Ripley...believe it or not... - New England Patriots Forums

Bostonian1962 · 05-15-2011, 04:59 PM

I just got back from New Orleans, LA. Thursday night, I was hanging out for happy hour with a group of LSU fans.

First, I will say, I understand fans of teams think their players are the best, so I get that up front.

However, to the person, they all thought Ridley was a great pick, and will be a star RB in the NFL. They were telling me that LSU had the most overrated offensive line this past season, and one guy said outright that their offensive line was HORRIBLE. He said the fact that Ridley ran so well behind such a poor offensive line says it all. The same guy said that 3 to 5 years from now when the RBs from the draft are being graded, Ridley will be the best of all of them.

I left there being really happy with that draft pick, although I liked the pick even beforehand.

RayClay · 05-15-2011, 05:04 PM

Good to hear. He only had one season as a starter and made it count, so perhaps he was underrated.

BillyD123 · 05-15-2011, 05:22 PM

This is the same reason Maroney was a bust in New England.
He couldn't run with a good Patriot O-Line

Patspsycho · 05-15-2011, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyD123

This is the same reason Maroney was a bust in New England.
He couldn't run with a good Patriot O-Line

Same line that gave BJGE his 1,000 yard season and 13 TDs.

jsull87 · 05-15-2011, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BillyD123

This is the same reason Maroney was a bust in New England.
He couldn't run with a good Patriot O-Line

Exactly... i mean if you can't get close too 1000 yards behind our OL there is definitely something wrong. Look at BJGE love the guy but he took what was in front of him and was never really going to break many runs to inflate his stats. He still consistently got 4 yards and got to his 1000.

jefmblrd · 05-15-2011, 07:11 PM

After doing some research and watching some video, I was very happy with this pick on draft day. Running back seems to be one of those positions where many guys can make an instant impact, and if things work out, Ridley should be that short-yardage slammer that we need when BB goes for it on 4th and short. In addition, he's got some speed for his size and should be a solid runner on any down for us as long as he buys in, works hard and does things the Patriot way.

jefmblrd · 05-15-2011, 09:57 PM

After doing some research and watching some video, I was very happy with this pick on draft day. Running back seems to be one of those positions where many guys can make an instant impact, and if things work out, Ridley should be that short-yardage slammer that we need when BB goes for it on 4th and short. In addition, he's got some speed for his size and should be a solid runner on any down for us as long as he buys in, works hard and does things the Patriot way.

***DarrylS*** · 05-16-2011, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsull87

Exactly... i mean if you can't get close too 1000 yards behind our OL there is definitely something wrong. Look at BJGE love the guy but he took what was in front of him and was never really going to break many runs to inflate his stats. He still consistently got 4 yards and got to his 1000.

He also had very few "negative" yards and very importantly 0 Fumbles...

Ridley is an intriguing pick..

Bostonian1962 · 05-16-2011, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jefmblrd

After doing some research and watching some video, I was very happy with this pick on draft day. Running back seems to be one of those positions where many guys can make an instant impact, and if things work out, Ridley should be that short-yardage slammer that we need when BB goes for it on 4th and short. In addition, he's got some speed for his size and should be a solid runner on any down for us as long as he buys in, works hard and does things the Patriot way.

With the success that so many later round RBs have found in the NFL, I see no reason why the next stud RB can't be "our guy".

primetime · 05-16-2011, 05:27 AM

LSU's passing game was horrendous last year. Jefferson and Lee are completely incompetent and the offensive line was awful. Teams would usually put 8 guys in the box and try to stop Ridley, but he ran well despite this. Only problem is his stats against the 'benchmark' teams like Florida and Alabama are a little weak.