The Facts: Following up on a previous item. ... According to Boston Herald staffer Jeff Howe, Vereen is now eying $3.5M per year as an unrestricted free agent. Howe added the Patriots have shown no willingness to touch that.

Diehards Line: Howe had previously reported that Vereen was looking for $5 million a year, a report that Vereen subsequently shot down. Whether that's because he never wanted that much or realized he'd never get it is irrelevant (the latter is the bottom line). Vereen, 25, is coming off the first 16-game season of his career. His previous high was 13 back in 2012. It would appear he'll get an opportunity to fully explore his true market value when free agency begins next week.