Shane Vereen vs Danny Woodhead

[BradyFTW!]

He's a far better athlete; if he can stay healthy, I absolutely think he'll outproduce Woodhead. That is a real concern, though, since he's been injured each of the past two years.

 

[jmt57]

Shane Vereen

Good column in today's Herald by Karen Guregian on Pats' RB Shane Vereen:

Make pass at Shane Vereen | Boston Herald | Karen Guregian

The mission for every player catching a pass during Patriots training camp has been about gaining Tom Brady’s trust.

Wes Welker certainly had it. So did Aaron Hernandez and Danny Woodhead, targets of many significant Brady throws in seasons past.

Who’s next? Who might help fill the void created by all the departed players? Who could emerge as an X-factor in the offense?

Here’s one vote for Shane Vereen.

Of course Danny Amendola is an obvious choice, but let’s look beyond Welker’s clone. If you want someone who has the best potential to be a breakout performer this season, it’s Vereen.

While it may be odd to suggest someone with just eight catches last year could play a pivotal role this year, let’s consider the big picture. First, we saw glimpses of what he could do at different points last year. The third-year running back, who was taken in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft, certainly played well against the Jets Thanksgiving night, catching two passes for 91 yards, including an 83-yard touchdown catch. Then, in the playoff win against Houston, he caught five passes for 83 yards and rushed seven times for 41 yards. Most notable was the option route he ran deep for a 33-yard touchdown reception.

If there was ever a time for Vereen to deliver more of that kind of production, it’s this season, with Brady now having to work with a depleted receiving/tight end corps. And, judging by the looks of it, the 5-foot-10, 205-pound back could very well be given the opportunity.

During camp, we’ve seen Brady utilize Vereen as he would have Kevin Faulk or Woodhead in the past. If he doesn’t see anyone open, he’ll hit Vereen with an outlet pass. Or, he’ll simply swing it to Vereen and let him take off and do his thing.

Vereen, who barely played as a rookie, now appears to be one of Brady’s safety valves during passing situations along with Amendola. But there’s more. Vereen’s versatility allows him to not only line up in the backfield, but also in different wide receiver spots.
​

 

[Hael]

He's a far better athlete; if he can stay healthy, I absolutely think he'll outproduce Woodhead. That is a real concern, though, since he's been injured each of the past two years.

I don't know about that. Woodhead has significantly better combine results and was always known as a speedster (with great burst and agility) with great smarts, intangibles and vision. The knock on him was always his height, which made it hard for him to block, to catch and to even be seen by the QB.

I think Vereens pass catching ceiling is higher than Woodheads, and he might be physically stronger (although I wouldn't call that a strength for him atm) but I don't think you'll see as much big gains as we did with Woody.

I do agree that Woodhead regressed a bit after 2010, which is unfortunately a fact of life for smaller rbs. Wear and tear gets to them first.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Hart: Vereen can be 'dynamic' playmaker | Comcast SportsNet - CSNNE.com

I don't know about that. Woodhead has significantly better combine results and was always known as a speedster (with great burst and agility) with great smarts, intangibles and vision. The knock on him was always his height, which made it hard for him to block, to catch and to even be seen by the QB.

I think Vereens pass catching ceiling is higher than Woodheads, and he might be physically stronger (although I wouldn't call that a strength for him atm) but I don't think you'll see as much big gains as we did with Woody.

I do agree that Woodhead regressed a bit after 2010, which is unfortunately a fact of life for smaller rbs. Wear and tear gets to them first.

 

[Ring 6]

Folks seem to have their guess that Vereen will be the 3rd down back, the back picking up the blitz.

For me, it is Washington that was signed to replace Woodhead.

Is the question is simply whether Vereen will be more important to the 2013 offense than Woodhead was to the 2012 offense? If so, I think that the answer is "no". Woodhead was a very valuable component of one of the very best offenses of all-time. BTW, I certainly respect Belichick not re-signing Woodhead. Unlike other positions, here the plan seem reasonable: use Washington and Vereen.

Wow, that comes from left field.
You really expect a 31 year old kick returned who caught 23 passes in 3 years in Seattle to take the role of a guy who caught 40 passes just last year?
Woodhead had 342 touches on the last 3 years, and Washington had 126.
What exactly does Leon Washington do that you would want him on the field on offense ahead of Vereen?

This has to be one of the most curious takes I've seen all off-season.

I expect Washington to get less than 100 snaps on offense, barring injuries.

 

[Ring 6]

Let's be clear. Blocking is NOT, is NOT, is NOT an option for the 3rd round back. It is a requirement. There is nothing more important than picking up the blitz for a 3rd down back. If Vereen can't block and pick up the blitz, I'd rather have Hooman in there on passing downs.

Why would you doubt Vereen's ability to pick up a blitz?
Being able to run the ball and be a receiver is absolutely more important than the occassional blitz pick up by the way. Otherwise we would use TEs or OL in that role.

 

[Ring 6]

Will Shane Vereen exceed Danny Woodhead? And is he and will he be a better pass catcher? He has an all around talent base kind of reminiscent of guys like Kevin Faulk, Marshall Faulk and Roger Craig in style. He definitely has the running skills, ability and upside and many have him on their fantasy sleeper pick.

- Shown the ability to catch the deep ball
- Skillful runner in between and outside the tackles
- Runs well of Screens and delayed handoffs

Will he exceed Danny Woodhead in productivity and impact on offense?

This is really, really interesting to me.
I think we are going to find out whether the system put Woodhead in position to succeed or Woodhead was the reason for the level of success of the role. Obviously its a combination, but IMO it is more the system.
Woodhead was put in a position to have many open fields to run in. While his rushing averages (5.6,4.6,4.0) expect for last year look good, he ran those mostly on spread, shotgun draws. By comparion in 08 an 09 Faulk averaged 6.1 and 5.4. We love Kevin Faulk but no one willl ever accuse him of being a great RB under questionable blocking situations.

Woodhead brought quickness to the position, but how much of what he did was being put in the right place at the right time? He certainly was guilty of going down easily on arm tackles very often and aside from his first year, didn't really produce a lot of big plays. In 2011 his longest run was 12 yards, and in 2012 it was 19. Longest receptions were 16 and 25.

What I have seen of Vereen makes me feel that he has the qualities Woodhead lacked, that is being able to get past first contact more than just rarely, and the ability to take open field and turn it into a big gain.

The tricky part with projections is that our offense evolves year to year. We don't have 'roles' that we plug players into, rather we adjust the division of plays and the roles based upon who the players are.

If we were to say Vereen gets Woodheads plays, and only Woodheads plays from the past 3 years (accounting for what was missed due to injury) and assume Vereen is healthy all season, I would expect the following:

<<Woodhead averaged 83-400-4.8 rushing and 31-327-10.6 recieving. Accounting for time he missed I'll say a fully healthy Woodhead season would be 100-480-4.8 and 40-424-10.6>>

Given those parameters I would expect
100-550-5.5 and 50-600-12.0 from Vereen

 

[Ring 6]

I don't know about that. Woodhead has significantly better combine results and was always known as a speedster (with great burst and agility) with great smarts, intangibles and vision. The knock on him was always his height, which made it hard for him to block, to catch and to even be seen by the QB.

I think Vereens pass catching ceiling is higher than Woodheads, and he might be physically stronger (although I wouldn't call that a strength for him atm) but I don't think you'll see as much big gains as we did with Woody.

I do agree that Woodhead regressed a bit after 2010, which is unfortunately a fact of life for smaller rbs. Wear and tear gets to them first.

I think your perception of Woodhead and big plays is the norm, but in fact, he really didn't produce many, esp after 2010.

 

[SHOWTIME15]

Vareen definitely has more big play catching ability and could actually save this team acter losing so many receivers. He is kevin faulk +.

 

[TB12_laser designator]

For me, Vereen is potentially Faulk 2.0. The talent is not in question, but his durability is. Now if the guy can stay healthy for the season, then he could really have a breakout year. And it's because of his talent and big play threat, that I'll take him over Woodhead all the time.

 

[mcmurtry86]

I don't know about that. Woodhead has significantly better combine results and was always known as a speedster (with great burst and agility) with great smarts, intangibles and vision.

A curious statement considering Danny Woodhead didn't attend the Combine

 

[Jackson 2]

A curious statement considering Danny Woodhead didn't attend the Combine

That's what I thought, as well. I think his opportunity to show his wares was a pro day. But, I do believe his performance numbers there would have placed him in the top 3 or 4 40 yd. times of those at the Combine. Make no mistake, he's GD fast.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Shane Vereen will definitely be that dynamic and effective weapon we need in both the running game and passing game. Like mentioned before, his skillset, strength, and athleticism exceed Kevin Faulk and Danny Woodhead from a physical standpoint and will also give him more of a playmaking ability. Just an extra toy to the offense this year. I love how is receptions are deep long passes as well.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

who knows...but i loved dannys heart and how hard he tried...had a lot of fun watching him here in NE that's for sure

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

who knows...but i loved dannys heart and how hard he tried...had a lot of fun watching him here in NE that's for sure

I do, don't get me wrong it was fun watching Danny but as a complete running back top to bottom and to possess the skills that Shane has in the passing game which is very rare is something for defenses to fear, especially as he gets more involved.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Shane Vereen Patriots 2012 Highlights - YouTube

 

[CelticPatriot]

I like Vereen and I like Woodhead, Vereen seems to have more upside though.

We could have had both though and that's quite annoying.

Our RB's could have been Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead, Bolden (with Leon Washington as the PR)