Brandon Bolden

[Mack Herron]

Is there any other way for the casual fan to measure a pro running back's speed that I don't know of?

You can actually measure measure speed on film sometimes, which is closer to what they refer to as "football speed" as distinct from track speed. Famously mentioned with regard to Jerry Rice's lack of timed speed. Did you see Ridley get run down from behind in the preseason like a wounded calf? He runs out of gas pretty quickly. My only point is that everyone who as had timed 40 yd runs knows there can be variation in different heats, days, tracks etc. Would be better to have a mean time with a standard deviation for example. None of us really knows of course.

 

[Oswlek]

You can actually measure measure speed on film sometimes, which is closer to what they refer to as "football speed" as distinct from track speed. Famously mentioned with regard to Jerry Rice's lack of timed speed. Did you see Ridley get run down from behind in the preseason like a wounded calf? He runs out of gas pretty quickly. My only point is that everyone who as had timed 40 yd runs knows there can be variation in different heats, days, tracks etc. Would be better to have a mean time with a standard deviation for example. None of us really knows of course.

You have to be kidding me. You are going to judge Ridley's speed by his stamina on his first run of the preseason? No offense, but you pretty much just murdered your point right there.

Stevan Ridley Highlights - YouTube

This post I just made in the Vereen thread seems pertinent here:

In the first half, when the game was still in doubt and Tampa still gave a damn, Ridley ran more times than Blount and Bolden combined (7, 2, 3 respectively). FWIW, their ypc in the first half was as follows:

Ridley - 4.3

Blount - 3.3

Bolden - 2.5

 

[Ring 6]

You can actually measure measure speed on film sometimes, which is closer to what they refer to as "football speed" as distinct from track speed. Famously mentioned with regard to Jerry Rice's lack of timed speed. Did you see Ridley get run down from behind in the preseason like a wounded calf? He runs out of gas pretty quickly. My only point is that everyone who as had timed 40 yd runs knows there can be variation in different heats, days, tracks etc. Would be better to have a mean time with a standard deviation for example. None of us really knows of course.

You correctly list all the reasons not to rely on one measure, then base your conclusion on one runon the first play of the first preseason game. :bricks:

 

[TheTruth3402]

Yup. And people who point to Bolden's rate stats seem to forget just how impressive Ridley was when he was in that change-of-pace role in 2011. To whit:

Stevan Ridley Stats - New England Patriots - ESPN

Brandon Bolden Stats - New England Patriots - ESPN

Ridley averaged 5.1 yards on 87 carries as a rookie, Bolden 4.9 on 56 carries.

Is that supposed to be indicate a huge gap in talent?

I love Ridley for what he did last year, but he hasn't been the same guy based on what we've seen so far. Is that a function of blocking, a lack of confidence, some lingering injury? Or perhaps its gameplan specific against some tough run defenses. I can't say.

What I can say is that Bolden has produced when he's been on the field, he holds on to the ball and he gives you more in the receiving game.

I haven't given up on Ridley by any means, but I wouldn't mind seeing he and Bolden split carries to give the latter a chance to really showcase his ability.

 

[TheTruth3402]

You can actually measure measure speed on film sometimes, which is closer to what they refer to as "football speed" as distinct from track speed. Famously mentioned with regard to Jerry Rice's lack of timed speed. Did you see Ridley get run down from behind in the preseason like a wounded calf? He runs out of gas pretty quickly. My only point is that everyone who as had timed 40 yd runs knows there can be variation in different heats, days, tracks etc. Would be better to have a mean time with a standard deviation for example. None of us really knows of course.

I wish 40s were run in full pads on grass.

 

[Oswlek]

Ridley averaged 5.1 yards on 87 carries as a rookie, Bolden 4.9 on 56 carries.

Is that supposed to be indicate a huge gap in talent?

I love Ridley for what he did last year, but he hasn't been the same guy based on what we've seen so far. Is that a function of blocking, a lack of confidence, some lingering injury? Or perhaps its gameplan specific against some tough run defenses. I can't say.

What I can say is that Bolden has produced when he's been on the field, he holds on to the ball and he gives you more in the receiving game.

I haven't given up on Ridley by any means, but I wouldn't mind seeing he and Bolden split carries to give the latter a chance to really showcase his ability.

You missed the point entirely. Many people on this board are pointing to Bolden's rate stats as proof that he is better than Ridley. My post was simply to point out that Ridely was actually more productive when in the same role. And you cannot just gloss over the fact that his marginal 0.2 ypc advantage came in nearly double the plays. That is significant.

I don't know why Bolden fans get so defensive when it is pointed out that Ridely has actually been more productive. No one wants Brandon stapled to the bench, he is valuable depth and a contributor to the RB rotation. But Ridley was the better runner in 2012 and continues to be right now.

 

[DocHoliday]

I wish 40s were run in full pads on grass.

Yeah I don't understand why they don't do this.

 

[Nunchucks]

My point was that Ridley looks faster and quicker than Boldin and the numbers support my assertion.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

My point was that Ridley looks faster and quicker than Boldin and the numbers support my assertion.

Ridley ran a 4.65 at the combine and a 4.66 at his pro day.

Bolden ran a 4.55 at the combine and a 4.50 at his pro day.

So no, the numbers do not support your assertion.

Bolden is faster. Ridley is more agile, explosive, has excellent vision and patience, runs lower, and is overall a much better football player. Its not like Ridley being slower (which he clearly is) is a knock on him as a football player or a relative endorsement of Bolden.

 

[Nunchucks]

Ridley ran a 4.65 at the combine and a 4.66 at his pro day.

Bolden ran a 4.55 at the combine and a 4.50 at his pro day.

So no, the numbers do not support your assertion.

Bolden is faster. Ridley is more agile, explosive, has excellent vision and patience, runs lower, and is overall a much better football player. Its not like Ridley being slower (which he clearly is) is a knock on him as a football player or a relative endorsement of Bolden.

weird

Brandon Bolden 2012 NFL Draft Profile - ESPN

 

[manxman2601]

I wish 40s were run in full pads on grass.

I don't think it matters so long as prospects are judged on an equal playing field.

 

[Oswlek]

weird

Brandon Bolden 2012 NFL Draft Profile - ESPN

Ridley's on ESPN.

That matches my eyes. About the same speed with Ridley being decidedly more agile and maybe slightly less powerful.

 

[patsinthesnow]

BJGE vs. Maroney threads in 09-early 2010, all over again.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

Ridley's on ESPN.

That matches my eyes. About the same speed with Ridley being decidedly more agile and maybe slightly less powerful.

Bolden flashes "drive piles" power that Ridley doesn't have sometimes, but breaking a tackle is more than just strength... Ridley has great balance so he absorbs contact better, whereas Bolden gets knocked over by arm tackles a bit.

I love Ridley. I think he's a good professional running back and a pleasure to watch. But his calling card isn't strength or speed. And if that were all it took, a guy like David Wilson would be a star.

 

[Get it shawtaay]

BJGE vs. Maroney threads in 09-early 2010, all over again.

Funny you say that because outside of the fumbling, Ridley has way more in common with BJGE, and Bolden way more in common with Maroney.

 

[Oswlek]

BJGE vs. Maroney threads in 09-early 2010, all over again.

Not seeing the comparison. :confused2:

 

[MrNathanDrake]

Not seeing the comparison. :confused2:

Neither do I.

Maroney had regressed and was clearly on his way out.


Ridley and Bolden are both good backs.