Shane Vereen's Impact against Baltimore

[mosi]

I think all four running backs need to have big games. When the Pats rush for over 100 yards, they win. When they don't, they lose. Pretty simple. Josh needs to stay committed to the run and don't get cute. Run on first down. Run on second down and occasionally run on third down. Spread and run.

Aslo, the Ravens feast off balls that pop up into the air after short throws. Brady will need to keep the ball down and the receivers have to either catch the damn ball or bat it down.

 

[Nunchucks]

it's funny how after 1 HUGE game and an 8 catch season..he is all of a sudden another huge reliable weapon. I like the guy...but not sure he can be relied on so fast again...he can be used..but won't be as effective as last week

Vereen has been showing these skills all along. He just hasn't been featured as the third down back. He is fast, big, strong and quick. I think he is a better choice than Woodhead.

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Vereen also had an 80 yard TD against the Jets, for anyone who thinks last week was a fluke.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Vereen also had an 80 yard TD against the Jets, for anyone who thinks last week was a fluke.

That was a swing pass where he torched Bart Scott. Ray Ray better have his track shoes on Sunday.

 

[JR4]

Vereen has been showing these skills all along. He just hasn't been featured as the third down back. He is fast, big, strong and quick. I think he is a better choice than Woodhead.

205 5'9 Big

 

[Nunchucks]

205 5'9 Big

He is big like Maurice Jones Drew. The guy is one big muscle.

 

[hughthehand]

I read that Woodhead has a cast on his thumb. To me that means he CAN play, but Vereen is going to get the snaps that Woody normally would be in there for. The cast has to have an effect on both ball security and receiving. Woodhead is active in case Vereen or Ridley get injured.

I expect both Ridley and Vereen to be involved in the passing game. Taking advantage of Ray Lewis's lack of speed is something the Patriots need to game plan for. Lewis cannot cover Hernandez, so if he is out there on passing downs he is likely covering the RB.

 

[PP2]

Earlier in the year when the Pats would run the turbo no-huddle with one back behind Brady, it often was a run. Especially after moving the chains. A few teams were wise to this and would sell out to stop the run with success.

I'd love to see Vereen and Ridley in the game at the same time while the Pats are running the turbo. Have both RBs line up behind Brady, quick snap, then let the D figure out which one is getting the ball. Add in some play-action to Ridley while Vereen runs a flare to the spot Welker cleared out and I love the possibilities.

Regards,
Chris

IIRC they ran this play once, and only once. I can't remember which game but both Ridley and Vereen were in a pro set formation and flared out to either side. I loved that play because it bring so much uncertainty. I hope we see it again.

 

[patchick]

205 5'9 Big

Vereen is 5'10 1/4", 210, like so:

For a speeding pass-catching RB, he's a load.

 

[chris_in_sunnyvale]

IIRC they ran this play once, and only once. I can't remember which game but both Ridley and Vereen were in a pro set formation and flared out to either side. I loved that play because it bring so much uncertainty. I hope we see it again.

What I also like about it is that lining up in the backfield gives them space from any jam at the LOS and makes man-coverage that much harder. I'm convinced Baltimore will take a man-coverage approach, especially if it's windy, and anything that helps receivers get some separation is welcome.

I love when AH lines up in the backfield and runs patterns. Worked good against SF and Willis/Bowman (when he wasn't bobbling/dropping passes).

Regards,
Chris

 

[Gronkandez]

Vereen is 5'10 1/4", 210, like so:

For a speeding pass-catching RB, he's a load.

Can we call a RB fast, esp one who is looking like a 3rd down back at least for now, who runs a 4.5-40 yard dash? Maybe he has "football speed"???

I've been been very opptimistic on this guy from day 1 but he's not especially big or fast.

 

[DocHoliday]

Woodys far faster.

Vereen is NOT fast. He's quick. People think he's fast cause he beat a LB for that TD.

 

[Nunchucks]

Can we call a RB fast, esp one who is looking like a 3rd down back at least for now, who runs a 4.5-40 yard dash? Maybe he has "football speed"???

I've been been very opptimistic on this guy from day 1 but he's not especially big or fast.

You need to get off the 40 time and use your eyes. When Vereen ran that swing pass 70 yards, he didn't just burn Scott, he burned the entire Jets secondary, all of whom run faster than 4.5. But, put the Pads on and see who loses the most speed, I bet Vereen loses very little, while guys like Woodhead lose a lot of speed.

 

[patfanken]

A key for the Pats in this game is to establish that 3rd go to threat after Herandez and Gronk. Normally it would be Gronk. Because he's not there the job would seemingly go to Lloyd. Its no coincidence that his 2 best games of the year came in games where there was a need for a 3rd go to option to arise, the first Ravens game and against the Niners.

That being said the Raven know this too. So the Pats need to establish another guy that will take advantage of mismatches. I'd love it to be the RBs. Woody and Vareen are obviously excellent targets, Ridely isn't half bad either. But I also wouldn't count out Fells. He's a proven receiver (though not here) and will be last on the Raven's priority list. There will be some opportunities for whomever the 2nd TE turns out to be

 

[VJCPatriot]

In hurry up situations and drive, absolutely.

That said, I would still very much expect to see at least 12-15 carries from Ridley in the traditional running sense.

I'd like to see more touches from Ridley. We need to keep that Ravens defense honest. I see Ridley having an 80-100 yard game. Vereen split out wide will be big for us as well. He poses another matchup problem for the Ravens and if nobody goes out to guard him, the Ravens D will get gashed big time.

Everyone will be watching film of the Pats last playoff game. Vereen's emergence as a multi-dimensional threat makes them that much harder to contain and I'm sure the Ravens DC is getting headaches trying to figure out how to stop all the Pats weapons!

 

[brdmaverick]

I don't feel like taking the time to dig it up, but I'm pretty sure at this time last year there was a thread about Shane Vereen being a secret weapon in the AFC Championship game.

Of course, it carries a lot more weight this year given his performance against Houston.


Just think we had the weekly "Is this the week Ocho breaks out thread?". I certainly don't miss those.

 

[Schmo]

Look for Fells to score 3 TDs.

 

[DocHoliday]

Look for Fells to score 3 TDs.

If Fells drops a pass in the end zone a la Crumpler vs the Jest in 2010 I'll crumble and cry.

 

[AzPatsFan]

There are certain players and talents that are somewhat lost in the conversation about the Patriots Offense.

A) Brandon Lloyd is an 80 catch, near 1000 yard intermediate/deeper possession receiver. On any other team that would make him a star.

B) Shane Vareen is a starting caliber, classical shifty halfback who has the moves and hands of a WR, albeit he is not as trained in running a full route tree.

C) Danny Woodhead is and was the small school Heisman, (Harlan Hill) trophy winner back, multiple times. He is a complete "make-em-miss" half back able to run both into the line, wide, and catch, albeit in a smaller package.

D) While hardly neglected, Stevan Riddley is the classic NFL big back RB, with good speed andd outstanding one cut-and go ability. To a lesser degree though Brian Bolden is a slightly slower, but tougher one cut-and-go NFL big back as well. So the Pats have a both a pair of shifty halfbacks and a pair of classic NFL big back RBs and all can block.

E) After year of travail and injuries, the Pats O-line is now healthy, for the Playoffs. It features a pair of gargantuan Pro-Bowl quality tackles, and three developing interior linemen of very good size and mobility in Mankins, Wendell, and Connolly. The substitutes are proven too in tackle Marcus Cannon and guard Donald Thomas.

F) Only at receiver has the great talent been thinned out, losing TE Gronkowski and deep WR Stallworth/Edelman. Their backups are not bad though, in Hoomanawanui/Fells and old pro, crafty Deion Branch.

In short, the Patriots Offense is not running out of quality players.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I think Vereen has the talent and skillset to be as good (or better) than Kevin Faulk on the football field.

That is a HUGE statement my friend. Faulk was one of the most clutch 3rd down backs ever, definitely the most clutch 3rd down back in Pat's history. He caught everything thrown his way. Vereen definitely has some of the best hands as an NFL running back currently though.