Shane Vereen: Giants Are 'A Step Up' From Patriots
BOSTON (CBS) -- Et tu, Shane?
Just one day after signing as a free agent with the New York Giants, former Patriots running back Shane Vereen made it very clear that he's "on to New York."
"This is a great organization," Vereen said of the Giants. "I was fortunate enough to play in New England with another great organization, and this is no slouch. This is not a step down. If anything, it's a step up."
Ouch!
If Vereen is basing his evaluation on Super Bowl titles in the past 10 years, he'd technically be right. But still ... just 40 or so days after winning the Super Bowl in a season when the Giants went 6-10? That's cold, man.
Of course, for Vereen -- who signed a three-year contract worth $12.35 million -- he'll likely get much more play in Eli Manning's offense than he did in Tom Brady's. Though offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels tried to involve Shane Vereen in the running game, he's only averaged about five rushes per game in his career. He averaged four receptions for 36 yards per game over the past two seasons as well, but he boosted his free-agency price tag by catching 11 passes in the Patriots' Super Bowl win a month ago.
Though the Patriots are 0-2 against the Giants during Vereen's career (Week 9 in 2011; Super Bowl XLVI), Vereen did not play in either game.