Best pass catching back out of the backfield in the TB/BB era?

[drewskie]

Who you got?

Kevin Faulk
Danny Woodhead
Shane Vereen
Dion Lewis
James White

 

[Jackson 2]

Faulk

 

[Patjew]

No sarcasm: this is a great topic. Looking forward to the discussion.

My natural response was Faulk but as much as I love him, he did have significant fumbling issues early on in his career.

Is it crazy to answer White here?

Ok... Faulk.

 

[drewskie]

Faulk

I think everyone would agree that career value-wise, Faulk given his long tenure on 3 title winning teams is the most accomplished.

Having said that, I feel that Lewis is the most explosive while Woodhead was perhaps the best pure runner?

 

[Love The Drake]

Woodhead is special for the little money he walked away for it was a huge question mark to not resign him.

I love Lewis and I like White but lets not pretend Woodhead is a jag because he's not here.

 

[Ronbo]

Big game James has my vote- mix of lower half power and intelligence.

 

[Jackson 2]

No sarcasm: this is a great topic. Looking forward to the discussion.

My natural response was Faulk but as much as I love him, he did have significant fumbling issues early on in his career.

Is it crazy to answe White here?

Ok... Faulk.

No, I don't think it's crazy to answer White, but I do think it's too early.

 

[Jackson 2]

Woodhead is special for the little money he walked away for it was a huge question mark to not resign him.

I love Lewis and I like White but lets not pretend Woodhead is a jag because he's not here.

Woodhead was a very good player here.

 

[sarge]

Kevin Faulk.

For me it's not even close.

The dude was such a great player for this team for a very long time!

(And a Patriot Hall of fame on top of it!)

 

[Bobsyouruncle]

Faulk, Kevin

 

[doesntmatter1]

Have to go Vereen. He ran routes like a wide receiver and was targeted deeper down the field more than our other backs.

 

[Wheelman]

Kevin Faulk.

But in terms of athleticism it has to be Shane Vereen because he could actually run in between the tackles decently.

I personally loved Danny Woodhead. I'm always rooting for the guy!

 

[TinhWoodhead]

its Woodhead

 

[Hael]

They're all really good. Faulk is the correct answer, but no one has Dion Lewis' (pre injuries) sheer athleticism and YAC when he had some room to run. For that short time, he was about as explosive as anyone i've ever seen in the NFL outside of the Sanders/Rice/Moss all time great mold.

Woodhead would probably be my next choice after Faulk, b/c he's probably the best runner of all of them, and he did everything well. Running, catching, route running, blocking and he's been good on many teams now for a long time.

White has that great game for the ages and he is a dependable back that runs pretty solid routes and is good catching the ball. Vereen is probably the least good of them, but he was very good as well.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

1. 2015 version of Dion Lewis
2. Kevin Faulk

 

[deroc5050]

2015 Dion Lewis was the best I have seen a 3rd down back or pass catching back play. Atleast for the Patriots. Unfortunately that was only for 8-9 games.

Faulk gets the nod. He was a better runner than White and had great hands. He never had the shiftiness that Dion portrayed for a half season but was consistently really good.

 

[slam]

I'd put it like this:

1 game at his peak: Lewis. Those moves. I feel he's the only one to be a threat to run or catch for 100 yards in a game.
His whole career: Faulk. The durability. The dependability. The unselfishness.
Now, the interesting question might be which one would you sign to a three year contract at his peak? Faulk in 2003? James White now? Vereen in 2013? Woodhead in 2010? Lewis DQed by injury history?

 

[Pats1989]

No love for Laurence Maroney?

 

[PittPatriot]

Woodhead was tremendous in his short time here. He was a dynamic runner who allowed TB12 to run the hurry-up as well or better than any running back.

 

[captain stone]

Who you got?

Kevin Faulk
Danny Woodhead
Shane Vereen
Dion Lewis
James White

In that order.