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Training Camp Postional Preview - Running Backs
By: Steve Balestrieri

Probably the most athletically gifted of the Patriots running backs; Vereen can carry the ball inside, outside and can be very effective catching the ball. He's a one cut and go type of runner; he won't dance behind the line of scrimmage. He's very good a...

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KontradictioN

I think the team will carry four. As has been said, Ridley, Vereen, and Woodhead are locks. I hope the last RB they carry (should they carry four) is a FB. The run offense has been needing a FB since Evans left town, particularly on third and short and goal line plays, where the team has had to implement the likes of Connolly and other OL to clear ILB's out of the A-Gap on occasion. If they carry four, I think it's highly unlikely that Addai makes the team.

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SyN65

Addai makes the team because he's the only real veteran out of the RB's we have. Ridley and especially Vereen are unproven and no way Woodhead is getting more than 10 touches a game.

robertweathers

I just don't have a good feel for the # of RBs they will carry. On gamedays I don't think they ever carried 5 runners but with KFs PUP status, Vereen's leg issue and the addition of Polite late in the year, there was clearly an interest in having a more rounded-out, versitile backfield.

I guess with the exception of Vereen, Ridley and Woodhead being cut, nothing would suprise me.

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KontradictioN

If Addai makes the final roster, I would guess that the team would carry 5 RB's, then, due to McDaniels preference of having a FB with the offense.

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brdmaverick

Count me with the others who want Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, and (insert fullback: my choise is Tony F.).

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treeclimber

Major "if" questions but if Vereen can actually live up to his second round status and Woodhead doesn't return to 2010 form, I see no reason to carry Woodhead. Vereen would make him obsolete. If Vereen really is a 3 down back (he split wide and had some good catches at Cal) there's no reason to take him off the field for Woodhead, especially the 2011 version. Woodhead has a strong chance to make the roster but is definitely no lock. Especially with Addai's ability on third down also.

robertweathers

Woody is on the books for $700k salary fir 2012. His deal is peanuts and I assume the cap hit would be miniscule if hes let go. Remember Woody played with a high-ankle sprain for a chunk of the year so that limited him a little.

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“I'm not really concerned about the other 31 teams,” - Bill Belichick

"If a player has talent and doesn't succeed, that means that they either don't want to be successful or I have failed as a coach." - Bill Belichick

signbabybrady

I think this position is very much up in the air.

If both the sophmores step up big in camp and can make the coaches feel good about relying on them then you could go with four (those two plus Woody, plus the winner of the FB battle), and if you went with 5 it would be soley for depth and insurance.

If one or both are struggling then you need the 5th back and likely as more then insurance as you would probably have a role for him with whichever of the sophmores is struggling relegated to the insurance role unless you give up on that sophmore. Struggling could mean several things from injury, to finding a role/understanding the o, to fumbling.

Honestly though I dont see it as a big worry I think there is enough talent and bodies there that what we need out of the running game will be attained. Woody already has a good percentage of snaps covered and you have good competition for the rest.

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sly24

I for one, wouldn't be surprised if Woodhead is cut. I think only Vereen and Ridley are locks.

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