Replacement of Ridley

BlueThunder · Oct 13, 2014

I like disposable RN's
: )

Big-T · Oct 13, 2014

Titans PS, ripped the Pats (backups) to shreds when he was a Redskin...Lache Seastrunk! Here he is taking a pass to the house against the Tampa backups...

Dagg · Oct 13, 2014

I am not optimistic about what we have on the roster. Would much rather explore a trade for someone like Blount or maybe McFadden. Always liked Bush, I think some guys can be had and wouldnt cost us a ton.

Galeb · Oct 13, 2014

Triumph said:
Bolden cant?

First that Ive heard anyone mention this.

I hadn't heard mention of it, but it is obvious when you watch him. A very quick google search yeilded this:
http://blog.masslive.com/patriots/2014/07/new_england_patriots_roster_bu.html. You could probably find more if you tried.

"Bolden's pass blocking wasn't much better. He received a -1.6 grade, and was charged with giving up three sacks and three QB hurries on the season. Meanwhile, Vereen received a grade of 2.0 while Ridley received a grade of 1.9. Neither was charged with a sack."

I have a bias against RBs who can't pass block, especially when playing with a pocket passer.

PatsBoy12 · Oct 13, 2014

varjao said:
What is available in the market?

To be honest, I would like an upgrade over Ridley, I was not that happy with his production, I think the put up too much muscle and was slow, I know there is a lot to do with the line constantly changing and not providing the holes but I think a better RB would allow this offense to do a lot more , I don't think defenses are a lot worried about Ridley and game planning for him.

Obviously I'm very sorry for the guy, I didn't want an upgrade under this circumstances and him crying a lot in the sidelines yesterday was heartbreaking. Considering his issues, the concerns that a RB have that his journey in NFL is short and they fight for one contract after the rookie deal, getting over the fumble issues, he was crying for everything but the pain itself. I hope he gets a tremendous recovery and we can sign him again next season. But talking football only, if we can bring a veteran RB with some gas left in the tank we're gonna move on well from this, Mayo's replacement on the other hand is a total different situation.

Respect. I normally don't zero in on just one thing when I read a post like this, but who would you recommend? Who out there would a defense have to game plan for at this point? If that guy exists, I'm sure he's being used by some team that isn't going to give him up for just scraps. Which brings me to my final question: What or who would you give up to get the player you are wanting?

sb1 · Oct 13, 2014

reflexblue said:
Well it wasn't like he left because he couldn't play. His contract was up and Ridley had arrived.

That is true but you're talking about the Law Firm from 3 seasons ago.
If you want to bring him back for depth or even just nostalgia then that's fine but don't expect a lot. He is no longer a viable starting RB in the league. Which isn't his fault, he's right up against 30 which is the expiry date for most RBs in this league. Had a poor season last year.

I don't see him adding anything to the Patriots that a younger guy with more upside can't add.

TruthSeeker · Oct 13, 2014

dales804 said:
Plus they could play this at the stadium:

One of my most played songs on my iPhone, Weezer was a good band.

The Brandon Five · Oct 13, 2014

Mike the Brit said:
Looking at YPC is a very misleading way of judging running backs. It's possible that BJGE is done. Still, the mere reference to his YPC doesn't settle it.

When he was here BJGE was very valuable as a back who made short yardage runs, who didn't have negative plays and who turned what might have been two yard gains into four or five, none of which shows up in the form of spectacular YPC stats.

On the other hand, there are few lighter backs who can carry the weight of first or second down and third-and-short. They're valuable but not as work-horses. I'm sceptical about Vereen and, though I've got hopes for White, he doesn't look to be a like-for-like replacement. What they need is a "heavy" back, like BJGE or Blount.

I don't think Bolden or Gray are the answer -- though, needless to say, I hope I'm wrong.

Can he gives us 2.3 ypc? That was Ridley's production before going out yesterday. 10 carries for 23 yards.

PatsBoy12 · Oct 13, 2014

reflexblue said:
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

Respect, reflex. Law Firm isn't playing in Cinci for the same reason we let him walk. He is just not as athletic as some of the younger backs that offer a lot more upside. Law Firm was limited and even more so now with more tread on his tires. I loved him when he was here, but I don't know if I view him as the answer at this point. But I'm not a coach so take it with a grain of salt.

New England Pride · Oct 13, 2014

http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2014/10/11/legarrette-blount-wants-the-ball-more/

Hindsight is 20-20. Looks like both sides would have been better off had he signed back.

sb1 · Oct 13, 2014

How about kicking the tires on CJ Spiller if the price is right. He wasn't great in 2013 and having a lousy season this year but I'm not sure that it's not the coaching he's getting that's the problem...and at one time he was a real threat for the Bills. Maybe they're dumb enough to want to unload him.

Hey the last time the pats picked up an ex Bills RB he did all right. See Smith, Antowain....

BelichickFan · Oct 13, 2014

sb1 said:
How about kicking the tires on CJ Spiller if the price is right. He wasn't great in 2013 and having a lousy season this year but I'm not sure that it's not the coaching he's getting that's the problem...and at one time he was a real threat for the Bills. Maybe they're dumb enough to want to unload him.

Hey the last time the pats picked up an ex Bills RB he did all right. See Smith, Antowain....

In the unlikely event of an inter division trade, Fred Jackson would make more sense in terms of age (for the Bills) and type of runner (for the Patriots).

sb1 · Oct 13, 2014

BelichickFan said:
In the unlikely event of an inter division trade, Fred Jackson would make more sense in terms of age (for the Bills) and type of runner (for the Patriots).

Jackson would be great but he's a fan favorite up there and he's still a productive RB. I just think it's more likely they would be willing to listen on a proposal for a struggling Spiller than entertain the idea of trading a guy like Jackson to a hated rival and put up with the backlash....

patriot1136 · Oct 13, 2014

I'm ok with Bolden and Vereen while giving more opportunities to White and Develin. Who I'm curious about is Jonas Gray? Whats the official scouting report on him? I didn't get to watch any of the preseason

Haley · Oct 13, 2014

Belichick likes to develop new talent with his Next Man Up philosophy. I highly doubt he will look for a RB outside of the current team/PS.

Given the type of RB he has in Jonas Grey, I fully expect he will move to the 53 after there is a complete diagnosis of Ridley's knee. At that point, it will whoever shows the most promise during practice. I would expect that to be Grey at some point given his performance in preseason but Bolden might have to fill in for a week or two (or perhaps a combination of Bolden/White/Vereen) until Grey gets up to speed.

reflexblue · Oct 13, 2014

PatsBoy12 said:
Respect, reflex. Law Firm isn't playing in Cinci for the same reason we let him walk. He is just not as athletic as some of the younger backs that offer a lot more upside. Law Firm was limited and even more so now with more tread on his tires. I loved him when he was here, but I don't know if I view him as the answer at this point. But I'm not a coach so take it with a grain of salt.

Yeah your probably right about him. it was just a thought i got carried away with. He hasn't been here in a couple of years, and although i have a memory of him playing well for cinncy that memory could be from his first year there, not last year.

Mike the Brit · Oct 13, 2014

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.

I was kind of hoping that draft experts would have ideas. Seastrunk and Wilder sound like good thoughts to me.

PatsBoy12 · Oct 13, 2014

reflexblue said:
Yeah your probably right about him. it was just a thought i got carried away with. He hasn't been here in a couple of years, and although i have a memory of him playing well for cinncy that memory could be from his first year there, not last year.

You weren't close to the only one, so don't beat yourself up too much over the trivial. We're all a victim of the scramble to find the answer sooner rather than later. The Pats must be able to stay balanced even after losing Ridley.

BradyFTW! · Oct 13, 2014

RIpats88 said:
What about the law firm?

100 times no, please god no. He's done, and would be just awful behind this line. I'd rather see what White and/or Gray can do than go back to BJGE.

If the Pats decide that they need to look outside the organization, I'd rather see them bring in Michael Bush than BJGE, but even that I don't think I would be a fan of.

BradyFTW! · Oct 13, 2014

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.

I was intrigued by him in the preseason too, could definitely be worth a shot, especially since he'll already be familiar with the offense. I don't think he'll be any kind of a long-term solution, but for the need that we have right now, I could see him potentially being serviceable.

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