RB position going forward?

[patchick]

When the Pats drafted Shane Vereen, I had hopes that they'd found a genuine do-it-all back -- an ideal weapon for a no-huddle offense. Apparently, though the team hasn't felt he could handle the feature back role. Even after Ridley imploded today, they handed the ball to Blount. But once they finally turned to Vereen, he delivered to the tune of:

14 carries for 101 yards
7 catches for 58 yards

Pretty nice for essentially half a day's work.

So, do you think Vereen will finally get a chance to start? How long will it take for Ridley to crawl out of the doghouse? Etc.

 

[coolguy]

Ridley is still number one, but those were some strange fumbles.

 

[Marinlik]

Ridley is still number one, but those were some strange fumbles.

Yeah, he is usually pretty decent at holding the ball.

Vereen looked very good today so I wouldn't mind seeing him get some more touches if he continues to play like this.

 

[Joey007]

Stevan Ridley might've just lost his job

At the moment, it appears Vereen's playing all around better than Ridley, albeit one game.

You guys think Vereen will start to get most of the carries from here on out or am I kneejerking to much here??

 

[Patriot Missile]

When the Pats drafted Shane Vereen, I had hopes that they'd found a genuine do-it-all back -- an ideal weapon for a no-huddle offense. Apparently, though the team hasn't felt he could handle the feature back role. Even after Ridley imploded today, they handed the ball to Blount. But once they finally turned to Vereen, he delivered to the tune of:

14 carries for 101 yards
7 catches for 58 yards

Pretty nice for essentially half a day's work.

So, do you think Vereen will finally get a chance to start? How long will it take for Ridley to crawl out of the doghouse? Etc.

Vereen is closer to to K Faulk as a receiver except with better running skills. He is the better all around back. Not quite a Doug Martin but you never know. SV was very impressive and a big reason why this team isn't 0-1 today.

On the flip side I like Ridley much better between the tackles and he seems to fall down for that extra 2-3 yards. He's very good, but damn, if you can't hold onto the ball you can't play for the Patriots. Not sure if it's jitters or technique but it better get fixed quick or I assume he will find himself on the bottom of the depth chart.

Edge Vereen for now. Explosive with the upside to become a threat to score from anywhere on any given play.

 

[JMC00]

Re: Stevan Ridley might've just lost his job

Vereen will probably start Thursday. But I wouldn't think for a second to the extent that Troy Brown did and think he is going to be in street clothes next week.

Ridley is still better than Blount and Bolden.

 

[serifyn]

Re: Stevan Ridley might've just lost his job

Doubt it, Vereen isn't a fulltime back and that is not the position the patriots want him at, Ridley had a TERRIBLE fumble and he payed the iron price (the bench), the problem is however the patriots appear to be at a deficit skill-wise offensively right now. Thompkins is clearly not ready to be taken out of the oven, Dobson is out and Sudfeld disappeared entirely.

The Patriots NEED Ridley, it is clear now that the running game is probably going to be more important than it has been in previous years and Blount isn't Ridley skillwise.

 

[BadMoFo]

Well he probably won't equal last year's totals if he keeps this up.

 

[JDot]

Re: Stevan Ridley might've just lost his job

Lost his job? Ridley might be hitch hiking back to Foxboro.

 

[captain insano]

Re: Stevan Ridley might've just lost his job

ive seen enough from ridley to know the guy cant take care of the ball. if he isn't benched for good he should be. hes a time bomb ready to go off and ruin games at any second for his team.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Ridley is not a good enough/talented RB to deal with fumbling issues.

Vereen can line up at WR, catch screens, and run the draw effectively, all stuff Ridley can't do.

Vereen is better for this offense.

 

[JackBauer]

I think people are overreacting about Ridley, as usual.

That said, Vereen really impressed. I wouldn't mind seeing him as the RB1, especially because having a dual threat really makes the offense less predictable.

 

[Creative Username]

Re: Stevan Ridley might've just lost his job

At the moment, it appears Vereen's playing all around better than Ridley, albeit one game.

You guys think Vereen will start to get most of the carries from here on out or am I kneejerking to much here??

Not knee jerking so much as knee-popping-out-of-its-socket-and-running-away.
Not to take anything away from your insight, though. I agree with other posters who have said that Vereen is not a prototypical feature back. Blount looked slow today and really just sub-par. Who knows? Maybe Bolden gets the start next week. This has happened before though, and Ridley has always bounced back.

 

[Ring 6]

I think people are overreacting about Ridley, as usual.

That said, Vereen really impressed. I wouldn't mind seeing him as the RB1, especially because having a dual threat really makes the offense less predictable.

The 'sub package' back usually plays as many snaps as the #1 back.
I think we need both. While Vereen had a great game, he didn't look so good running inside in traffic.

 

[TriplecHamp]

Brandon Bolden for rb#1!

 

[State]

Ridley is still number one, but those were some strange fumbles.

It's not strange at all when you go down by slipping and try to do too much to make something out of a bad situation and lose ball control.

That's why QBs need to learn to tuck it in when they're going to be sacked, an important skill that TB is excellent at.

We've got depth at the position. Don't forget that with our receiving corps being what it is, look to see the speedy Vereen put out there instead of 85, who made three rookie mistakes that Dierdorf highlighted.

So expect more LaGarrette and Ridley slowly back in. Injuries will likely come too.

Ridley should be our main back. He was punished enough just by this game. He should be the starter next week. I like his skills a lot.

 

[manxman2601]

I've spent all summer asking for Tim Tebow and George Winn to be RBs. Which is my way of saying: "don't ask me"

 

[BadMoFo]

Ridley is not a good enough/talented RB to deal with fumbling issues.

Vereen can line up at WR, catch screens, and run the draw effectively, all stuff Ridley can't do.

Vereen is better for this offense.

Ridley is probably a better runner than most running backs. He fumbles a bit, so does Peterson, Forte and a few others. I wouldn't start calling for Ridley to be permanently benched yet.

 

[mitsudriver]

Vareen will start next week. Look at Belichick's press conference statement.


“I think Shane stepped up, did a good job for us. We counted on him a lot, he came through on a lot of plays, that was a huge run he had at the end to get us in field goal range, keep the ball in bounds and force them to use another timeout, that was good play and that was a smart play.”

"Smart play" is probably the highest praise you're gonna get from him.

 

[patchick]

I think we need both. While Vereen had a great game, he didn't look so good running inside in traffic.

I totally agree that the tough inside runs & pushing the pile are not Vereen's strong suits. BUT, I don't think it's a coincidence that the few times that the OL blew open a major hole inside, it was for Vereen. He's a constant threat to morph into a receiver, and that makes the offense less predictable.