Sign the Beast XV -- Source: New England Patriots interested in Redskins RB Roy Helu

Helu, a free agent, has excelled as a pass-catching behind starter Alfred Morris over the past two seasons in Washington. The 6-foot, 216-pound Helu caught 42 passes for 477 yards this past year. His 11.4 yards per reception average was the best of any running back in NFL (stats are based on qualifiers who averaged more than 1.875 receptions per game). Helu also averaged 5.4 yards per carry.

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http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2015/03/source_new_england_patriots_in.html

Rouy Halu would be a solid addition but it would suck to lose Ben Vareen.

Could be another LaFell (no one pays much attention until he produces) or could be nothing much. I'd have to think it's low risk and I will take a "sure, why not?" Type attitude if they sign him.

Vereen I like a lot. Even in years preceding this one in which he didn't do much more than flash skills here and there. But there is money to be spent and maybe Woodhead moving on tells us about BB's spending habits on this type of RB.

When i saw Washington wasn't resigning Helu I immediately thought he might be someone the Pats take a look at. He's a great pass-catcher out of the backfield, and has showed solid running between the tackles when given the chance. Hoping if they don't resign Vereen, Helu might be a cheap and fairly interchangeable alternative assuming health.

Edit: at 6ft, 215lbs, doesn't that profile Matt Forte pretty closely?

Froob said:

Rouy Halu would be a solid addition but it would suck to lose Ben Vareen.

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Last I checked, he's in decent health.

Froob said:

Rouy Halu would be a solid addition but it would suck to lose Ben Vareen.

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Burt Bekachurk will never let that happen.

Tunescribe said:

Last I checked, he's in decent health.

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Almost a Vereen clone. Same age, hgt-wgt, career stats. Interesting to see if Shane gets better offers simply because of a ring.

As a cheaper Vereen alternative, I'd like him a lot. He doesn't pass block nearly as well as Vereen, but as a receiver he's really good.

FourierSeries said:

http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2015/03/source_new_england_patriots_in.html

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Live here in Redskins country, and will say up front that I really like Vereen, and think he is a classy kid on top of being a good player. That said, I actually think Halu is a step up, and is equally as classy. I feel like Halu can carry between the tackles better than Vereen. On a side note, I went to Redskins training camp when my Patriots were in town, and there were two players who spent the most time with the kids, and signed my daughter's football. Matthew Slater, and Roy Halu. Actually, Shalise Young did as well, and was wonderful to my daughter. But, I digress - sign the beast (Halu)!

OhExaulted1 said:

Almost a Vereen clone. Same age, hgt-wgt, career stats. Interesting to see if Shane gets better offers simply because of a ring.

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Actually, he's bigger, stronger and faster. It would be interesting if they sign Helu and Harvin, Helu runs between the tackles than Vereen, and is a pretty good receiver, maybe not as good as Vereen, but man he runs hard and decisive and with power. Harvin would be an interesting weapon out of the backfield.

Tunescribe said:

Last I checked, he's in decent health.

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Froob said:

Rouy Halu would be a solid addition but it would suck to lose Ben Vareen.

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Did you mean it would suck to lose Ben Watson?

He's a better runner than Vereen, would be a good signing, especially for less money.

Would rather have Vereen but Helu would be a nice consolation prize.

Armchair Quarterback said:

He's a better runner than Vereen, would be a good signing, especially for less money.

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Love Vereen but if the team is focused on running the ball better in 2015 he isn't the best option.

One potential knock is his ability to pick up yards after initial contact in the running game, as he averaged 1.23 yards after contact per rush in 2014, which ranked 69th among 73 running backs with at least 50 carries, according to ESPN's Stats & Information.

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The more I read about Helu, the more I think he represents a talent upgrade over Vereen. With that said, Vereen did well in this system and replacing him won't be a plug n play.

Rappoport is saying Vereen to the Giants is going to happen so here's hoping the Pats get Helu, Pierre Thomas wouldn't be bad either.

robertweathers said:

Love Vereen but if the team is focused on running the ball better in 2015 he isn't the best option.



The more I read about Helu, the more I think he represents a talent upgrade over Vereen. With that said, Vereen did well in this system and replacing him won't be a plug n play.

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I think Vereen to Helu is at the least a lateral move, potential upgrade. Outside of 2012 when he played only 3 games, his yards per carry and catch have inceased every season.

His receiving numbers will certainly improve in our style of offense and because we have stability at QB (not to mention a monumental upgrade in talent) and he won't ever see a stacked box. If the OL gets any movement this guy has the speed to be gone. Something Vereen had on paper but never once showed in game, Helu I believe has shown that speed from the limited number of times I've watched him play.

TheFlyingWedge said:

Did you mean it would suck to lose Ben Watson?

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*woosh*

The joke is that no one could spell Vereen correctly on this board for some reason.

Somebody else needs to go watch all of his targets from last year and tell me if I'm crazy for not being excited about his guy. Yes, he catches the ball well and did so 42 times last season, but I think the Redskins' offense manufactured some catches in ways that the Pats haven't typically done so much, in particular a ton of screens and a lot of leaking out of the backfield late enough that nobody bothers to cover him.