Shane Vereen Leaves Patriots for Giants

According to an ESPN report, running back Shane Vereen has signed a free agent deal with the New York Giants.

The 26-year-old Vereen excelled this past season for the Patriots as a change-of-pace back, with his ability to catch balls out of the backfield in addition to run shifty routes down field. He was on the field for 52.9 percent of the Pats' offensive snaps last season, highest among the team's running backs, but he was also the only back to appear in every game. Stephan Ridley's injury, Jonas Gray's inability to stay off the bench, LeGarrette Blount's late arrival from Pittsburgh and Brandon Bolden...well, being Brandon Bolden made Vereen the top back almost by default.

Vereen will join Rashad Jennings and Andre Williams in New York.

NFL free agency officially began at 4 p.m. EST Tuesday afternoon. No word yet on any deal between the Patriots and their top free agent, cornerback Darrelle Revis.

Reportedly, the Patriots also did not exercise their option on cornerback Brandon Browner, putting the Super Bowl-winning secondary that many felt was the best in the NFL last season in jeopardy.