With talk focused this summer on Ridley and Vereen, Danny Woodhead has become a forgotten back. While he is expected to still be a change-of-pace option, especially in the second half, Vereen might cut into Woodhead’s snaps as a receiving back. Woodhead led Patriots backs with 18 catches in ’11 and 34 in ’10, but the offense could look to get Kevin Faulk-type production from a back as a receiver, such as Vereen, especially if the screen game will be a bigger focal point. From 2000-09, Faulk had 40.6 receptions per season. Woodhead still might get the snaps if the team is in a hurry-up or late-game situation.

Another back who might be in the fold is undrafted rookie Brandon Bolden, who has received a lot of praise from observers, although one cautioned that the Ole Miss product has had rookie hiccups. Director of player personnel Nick Caserio had this to offer to reporters on Monday about the 5-11, 220-pound Bolden: “Had some injuries a little bit his senior year, but he was a productive player: big, strong, caught the ball well, a good runner.”

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