ShanePHallam said:

DGB said:

I love this for my Ridley pick (and Woodhead I suppose) in the Fanatics draft.  I hope that the Pat's don't go sign some other veteran.  Although their typically crowded RB depth chart now is comparatively rather thin with just Ridley, Woodhead, and Vareen.

Seems Vereen will be the lead guy there.

I think that it's way to early to call it that way.  What I've heard so far is that they'll let them compete for sure.  They don't really know what they have in Vereen yet because of his hamstring injury last season and limited time/sample size to evaluate.  If Ridley can correct his fumbling problem, Vereen will have to outperform him and earn his role.  The Pats aren't going to give him the job just because they drafted him higher.  I would suspect that this will play out through the pre-season.

NFLLIFER said:

The only thing BGE leaving does for me is letting owners such as DGB draft patriot backs and think they have any chance of being fantasy relevant. Whens the last time NE produced a top 12 back? Whens the last time they produced a top 18 back? NE doesn't give enough carries to the trio of Ridley, Vereen, Woodhead to make anyone relevant. Add that not only does NE pass, but Brady gets to many goal line plunges and it's a no brainer. Draft a NE Rb no higher than a weak flex play.

Perhaps "owners such as DGB" didn't draft them with expectations that they'll be top 12 or top 18 backs.  Maybe they drafted them as 3rd/4th RBs after going WR heavy and filling QB and TE spots.  Maybe they picked them with the idea of being a spot/bye-week play or potential flex play.  All kinds of players have value.

Also, FYI, Brady has 10 rushing TDs in his 12 years in the NFL.  Even when throwing out his 2000 (on the bench) and 2008 (injury) seasons, that's an average of 1 rushing TD/season.  Clearly he's a tremendous vulture, right up there with Vick/Tebow/Rodgers…