Vereen - stay or go?

VJCPatriot · Feb 15, 2015

I love what Vereen brings to the team. He gives us a matchup nightmare for the defense to try to stop. You saw what he did to the #1 defense in the NFL in the Superbowl.

I feel that BB will try to retain Vereen, he knows the importance of a great 3rd down back, he had Dave Megget when he was a coordinator with the Giants. BB also kept Kevin Faulk on the roster for a LONG time.

Vereen IS the reason we let Woodhead go. So that shows you BB held him in high regard to let go of a proven vet like Woodhead. Unless Vereen asks for an astronomical contract figure, we should keep him.

meatface · Feb 15, 2015

Nunchucks said:
Vereen flashed skills in his rookie season...White has looked terrible in every opportunity.

I would like to see Vereen resigned.

when did he flash skill in his rookie season? he never caught a pass and I remember people doubting if they should have let Woodhead go. Give White a chance

Edit: Woodhead left after the 2012 season but its the same issue as vereen didnt do much his second year either

RIpats88 · Feb 15, 2015

oh how people have short memories. Vereen really didnt do anything his rookie year(or much his sophmore year from what I remember) and Woodhead was a VERY reliable player for us as our third down back. when the pats decided to let Woodhead go and go with Vereen there were very much the same reactions here people are having to white.

I think Belichick views Running back as a dispensible position which is why when other teams go to break the bank he lets them go. If a team looks to pay Vereen big money on what essentially was 1 good year then all power to them.

I like Vereen, but I think White will pleasantly surprise people

Fencer · Feb 15, 2015

crownontherocks said:
ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss reports three years and $10.5 million may be the starting point for free agent Shane Vereen's next contract.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-...-15?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Say vareen goes. Would you want the patriots do go after spiller for replacement?

That blurb also says he doesn't think that Pats will pay it.

Foxypats · Feb 15, 2015

I really want him to stay. He is Faulk 2.0 and is just the kind of versatile back that is so important to our offense. Our coaching staff know exactly how to maximize his talent and he is a security blanket for Tom.

Mark Morse · Feb 15, 2015

I don't see any scenario where Belichick pays $3M a year for a receiving RB. He had a great one in Woodhead (avg 4.7 YPC and 10.6 YPR - better than Hernandez) and he let him go for short money. Did any RB on the Patriots have more than 100 carries? Would love to have Vereeen back, but I just don't see it happening.

Ivan · Feb 15, 2015

People are deluded if they think James White is going to replace Vereen, he couldn't even get on the field this season. Like Faulk his numbers aren't gaudy but he was a critical part of their offense and is completely in sync with Brady. I agree with Reis that his value is 3-3.5 a sèason and think that they spend so little on the RB unit that they can afford to pay him. People are always talking about Brady's weapons and that is not too much to spend to keep a valuable one around. I believe he stays around on a 3-4 year deal.

PatsFanSince74 · Feb 15, 2015

With a team this good in a cap situation, something always has to give. In this case, I'm afraid it might be Vereen. The priorities are going to be on keeping Revis, Gostkowski, McCourty, Connolly. Too bad, as he gave them a threat out of the backfield that made it almost impossible to cover Gronk, Amendola, LaFell and Julian. The Woodhead analogy is probably the right one.

But, they'll replace him. We know they will, because they're definitely going to be making another run next year.

BobDigital · Feb 15, 2015

It really depends on the price. Before the super bowl I was fine letting him walk cause IMO looking at his entire career he has not been overly impressive and worth the contract I thought he would get.

However after seeing him play Seattle it really ups his value to me. This is not because he suddenly became better but that game made it very clear to me what the Patriots plan to do if they ever play Seattle again (which is very possible next year). Seattle will have the exact same kind of defense and the Pats will probably attack it the exact same way.

For that kind of game play a pass catching RB is very valuable and I think it would be very hard to be Seattle without that kind of option. So I am okay over paying to an extant. I consider 3m over paying for a player of Vereen's caliber. If he wants 3.5 or 4 then that is just way too much though for a pure 3rd down specialist pass catching back which Vereen is.

However if the time comes when the Pats play the Hawks again and that position is not solid it would be a failure of the GM (in this case BB) to not have the players needed to win that game.

mgteich · Feb 15, 2015

Ivan said:
People are deluded if they think James White is going to replace Vereen, he couldn't even get on the field this season. Like Faulk his numbers aren't gaudy but he was a critical part of their offense and is completely in sync with Brady. I agree with Reis that his value is 3-3.5 a sèason and think that they spend so little on the RB unit that they can afford to pay him. People are always talking about Brady's weapons and that is not too much to spend to keep a valuable one around. I believe he stays around on a 3-4 year deal.

You think that Vereen is worth $3.5M. Reiss thinks that Vereen is worth $3.5M a year. I think that Vereen is worth $3.5M a year. It does not follow that Belichick will think that Vereen is worth $3.5M to the patriots.

mgteich · Feb 15, 2015

PatsFanSince74 said:
With a team this good in a cap situation, something always has to give. In this case, I'm afraid it might be Vereen. The priorities are going to be on keeping Revis, Gostkowski, McCourty, Connolly. Too bad, as he gave them a threat out of the backfield that made it almost impossible to cover Gronk, Amendola, LaFell and Julian. The Woodhead analogy is probably the right one.

But, they'll replace him. We know they will, because they're definitely going to be making another run next year.

If Woodhead is the right analogy, then you think that White is good enough to replace Vereen; all he needs is an opportunity. I think that Vereen had shown more than White in their rookie years.

The Gr8est · Feb 15, 2015

Ivan said:
People are deluded if they think James White is going to replace Vereen, he couldn't even get on the field this season. Like Faulk his numbers aren't gaudy but he was a critical part of their offense and is completely in sync with Brady. I agree with Reis that his value is 3-3.5 a sèason and think that they spend so little on the RB unit that they can afford to pay him. People are always talking about Brady's weapons and that is not too much to spend to keep a valuable one around. I believe he stays around on a 3-4 year deal.

I guess this is just another instance where we'll have to trust the coaching staff. I'd love to keep Vereen, and I wasn't overly impressed with what I saw from White, but it's what he showed, to the coaches, in practice.

I could see a scenario where the Pats lets Vereen walk and replace him next season with White, I can also see a scenario where White doesn't even make the team next year; there is certainly a precedent for cutting a high pick in his 2nd season.

Brady_to_Moss · Feb 15, 2015

I really want him to stay...i just don't knwo with other pressing players to take care of first

Ivan · Feb 15, 2015

mgteich said:
You think that Vereen is worth $3.5M. Reiss thinks that Vereen is worth $3.5M a year. I think that Vereen is worth $3.5M a year. It does not follow that Belichick will think that Vereen is worth $3.5M to the patriots.

That could be said about petty much anything discussed here. I think that Belichick's valuation of versatility and the minimal spending they do on the RB unit, as well Vereen's desire to stay on this team will lead to a deal. Vereen is one of those guys Belichick likes to refer to as a 4 down player and he is well worth 3.5 a season. But I also think they could get him for 4/12 with 8 guaranteed if they want to go 4 years. Just my opinion but I really think they will get it done.

mgteich · Feb 15, 2015

Ivan said:
That could be said about petty much anything discussed here. I think that Belichick's valuation of versatility and the minimal spending they do on the RB unit, as well Vereen's desire to stay on this team will lead to a deal. Vereen is one of those guys Belichick likes to refer to as a 4 down player and he is well worth 3.5 a season. But I also think they could get him for 4/12 with 8 guaranteed if they want to go 4 years. Just my opinion but I really think they will get it done.

fair enough

Ivan · Feb 15, 2015

PatsFanSince74 said:
With a team this good in a cap situation, something always has to give. In this case, I'm afraid it might be Vereen. The priorities are going to be on keeping Revis, Gostkowski, McCourty, Connolly. Too bad, as he gave them a threat out of the backfield that made it almost impossible to cover Gronk, Amendola, LaFell and Julian. The Woodhead analogy is probably the right one.

But, they'll replace him. We know they will, because they're definitely going to be making another run next year.

Vereen is a much bigger priority than Connolly IMO.

mosey threetupu · Feb 15, 2015

RayClay said:
Interesting situation. first off, i like Vereen, always have. Good combination of smooth receive, breakaway runner and decent RB to give you that option.

There's always a number , if a team really wants a guy and he wants to play there, but sometimes it's a stretch, so...do the pats stretch if they need to, to sign vereen?

I say no and I don't care particularly about James White.

1. His production simply isn't that good. That huge break out season has not come. Fine Super bowl, but could another 3rd down back have made a lot of catches? i think so. They were there. He took over a couple games a year or two ago, but his production and potential have not matched.

2. Can James White get 40-50 catches and run against passing defenses? Probably, or at least close. Does that mean we're doomed if White is a bust? Hardly. There must be a million undersized receiver/rbs looking for a shot. Maybe smaller, less of an RB, but maybe better, quite frankly. Again, look at Vereen's production and look at historic little guy 3rd down backs. There isn't a shortfall of quick, small players looking for a break.

I'd like to keep him, but not if it costs us at a position that's harder to replace.

Breakaway runner? I agree very unique skill set but other than that TD catch vs the Jets on Thanksgiving I don't really recall him breaking one with his legs.

upstater1 · Feb 15, 2015

Definitely keep Vereen. $3.5m is nothing nowaways. I see his production growing in the coming years.

Joker · Feb 15, 2015

Dump Vereen and give that job to White? Grass is greener syndrome. Did any of you White lovers actually SEE any of White's camp/preseason play? Post draft, James White could be a bubble player on this roster, especially if Ridley is back healthy. The next wheel route White runs will be the first I've witnessed...

BlueThunder · Feb 15, 2015

Every year the roster has a 20-25% turnover. What surprises will BB have in store for us this year ?
Figure around 10 new faces minimum......Does Tyler Gaffney get moved onto the final roster if Vereen leaves? What is White's status? How about Gray? What is Blount's status? Plenty of questions at RB, but not the most pressing....

Vereen being resigned for 3 or 4 and fairly short money would be nice but who knows what him or his agent have in mind....

Stay tuned

Edit: JO...thanks for reminding me...I forgot Ridley ...

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