Reiss doesn't consider Ridley a roster lock

JMC00 · Jul 1, 2014

Checking the locks: Patriots RBs | espnBoston

He's usually good but this take is just asinine.

chasa · Jul 1, 2014

he and I agree.

I think Ridley is a passable, but average back.

Blount made him look like a chump last year, and before anyone comes in here and starts talking to me about how Ridley has more potential and better burst, and all kinds of other fancy buzzwords, the proof is in the pudding, Blout took a bunch of carries all the way to the house last year, in some cases running people over to do it, Ridley on the other hand, keeps trying to dance his way through the line.

Ridley is not the long term answer at RB.

mayoclinic · Jul 1, 2014

It's hard for me to see Ridley not making the team, but in general I think it's healthy to assume that there are very few "locks", and that competition is good. BB has surprised us in the past (James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather being cut in training camp in 2011, or UDFA Dane Fletcher beating out Tyrone McKenzie in 2010, for example). I don't think that Brandon Bolden is a "near lock" by any means. I like the depth of the RB group, and the guys currently at the back of the pack all have intriguing skill sets, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the competition churns up.

JMC00 · Jul 1, 2014

chasa said:
Blount made him look like a chump last year

Another person drinking the kool-aid on the overrated Blount.

Guy had two great games against terrible run defenses.

Tunescribe · Jul 1, 2014

chasa said:
he and I agree.

I think Ridley is a passable, but average back.

Blount made him look like a chump last year, and before anyone comes in here and starts talking to me about how Ridley has more potential and better burst, and all kinds of other fancy buzzwords, the proof is in the pudding, Blout took a bunch of carries all the way to the house last year, in some cases running people over to do it, Ridley on the other hand, keeps trying to dance his way through the line.

Ridley is not the long term answer at RB.

Barring injury, Ridley will be on the roster this season. The Patriots don't invest themselves in a "long-term answer" at the position; it's a year-to-year running back by committee approach.

JackBauer · Jul 1, 2014

I don't think Ridley and Bolden belong in the same category. If one of last year's RBs gets cut, it's Bolden IMO.

joepatsfan · Jul 1, 2014

Bolden and Ridley belong in the same category? Call me when Bolden puts up 280car 1200yds and 12Tds. He cant even play a full season healthy since he got popped for PEDs.

blount made ridley look like a chump?!!? Then how did Ridley have more yards, yet he was in the dog house for at least 4-6 weeks and Blount was the starter the final two games as well and had all his stats padded in the Buffalo game.

If Blount had those two huge games weeks 1 nd 2, people would have a different view on him. He didn't do anything all season. He played solid vs. Bal, and killed two weak run defenses in good conditions to run it. Losing Blount is a blessing in disguise if you ask me. Ridley will show us the 2012 form of himself.

To even think he's not 110% on this roster is stupid. If BB would just trust in Rid and let him continue to get touches after a fumble, he would be a beast. IMO BB ruined Rid last season by benching him in the Buffalo game. Ruined his confidence.

Ridley is a very good back. Way better than Blount

Brady_to_Moss · Jul 1, 2014

Ya..... Ridley is safe for this year

Marqui · Jul 1, 2014

Yea, not buying Ridley's on the bubble either.

Brady6 · Jul 1, 2014

chasa said:
he and I agree.

I think Ridley is a passable, but average back.

Blount made him look like a chump last year, and before anyone comes in here and starts talking to me about how Ridley has more potential and better burst, and all kinds of other fancy buzzwords, the proof is in the pudding, Blout took a bunch of carries all the way to the house last year, in some cases running people over to do it, Ridley on the other hand, keeps trying to dance his way through the line.

Ridley is not the long term answer at RB.

How did Blount make him look like a chump last year? Ridley had more rushing yards and the same number of touchdowns despite missing 2 games. Blount had 2 big games against the Bills in week 17 and against the Colts in the divisional game outside of that he was not this incredible RB so many would like to have everyone believe.

Ivan · Jul 1, 2014

I thought Blount outplayed expectations and came up big for them but Ridley is the better back. No way Bolden beats out Ridley, in fact i think Bolden is going to lose his job this year and will end up being released. I respect Reiss but i think he's reaching on this one. I suppose Ridly could put the ball on the ground 3-4 times in pre-season and be released but I don 't believe that will happen, and it would be a real shame if it did, I think he's going to have a great season and go well over 1,000 yards and be their clear number 1.

Kontradiction · Jul 1, 2014

Ridley is a lock if he learns to carry the football high and tight and stops the fumbling. If he continues to carry it low and away and manages to put it on the ground like it's on fire, he's by no means a lock. Belichick was pretty clearly losing his patience with Ridley last year.

Ivan · Jul 1, 2014

KontradictioN said:
Ridley is a lock if he learns to carry the football high and tight and stops the fumbling. If he continues to carry it low and away and manages to put it on the ground like it's on fire, he's by no means a lock. Belichick was pretty clearly losing his patience with Ridley last year.

I agree, he's out of rope and has to have a really good season in terms of hanging onto the ball, the rest won't matter if he puts it on the ground.

JMC00 · Jul 1, 2014

Could you imagine this board if Ridley got cut, signed with someone and had a 1100-1300 yard 10-12 TD season.

primetime · Jul 1, 2014

Blount was actually more fumble-prone than Ridley on a typical carry, for what it's worth.

dales804 · Jul 1, 2014

I don't think he's a lock either. I believe he'll make the team but could envision him being cut.

patfanken · Jul 1, 2014

This is insane. Ridley is the best RB the Pats have had in a long time. Can anyone name another RB who averaged 4.5yds per carry over 555 carries. A guy who runs hard and is decent on the GL and short yardage despite not being a prototypical "big RB".

....And as for the fumbles, all RB's fumble the ball. BJGE has had just ONE fewer fumble than Ridley over the last 2 years. BTW- where is the outrage about Julian Edelman's 5 fumbles in just 36 PR's last season compared with Ridley's 4 in 178 touches. \

BTW- Adrian Peterson has fumbled at LEAST 4 times in SIX of his 8 seasons in the NFL, in fact in 4 of them he fumbled more than 4 times.

Sure we'd like him to do better. People forget that ASmith fumbled 4 times in 2001, but only twice in his next 2 years combined. fumbling is NOT a terminal illness. It is something that you can improve on. But sometimes it "just happens". If he fumbles only twice this season, I'd deem it a success.

We should only criticize a RB for a fumble IF his technique in holding the ball was bad or careless. Imagine if Brady was criticized as much for every pick or fumble he's made over his career. In fact, IIRC, Brady had a serious problem fumbling the ball early in his career. (And upon further review, Brady had 60 fumbles over the first 6 years he was a starter, and only 29 the next 6).

We are so enamored by what is the recent "flavor of the month" we often forget what we have under our noses. With Vareen and Ridley the Pats have 2 very strong and versatile RB's. If one of the rookies can upgrade Bolden I'd be fine with that. If not, I'll be fine with Bolden too.

patsinthesnow · Jul 1, 2014

I don't see Ridley being cut, but does anyone around here still believe he's a top 10 RB? Now those were funny days.

Ridley's not here past 2014, so hypothetically if Houston showed alot than maybe Ridley would be cut. That's too big an IF IMO, although last two years we've seen Morris and Stacy as late rounder types win eventual starting jobs and excel.

A near vet min. RB came in and stole Ridley's job last year, so I won't be surprised at anything regarding a BB RB group.

Kontradiction · Jul 1, 2014

patfanken said:
This is insane. Ridley is the best RB the Pats have had in a long time. Can anyone name another RB who averaged 4.5yds per carry over 555 carries. A guy who runs hard and is decent on the GL and short yardage despite not being a prototypical "big RB".

....And as for the fumbles, all RB's fumble the ball. BJGE has had just ONE fewer fumble than Ridley over the last 2 years. BTW- where is the outrage about Julian Edelman's 5 fumbles in just 36 PR's last season compared with Ridley's 4 in 178 touches. \

BTW- Adrian Peterson has fumbled at LEAST 4 times in SIX of his 8 seasons in the NFL, in fact in 4 of them he fumbled more than 4 times.

Sure we'd like him to do better. People forget that ASmith fumbled 4 times in 2001, but only twice in his next 2 years combined. fumbling is NOT a terminal illness. It is something that you can improve on. But sometimes it "just happens". If he fumbles only twice this season, I'd deem it a success.

We should only criticize a RB for a fumble IF his technique in holding the ball was bad or careless. Imagine if Brady was criticized as much for every pick or fumble he's made over his career. In fact, IIRC, Brady had a serious problem fumbling the ball early in his career. (And upon further review, Brady had 60 fumbles over the first 6 years he was a starter, and only 29 the next 6).

We are so enamored by what is the recent "flavor of the month" we often forget what we have under our noses. With Vareen and Ridley the Pats have 2 very strong and versatile RB's. If one of the rookies can upgrade Bolden I'd be fine with that. If not, I'll be fine with Bolden too.

Low and away is a careless technique for a RB. Therefore, Ridley deserves the criticism.

Froob · Jul 1, 2014

JackBauer said:
I don't think Ridley and Bolden belong in the same category. If one of last year's RBs gets cut, it's Bolden IMO.

Bolden is the most overrated player in Patsfan.com history. People here go nuts over UDFA for some reasons.

Reiss doesn't consider Ridley a roster lock

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