First looking to 2015: Running backs

Can Ridley do what Vereen does? He hasn't caught that many passes as yet, but I know he's caught a few. He's definitely a better running back than Vereen in my opinion. I think people get too hung up on the fumbles, which is blown out of proportion, and forget that he was a pretty important contributor on offense. Gurley dropping to 32 would put the cat amongst the pigeons though.

I would love Gurley at 32 if he's coming along well from his ACL surgery. He looked like a total stud.

Gore would be nice, obviously AP would too but he's been out for a year and will probably command top RB dollar again, seems Minn wants him back anyways.

I've always thought Ridley would return on a "prove it" type deal. I think this is the most likely thing to happen.

reading this list, is there any RB that doesn't have a torn ACL?

Gore, Gurley, Gaffney, Ridley, AP ..is it a requirement now?

Bill Belichick has allowed running backs to depart in unrestricted free agency in this decade:

Green-Ellis
Woodhead
Blount

I suspect this may be the course of action with regard to Ridley and Vereen this upcoming unrestricted free agency period.

Vereen is a definitely good player, especially in a passing game. Unfortunatelly he knows his value after playoff games and he will not play for a minimum payment. In my opinion James White was brought to be a natural replacement of Vereen - of course so far he has shown nothing.Everything spins around Revis and DMac future contract, that is why BB won't give Vereen " irreasonable" amount of money. For me Ridley is back only when he accepts a minimum, short-term deal. Not having trust in Grey and Blount's role as a backup it would be reasonable move to find someone in the draft ( but not in I round ).
It's my first post and English is not my mother tongue language, so please forgive my mistakes

The scouting report on Todd Gurley at NFL.com makes a direct comparison to Marshawn Lynch

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/todd-gurley?id=2552475

By the way, don't sleep on Tevin Coleman from Indiana - he's not much of a drop off from Gurley. Check out his 'strengths':

STRENGTHS
Decisive north-south runner. Outstanding three-step burst into second level. Fearless between the tackles. Has dangerous jump-cut to instantly change gaps and ruin the plans of linebackers. Stays square to the line and is always in ready position to hit turbo. Fluid and flexible lower body with elite one-cut ability and natural change-of-direction talent without gearing down. Power in legs to slice through arm tackles and uses free hand as quality stiff-arm. Violent run finisher. Will duck shoulder and throw heavy forearm into tackler to prove a point. Not a content runner -- keeps feet moving after contact and won't give in. Capable hands out of backfield and willing to square up and engage pass rushers on pass plays. Hits top speed so quickly that safeties and linebackers repeatedly take poor angles, leading to long touchdowns. Half of his 28 career rushing touchdowns were of 43-plus yards, including eight of 64-plus yards./QUOTE]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2015/profiles/tevin-coleman?id=2552453

Click to expand...

I think we would only bring back Vereen at the right price and the his price is not one that we can afford with Revis. Ridley may be an option coming back of injury knowing the system wanting to prove himself.

As a plus RB is a position that are dime a dozen, We drafted 2 a few years back they are both FA's this year we can make pick up's cheap in FA and draft. I don't believe that Vereen is as easily replaceable he has a difficult skill set to match.

Caveat Emptor - David Dunn

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...d/4741232/other-dunn-murphy-clients-with-pats

I'd really like to know what the inside story is on Gray. I'm guessing (A) his (reportedly) high ankle sprain was severe enough to limit him late in the season, AND (B) he needs to get his head straight. A guy just doesn't run for 200 yards against any team in the NFL and suddenly evaporate. This is a mystery.

dliverey said:

I gotta say that the biggest improvement in the run game will be 2 drive blocking OG's. Connolly and Wendell and good pass blockers but do not get much push in the run game (unless its against the Colts).

Ridley did not fumble because it is easier to hold a deflated football....DUH

Click to expand...

Agreed. No question they will look to upgrade in these two spots.

ATippett56 said:

Caveat Emptor - David Dunn

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...d/4741232/other-dunn-murphy-clients-with-pats

Click to expand...

Vereen is gone.

nabwong said:

Ridley hasn't proven he can carry the load. I'd rate Blount above him on value, ball security and big play ability. How many times have we seen Ridley beat a defense only to be caught from behind for running out of gas?

There are a lot of teams that would pay for Vereen. Just ask Danny woodhead. And Vereen is 10x the player woodhead is (ability wise). Funnily, if beast mode doesn't resign, I can see Pete Carroll going after Vereen.

I'd love helu if fit. He can be a 3 down back. Imagine how versatile our O can be. With Tim Wright up to speed, this could be a chameleon O. Just need to upgrade the interior line like the cowboys.

Click to expand...

When Ridley bulked up after the 2011 season he lost some of his straight line speed and elusiveness, but gained more straight-line power. IMO with his knee injury he needs to get a little lighter and find a way to get that back as the Pats line isn't the type that will blow d-lines off the ball. With that said I don't want him dancing but I do want him to be quicker/side-to-side cutting into the hole.

I'm hoping Vereen will be back but I won't hold my breath. I know we have bigger free agents to try and resign in Revis and McCourty. Still, I think this is an area where we have some depth and if we bring Ridley back for a 1 year deal, we should be fine at the position. I woudn't focus on the running back position with a high draft pick in the upcoming draft.

I'm more concerned about the O line than our running backs

I think Ridley has been enough of a team player that the Pats will pay him a minimum one-year salary (or 2 if they can get it) with a modest bonus, and he will have the opportunity to prove it as he recovers from the injury. I think that having a familiar setting, knowing the training staff and having seen Gronk's recovery, and having a deep stable of backs to keep the pressure off him until he has a chance to play his way into shape, I would be surprised if he considered anywhere else. (I am assuming that nobody wants to pay big money for a RB coming-off an ACL tear.)

Vereen will depend on how things go with Revis. If they can't resign Revis, Vereen suddenly becomes affordable, and the DBs will each have to take a step up. If they resign Revis at a 2015 cap hit of $10M (average salary higher), they will still need to find cap savings elsewhere to afford to resign thie other FAs, and I would expect lose Vereen. (The timeline of all that will be interesting, but I believe they have a month to negotiate with Revis before FA deals can be struck.)

CJ Spiller and Ahmad Bradshaw are options too if Vereen goes elsewhere. Imagine the backfield of Blount and Spiller.

Improve the offensive line and all of our current running backs will improve. I don't mind bringing in a FA at reasonable cost to add depth and competition, or using a mid round (3rd at the absolute earliest) pick to add to the group. But I've always felt taking running backs high in the draft is a dangerous game. You're not always guaranteed to get a good one (see Trent Richardson), and even the good one's impact is minimal compared to other positions in this league. Adrian Peterson has never made the Vikings a good offense by himself, and Marshawn Lynch's impact would not be the same if the Seahawks couldn't rely on their defense as much as they do.

We have to watch what happens with DeMarco Murray and the Cowboys. If Murray walks, then expect the Cowboys to be looking at both Ridley and Vereen for the 2015 season.

Off-topic: I do expect Murray to leave because Murray will command a high price and the Cowboys want sign key free agents. Murray may be a Cardinal or Falcon next year. If the Cardinals get Murray, Arizona is an instant title contender.

The Patriots may lose both Ridley and Vereen for next season. One is gone for sure, and I'm leaning towards Vereen.

If the Patriots lose Vereen, I would draft Ameer Abdullah. Very durable. Great speed. Has playmaking ability. Versatile as well. Can catch passes and can also return kicks. Had a fumbling problem his first few years in Nebraska but he seems to have corrected that last season with only 2 lost fumbles.

If the Patriots lose Ridley, then you can keep the same core and add a piece or two through the draft. Maybe Josh Robinson Mississippi Sate or Jeremy Langford of Michigan State. Mid round guys who can contribute in the RBBC that the Patriots employ.

If the Patriots lose both Ridley and Vereen, then draft Mike Davis out of South Carolina and Ameer Abdullah. Employ the same strategy you used to when you drafted the former players back in 2011.

I'm not to keen on the Patriots bring in free agent running backs. Unless it's a premier type back, then I would rather look through the draft.

Tunescribe said:

I think to make another title run this team NEEDS a stronger running attack. I don't know what the draft or FA prospects are, but I dream of a tough Corey Dillon type who can assume a featured role and take the heat off Brady and the passing game. Blount has been a decent stop-gap but I don't feel he's the answer. Too many question marks on Ridley. A rookie "find" would be great.

Click to expand...

We're not going to get our hands on the Melvin Gordon's, Todd Gurley's, and Duke Johnson's of the draft unless Bill wants to invest a first or second round pick on the position. One guy that could be available to us would be Cameron Artis-Payne of Auburn. Good burst, good vision, good quickness in and out of his cuts, and is built like your traditional workhorse style of back. He should be available around the 4th round unless he absolutely kills it at the combine.

I'll feel pretty sick if we lose Vereen, feel like he is big player for us and could have really big year next year. Hope somehow we can convince him to sign 1 year deal at least.

Kimimar0 said:

I'll feel pretty sick if we lose Vereen, feel like he is big player for us and could have really big year next year. Hope somehow we can convince him to sign 1 year deal at least.

Click to expand...

I agree, I'd love to see him back, but I just have a feeling some team is going to offer him a large pay day and he's not going to be able to turn it down.