Position Overview - Running Back

Another little miniseries I have in the works here is an overview position by position. With the recent release of Joe Addai, we are going to start with the Running Backs.

I like our Running Backs overall. Very young, but Woodhead gives them that young veteran (oxy moron) presence and I expect a FB (Larsen) to be joining them in the meeting room. I could see them adding another veteran, but more than likely I think they stick with what they got.

Stephen Ridley: Loved what I saw out of him last year. Has a little Corey Dillon in him. He can run it right down your face one play, then take the right stick and juke you out of your shorts the next. That game against the Raiders (10 carries, 97 yards and a T) last year was definitely his highlight, and hopefully he can put up a few more games like that this year. In my opinion, he should have the inside track to get a lot of the Law Firm's carries (took about 1/3 of snaps at RB) and should lead the team in carries. The main thing holding him back is fumbles. He had 2 critical fumbles late last year, and seemed to lose the confidence of the coaching staff. If he can put that behind him, then I think he could put up a great season nearing 1,000 yards.


Shane Vereen: Vereen is the wildcard in here. The 2nd round pick in the 2011 draft, he has yet to really see the field due to injuries and then never gaining the confiidence of the coaching staff. He is BY FAR our most talented player at this position, and everyone that saw him last year before his injury in camp said he was the fastest player on the field. He has been mis-cast as a 3rd down back because he has great hands (averaged 25 catches/year at Cal), but his ceiling is Ray Rice. I don't think he gets there, but I think he can be a solid back this year. If he ends up getting the majority of the snaps at RB, I will be more than happy, because that will mean he is coming close to reaching that potential.


Danny Woodhead: Solid dude all around. He's not going to wow you, but he'll get in there with his bucket and shovel and give you a solid 50 yard running 50 yard receiving game every once in a while. Great 3rd down type guy. Only averaged about 5 carries and a reception per fame last year and I don't expect those numbers to go up too much, especially if Vereen improves as we all hope. Oversll not as talented as the other guys in this group, but you know what you are getting with him.

Brandon Bolden: Not gonna lie, I don't know much about the undrafted rookie out of Ole Miss. He has obviously been getting the BJGE comparisons because of that, and I'm sure he hopes he can be as successful with the Pats. His running style apparently lends itself well to the Pats with its downhill nature and he did rush for 1000 yards as a junior in the SEC , so there is some potential there. I personally don't see room on the roster for him, but I'd give it about 25% he makes it on there.