Woodhead at practice with thumb brace

[DocHoliday]

Woody is the ultimate comeback RB we have.

Need some lightning scores a la SB or 49ers game? Bring him in.

 

[BradyFTW!]

How about Brandon Bolden? He was beasting before his suspension. If Woodhead is not 100%, would it be effective to use Bolden as a 3rd back?

Was he active for the Texans game? (though I don't think he got any snaps) His recent absence might make it harder for Ravens DC to gameplan for him. Thoughts?

I'm sure that Bolden would be effective if called upon, but he doesn't really do the same things that Woodhead does. I may be wrong, but I've always seen the situation as being more or less that Bolden backs up Ridley and Vereen backs up Woodhead (and can back up Ridley a bit in a pinch, because he's pretty versatile).

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

After the years of great contributions by Kevin Faulk, we're blessed to have Woodhead & Vereen continue the excellence as 3rd down backs and now we see, even more. I love seeing "Ben" split out wide. I bet opposing DCs don't.

 

[Mack Herron]

After the years of great contributions by Kevin Faulk, we're blessed to have Woodhead & Vereen continue the excellence as 3rd down backs and now we see, even more. I love seeing "Ben" split out wide. I bet opposing DCs don't.

Vereen is very athletic and has great hands, but not yet up to speed on the passing game with 8 receptions on the year. After Welker and Hernandez, who the Ravens will try to take away, you're looking at Lloyd. I prefer Woody with his splint.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Vereen is very athletic and has great hands, but not yet up to speed on the passing game with 8 receptions on the year. After Welker and Hernandez, who the Ravens will try to take away, you're looking at Lloyd. I prefer Woody with his splint.

I think they've been working with the 2nd year player developing his skills. Apparently he's shown well enough during practice for fussy TFB to risk throwing to him. You know how stingy Tommy can be if he doesn't have faith in the recipient. No splint please. Ball security.

 

[Kontradiction]

I'm sure that Bolden would be effective if called upon, but he doesn't really do the same things that Woodhead does. I may be wrong, but I've always seen the situation as being more or less that Bolden backs up Ridley and Vereen backs up Woodhead (and can back up Ridley a bit in a pinch, because he's pretty versatile).

Agreed. Add to that the fact that the Pats will probably try to put as much speed in the backfield as possible to take advantage of the Ravens' aging and tired defense, and I don't expect Bolden to see the field at all.

 

[Mack Herron]

I think they've been working with the 2nd year player developing his skills. Apparently he's shown well enough during practice for fussy TFB to risk throwing to him. You know how stingy Tommy can be if he doesn't have faith in the recipient. No splint please. Ball security.

The only downfield pattern thrown to Vereen is that hitch and go which they have tried several times and which they hit once (Sun). His receptions have been little wheel routes, which I expect to see against the Ravens. But nothing over the middle where neither Vereen nor Lloyd dare venture. Woody lives there. You'll see. Even with the splint. Love the idea of Lewis chasing Woody across the middle.

 

[DocHoliday]

The only downfield pattern thrown to Vereen is that hitch and go which they have tried several times and which they hit once (Sun). His receptions have been little wheel routes, which I expect to see against the Ravens. But nothing over the middle where neither Vereen nor Lloyd dare venture. Woody lives there. You'll see. Even with the splint. Love the idea of Lewis chasing Woody across the middle.

People are surprised when I mention Woodhead had by far the best catch percentage on the team at 80%.

 

[supafly]

I think they've been working with the 2nd year player developing his skills. Apparently he's shown well enough during practice for fussy TFB to risk throwing to him. You know how stingy Tommy can be if he doesn't have faith in the recipient. No splint please. Ball security.

I think this is a great point. Vereen by all accounts, has been slowly learning since the summer of 2011 in training camp. He wasn't necessarily ready last season, but he certainly looks capable enough of handling some added responsibilities now. Most importantly, he did an excellent job of picking up the blitz on at least a couple/few occasions that I saw, which was actually one of his strengths coming out of Cal.

I'm sure the team will be able to gauge how limited Woodhead may/may not be in practice this week, and there's a decent chance that we'll see them both, but I'd be much more concerned with ball security myself.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I still see Vereen as backup for the more experienced Woodhead in a playoff game but if that thumb isn't solid by Sunday i look forward to seeing Vereen instead. Even with Woody playing, I still expect some plays with Vereen split wide. He's GOT to be a bigger threat then Branch.

 

[Mack Herron]

I still see Vereen as backup for the more experienced Woodhead in a playoff game but if that thumb isn't solid by Sunday i look forward to seeing Vereen instead. Even with Woody playing, I still expect some plays with Vereen split wide. He's GOT to be a bigger threat then Branch.

With this offense there'll be plenty of snaps for both. When was the last time Branch caught a pass?

 

[ausbacker]

I might enter a tantric state if Ridley and Vereen are seen in the backfield at the same time. Hell, let's throw one of Bolden or Woodhead in the backfield as well. Pistol that Baltimore.