Requesting your input on Stevan Ridley

I am going to use this

http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-...5/bengals-jason-campbell-free-agent-breakdown as a template to look at the 15 free agents that the Patriots.

http://www.patsfans.com/salary-cap/?p=1087 looks at Greg Orton

Would like the best reasons
for why the Pats will re-sign Stevan Ridley
for why the Pats will not resign him

Of course, I will credit you unless you state that you wish to remain anonymous.

Why they wont resign him:
is an inconsistent runner
Fumble problems the last time he played a full season
Lack of big plays, despite other runners achieving the same big plays
A lack of the ability to take over a game(see blount vs multiple teams, Gray vs Indy)
Lack of confidence in the coaching staff, 1 fumble and hes done for the game, possibly multiple games.

Why they will resign him:
Coming off a major knee injury means his cost will be low
Familiarity with the offense
Zero fumbles prior to going on IR this year

Ridley picked a bad year to get hurt, so there's that, contract wise. He is also our best running back if healthy. Only he can squirt through holes from a stand still, without an extra liniman/fullback, show burst of speed and deliver a hit. In other words, reliably move the chains.

Bolden hasn't shown consistency and Blount is an odd character who can easily get stuffed at the line, but uses half back moves and fullback power in space.

Problem is, there's no space when you really need the running game and that's why they sign Ridley. I can't imagine they'd risk another Maroney, when an affordable Ridley and a decent stable of backs, and future low picks/pickups are available.

First off if you are from ESPN, from The CEO to an intern, GO F**K YOURSELF!

Ridley, if he asks for much, can walk. Sure he was good, but with a fumbling problem. Every time he ran I, as a fan, held my breath. Sometimes I root for him to go down instead of fighting for that extra yard.

If he is reasonable in price, OK. As a RB committee member, but not chairman.

BTW, did I tell you to F**K OFF?

Edit: Oh, Miguel just using that site. Sorry. Tell the admin to F**K OFF for me though, OK?

Too funny[emoji6]

Let me start with a general comment. I see no downsize with signing any of the ERFA's. Their cost is minimal and we need camp competition at every position, as part of the 90 man roster.

Miguel said:

I am going to use this
http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-...5/bengals-jason-campbell-free-agent-breakdown as a template to look at the 15 free agents that the Patriots.

Click to expand...

I can't imagine he'll be back. Blount has been awesome and so has Gray when he's been given a chance. I think he'll probably get an offer elsewhere where he'll get a chance to be the main guy. Pats would definitely take him back if he wanted to on the cheap.

mgteich said:

Let me start with a general comment. I see no downsize with signing any of the ERFA's. Their cost is minimal and we need camp competition at every position, as part of the 90 man roster.

Click to expand...

which is why I only asked for input on the upcoming UFAs

why he wont re-sign
he is coming off of an ACL injury they have Blount signed next year and Shane Vereen is also a FA and they may not want to sign two RB's and BB always sits Ridley when he fumbles,

why they will re-sign him
Blount is the most inconsistent RB in the NFL and as why seen with Gray who may not even be with the team next year anyone can run on the colts the pats OL just owns there DL,

he is by far the best RB when his on the field and the price for RB's is not much at all so that also means other team will not be letting there good RB's hit the market so they wont find a upgrade over him unless they want to use a 2th round pick again on a RB

Miguel said:

I am going to use this

http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-...5/bengals-jason-campbell-free-agent-breakdown as a template to look at the 15 free agents that the Patriots.

http://www.patsfans.com/salary-cap/?p=1087 looks at Greg Orton

Would like the best reasons
for why the Pats will re-sign Stevan Ridley
for why the Pats will not resign him

Of course, I will credit you unless you state that you wish to remain anonymous.

Click to expand...

There are 2 separate RB positions, 1st down back and 3rd down back. I think that we are set with regard 1st round back with Blount and Gray.

We need a 3rd down, change of pace back. We have White. If we don't re-sign Vereen, I expect that we'd draft or sign another 3rd round back.

FOR ME, the only role for Ridley is to compete with Gray and Blount, or to replace one if one is injured.

My BOTTOM LINE is that I wouldn't pay a lot for Ridley, although he would be an upgrade over Gray.

A description of the player's 2014 role would also be really helpful. Sorry for not mentioning that sooner.

Why they will sign him:
1. High ceiling, #1 RB potential
2. Proven past production
3. Knows system
4. Can get him on short-term deal with incentives (1 year prove-it contract) - pay for performance

Why they won't sign him
1. Cluttered roster: Blount, Gray, Bolden, Develin, White
2. Not enough of an upgrade over players already signed for less money
3. Coming off injury
4. No special teams value at all
5. Fumble issues

I think this is completely a money scenario. If Ridley wants to rehab his image on cheap money he'll be back. If he thinks he can go out and be the man some place else for more coin he's gone. My prediction is he ends up on Houston. He's from Mississippi, BOB is in Houston so it's a natural fit knowing the system, Foster is injury prone, they don't have a QB who's a lock so they need that running game. I think the Texans will outbid the Pats on a one year deal and even with Foster they can offer him more. Atlanta is another option with Jackson at the end.

everlong said:

I think this is completely a money scenario. If Ridley wants to rehab his image on cheap money he'll be back. If he thinks he can go out and be the man some place else for more coin he's gone. My prediction is he ends up on Houston. He's from Mississippi, BOB is in Houston so it's a natural fit knowing the system, Foster is injury prone, they don't have a QB who's a lock so they need that running game. I think the Texans will outbid the Pats on a one year deal and even with Foster they can offer him more. Atlanta is another option with Jackson at the end.

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Yup, E, this was definitely a bad click. I think you actually hit the nail on the head. Ridley would be a perfect fit for Houston, unless Ridley decides to go to a team where he'd get the most snaps.

I love Ridley, and think that fumbling rap has only slightly more validity than deflategate. But I just can't see a situation that is realistic for him to stay as good as he is. There are just too many guys on the team who can do enough of what the Pats want a lead RB to do. Just like we don't "need" a #WR, we don't have to have a lead type #1 RB. Its just the nature of the system, and certainly isn't a reflection on Ridley, who's biggest issue was caring TOO much.

To me, its are system which makes it necessary for us to go and resign Vareen. I have zero faith in White, and I don't see anyone else on that team who can has anything close to his skill set In a league where #1 RB's can be found among the UDFA's Starting the season with Blount, Gray, and Vareen would be a solid start to the RB corps. Meanwhile I'd like to find someone to replace White.

BTW- for the record my problem with White is that I have yet to see him ever run the ball and gain a yard after contact, nor have I even seen him NOT be tackled by one defender or every make someone miss. That is a pretty dismal record for a guy who's only saving grace is that he can catch the ball pretty well. To my mind it will take a monumental leap for him to merely become mediocre. There will easily be more than a half dozen minimum wage FA's next season who will be able have decent hands and running ability. And if we want to go upscale a bit, CJ Spiller will be available....if he were less than Vareer wants.

I'm totally on board with resigning Vereen. I don't think there's value in going after Spiller and what he'll demand. I'd much rather sign an upgrade at guard for that money. White showed flashes in collage. I'm not sold on him but not willing to give up on him yet either although Gray certainly has made the clock start clicking faster on him.

patfanken said:

BTW- for the record my problem with White is that I have yet to see him ever run the ball and gain a yard after contact...

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This is the dude we supposedly "stole" off waivers? If so, the youtubes that were supposed to fire me up instead made me think he runs too high and goes down on first contact.

buile said:

This is the dude we supposedly "stole" off waivers? If so, the youtubes that were supposed to fire me up instead made me think he runs too high and goes down on first contact.

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No this is the guy the drafted in the 4th or 5th round IIRC. But he IS the guy who runs too high for a short guy, and seemingly goes down one first contact.

patfanken said:

To me, its are system which makes it necessary for us to go and resign Vareen.

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So far, Vereen doesn't present a "between-the-tackles" threat that Ridley does... Blount and Ridley are the respectable 1st down run threats. Someone has to be there, and it's not Vereen. If Ridley goes away for money (he should compete on the team with the right money), and Blount is tenuous (for whatever reason... he seems to flash in the short term, but slow down in the long), someone has to take the role.

patfanken said:

No this is the guy the drafted in the 4th or 5th round IIRC. But he IS the guy who runs too high for a short guy, and seemingly goes down one first contact.

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White was drafted in the 4th round in 2014 as a backup for Vereen as a 3rd down back. I expect that he will be given another year to develop in that role.

This doesn't affect Ridley who is competing with Blount, Gray and Bolden for three 1st down running back positions.

Miguel said:

Would like the best reasons
for why the Pats will re-sign Stevan Ridley

Click to expand...

Gray and Bolden are currently the backups
He'll likely come cheap
He's shown that he can fit the system

Miguel said:

for why the Pats will not resign him

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He's coming off an ACL injury
He puts the ball on the ground in a manner that seems to really piss off BB
He's not a special RB, and this team is built around the QB