Shane Vereen vs Danny Woodhead

[NEPettyOfficer72]

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?

 

[RayClay]

More upside and athletic ability. Doubtful he'll have the heart and smarts of woodhead, but if he's even closde, we've really got something.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

What he said. I'd expect that Shane will offer less than Woody early in the season, but has potential to do more. It was time to make the move, whether it works out or not. As long as he doesn't get Brady killed with a sloppy blitz pickup, we'll be good.

 

[dalero]

Vereen will exceed but I'm going to miss the crap out of Woody. He put a smile on my face even standing on the sidelines.

 

[Pewsterbaby]

They're both complimentary players, not impact players. Well, so far anyway in Vereen's case. Faulk was an impact player, fantastic at picking up the blitz and clutch on 3rd down receptions.
I'm so burnt out on the Vereen talk. Everyone's gonna have to wait to see how it plays out. Either way, I doubt he'll be a factor on the fate of the team one way or the other. I'll put my money on he ain't turning into a Smith or a Dillon, so whatever.
Who cares? He racked up a lot of inconsequential rushing yards and caught one bomb vs. Houston. Whoop-de-fricking-do.
And I'd forgotten all about Danny Woodhead. Ya kinda need to make an impact to be remembered. Ain't that how it works? (well, there was that Super Bowl touchdown at the end of the half but how's that remembered these days? Even "you know who" had one.)

There. Crabby "Sunday morning with no football" rant over.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

He obviously has more big play potential than Woodhead, but can he get those elusive/necessary yards and take the punishment that Danny takes.

Be interesting to see woodhead's progress as he's in San Diego and could do well there.

 

[hovis]

I'm confident Vereen will have Faulk/Woodhead-like numbers, but I'm not sure he'll have the knack for converting third downs that Faulk and Woodhead had developed over the years - this year.

 

[Rob0729]

He obviously has more big play potential than Woodhead, but can he get those elusive/necessary yards and take the punishment that Danny takes.

Be interesting to see woodhead's progress as he's in San Diego and could do well there.

I think Woodhead will have a down year. Not because of him not being good or his skills decline, but because Rivers is not Brady and he has two other RBs on the roster who can catch the ball.

 

[mgteich]

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.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Pat Kerwin says that Pats are designing a whole Woodhead plus offensive package around Ben Vereen

 

[mgteich]

It would be great if he could actually do it.

Pat Kerwin says that Pats are designing a whole Woodhead plus offensive package around Ben Vereen

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

It would be great if he could actually do it.

You're echoing Kirwin

 

[Mike the Brit]

Maybe -- but he has small shoes to fill.

 

[Shockt327]

What he said. I'd expect that Shane will offer less than Woody early in the season, but has potential to do more. It was time to make the move, whether it works out or not. As long as he doesn't get Brady killed with a sloppy blitz pickup, we'll be good.

This.

That's why Woodhead is no longer here, imo. Not sure if Vereen will pick up the slack, but if he can block, that would be nice.

 

[YearbookCurfew]

I think in this upcoming season, we'll really see the development of Vereen. He may not be as good as Woodhead, but he'll learn and, I believe, eventually he will be.

 

[hovis]

This.

That's why Woodhead is no longer here, imo. Not sure if Vereen will pick up the slack, but if he can block, that would be nice.

Disagree. Woody developed into a competent, if not good, blitz pickup RB. In fact, that's probably what kept Vereen from taking many of his snaps last year (along with clutch conversions).

They let Woody walk because Vereen's younger, cheaper, and may be just as good given the opportunity. And that's a huge compliment to Vereen, because Woody has been one of the best 3rd down backs in the league since 2010.

On another note, people really need to pump the brakes on the Marshall Faulk / Thurman Thomas comparisons.

 

[zoostation]

I'm confident Vereen will have Faulk/Woodhead-like numbers, but I'm not sure he'll have the knack for converting third downs that Faulk and Woodhead had developed over the years - this year.

I agree with this assessment. Those players had a knack for getting to the end of the chains. Lets hope Vereen can follow suite

 

[VJCPatriot]

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?

Hard to say. But I loved the impact Vereen showed in the Houston Texans playoff game. He's the kind of guy that if he develops, I feel very comfortable with him as our #2 RB and everyday 3rd down back. I loved Woodhead and will miss him but he doesn't have nearly the athleticism of a Shane Vereen.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

Woodhead wasn't nearly as dynamic as he was his first year with the Patriots. After that 2010 season, he kind of declined a little in the play making category or threat category, though he still remained a very good player. I think that what Shane Vereen brings to the table is rare, unique and fun to watch. His athleticism, speed, and power as well as receiving skills to me exceed what Danny Woodhead gave to us. Amazing how this guy can line up at the X or slot and go down field for a long completion or even touchdown over defensive backs. He is a find, and will be extremely valuable both in the running game as well as the passing game.

 

[mgteich]

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.

That's why Woodhead is no longer here, imo. Not sure if Vereen will pick up the slack, but if he can block, that would be nice.