Patriots sign RB Travaris Cadet

[Oswlek]

You don't see the disconnect between what vereen did last year and what bolden/white did? I dont see any of these 3 stepping into vereen's role and being good for 800 all purpose yards. If cadet is on the team at the start of next season, personally I think his contributions will be on ST. Could be wrong, and heres to hoping he catches 70 balls for 700 yds and makes me look stupid.

Bolden and White are different animals, and what James did last year is completely irrelevant. What is important is what White would be asked to do this year, which is to take the reigns from Vereen, same as Cadet.

 

[mosey threetupu]

Bench press probably means zilch to RB (unless can it measure ball security a bit? I don't know) but I did notice Vereen's was double Cadet and Woodhead (other thread comparing them).

 

[mikey m]

Bolden and White are totally different animals, and what James did last year is completely irrelevant. What is important is what White would be asked to do this year, which is to take the reigns from Vereen, same as Cadet.

I'm looking at last year to possibly get a guage of what the players may be capable of this year. Just because a player fits the mold of "3rd down back" does not mean they bring to the offense what the previous 3rd down back brought. So again, I still don't believe any of these guys fills vereens role (role, not position).

 

[PatsFanInVa]

This might be news to you guys, but I have been watching Tavaris Claret his whole career. In fact, I have been rooting for Tsarist Cabernet to become a Patriot since he first came out. Picking up Trivia Cabinet is a genius move if ever there was one... any of you guys who haven't heard of Vicar Tre Arquette get used to hearing that name!

 

[Oswlek]

I'm looking at last year to possibly get a guage of what the players may be capable of this year. Just because a player fits the mold of "3rd down back" does not mean they bring to the offense what the previous 3rd down back brought. So again, I still don't believe any of these guys fills vereens role (role, not position).

So you think it is realistic to assume that White can just be a gameday inactive all year again in 2015?

 

[TBR]

Ahh… The optimism in this thread for this guy is sort of perplexing, but maybe I'm wrong and he's not just another dude. I definitely don't see a Vareen replacement here, but hopefully I'll eat those words.

What's the deal with Ridley? Is he coming back or what?

Vote Ridler in 2015

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000402648/Drew-Brees-31-yard-pass-to-Cadet

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000051702/Cadet-24-yard-touchdown-catch

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap3000000405632/Brees-5-yard-touchdown-pass-to-Cadet (Nice move here)

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-fantasy/0ap2000000262310/QB-Brees-to-RB-Cadet-3-yd-pass-TD (Against Patriots)

 

[pheenix11]

How do you pronounce this guys last name? Cadet like Air Force Cadet or Cadet like bidet?

 

[mikey m]

So you think it is realistic to assume that White can just be a gameday inactive all year again in 2015?

Of course not. I just find it unrealistic that he will fill vereens role (more likely than cadet I think though). Am I crazy to believe that these guys have different skill sets than vereen, who was probably as a good a route runner/receiver out of the backfield as there is in the league (granted not great after the catch). Or is it automatic one of them will get 70 targets next season?

 

[Oswlek]

Of course not. I just find it unrealistic that he will fill vereens role (more likely than cadet I think though). Am I crazy to believe that these guys have different skill sets than vereen, who was probably as a good a route runner/receiver out of the backfield as there is in the league (granted not great after the catch). Or is it automatic one of them will get 70 targets next season?

You are conflating production and role. The number of targets isn't much of a factor in the discussion, only the responsibilities. Obviously things will be tailored to their particular strengths and the targets will go as high as warranted. But the role remains much the same, and it is that role that White/Cadet/etc. will be competing for.

 

[Danger Zone]

So Travaris Cadet follows me on Twitter... Just saying... I'm kind of a big deal.

And all of my followers are sports handicappers I don't even bet.

 

[PatsFanInVa]

How do you pronounce this guys last name? Cadet like Air Force Cadet or Cadet like bidet?

And is it Trah-var-is or Tray-var-is?

 

[Ross12]

I am seeing in some of these highlights that he really is a versatile little dude. His kickoff returns looked good and he has some moves. I've also seen him lining up in the slot as a receiver, so he appears capable of doing it all.

 

[PATS68]

How do you pronounce this guys last name? Cadet like Air Force Cadet or Cadet like bidet?

As a former member of the US Air Force I take great pride in your post! I know you felt great pride typing those words, "Air Force"!

 

[40yrpatsfan]

A little too much excitement from some over this signing I think. From my limited knowledge of cadet, seems to have good hands but little ability to shed or elude tacklers and is not fast(too put it nicely). Looks like possible competition for bolden/white rather than someone who's just going to step into vereens role.

I don't think White's in the conversation at all, he's not comparable to Cadet, who has actual production under his belt. Whether Cadet can be as good as Vereen, I kind of doubt it. He looks pretty close as far as catching the ball, but Vereen was also a quality runner out of the shotgun. We're just not going to find anyone as good as Vereen, but the way Cadet can make yards catching it out of the backfield, it's the best we're going to do and will probably be fine in that role.

 

[mikey m]

You are conflating production and role. The number of targets isn't much of a factor in the discussion, only the responsibilities. Obviously things will be tailored to their particular strengths and the targets will go as high as warranted. But the role remains much the same, and it is that role that White/Cadet/etc. will be competing for.

To me they go hand in hand. If White wins the 3rd down back. But he isn't great at pass protection, isn't moved around the formation (split out wide from time to time), and has 20 catches at the end of the year the I would say that, while he was our 3rd down back, he did not fill Vereen's role. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one.

 

[goheels22002]

Bigger version of Vereen. Cadet is 6'1" 210. Interesting out wide against smaller corners as well as out of the backfield.

 

[Oswlek]

To me they go hand in hand. If White wins the 3rd down back. But he isn't great at pass protection, isn't moved around the formation (split out wide from time to time), and has 20 catches at the end of the year the I would say that, while he was our 3rd down back, he did not fill Vereen's role. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one.

If he can't do those things, he most likely won't win the role. But even in that scenario, he is still the receiving back it's just that better options are found elsewhere. That's why it's generally a better idea to talk about replacing someone's responsibilities rather than their numbers. If a role can't be perfectly replaced, than the offense will be designed around a modified one.

EDIT: Either way, considering how important "receiving back" is in NE's offense, someone will will win that competition and see the field quite a bit. As of now, the most likely someones are White and Cadet, though that's certainly tentative.

 

[mikey m]

I don't think White's in the conversation at all, he's not comparable to Cadet, who has actual production under his belt. Whether Cadet can be as good as Vereen, I kind of doubt it. He looks pretty close as far as catching the ball, but Vereen was also a quality runner out of the shotgun. We're just not going to find anyone as good as Vereen, but the way Cadet can make yards catching it out of the backfield, it's the best we're going to do and will probably be fine in that role.

I agree. We will be fine. But with one of these guys in for vereen, I just think the offense will look quite different. That's all I'm saying.

 

[PATS68]

To me they go hand in hand. If White wins the 3rd down back. But he isn't great at pass protection, isn't moved around the formation (split out wide from time to time), and has 20 catches at the end of the year the I would say that, while he was our 3rd down back, he did not fill Vereen's role. We may just have to agree to disagree on this one.

I think training camp will iron out who does what.

 

[mikey m]

If he can't do those things, he most likely won't win the role. But even in that scenario, he is still the receiving back it's just that better options are found elsewhere. That's why it's generally a better idea to talk about replacing someone's responsibilities rather than their numbers. If a role can't be perfectly replaced, than the offense will be designed around a modified one.

Agree. That is what I believe will happen.