Vereen to be #1 RB...?

[Leemo]

Patriots may look to Shane Vereen as No. 1 running back | ProFootballTalk

Basically Reiss claims the Pats staff still see Vereen as a #1 RB, after all he was a 2nd round pick and had a hamstring injury that hampered his efforts last season.

Does anyone agree this should be the case? All the talk around has been about Ridley being #1

 

[Bonzo]

I don't think there's any question he could go out and grab it with a strong TC.

I for one though think that Ridley showed too much promise and has too many NFL snaps under his belt (relative to Vereen) to let the opportunity pass him by.

 

[patsfan13]

I think all the RB will be role players, a RB by committee.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Pure speculation based on where he was picked and perceived talent, not on anything he did last year, which was next to nothing. Hopefully he turns it on in his second year but the recent history (of high draft picks that don't do much in their 1st year) has left me skeptical.

 

[RIpats88]

Pure speculation based on where he was picked and perceived talent, not on anything he did last year, which was next to nothing. Hopefully he turns it on in his second year but the recent history (of high draft picks that don't do much in their 1st year) has left me skeptical.

it seemed mostly due to injuries though and not a lack of talent..he looked pretty good in the Chiefs game

 

[patsinthesnow]

I have trouble seeing a 5'9 200 pound RB taking 15-25 carries a game.

He could be #1, but I agree with patsfan13 it'll be RBBC.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

I have trouble seeing a 5'9 200 pound RB taking 15-25 carries a game.

He could be #1, but I agree with patsfan13 it'll be RBBC.

I have trouble seeing how you think he's an inch and a quarter shorter and ten pounds lighter than he actually is. If his hamstring heals up, then I see no reason why he can't enjoy a very nice career.

 

[Blizzzard]

Patriots may look to Shane Vereen as No. 1 running back | ProFootballTalk

Basically Reiss claims the Pats staff still see Vereen as a #1 RB, after all he was a 2nd round pick and had a hamstring injury that hampered his efforts last season.

Does anyone agree this should be the case? All the talk around has been about Ridley being #1

All the talk about Ridley being the top guy stems (IMHO) from him seeing the majority of reps thre last year.

We really did not see Vereen much at all..... But I have to say that the few times he did take a snap, I was left very impressed. He showed good lateral quickness, change of direction, vision, and fought for the extra yards like a much bigger back would.
His TD was a short distance, but he showed that he has a nose for the end zone. If I'm not mistaken, he got them that close to the end zone to begin with.
Seeing as he did so well, and having no new injury to report, I was a little surprised to see them play him in that game, but not again for the rest of the season.

Obviously they think he is the better back since they took him first. I doubt they would have taken him first just based on how they saw other teams valuing the 2 backs.
I'm very excited to see what Vereen can do this year :rocker:

 

[Sciz]

I absolutely loved Vereen pre-draft and went as far as comparing him to Marshall Faulk. He better accomplish something next year!

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

it seemed mostly due to injuries though and not a lack of talent..he looked pretty good in the Chiefs game

Meh, he played only on the last drive in a 34-3 blowout. I don't know what everybody saw or thought they saw from him but I wasn't impressed. That being said, I do hope he turns into solid player and contributor this year.

 

[Rob0729]

I have trouble seeing a 5'9 200 pound RB taking 15-25 carries a game.

He could be #1, but I agree with patsfan13 it'll be RBBC.

Have you ever seen Maurice Jones Drew? He is 5-7.

Chris Johnson may be two inches taller, but he is about ten pounds lighter.

Jamaal Charles is 5-11 and 200lbs.

Vereen's size isn't ideal, but similar sized RBs have been at the top or near the top in rushing.

 

[UK_Pat37]

Safe to say Ridley and Vereen are competing between each other to be the #1 backs. Whichever one performs better through camp and preseason will get the job. I always envisioned Vereen as just a 3 down back but saw enough in the very small stints I saw him to make me think he could do more than just be a 3rd down, pass protecting back. I have high hopes for both Running Backs.

 

[Big-T]

Vereen is the most explosive running back on the roster and will break off the big runs, so I'd be all for him being the #1 RB, especially with him being a receiving threat too.

 

[Rob0729]

Vereen is the most explosive running back on the roster and will break off the big runs, so I'd be all for him being the #1 RB, especially with him being a receiving threat too.

He does have the best potential to be a top RB in this league. I will write off last season to a nagging injury and no offseason, but he will have to prove himself this year.

 

[mgteich]

We have 3 man committee, same as last year, with Vareen replacing Green-Ellis on the committee. Who get how many reps is still to be determined.

I would note that we have a committee (which is fine) with no backup. This is not a problem. The FO has months to find a free agent backup.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Have you ever seen Maurice Jones Drew? He is 5-7.

Chris Johnson may be two inches taller, but he is about ten pounds lighter.

Jamaal Charles is 5-11 and 200lbs.

Vereen's size isn't ideal, but similar sized RBs have been at the top or near the top in rushing.

Incredibly stupid statement I just realized I made...MoJo pretty much defeats it.

 

[The Scrizz]

Vereen has a chance to be an absolute home run, bring it to the house back, particularly in the 2 TE hurry-up. Kid has huge upside. The lack of an off-season really hurt the rooks and the 2nd year guys the most (particularly on D where they were basically tinkering with the system on the fly) . I can't wait to see what some of these guys can do with a full NFL off-season under their belts.

I would love it if Vereen can grab the top spot and given us one more weapon for the O.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Charles Davis at NFLN now has the Pats taking an RB at 31, citing the loss of BJGE. I really don't see that happening; they should be in good shape with Ridley, Vereen and Woodhead leading the way.

 

[Ring 6]

All the talk about Ridley being the top guy stems (IMHO) from him seeing the majority of reps thre last year.

We really did not see Vereen much at all..... But I have to say that the few times he did take a snap, I was left very impressed. He showed good lateral quickness, change of direction, vision, and fought for the extra yards like a much bigger back would.
His TD was a short distance, but he showed that he has a nose for the end zone. If I'm not mistaken, he got them that close to the end zone to begin with.
Seeing as he did so well, and having no new injury to report, I was a little surprised to see them play him in that game, but not again for the rest of the season.

Obviously they think he is the better back since they took him first. I doubt they would have taken him first just based on how they saw other teams valuing the 2 backs.
I'm very excited to see what Vereen can do this year :rocker:

Agreed. General perception usually doesn't mean much. 11 months ago people were positive that BB used a 3rd on a RB who was too slow to be any more than a short yardage back. Once he got on the field that perceptoin changed, and I'm pretty sure the same is likely to happen with Vereen.

 

[Ring 6]

Vereen has a chance to be an absolute home run, bring it to the house back, particularly in the 2 TE hurry-up. Kid has huge upside. The lack of an off-season really hurt the rooks and the 2nd year guys the most (particularly on D where they were basically tinkering with the system on the fly) . I can't wait to see what some of these guys can do with a full NFL off-season under their belts.

I would love it if Vereen can grab the top spot and given us one more weapon for the O.

Hope you are right. That kind of back would do wonders for the offense. Last year when Ridley came in and looked like a threat to break off 20 at any time it was encouraging. If Vereen is a homerun threat, that would really stress a D.