one of the teams picking behind them decided to grab their guy.. They couldn't have been guaranteed Ridley or Vereen would be there at the next pick. Vereen made it higher on the priority list. 17 picks away is A LOT of picks to wait on a guy.. When you have several players you want at your next pick, if you're 16 picks away, many of those guys will be gone if not most of them, when it gets back to you. 17 picks isn't small potatoes.. There is a good chance that there were 3-6 other guys they would have considered taking ahead of Ridley that were taken in that 17 pick period.. I doubt very seriously that they ranked those guys equally..

I don't really want to pretend to know what BB is thinking, but do you think it is possible that they thought most teams had Ridley lower on the board so they took Vereen who they assumed most teams had higher?

No.

 

[BallparkFrank]

Any camp news on Vereen thus far - I haven't seen anything here?

 

[thriftyrocker]

Any camp news on Vereen thus far - I haven't seen anything here?

Dinged his hammy http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4699160/rookie-rb-vereen-leaves-with-injury

 

[Boston]

Any camp news on Vereen thus far - I haven't seen anything here?

It's been very quiet with regard to Vereen so far...reports on Ridley have been very good...