Free Agent Signings around the League

Deus Irae said:

Someone thinking that Blount is more talented than Ridley isn't in denial. They are observant regarding what played out last year on the field. Someone who thinks Woodhead is more talented than Vereen isn't in denial, either. They are counting consistency, and an ability to stay on the field, as part of that talent.

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And none of that changes the fact that "the best RBs we've had in the last 5 years were all UDFAs" is still plainly wrong.

Deus Irae said:

Someone thinking that Blount is more talented than Ridley isn't in denial. They are observant regarding what played out last year on the field.

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Blount may have better vision and confidence, talent is not even close to Ridley's.

Ridley was benched for fumbling and lost his job for that reason, Blount ran through some holes 5 yards wide and has a weird type of speed once he hits the second level.

Ridley is faster, harder to tackle, shows better balance, and has some of the best "burst" in the NFL. He is easily the most talented running back to wear a New England uniform in close to 10 years.

Is he better than Blount? I think so. Can we trust him? Who knows. He needs to earn Bill's trust in order to regain his confidence.

strngplyr said:

Blount may have better vision and confidence, talent is not even close to Ridley's.

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Blount has better career YPC, despite running behind a lesser line, for a lesser team. Neither is much of a receiver and neither is much of a blocker. Saying that Blount's talent is not close to Ridley's is ignoring the reality of the game on the field.

However, if we want to play the "I'll make up my definition of talent based upon what makes my answer right, regardless of how it translates on the field" game, the RB who was the most talented is obviously Maroney.

Deus Irae said:

Nonsense


However, if we want to play the "I'll make up my definition of talent based upon what makes my answer right, regardless of how it translates on the field" game, the RB who was the most talented is obviously Maroney.

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Okay, lets compare onfield production too.

Blount:
56 Games, 579 Carries, 2,711yds, 4.7avg 20td

Ridley:
46 Games, 555 Carries, 2,477yds 4.5avg 20td

Ridley has 10 games to make up 234 yards and have basically identical on field numbers to Ridley.

You think he'll average under 23.4 yards per game for his next 10 career games?

Am I really making up a definition to define talent and ignoring on field production or are you just going against the grain to argue with people because it's your favorite thing to do on these forums?

Deus Irae said:

Someone thinking that Blount is more talented than Ridley isn't in denial. They are observant regarding what played out last year on the field.

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Would that also mean someone who thinks Blount has a fumbling problem is observant to what played out last year on the field?

strngplyr said:

Okay, lets compare onfield production too.

Blount:
56 Games, 579 Carries, 2,711yds, 4.7avg 20td

Ridley:
46 Games, 555 Carries, 2,477yds 4.5avg 20td

Ridley has 10 games to make up 234 yards and have basically identical on field numbers to Ridley.

You think he'll average under 23.4 yards per game for his next 10 career games?

Am I really making up a definition to define talent and ignoring on field production or are you just going against the grain to argue with people because it's your favorite thing to do on these forums?

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Look at your own numbers, and your own posts, and the answer is clear. Blount's running numbers (ypc) are superior despite his playing behind a lesser line and on a lesser team, for much of his career, yet your claim is that his

talent is not even close to Ridley's.

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It's not about me arguing. I believe I'm on record as saying something along the lines of Ridley being the best overall runner, while opining that the runners had different strengths and weaknesses. It's about your claim not holding water, and your own data demonstrating that. One can opine that one thinks Ridley's more talented. One can opine that one thinks Blount is more talented. Neither would be in a position to support the claim that the "talent is not even close", as you put it (in either direction), and neither opinion would require the poster to "be in denial", which is what Primetime posted and I responded to.

JMC00 said:

Would that also mean someone who thinks Blount has a fumbling problem is observant to what played out last year on the field?

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That would depend on how you were defining "fumbling problem". Blount had 3 fumbles in 155 touches.

Deus Irae said:

That would depend on how you were defining "fumbling problem". Blount had 3 fumbles in 155 touches.

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Blount also has a higher percentage of fumbles per touches then Ridley also.

Archeryaddict12 said:

Blount also has a higher percentage of fumbles per touches then Ridley also.

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He didn't last season, though, which is what JMC asked about.


BTW, before people get to insisting that I'm bagging on Ridley when I'm not.....

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/1077141-ridley-officially-arrives-crossroads-page2.html#post3666503

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/1077141-ridley-officially-arrives-crossroads-page2.html#post3666513

Apparently Bill doesn't think Blount is the better player as he let him walk.

Deus Irae said:

He didn't last season, though, which is what JMC asked about.

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But strictly as runners Blount fumbled more often.

Blount- 51.6 carries per fumble
Ridley- 59.3 carries per fumble

JMC00 said:

But strictly as runners Blount fumbled more often.

Blount- 51.6 carries per fumble
Ridley- 59.3 carries per fumble

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Given how few touches they had as receivers, that's a distinction without a difference.

Ridley fumbled more per touch. It its what it is.

The #Jets announced they’ve signed WR Jacoby Ford

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https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/451098601322586112

Major Wright ‏@LilMade21 20m
Blessed and grateful to finally get this journey started. It's going to be great to see familiar old faces in Tampa.

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WalterFootball.com: 2014 NFL Free Agent Tracker - Safeties

patsinthesnow said:

WalterFootball.com: 2014 NFL Free Agent Tracker - Safeties

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Just to clarify, it's for a visit, he didn't sign.

DeSean Jackson agrees to terms with the WAS Redskins, per PFT.

The deal is officially expected to be signed tomorrow morning.

RGIII, Garcon, Jackson, Reed. That is one fast offense paired with a great RB in Morris.

patsinthesnow said:

RGIII, Garcon, Jackson, Reed. That is one fast offense paired with a great RB in Morris.

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Kudos to Washington for doing what it took to improve the offense in the last couple of years, although I still have a personal opinion that RG3 is overrated. With those weapons + that running game with Morris though, I could probably stand back there and have some success.

I know one thing--I wouldn't want to be the DAL Cowboys this offseason, with the way that all of PHI, WAS, and the NYG seemed to make some key moves to their teams.

Just one more example of how DAL's past moves and current stupidity keeps holding them back, while the rest of the division seems to improve.

strngplyr said:

Blount may have better vision and confidence, talent is not even close to Ridley's.

Ridley was benched for fumbling and lost his job for that reason, Blount ran through some holes 5 yards wide and has a weird type of speed once he hits the second level.

Ridley is faster, harder to tackle, shows better balance, and has some of the best "burst" in the NFL. He is easily the most talented running back to wear a New England uniform in close to 10 years.

Is he better than Blount? I think so. Can we trust him? Who knows. He needs to earn Bill's trust in order to regain his confidence.

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Blount's talent "not even close" to Ridley's"? I don't see it, at all.

Ridley is harder to tackle than Blount? Completely disagree.

Ridley has some of the best burst in the NFL? Now you're just being silly.

And Ridley's not even the most talented RB currently under contract here, never mind
in the last 10 years.

Chris Johnson becomes the next big free-agency story | ProFootballTalk

PFT says that Chris Johnson will be cut on Monday (off-season workouts beging and the Titans don't want him to pull a hammy and have to pay him 8 million).

He still has tremendous speed, however he has never struck me as the sharpest tool in the shed, so I wonder if he could pick-up the Pats offense.