What's the story with Vereen?

[Patspsycho]

He's not going to get regular snaps until they trust him in blitz pickup. He fell behind on learning blitz pickup when he missed most of preseason.

I think we're past that point at this time of the season. Either it's a rigid depth thing or there's something else going on that we're just not aware of.

 

[Frezo]

I think we're past that point at this time of the season. Either it's a rigid depth thing or there's something else going on that we're just not aware of.

Has he been active? 5 active RBs sounds like a lot.

 

[andrewgarrr]

I'm surprised he isn't returning kicks/punts.

 

[RayClay]

You do still have to win a job on this team, unlike some, and i like that. See Kyle Arrington career. Led team in special teams tackles in only 8 games, becomes a starter next year. See Darius Butler career.

That's the way it goes around here, and that's the way I like it. It's up to Vereen and Ridley to beat somebody out, simple as that.

 

[randomk1]

Then Vereen must be even worse. It's that simple. Also, cherry picking Woodhead's blocks is pretty unfair. He's had some good ones this year.

That is my point...he either flat out sucks or is injured or something. I honestly thought this guy would make an excellent 3rd down back...wait and see i guess.

The he can't pick up blitzes because he didn't have a preseason is no excuse.

I'm not cherrypicking anything with Woodhead...it's just that the sacks and negative plays are the ones that stay in mind and i've seen Woodhead drilled quite a few times. You just can't expect such a small guy to take on a LB.

 

[Lansdowne]

When Vereen was drafted, only Woodhead was under contract. Law Firm was a RFA, likely to re-sign but not guaranteed. The uncertainty of him and Faulk's return from a torn ACL led BB to also draft Ridley. At this point it looks like Vereen is being redshirted this season, with only a chance of playing if three of the guys ahead of him all suffer injuries at the same time.

It's frustrating because I believe he's the best talent of the five, but it looks like he's the least trusted for whatever reason. And that's a shame.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

When Vereen was drafted, only Woodhead was under contract. Law Firm was a RFA, likely to re-sign but not guaranteed. The uncertainty of him and Faulk's return from a torn ACL led BB to also draft Ridley. At this point it looks like Vereen is being redshirted this season, with only a chance of playing if three of the guys ahead of him all suffer injuries at the same time.

It's frustrating because I believe he's the best talent of the five, but it looks like he's the least trusted for whatever reason. And that's a shame.

A running back, of all positions, should be able to contribute. I know they didn't take him with the intention of redshirting him. So here we go again, did they spend another high pick on a player that won't work out? Might be too early to say.

He should at least be able to return kicks given our sub par returners and if it's because of the blocking that should have been factored in when drafting him in the second. I've heard that he's a dancer like Maroney, maybe they're trying to cure him of that - again, should have been factored in. Maybe it's his health but he has played some special teams.

Bottom Line, 2nd rounders should be able to and be expected to contribute. He needs to show something soon or the questioning will be justified.

 

[serifyn]

i dont understand how people can call Vereen a bust. in camp he was injured and Ridley picks up all of his reps, then Ridley comes out and goes crazy in his first preseason game.

the patriots have 3 backs they trust completely who dont even get the ball enough as it is in BJGE, Woodhead and Faulk, and all of these guys they trust more than a rookie who has seen almost no real game action thus far.

im sure Vereen will get his chance at some point, but hes the 5th RB in a passing offense, so to expect huge things out of him this year is kind of ridicules.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

He should at least be able to return kicks given our sub par returners and if it's because of the blocking that should have been factored in when drafting him in the second. I've heard that he's a dancer like Maroney, maybe they're trying to cure him of that - again, should have been factored in. Maybe it's his health but he has played some special teams.

No! Not Ben! NOOoooo!

 

[Patspsycho]

Has he been active? 5 active RBs sounds like a lot.

He was active, but since Faulk was promoted, I don't think he has been activated.

 

[Reckedtrek]

A running back, of all positions, should be able to contribute. I know they didn't take him with the intention of redshirting him. So here we go again, did they spend another high pick on a player that won't work out? Might be too early to say.

He should at least be able to return kicks given our sub par returners and if it's because of the blocking that should have been factored in when drafting him in the second. I've heard that he's a dancer like Maroney, maybe they're trying to cure him of that - again, should have been factored in. Maybe it's his health but he has played some special teams.

Bottom Line, 2nd rounders should be able to and be expected to contribute. He needs to show something soon or the questioning will be justified.

Who did you hear this from?

 

[Reckedtrek]

...or there's something else going on that we're just not aware of.

Ha ha! That doesn't stop a lot of posters on this board from drawing half assed conclusions on a regular basis.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

i dont understand how people can call Vereen a bust. in camp he was injured and Ridley picks up all of his reps, then Ridley comes out and goes crazy in his first preseason game.

the patriots have 3 backs they trust completely who dont even get the ball enough as it is in BJGE, Woodhead and Faulk, and all of these guys they trust more than a rookie who has seen almost no real game action thus far.

im sure Vereen will get his chance at some point, but hes the 5th RB in a passing offense, so to expect huge things out of him this year is kind of ridicules.

Has anyone called him a bust? Nobody should be called a bust 9 games into his rookie season. However Patriot second and third picks that don't work out all seem to follow this all too familiar path.

And then the question of whether drafting the "5th RB in a passing offense" in the second round was the best use of the pick when there were clearly other more pressing needs.

 

[TheSolderKing]

He was active, but since Faulk was promoted, I don't think he has been activated.

using Faulk over Vereen will hurt the development of our rookie.


Vereen is not good enough to surpass Faulk (i doubt that) BB has a softie for Faulk and thyat is a huge part of why vereen is not playing.


Vereen probably is learning slow like ocho... but don't underestimate the softness factor of playing Faulk b/c he was a legend in the past.


I really hope Vereengets onboard and knows his sh!t so we can have a dynamic RB for a playoff run. Faulk is just plain slow.

 

[ausbacker]

using Faulk over Vereen will hurt the development of our rookie.

Vereen is not good enough to surpass Faulk (i doubt that) BB has a softie for Faulk and thyat is a huge part of why vereen is not playing.

Vereen probably is learning slow like ocho... but don't underestimate the softness factor of playing Faulk b/c he was a legend in the past.

I really hope Vereengets onboard and knows his sh!t so we can have a dynamic RB for a playoff run. Faulk is just plain slow.

Faulk has become the Tim Wakefield of the Patriots.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Who did you hear this from?

Ha ha! That doesn't stop a lot of posters on this board from drawing half assed conclusions on a regular basis.

Google Shane Vereen + Laurence Maroney + Dance and then pay $3.95 if you wish to read more.

Shane Vereen won't dance around subject - BostonHerald.com



Came across this from the Sporting News after the draft. It was complimentary of him but did say that he "Is a major liability in pass protection because he gives poor effort and uses bad technique." Projected as a 4th rounder.

Round 2, Pick 24: New England Patriots - 2011 NFL Draft - NFL - Sporting News

Mystery solved. A second rounder on a third down back in the Patriots offense who can't block. I'm not sure what kind of sense that makes.

 

[mcsully]

Bedard made mention of this in a tweet. He said something to the effect "some draft picks aren't for this year"

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Bedard made mention of this in a tweet. He said something to the effect "some draft picks aren't for this year"

The Patriots aren't so loaded with talent that they have the luxury of drafting 2nd and 3rd rounders that "aren't for this year."

 

[mcsully]

The Patriots aren't so loaded with talent that they have the luxury of drafting 2nd and 3rd rounders that "aren't for this year."

What do you want me to tell you. That you know more than a guy who's covered the league for over a decade and is a daily reporter?

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Has anyone called him a bust? Nobody should be called a bust 9 games into his rookie season. However Patriot second and third picks that don't work out all seem to follow this all too familiar path.

And then the question of whether drafting the "5th RB in a passing offense" in the second round was the best use of the pick when there were clearly other more pressing needs.

This is my issue.

And if BJGE, Woodhead, and Faulk were playing well it would be fine. But BJGE's toe is clearly hindering him and he's not been effective since the first Jets game, Woodhead has been ineffective until the 2nd half of last week, and Faulk is a shell of his former self right now. We clearly could use a spark at the position, or at least be able to sit BJGE and give the rooks more of a workload to let his toe heel, but 2 high picks are just pissing away on the sideline.