Does it make sense to extend Vereen now?

Ice_Ice_Brady · Jun 17, 2014

Shane Vereen will be a free agent at the end of this season, and if he stays healthy, I'm guessing he'll put up some big numbers and be very attractive on the market. Although running backs have not been highly valued on the market, Vereen is unique in his pass catching skills (he can even lineup on the outside), low mileage (176 touches to date), and age (25.) One thing was certain: it made a big difference when he was in the lineup.

If you project last year's stats over a full season, Vereen would have had 94 receptions for 854 yards, while putting up 4.7 yards per carry. Durability is obviously a concern, as missed some significant playing time, but you can't project broken bones.

I think the Patriots regret (or should regret) not extending or re-signing Danny Woodhead, who was very good in San Diego last year and one of the team's most important offensive players. He averaged 4 yards a carry, had 76 catches, over 1,000 total yards, and 8 TDs. Keeping both Woodhead and Vereen at rock-bottom prices would have made a gigantic difference to the 2012 Patriots.

Darren Sproles got 4 years, $14M with the Saints. Woodhead got 2 years, $3.5M with the Chargers. Vereen is a better option for depth, since he can run bigger and be a featured back as well, although he is not as explosive as Sproles in his prime and not as quick as Woodhead, and he is not as reliable at catching the ball as either one. Not sure about the blocking and would like to hear from the experts on here.

I'm thinking if the Patriots made Vereen an extension offer now, 3 years, $6-7M might be a good deal for both sides.

Is he too questionable at this point? Thoughts?

RayClay · Jun 17, 2014

Hell no. He's hardly unique, though in the few games he's showed up for, he's shown talent. Why get stuck?

Sproles has proved it for years, neither of the other two has.
small guys that can catch passes and run a draw are not rare.

Of course any deal works if both sides like it. Looks like they are ready to negotiate if he proves durable this year, by drafting White.

Deus Irae · Jun 17, 2014

Absolutely not. What if he breaks his wrist trying to sign the extension?

Sciz · Jun 17, 2014

I don't think it makes sense for the two sides to make a deal right now. The Pats aren't going to offer him a contract based on his prorated stats, and Vereen isn't going to accept a contract that pays him like a guy who missed half the season as soon as he became "the guy" at third down back. If he plays 14 games and has 1200 total yards next season, then absolutely, I would want to extend him.

james87654 · Jun 17, 2014

im on the fence with vereen....although letting woodhead get away for relatively little money was disappointing

Nunchucks · Jun 17, 2014

I love Vereen, I think he does have a fairly unique skillset and he has not been given the opportunity to carry the ball in the Patriots offense. However, I would not extend him right now, his inability to stay healthy is definitely a concern.

I would want to see him prove that he can stay healthy before extending him.

resdubwhite · Jun 17, 2014

james87654 said:
im on the fence with vereen....although letting woodhead get away for relatively little money was disappointing

this. this and this.

Mack Herron · Jun 17, 2014

Always a gamble (recall our TEs), but coming off injury and with a good depth (White) at the position pushes my needle to "no".

Mike the Brit · Jun 17, 2014

mgteich · Jun 17, 2014

If he has 1200 yards, we won't be willing to pay him the market price.

Sciz said:
I don't think it makes sense for the two sides to make a deal right now. The Pats aren't going to offer him a contract based on his prorated stats, and Vereen isn't going to accept a contract that pays him like a guy who missed half the season as soon as he became "the guy" at third down back. If he plays 14 games and has 1200 total yards next season, then absolutely, I would want to extend him.

Brady_to_Moss · Jun 17, 2014

No not now. Lets see what he does this year...and IF he can stay healthy. All i was is 12 games out of him

BobDigital · Jun 17, 2014

Nah. I like Vereen but with Finch and White i wanna see what happens this year with those players as well as Vereen's health. Also if Vereen has a good year so what? It is very unlikely you need to break the bank for him if you want him. And i just feel like if you want a decent RB in this day and age they are a dime a dozen.

joepatsfan · Jun 17, 2014

You answered this yourself in the OP... you said they should regret letting Woodhead go, why? Obviously durability but they let Woody go because that position of scat back/3rd down back is easily replaceable.

Look at Cincy, drafted Gio Bernard and immediately stepped in. Spoles, D. Brown, Woodhead, C.J. Spiller, Andre Ellington, Kendall Hunter.. etc. etc. All could fill Vereen's shoes.

Fact is, the Running back position is easily replaceable and James White could even fill Vereen's void. Unless you have an AP, Lynch or someone of that nature then you don't need to pay RBs just continue to draft them for cheap on the cap as BB has done over the seasons

This is why Ridley and Vereen need to have big seasons to prove their worth. There is no FA market for RBs and even if they take off they wont be seeing big money and we could easily match any offer for both if BB really think that player is worth it.

Brady6 · Jun 17, 2014

Ice_Ice_Brady said:
Shane Vereen will be a free agent at the end of this season, and if he stays healthy, I'm guessing he'll put up some big numbers and be very attractive on the market. Although running backs have not been highly valued on the market, Vereen is unique in his pass catching skills (he can even lineup on the outside), low mileage (176 touches to date), and age (25.) One thing was certain: it made a big difference when he was in the lineup.

If you project last year's stats over a full season, Vereen would have had 94 receptions for 854 yards, while putting up 4.7 yards per carry. Durability is obviously a concern, as missed some significant playing time, but you can't project broken bones.

I think the Patriots regret (or should regret) not extending or re-signing Danny Woodhead, who was very good in San Diego last year and one of the team's most important offensive players. He averaged 4 yards a carry, had 76 catches, over 1,000 total yards, and 8 TDs. Keeping both Woodhead and Vereen at rock-bottom prices would have made a gigantic difference to the 2012 Patriots.

Darren Sproles got 4 years, $14M with the Saints. Woodhead got 2 years, $3.5M with the Chargers. Vereen is a better option for depth, since he can run bigger and be a featured back as well, although he is not as explosive as Sproles in his prime and not as quick as Woodhead, and he is not as reliable at catching the ball as either one. Not sure about the blocking and would like to hear from the experts on here.

I'm thinking if the Patriots made Vereen an extension offer now, 3 years, $6-7M might be a good deal for both sides.

Is he too questionable at this point? Thoughts?

I would not resign Vereen; he has never played a full NFL season, and had issues with drops last season. I would make him play out the season, or at least the first half of the season before I considered extending him. He needs to prove that he can play every week and make less mistakes.

strngplyr · Jun 17, 2014

I'd resign him right now only if it were cheap and had very little guaranteed or up front. But that's not a deal Vereen himself should sign, so it would never happen.

I love him and his skillset, he would be worth some cash if he could prove he was reliable, to this point in his career, he has not done that.

Aßßynormal · Jun 17, 2014

With all his IR time, is he even eligible for FA status at years end. I have no idea how the new CBA works.

patsfan-1982 · Jun 17, 2014

his a 3rd down back the most he will get now is 2 maybe 2.5 million a year at best in this RB market so I don't see him signing anything this year

Armchair Quarterback · Jun 17, 2014

No. They've already drafted his probable replacement in White and he's missed close to half the games since he's been drafted.

Miguel · Jun 17, 2014

Aßßynormal said:
With all his IR time, is he even eligible for FA status at years end. I have no idea how the new CBA works.

The new CBA did not change how a credited season or an accrued season is determined.

A credited season determines the minimum salary of a player with X numbers of credited seasons. An accrued season determines when a player reaches free agency. If a player at the end of his contract has 3 accrued seasons, he will become a RFA. If he has 4 or more accrued seasons to his credit, he will become an UFA. A player need 6 games to get credit for an accrued season; 3 games to get credit for a credited season. Games on IR count in the accrued season calculation but do NOT count in the credited season calculation.

Vereen has been active for at least 6 games all 3 years. So if he is active for at least 6 games this year he will become an UFA after this season.

mmasterkillah · Jun 17, 2014

I think he's due to break out, so I'd try my best to sign him.

If we signed Edelman to a multi-year deal when nobody else wanted him, we could've saved millions.

It doesn't always work out, but that's why GMs get paid big money, too.

Does it make sense to extend Vereen now?

I heard 10,000 whispering and nobody listening

Hall of Fame Poster

PatsFans.com Retired Jersey Club

PatsFans.com Supporter

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

Pro Bowl Player

Minuteman Target

PatsFans.com Veteran

28-3....

Pro Bowl Player

On the Game Day Roster

Pro Bowl Player

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

In the Starting Line-Up

In the Starting Line-Up

Patriots Salary Cap Guru

On the Game Day Roster

Similar threads