The Invisible Shane Vereen

[IcyPatriot]

He has great hands and explosive speed ... maybe he gets a different role next year.

Good call Icy ...

Seriously ... I was at the game and I loved it when they split him out wide ... really messed the Texans up a bit. This kid is a serious weapon to have - RB, 3rd down back, WR ... maybe more who knows.

 

[RIpats88]

Vereen had an excellent game.
The skills he showed catching, running with the ball, and blocking in important passing plays were impressive.
Not surprised he shined when given the chance. Woody going down was a blessing in disguise for this player to show what he could do.
Sometimes it's not about talent but opportunity. The players who start right now aren't necessarily the best players, only the ones the OC wants to play.

he's another weapon certainly, but Woodhead also has been VERY clutch for us this year in the receiving game

hoping we have both available next week. because without Gronk we need everyone available in the passing game

 

[VJCPatriot]

Vereen really justified his 2nd round selection today! Don't fall asleep on this kid or he will burn you with his speed! The receiving skills he showed today, he's almost like having another WR out there!

Great coming out game for Vereen. Looking forward to the Pats perhaps designing some plays for him to create mismatches against the Ravens next week.

 

[ausbacker]

Vereen really justified his 2nd round selection today! Don't fall asleep on this kid or he will burn you with his speed! The receiving skills he showed today, he's almost like having another WR out there!

Great coming out game for Vereen. Looking forward to the Pats perhaps designing some plays for him to create mismatches against the Ravens next week.

For me, it was more telling that Ridley and Vereen were able to put up concurrent good to excellent performances.

 

[Observer]

What is most encouraging is that they both seem like big-game players, who can turn up their performance a notch when needed.

 

[BradyBranch39]

The receiving skills he showed today, he's almost like having another WR out there!

Almost!? Outside of a handful of plays by Lloyd and Edelman this year, that's the most reliable-looking deep threat we've had since Moss.

 

[mayoclinic]

Good call Icy ...

Seriously ... I was at the game and I loved it when they split him out wide ... really messed the Texans up a bit. This kid is a serious weapon to have - RB, 3rd down back, WR ... maybe more who knows.

I've been asking for this since his rookie year. Vereen has Hernandez-like versatility. You can move him all over the place - in the backfield in 1 or 2 back sets, split out wide, in the slot. He runs routes and catches the ball more like a WR than a RB. Has the speed to stretch the field, and the movement skills to be devestating in space. He's very strong for his size, and has the ability to run inside and to break tackles, as he demonstrated today.

I've always considered Vereen a potential weapon who could have the impact of a Hernandez or Ridley, so it's very gratifying to see him show signs of that today. With Gronk down, we need him to keep this up and become a more integral part of the offense.

 

[SEA_Pat]

I still of course prefer the matchup problems brought by Gronk, since he offers more options in going run versus pass if the D is too small. However, Vereen could offer some new twists in Josh's tools of torture for opposing defenses. For example, what about an "I" formation of Vereen and Ridley, where Vereen goes wide for either a toss or fake toss, then Ridley runs up the middle. This kind of misdirection was killing Green Bay with Kaepernick's ability to run. Or you split Vereen out wide, then you have him matched up on a linebacker - we saw how well that works out for the defense today.

Must suck to be a defensive coordinator looking at the Patriots as your next matchup.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

What a playoff debut. We're going to need this from him with Gronk out. I mean we probably won't get THIS much going forth but hopefully he can prove to be a factor in the passing game again.

Really excited about Ridley/Vereen for at least the next 2 years the thought that they can only get better is quite awesome!!

 

[IllegalContact]

For example, what about an "I" formation of Vereen and Ridley, where Vereen goes wide for either a toss or fake toss, then Ridley runs up the middle. /QUOTE]

nope......takes a potential blocker off the line......

all we need is for ridley to be a little more productive in the passing game, and that will give all DC fits.

the ravens pose some different problems....their ILB's are better......but they're slower on the outside......pitch outs to vereen will get him outside the edge.

lots of no huddle will have the ravens gassed.

 

[Marqui]

Usually RBs are nothing but decoys when they split-out wide. But with Vereen is really a legitimate threat to run real routes and make big catches. It's great to watch and will hopefully add another dimension to the offense. We're going to need it with Gronk gone.

 

[Luke Skywelker]

Man he looked good today - looked like a Patriot out there, smart/intuitive/versatile. He's a nice compliment to Ridley, whereas Ridley just churns north/south, Vereen seems more fluid in the open field.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Some people on a Texans forum I was tracking asked, "Who the hell is this Vereen guy?"
This tread came into mind when I read those post.

 

[ATippett56]

Apparently, we have little use for Vereen.

Apparently, you have little use for Vereen.

Bolden, who hasn't played well, is getting lots of reps.

Bolden was getting lots of reps against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs?

It would certainly seem that we should make every effort to re-sign Woodhead.

Tough to ink a contract with an injured thumb.

Ridley and Woodhead make a good pair.

Ridley and Vereen make a good pair.

 

[mayoclinic]

Some people on a Texans forum I was tracking asked, "Who the hell is this Vereen guy?"
This tread came into mind when I read those post.

Being "invisible" isn't all bad. If Grid wants a nickname, I suggest Shane "the 'Invisible Man'" Vereen.

 

[Deus Irae]

Apparently, you have little use for Vereen.

Bolden was getting lots of reps against the Houston Texans in the AFC Divisional Playoffs?

Tough to ink a contract with an injured thumb.

Ridley and Vereen make a good pair.

The post you were responding to was made in December.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Some people on a Texans forum I was tracking asked, "Who the hell is this Vereen guy?"
This tread came into mind when I read those post.

Yes, this is one of those threads that reminds us all to be careful what we say in threads we start...and no doubt is making a few folks wish there were a "Thread Delete" function along with the "Thread Ignore" function.

 

[voluntarysaftey]

Where did this performance come from? How did Brady have the confidence to throw the deep ball to him when he hasn't done anything close to this in his career.

Hopefully this continues for 2 more games -- just unbelievable performance.

 

[ahmed]

I thought about how he's perceived around him during the game. Today alone makes his pick worth it!

 

[Claremonster]

I've been asking for this since his rookie year. Vereen has Hernandez-like versatility. You can move him all over the place - in the backfield in 1 or 2 back sets, split out wide, in the slot. He runs routes and catches the ball more like a WR than a RB. Has the speed to stretch the field, and the movement skills to be devestating in space. He's very strong for his size, and has the ability to run inside and to break tackles, as he demonstrated today.

I've always considered Vereen a potential weapon who could have the impact of a Hernandez or Ridley, so it's very gratifying to see him show signs of that today. With Gronk down, we need him to keep this up and become a more integral part of the offense.

Is he the Pats version of Darren Sproles?