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Shane Vereen will be a free agent at the end of this season, and if he stays healthy, I'm guessing he'll put up some big numbers and be very attractive on the market. Although running backs have not been highly valued on the market, Vereen is unique in his pass catching skills (he can even lineup on the outside), low mileage (176 touches to date), and age (25.) One thing was certain: it made a big difference when he was in the lineup.
If you project last year's stats over a full season, Vereen would have had 94 receptions for 854 yards, while putting up 4.7 yards per carry. Durability is obviously a concern, as missed some significant playing time, but you can't project broken bones.
I think the Patriots regret (or should regret) not extending or re-signing Danny Woodhead, who was very good in San Diego last year and one of the team's most important offensive players. He averaged 4 yards a carry, had 76 catches, over 1,000 total yards, and 8 TDs. Keeping both Woodhead and Vereen at rock-bottom prices would have made a gigantic difference to the 2012 Patriots.
Darren Sproles got 4 years, $14M with the Saints. Woodhead got 2 years, $3.5M with the Chargers. Vereen is a better option for depth, since he can run bigger and be a featured back as well, although he is not as explosive as Sproles in his prime and not as quick as Woodhead, and he is not as reliable at catching the ball as either one. Not sure about the blocking and would like to hear from the experts on here.
I'm thinking if the Patriots made Vereen an extension offer now, 3 years, $6-7M might be a good deal for both sides.
Is he too questionable at this point? Thoughts?
If you project last year's stats over a full season, Vereen would have had 94 receptions for 854 yards, while putting up 4.7 yards per carry. Durability is obviously a concern, as missed some significant playing time, but you can't project broken bones.
I think the Patriots regret (or should regret) not extending or re-signing Danny Woodhead, who was very good in San Diego last year and one of the team's most important offensive players. He averaged 4 yards a carry, had 76 catches, over 1,000 total yards, and 8 TDs. Keeping both Woodhead and Vereen at rock-bottom prices would have made a gigantic difference to the 2012 Patriots.
Darren Sproles got 4 years, $14M with the Saints. Woodhead got 2 years, $3.5M with the Chargers. Vereen is a better option for depth, since he can run bigger and be a featured back as well, although he is not as explosive as Sproles in his prime and not as quick as Woodhead, and he is not as reliable at catching the ball as either one. Not sure about the blocking and would like to hear from the experts on here.
I'm thinking if the Patriots made Vereen an extension offer now, 3 years, $6-7M might be a good deal for both sides.
Is he too questionable at this point? Thoughts?