NE Running Back Situation

[james33]

(Ridley was benched in week 1 for fumbling).

Vereen or Ridley a better fantasy option for the rest of the year?

[dslaw]

I put Ridley. After going through training camp and preseason games I would think the staff saw enough to know that he was better than Vereen which is why he started. Another couple of fumbles by Ridley in week 2 and I will take all this back.

Substitute 'Giants' and 'Wilson' for 'NE' and 'Ridley' and I think you get the same answer.

[revo]

this is interesting, because Ridley doesn't catch passes at all while Vereen is a big-time pass catching threat. So if we assume that Vereen will now take all of the other carries that went to Woodhead and Bolden, and maybe takes a few from Ridley now (who had 290 carries in '12), then we should expect the breakdown to be something like:

Ridley 270 (down from 290) + 10 rec
Vereen 200 (up from 65) + 50 rec

So because of the catches, I'd lean slightly towards Vereen. But we all know that could change next week if he fumbles!

[Hornsby]

I have no freakin' idea...and I own Ridley AND Wilson. I suspect that both will play next week, but how much I can't say...Blount was supremely ineffective yesterday, so there's hope for Ridley. I can't imagine that there going to grind Vereen down with 30 touches a game, so eventually I see Ridley getting back in there. Although I am concerned that Belicheck was willing to lose the game to make a point by never putting Ridley back in the game...very troubling.

At least Ridley was standing on the sideline with his helmet on his head...that shot of Wilson sitting on the bench looking like he didn't have a care in the world troubled me. Of course, he could have just been in shock...

[revo]

Vereen wrist surgery, out about a month.

[james33]

LeGarrette Blount is New England's 3rd RB. Just 26 years old, I wonder if he gets a look at some point, especially given the Patriots' penchant for changing RBs.

[Hornsby]

LeGarrette Blount is New England's 3rd RB. Just 26 years old, I wonder if he gets a look at some point, especially given the Patriots' penchant for changing RBs.

He got a fair amount of time yesterday and did nothing with it...of course, he didn't fumble either.

[Erik]

Don't forget Brandon Bolden, who played well for a few weeks last year before getting injured.

Don't be surprised if Belichick uses personnel completely differently from week to week, which he's done in some past seasons.

[revo]

Vereen was placed on the short-term IR, meaning he can't return until Week NINE!!!

[james33]

thoughts on this order for waiver wire/free agent claims?

1) Bolden
2) Blount
3) Washington

[Trautdiggity]

thoughts on this order for waiver wire/free agent claims?

1) Bolden
2) Blount
3) Washington

Wouldnt waste a claim or faab on Blount, he looked awful against the Bills. To be honest, Bolden is the only one that intrigues me a little.

[Sam]

Is anybody hanging onto Vereen outside of keeper leagues? Is it worth it to hold on to him in re-draft 10 or 12 team leagues?

[revo]

Is anybody hanging onto Vereen outside of keeper leagues? Is it worth it to hold on to him in re-draft 10 or 12 team leagues?

Barely. Does your league have an IR slot? While on the IR that mean he's out until Week 9, but the Pats have a bye week 10 so don't expect him back until Week 11. So if you have a small bench and no IR slot, I'd drop him.