It’s clear that after speaking with special teams coach Scott O’Brien during minicamp, the Patriots weren’t thrilled with their return game last year. So they’re doing their due diligence when it comes to examining their options. Woodhead was the closest thing New England had to a regular kick returner last year, fielding 20 of the 46 kickoffs, while Edelman handled 28 of the 38 punts that came the Patriots’ way. (Last year, Edelman also fielded 12 kicks and Ridley seven, while Welker also handled eight punts.) But several different players worked at both spots throughout the spring, including the two incumbents as well as Stallworth, McCourty and Patrick Chung.
The two returner spots are one of the most unmentioned camp battles of all. One wild card… Shane Vereen.