New England Patriots quick-hitting thoughts – ESPN Boston

Good Sunday notes from Reiss, including a mention that Tyler Gaffney is now fully healthy. Gaffney is a bit of an unknown, but with Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen’s futures up in the air, there could be opportunity in the Patriots’ backfield.

One thing I’ve been wondering, is could Brandon Bolden hold the fort long enough for James White or another new receiving back to come along? I generally think Bolden is just a spot carry guy, but the Pats continued to give him carries late last season and even gave him a contract extension, which I viewed generally for special teams ability. He’s not Vereen, but he’s solid enough as insurance if a rookie or White were to be eased into the job.

Vereen was far from proven when he took over for Danny Woodhead as the primary receiving back.