Poll: RB Combo

If you one of Ridley or Vereen were cut/traded/IRed, which RB combination would you prefer?

I haven't seen most of those RBs, I dislike all the choices.

None of the poll options listed. I'd like to see Vereen and James White in the backfield at the same time.

I guess Ridley and White if I had to choose from those options. But I really don't like any of them.

Impossible to tell, but for the sake of the thread, we should play along. It's meant to be fun.

Went with Houston/Vereen. Vereen is a matchup nightmare as a receiver out of the backfield and Houston is the most Ridley-like RB on the roster in terms of athleticism and running style, at least from what I've seen.

The actual ball-carrying RB doesn't seem to be that hard of a position to duplicate anymore, especially in our generally pass first offense. He may not be a 4.5-5ypc back like Ridley usually is, though he should be able to at least be a 4ypc back here.

The pass catching RB seems to be harder to hit on, so i'd rather keep Vereen who, while healthy over the past 2 seasons, has really exploded in a lot of games.

I went with Bolden/Vereen even though I don't really like Bolden, just because Vereen is the one RB on the roster who has a unique skill set that's difficult to replace. Every other RB that we have is basically a plug and play guy with a skill set that you can easily find in the middle rounds of the draft. Vereen has had health issues (understatement), but if this is the year that he can finally stay on the field, I'm positive that he'll show exactly why he's way more valuable than anyone else in our RB stable.

Interesting idea to pass the time of the offseason, but personally, I would have to see some preseason games and extended TC reps to make anything of a reasonable determination.

I don't understand the point here. I would like Ridley, Vereen, White and a power back, between Houston, Gray and Bolden. don't have enough info to decide on the power back competition. I put Devlin in the FB/Hback/TE category, given our current roster.

RayClay said:

I don't understand the point here. I would like Ridley, Vereen, White and a power back, between Houston, Gray and Bolden. don't have enough info to decide on the power back competition. I put Devlin in the FB/Hback/TE category, given our current roster.

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Pretend the question asked is:

With both main running backs contracts up after this season, and only enough cash to keep one, which combination of backs would you prefer?

strngplyr said:

Pretend the question asked is:

With both main running backs contracts up after this season, and only enough cash to keep one, which combination of backs would you prefer?

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So, it's a hypothetical situation based on a year in the future, assuming, in a poor market for running backs, that we can't keep both Ridley and Vereen, and discounting next years draft an possible free agent pickups?

RayClay said:

So, it's a hypothetical situation based on a year in the future, assuming, in a poor market for running backs, that we can't keep both Ridley and Vereen, and discounting next years draft an possible free agent pickups?

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I didn't make the thread, I'm just playing along.

Doesn't need to be taken seriously, just have fun. Holy crap, lol.

While we're on the topic (somewhat), the early reports that I've seen regarding Houston is that he has been having a lot of difficulty in has pass protection. While it's obviously much too early to make too much out of it, this is something to keep an eye on throughout the next 6-8 weeks when it will become very important to his chances of making the 53 man roster.

I think that a guy like Houston would be a decent candidate for the PS when all is said and done.

I would have the RB (4) grouping as : Ridley, Vereen, White, and Bolden---at least at this early moment in time, anyway. I'm sure the picture will become clearer over the next 6-8 weeks with the possibility of injuries and other factors such as weak/strong play.

It was done mainly to show what the RB situation would look like this year without Ridley for those who think he will/should be cut or that Houston or Gray could chase him off the roster. I just don't see them getting rid of Ridley while he is still under his rookie contract. A year from now Bolden or Houston (or someone else) might give the Pats reason not to re-sign Ridley but I definitely don't see that happening this year.

strngplyr said:

I didn't make the thread, I'm just playing along.

Doesn't need to be taken seriously, just have fun. Holy crap, lol.

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Well, since the OP has chimed in, my position is we shouldn't and don't need to cut either one. Sorry, I always got, "does not play along well with others" on my grade school report card.

Armchair Quarterback said:

It was done mainly to show what the RB situation would look like this year without Ridley for those who think he will/should be cut or that Houston or Gray could chase him off the roster. I just don't see them getting rid of Ridley while he is still under his rookie contract. A year from now Bolden or Houston (or someone else) might give the Pats reason not to re-sign Ridley but I definitely don't see that happening this year.

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Is someone seriously saying we should just cut Ridley? I see Ridley as our feature back, with an opportunity for White due to the increased emphasis on the passing game and Bolden having to compete with two guys (I have no opinion of yet) for the power back role. That's four running backs that could be utilized.

Vereen runs with far more power than given credit for.

PatFanCraig said:

Vereen runs with far more power than given credit for.

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I did not fail to include Vereen, though i notice his actual name doesn't show up there. I do think Ridley's a better running back.

I don't understand the point of the thread.

In any case, I think that (barring injuries) Vereen, Ridley and White are our running backs.

Bolden could be replaced by a free agent or one of the UDFA's.

Develin is an almost lock because of his ability to be the 3rd TE, but could be replaced by a free agent.

I expect to see Houston on the Practice Squad.
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As far as next year, we'll see when the time comes. Running backs are relatively inexpensive in free agency. Obviously, we could also draft a couple if we aren't in reasonable shape by the time of the draft.

mgteich said:

I don't understand the point of the thread.

In any case, I think that (barring injuries) Vereen, Ridley and White are our running backs.

Bolden could be replaced by a free agent or one of the UDFA's.

Develin is an almost lock because of his ability to be the 3rd TE, but could be replaced by a free agent.

I expect to see Houston on the Practice Squad.
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As far as next year, we'll see when the time comes. Running backs are relatively inexpensive in free agency. Obviously, we could also draft a couple if we aren't in reasonable shape by the time of the draft.

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The point of the thread is that Reiss put Ridley in the 'near-lock' category instead of the 'lock' category for running backs, even though he expressly noted that Ridley not making it would be a longshot

The reason Ridley and Bolden don't garner the same consideration is the possibility that Houston (undrafted free agent) or Gray (first-year player) surprise and challenge for a roster spot. That's a long shot, and Bolden brings significant value on special teams, but something that at least warrants consideration.

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http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-.../_/id/4764559/checking-the-locks-patriots-rbs

and that seems to have been enough to get people, including the O.P., to lose their minds.

Reiss was not mentioned, and Ridley and Vereen are treated equally. But yes, I suppose the Reiss analysis did force the poster over the edge.

BTW, I agree with most that Ridley and Bolden should not be in the same category. Also, I DO think that Ridley is a lock to make the 53. Bolden should be worried every time a free agent running back is released or one of the UDFA's has a good day.

Deus Irae said:

The point of the thread is that Reiss put Ridley in the 'near-lock' category instead of the 'lock' category for running backs, even though he expressly noted that Ridley not making it would be a longshot

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