Replacement of Ridley

Mike the Brit said:

What about (6) Sign a young back off another team's Practice Squad?

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Fine by me. Good catch. Do you have anyone in mind?

Personally, I'd love to sign James Wilder off of Cincinnati's PS. He's a big, physical back with more receiving ability than Ridley. Sort of a young Michael Bush. I wouldn't mind giving Lache Seastrunk a look.

mayoclinic said:

Options:

1. Spread Ridley's carries among James White and Brandon Bolden.

2. Promote Jonas Gray from the practice squad.

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I assume it will be a combination of these.

I wonder if Terrence West could possibly be available, he is behind Tate and Crowell in Cleveland. Those two combined for 36 carries and West had none (could have been inactive, I don't know).

BelichickFan said:

I assume it will be a combination of these.

I wonder if Terrence West could possibly be available, he is behind Tate and Crowell in Cleveland. Those two combined for 36 carries and West had none (could have been inactive, I don't know).

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West was inactive yesterday.

Link

dales804 said:

West was inactive yesterday.

Link

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Thanks. Point remains that he's well down on the depth chart as he was a healthy scratch :

"Coach Mike Pettine confirmed Terrance West was a true healthy scratch in Sunday's Week 6 game against the Steelers."

My first thought is Bolden steps up for the pure RB role. He is not as good as Ridley in that regard, but he is serviceable in the power role. Ridley has size, agility and power, so no one back will replace him. With running back options out there, I would be surprised if the Pats sign another RB to replace him.

The Pats played without him last year, so I expect they will be able to move forward again if he cannot return. The tragedy here is Ridley seemed to be running without the same fumbling issues, and his season gets cut short. I would have liked to see if he could continue that trend, and how well he would do over the course of the season.

I'm sure White and Bolden will get their shots, and Vereen will see an expanded role.
I also think Devlin will see an expanded role in goal line situations in particular.

Just guesses of course....

Galeb said:

Bolden isn't nearly as versatile as Ridley.

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Correct

Bolden is more versatile

Bolden. He just needs a crease. You could see after that third or fourth carry off the left tackle where he got a little crease and gained about 5 yards, how he got a little bit of his swagger back. Remember his rookie year a couple of years ago he had a monster game in Buffalo. James White a game day active, and if Ridley is on IR, promote Gray to the 53.

Triumph said:

Correct

Bolden is more versatile

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He can't pass block for crap. Isn't that required for versatility in BB's scheme?

dales804 said:

I'm intrigued by Jonas Gray. He's listed at 5'10", 230 lbs. He flashed a bit in the preseason, too, against PHI.

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Runs hard, and broke a few 10+ yard runs, that's all you need, don't need 50+ yard runs. He showed some nice moves as well for a big back, and can break off some long ones.

Triumph said:

Why would any team trade Ridely when they could have him for free in a couple of days when all teams must be at 53 players?

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Triumph said:

Correct

Bolden is more versatile

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Zero Credibilty

scott99 said:

Runs hard, and broke a few 10+ yard runs, that's all you need, don't need 50+ yard runs. He showed some nice moves as well for a big back, and can break off some long ones.

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Plus they could play this at the stadium:

Galeb said:

He can't pass block for crap. Isn't that required for versatility in BB's scheme?

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Bolden cant?

First that Ive heard anyone mention this.

Hopefully they activate Gray, he looked good in the pre-season and may fit that power back role for them, the other possibility would be a trade depending upon who may be available. Although i liked the Browner move in the offseason the way the game is being called as well as the need to move Revis around could minimize his role for this team and he could be a good piece to move in return for a good back. DB's are at premium and RB's devalued so the value in the move may work for another team in need.

QB12 said:

Bolden. He just needs a crease. You could see after that third or fourth carry off the left tackle where he got a little crease and gained about 5 yards, how he got a little bit of his swagger back. Remember his rookie year a couple of years ago he had a monster game in Buffalo. James White a game day active, and if Ridley is on IR, promote Gray to the 53.

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Bolden seemed to get in a groove with more carries yesterday.

His last run blew up but Buffalo had it defensed well. This is Bolden chance to step up.

No to Law Firm, that ship has long sailed.

Would like to see Gray get a shot.

PP2 said:

We have considerable depth at RB. I envision Bolden starting from this point on, Vereen staying in as the 3rd down specialist, White taking over Bolden's duties at ST, and Gray possibly activated, and Roy Finch signed in his place on the PS.

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I was impressed from what i saw of Gray in the PS, i hope he gets a shot. I also believe BJGE is out there. While not as spectacular he was solid for the Pats for a couple of years

mayoclinic said:

Fine by me. Good catch. Do you have anyone in mind?

Personally, I'd love to sign James Wilder off of Cincinnati's PS. He's a big, physical back with more receiving ability than Ridley. Sort of a young Michael Bush. I wouldn't mind giving Lache Seastrunk a look.

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I am not sure if they would bite but I would offer Browner and the Patriots 4th to the Chef's for Knile Davis.

reflexblue said:

I was impressed from what i saw of Gray in the PS, i hope he gets a shot. I also believe BJGE is out there. While not as spectacular he was solid for the Pats for a couple of years

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I think the law firm is done, i would rather go with Vereen, Gray, Bolden, and White.

sb1 said:

No to Law Firm, that ship has long sailed.

Would like to see Gray get a shot.

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Well it wasn't like he left because he couldn't play. His contract was up and Ridley had arrived. Even if Ridley hadn't gotten hurt the same thing would have probably happened to him. BB seems to view RN's as disposable. Blount is the latest example, he played very well but was never offered a contract from what i can remember