Stevan Ridley Emerging as a team leader

[Ian]

Saw a few media members today note that Ridley is emerging as a leader out on the field, which is good to see. I follow him on Facebook and have to say he's a hard-working, down-to-earth guy. I find it curious that so many people seem to question his ability to be the guy after two fairly consistent seasons, the latter of which he rushed for 1200+ yards. The fumble in the playoffs is tough to put on him considering he was more or less knocked out, but I really feel like they ended up with a pretty running back and I've also seen other reports saying he looks bigger and stronger than each of his previous seasons.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Saw a few media members today note that Ridley is emerging as a leader out on the field, which is good to see. I follow him on Facebook and have to say he's a hard-working, down-to-earth guy. I find it curious that so many people seem to question his ability to be the guy after two fairly consistent seasons, the latter of which he rushed for 1200+ yards. The fumble in the playoffs is tough to put on him considering he was more or less knocked out, but I really feel like they ended up with a pretty running back and I've also seen other reports saying he looks bigger and stronger than each of his previous seasons.

Ridley could be a difference maker this season that we really hadn't counted upon.

Our run game has certainly been "good enough" - but if they were more productive in the 45% of the time they run, that's going to be a nice boost to the passing game.

 

[ALP]

off the field Ridley was becoming the leader of the rb group last season, it seems now that he's expanding that role

which is good to see, he might be able to fill one of those "vocal" leaders spots, i dont know, but i do know id like more of those than just brady

the fact that he's a feature back and quite successful with us is just gravy

 

[Avenger]

Saw a few media members today note that Ridley is emerging as a leader out on the field, which is good to see. I follow him on Facebook and have to say he's a hard-working, down-to-earth guy. I find it curious that so many people seem to question his ability to be the guy after two fairly consistent seasons, the latter of which he rushed for 1200+ yards. The fumble in the playoffs is tough to put on him considering he was more or less knocked out, but I really feel like they ended up with a pretty running back and I've also seen other reports saying he looks bigger and stronger than each of his previous seasons.

I recall him exhibiting the fencing reflex, so I'm going to go ahead and say that he was closer to more knocked out than less.

 

[supafly]

The fumble in the playoffs is tough to put on him considering he was more or less knocked out

I recall him exhibiting the fencing reflex, so I'm going to go ahead and say that he was closer to more knocked out than less.

So, you're going to use sarcasm and nitpick wording from the guy who started, and currently pays for us to even have this site, for no apparent reason since his point is obvious ?

Interesting

 

[DarrylS]

Without regard for explanation, Ridley has turned into a reliable running back for this team...

Willing to be that about 90% of all running backs in the NFL would have fumbled the ball after that hit..

 

[Ian]

I recall him exhibiting the fencing reflex, so I'm going to go ahead and say that he was closer to more knocked out than less.

The worst part about that play is it did two things. The first was that it obviously it forced a turnover and killed a drive where they were gaining momentum, and the second was that it knocked Ridley out of the game and made them completely one dimensional. I've got to say, I'm really not a fan of Pollard at this point. People called Rodney Harrison a dirty player but I don't ever recall him being a guy who looked to be trying to injure opposing players. Hopefully if nothing else Ridley returns to form and builds off of last season because he seems like he's going to be a solid guy for them moving forward.

 

[Ian]

Another note on Ridley, he was 3rd in the league with 82 rushing first downs last season, and was only 3 behind Adrian Peterson - who rushed for over 2,000 yards - who had 85. He really had a great year last season and it's amazing how much he's flying under the radar in terms of the fact very few people are saying much about him while others - including Tedy Bruschi last month - talking about the Patriots potentially looking for a replacement.

 

[Kontradiction]

It's going to be interesting to watch how hard he runs, initially, given the way his last carry ended. Some RB's would get a deer in the headlights look after that type of hit, specifically since he's had so much time to think about it. I do like that he has, apparently, bulked up in the offseason, though.

 

[Ian]

It's going to be interesting to watch how hard he runs, initially, given the way his last carry ended. Some RB's would get a deer in the headlights look after that type of hit, specifically since he's had so much time to think about it. I do like that he has, apparently, bulked up in the offseason, though.

I wonder the same thing. That was a vicious hit, one that would make some players pretty tentative. I'm hoping it doesn't affect his approach hitting the hole and hopefully that won't end up being the case.

 

[Avenger]

So, you're going to use sarcasm and nitpick wording from the guy who started, and currently pays for us to even have this site, for no apparent reason since his point is obvious ?

Interesting

I was actually agreeing with him, I assure you my intention was not to nitpick Ian.

 

[Kontradiction]

I wonder the same thing. That was a vicious hit, one that would make some players pretty tentative. I'm hoping it doesn't affect his approach hitting the hole and hopefully that won't end up being the case.

Normally, recovering from a hit like that wouldn't worry me. Particularly if the guy that took the hit came back the next game, or maybe the game after that. But Ridley has had a whole offseason to think about that one. Have to wonder just how bad it's going to haunt him the first time he touches the ball, or if it even does at all. I'd have no reservations in saying that the Pollard hit was probably the hardest one Ridley has ever received in his life.

 

[shmessy]

I recall him exhibiting the fencing reflex, so I'm going to go ahead and say that he was closer to more knocked out than less.

That was brutally scary. Watching that made me nauseous. I was afraid for the kid.

 

[Danger Zone]

I've got to say, I'm really not a fan of Pollard at this point. People called Rodney Harrison a dirty player but I don't ever recall him being a guy who looked to be trying to injure opposing players.

I have no doubt that Pollard is out to intentionally injure game-impacting players. Proof is in the pudding as Bill Cosby liked to say.

Its not just coincidence that Pollard has injured team's best players. I believe in coincidence, but its time that his defenders admit that coincidence (in Pollard's case) has been drugged, tied to a table, stabbed, the body cut up and wrapped in Hefty trashbags and thrown over board somewhere in the Florida Keys.

 

[DocHoliday]

I'm stoked to see he's apparently even bigger this year.

I want a powerful, brute bellcow of a back. This offense needs to kick some teeth in.

 

[Kontradiction]

I have no doubt that Pollard is out to intentionally injure game-impacting players. Proof is in the pudding as Bill Cosby liked to say.

Its not just coincidence that Pollard has injured team's best players. I believe in coincidence, but its time that his defenders admit that coincidence (in Pollard's case) has been drugged, tied to a table, stabbed, the body cut up and wrapped in Hefty trashbags and thrown over board somewhere in the Florida Keys.

The Gronk and Ridley injuries were not dirty. He didn't even touch Welker. The only injury that was dirty was the Brady injury.

 

[Ian]

The Gronk and Ridley injuries were not dirty. He didn't even touch Welker. The only injury that was dirty was the Brady injury.

I agree on Welker, although if you go back and look at Gronk's injury he yanked on his leg something fierce and I saw him do that a couple of times in this year's meeting against a few players. In Ridley's case he dove and speared him with his helmet so I question that one too. Needless to say yeah...I'm a little bitter about this guy

 

[Danger Zone]

The Gronk and Ridley injuries were not dirty. He didn't even touch Welker. The only injury that was dirty was the Brady injury.

I agree on Welker, but disagree on Gronk. He's done that move before where he gets his legs up and out of the way and falls on an ankle.. with similar injury resulting.

 

[BradyFTW!]

The Gronk and Ridley injuries were not dirty. He didn't even touch Welker. The only injury that was dirty was the Brady injury.

Disagree re: Gronk. Looked like intent to injure to me.

 

[Kontradiction]

I agree on Welker, although if you go back and look at Gronk's injury he yanked on his leg something fierce and I saw him do that a couple of times in this year's meeting against a few players. In Ridley's case he dove and speared him with his helmet so I question that one too. Needless to say yeah...I'm a little bitter about this guy

I agree on Welker, but disagree on Gronk. He's done that move before where he gets his legs up and out of the way and falls on an ankle.. with similar injury resulting.

Disagree re: Gronk. Looked like intent to injure to me.

Well, with the Ridley hit, that was a move by Ridley that would actually be illegal by the recent rule changes that have taken place. Ridley lowered the helmet to try to power through the tackler. If he hadn't of done that, Pollard would have actually been somewhat out of position on the tackle and the best he could have done would be to bring Ridley down with Ridley falling forward. Because Ridley lowered the helmet, his helmet made contact with Pollard's shoulder, causing the knock out blow.

As for the Gronk hit, Pollard wrapped up around the waist. Gronk dragged him for another 4-5 yards and the motion combined with gravity naturally brought Pollard to the ground. Because Gronk was still chugging for extra yardage, his foot and ankle got caught under Pollard's body. That was the point that his ankle twisted and the original injury occurred.

I don't see anything inherently "dirty" about either of those two plays.