Ridley

Gronkandez · Feb 26, 2015

If I'm the Colts I would sign Ridley, Vereen and heck Reggie Bush just for the trifecta. Luckily their owner is "out to lunch" and the GM is too busy trying to tattle tale to run an efficient franchise.

Oswlek · Feb 26, 2015

SalemPats said:
If Blount and Gray are on our roster, i can't see Ridley making the team.

So you think Blount and Gray would push Rids off the roster? Or just that you don't think he is needed?

mgteich · Feb 26, 2015

There are probably 10 RB's that we might sign be willing to sign at a minimum salary plus incentives. If that's all he is worth to the patriots, I suspect Ridley would (and should) go elsewhere.

OK, so many of you think that Ridley is about the same or worse than Gray and Gaffney. If Belichick agrees with you guys, then Ridley will play elsewhere, perhaps in a starting role, perhaps not.
================================
If on the other hand, Ridley is capable of being our starter this year or next (or tandem with Blount), then the issues is whether RIDLEY would agree to come back at what Belichick has to offer. Personally, I think that folks are overvaluing both Blount and Gray.

Folks keep on saying that a 3-5 year contract can't be worked out. Let's look at a 3-year contract.

2015 Signing Bonus - $1.5M
Salary - $1M
NLTBE incentives - ????

2016 Roster Bonus - $2M if Ridley is on the team at the end of 2015
2016 Salary $1.5M
LTBE incentives ????

2017 Salary $2M (or perhaps $3M)
LTBE incentives ????
=======================
The 2015 cap hit would be $1.5M, $1M more than Gray or Gaffney.

PATRIOTS
The team would be paying $1.5M to get a starting quality running back instead of Gray.
The team would have decisions to make each year.

RIDLEY
If he performs, he earns 3/$8M plus incentives. If not, he has $2.5M in his pocket. If he and team disagree, then he would move on after 2015. If both agree that he is their starter, then he would get $3.5M for 2016, possibly plus incentives.
==============

BOTTOM LINE
You might not think Ridley is worth the additional $1.5M bonus. You may think that Gray or Gaffney are your 2015 or 2016 starters.

However, if you believe that Ridley is worth having on the roster, then I think that we have offer more than veteran minimum plus incentives to keep him. There should be lots of teams where he might be more likely to earn incentives, or teams who might offer more.

From the patriots perspective, I suppose a 1-year deal is a no-lose situation. However, he would be a free agent after the season and likely move on if he has had a good year.

IMHO, if you want Ridley for the future, the way to do that is with a 2015 signing bonus and a 2016 roster bonus to be earned if he is on the roster when the 2016 season begins.

chasa · Feb 26, 2015

I don't think gray and Gaffney are the starters, I think Blount is the starter.

in 5 games with the pats he average 4.7 ypc .4 more then ridley over the course of 6 games.

Blount is a better back then ridley, hes shown it multiple times. I am excited to hear some folks come in and talk about his potential some more though, It's always fun to hear about this alleged potential that ridley seems to have yet never capitalize on.

SalemPats · Feb 26, 2015

Oswlek said:
So you think Blount and Gray would push Rids off the roster? Or just that you don't think he is needed?

I like Ridley, but in our offense he's a 2 down back with fumbling and injury issues. He might be more talented than Blount, but BB trusts Blount more and he's super cheap. Gray has talent and potential, i'm not sure BB will want to pay for Ridley. BB will not carry more than 5 rb's on the roster and currently we have Blount, Gray, White, Bolden (will stay because of ST) and Vereen. Even if we lose Vereen, Ridley is not his replacement.

reflexblue · Feb 26, 2015

chasa said:
hes a good kid, but as a running back hes average at best.

Seriously.........

Oswlek · Feb 26, 2015

SalemPats said:
I like Ridley, but in our offense he's a 2 down back with fumbling and injury issues. He might be more talented than Blount, but BB trusts Blount more and he's super cheap

Injury issues? One injury is "injury issues?" And Bill didn't seem to concerned about Rid's fumbling issues when he let Blount leave for less than $2mm a year last year.

I don't think Ridley will be back simply because I think he'll find a better fit elsewhere. It just isn't a sound business decision for a RB to sign a prove it deal with the Patriots. But I can't agree with your rationale.

hwc · Feb 26, 2015

Can anyone remember the last time Belichick signed any RB to a second NFL contract? Unless I'm forgetting someone, it's been a while.

I think Vereen has the best shot of anyone lately to get a second contract from the Pats. Ridley would have to do a bargain basement deal to be back. Just no good reason not to start over and pound a rookie deal into the line for a few years, especially with Blount under contract.

Ring 6 · Feb 26, 2015

mgteich said:
There are probably 10 RB's that we might sign be willing to sign at a minimum salary plus incentives. If that's all he is worth to the patriots, I suspect Ridley would (and should) go elsewhere.

OK, so many of you think that Ridley is about the same or worse than Gray and Gaffney. If Belichick agrees with you guys, then Ridley will play elsewhere, perhaps in a starting role, perhaps not.
================================
If on the other hand, Ridley is capable of being our starter this year or next (or tandem with Blount), then the issues is whether RIDLEY would agree to come back at what Belichick has to offer. Personally, I think that folks are overvaluing both Blount and Gray.

Folks keep on saying that a 3-5 year contract can't be worked out. Let's look at a 3-year contract.

2015 Signing Bonus - $1.5M
Salary - $1M
NLTBE incentives - ????

2016 Roster Bonus - $2M if Ridley is on the team at the end of 2015
2016 Salary $1.5M
LTBE incentives ????

2017 Salary $2M (or perhaps $3M)
LTBE incentives ????
=======================
The 2015 cap hit would be $1.5M, $1M more than Gray or Gaffney.

PATRIOTS
The team would be paying $1.5M to get a starting quality running back instead of Gray.
The team would have decisions to make each year.

RIDLEY
If he performs, he earns 3/$8M plus incentives. If not, he has $2.5M in his pocket. If he and team disagree, then he would move on after 2015. If both agree that he is their starter, then he would get $3.5M for 2016, possibly plus incentives.
==============

BOTTOM LINE
You might not think Ridley is worth the additional $1.5M bonus. You may think that Gray or Gaffney are your 2015 or 2016 starters.

However, if you believe that Ridley is worth having on the roster, then I think that we have offer more than veteran minimum plus incentives to keep him. There should be lots of teams where he might be more likely to earn incentives, or teams who might offer more.

From the patriots perspective, I suppose a 1-year deal is a no-lose situation. However, he would be a free agent after the season and likely move on if he has had a good year.

IMHO, if you want Ridley for the future, the way to do that is with a 2015 signing bonus and a 2016 roster bonus to be earned if he is on the roster when the 2016 season begins.

You are just making up numbers, anyone can do that.
The Patriots would be crazy to pay him like a guy who is healthy, and Ridley would be crazy to take a long term deal that is based upon the injury.

Kdo5 · Feb 26, 2015

Yes bring back Ridley on a one year deal. He is better than Gray and Bolden, and is a better runner than Blount. Blount makes me uneasy. One game he can be excellent and the next week he'll get stuffed again and again until the running game is abandoned. Having him and Ridley both would be more comforting. They are a good combo and I'd like to see that back. I really like Ridley and am rooting for him to bounce back and have a good career. He is a great team guy as well, even when he was being benched for the fumbles he kept his head up and didn't sulk, worked hard to fix his issues and regain the coaches trust.

pazrul72 · Feb 26, 2015

I love Ridley and pray we get him back on a one year prove it deal. People are acting like 1200 yard 12 touchdown backs grow on trees. That's what Ridley did in 2012 and I believe he can get back to being that. Blount has a role here but I personally saw too many times at the start of the game where he got stuffed for no gain which makes the game plan shift away from running. Blount is fantastic as that guy that comes in for sloppy weather and closing out the 4th quarter with a lead. Otherwise you need someone with a quicker burst and the ability to make a 0 yard gain into a 2 yard gain. So while Blount is bigger and faster he takes longer to get up to speed. I want Ridley getting those early touches cuz he is better at always getting at least 2 yards and keeping it to a managable down and distance.

mgteich · Feb 26, 2015

If all the patriots offer is a minimum salary contract plus incentives, why would Ridley sign without exploring the market, perhaps even until June, if other offers are similar?

Would Ridley's agent really counsel him that there would NOT be other teams (and perhaps even playoff teams) that would offer him at least a minimum salary contract plus incentives.

Oswlek · Feb 26, 2015

hwc said:
Can anyone remember the last time Belichick signed any RB to a second NFL contract? Unless I'm forgetting someone, it's been a while.

It's Faulk, but the sample is so small and drawn out that it isn't all that meaningful. They also gave Woodhead a second contract, though his entire tenure was less than a normal rookie deal.

BobDigital · Feb 26, 2015

mgteich said:
There are probably 10 RB's that we might sign be willing to sign at a minimum salary plus incentives. If that's all he is worth to the patriots, I suspect Ridley would (and should) go elsewhere.

OK, so many of you think that Ridley is about the same or worse than Gray and Gaffney. If Belichick agrees with you guys, then Ridley will play elsewhere, perhaps in a starting role, perhaps not.
================================
If on the other hand, Ridley is capable of being our starter this year or next (or tandem with Blount), then the issues is whether RIDLEY would agree to come back at what Belichick has to offer. Personally, I think that folks are overvaluing both Blount and Gray.

Folks keep on saying that a 3-5 year contract can't be worked out. Let's look at a 3-year contract.

2015 Signing Bonus - $1.5M
Salary - $1M
NLTBE incentives - ????

2016 Roster Bonus - $2M if Ridley is on the team at the end of 2015
2016 Salary $1.5M
LTBE incentives ????

2017 Salary $2M (or perhaps $3M)
LTBE incentives ????
=======================
The 2015 cap hit would be $1.5M, $1M more than Gray or Gaffney.

PATRIOTS
The team would be paying $1.5M to get a starting quality running back instead of Gray.
The team would have decisions to make each year.

RIDLEY
If he performs, he earns 3/$8M plus incentives. If not, he has $2.5M in his pocket. If he and team disagree, then he would move on after 2015. If both agree that he is their starter, then he would get $3.5M for 2016, possibly plus incentives.
==============

BOTTOM LINE
You might not think Ridley is worth the additional $1.5M bonus. You may think that Gray or Gaffney are your 2015 or 2016 starters.

However, if you believe that Ridley is worth having on the roster, then I think that we have offer more than veteran minimum plus incentives to keep him. There should be lots of teams where he might be more likely to earn incentives, or teams who might offer more.

From the patriots perspective, I suppose a 1-year deal is a no-lose situation. However, he would be a free agent after the season and likely move on if he has had a good year.

IMHO, if you want Ridley for the future, the way to do that is with a 2015 signing bonus and a 2016 roster bonus to be earned if he is on the roster when the 2016 season begins.

Good effort here in this post. Much appreciated. I am not one for keeping Ridley though and let me try to explain why.

#1 I think Ridley is likely worth a bit more than 10 other guys they could sign.
#2 Ridley is clearly more proven than Grey or Gaffney. They are not the reason I want him off this team.
#3 I think Ridley is an NFL quality starter especially with Blount in the rotation who I think is about the same level of player.

Then you bring out a 3 year contract. Not a horrible contract but it is over paying. Ridley's level above replacements (like Grey for instance) is not so much I feel the need to pay him an extra 1-2 million per year.

I do think Ridley is worth having on the roster but I don't look at him and think he is special. I don't think anyone on this roster is at that position (Vereen was good but I think is gone). He will and should demand more money than a Grey or Gaffney but no one has ever looked across the field at Ridley and feared him IMO.

If that is the case it is my personal philosophy to not spend on such a player at the RB position. Do the best you can getting decent options around 1M or less. I think an average to below average starter is not worth paying for and you are better off going with fresh legs with slightly lessor backs and spend your money on more important positions.

That is kind of why I don't want them to sign Ridley. Either get someone better or give up on being a good running team cause he is not your answer.

hwc · Feb 26, 2015

I thought you might have to go all the way back to Faulk to find an RB drafted by the Pats and signed to a second NFL contract after the prevailing 3, 4, or 5 years.

You can only conclude that Belichick has not shown a propensity to get into a bidding war for veteran free agent RBs. Of course, he's been ahead of the curve on the re-valuation of the position. There are still teams think it's smart to overpay for RBs, but not as many as there used to be. I'm sure that Vereen and Ridley are taking a much more sober look at the market than RBs in prior years.

If I'm Vereen, I'm trying very hard to do a long-term deal with the Pats. He's in a good situation and has a shot at a long Kevin Faulk like career trajectory with the Pats.

mgteich · Feb 26, 2015

BobDigital said:
That is kind of why I don't want them to sign Ridley. Either get someone better or give up on being a good running team cause he is not your answer.

You give a well reasoned analysis.

Let's look at our present set of RB's: Blount, Bolden, White, Grey, and Gaffney.

Perhaps Ridley is not THE ANSWER. However, my personal view is that he would considerably improve the quality of this group (yes by $1M a year).

HOWEVER, I do agree with you that we would do well to sign an upgrade of Ridley. We also need to replace Vereen. Since I don't think that Belichick will sign a serious upgrade to Ridley, I am hoping that he signs Ridley.

40yrpatsfan · Feb 26, 2015

patfanken said:
Some comments on the comments -

1. It is true that Ridley has been the best RB the Pats have had since Dillon.

2. Can we please put that 'fumbling issue' behind us. When he had 4 in 2013 it was an over rated media creation. The fact he had zero last season, seems to be ignored by those trying to create something from nothing.

3. Unfortunately for Ridley he is coming off a serious injury and onto a RB corps that includes Blount, Gray, and Gaffney, all who do about the same thing as Steven. While I agree that Ridley is probably better than those 3, the question is, 'how much better'.

4. 3 things hurt Ridley likely coming back. a. IIRC he doesn't play special teams. b. to date, he's not been a reliable pass receiver. c. The offensive system doesn't value RB's enough to even have a need for a #1 RB.

5. All that being said, I'd be fine with having him come back with a highly incentivized one year deal. That would be a good thing for the Pats, more depth and talent. However I'd be surprised if someone doesn't give him a slightly better deal on a team where he'd be more likely to get the snaps he needs to meet those incentives. Still he loves it here, so.....

6. The Pats need some RB help, but not in the area that Ridley plays. We need Vareen or Vareen's replacement. And since I have zero confidence in White, its most likely going to have to come from outside the organization.

This describes my view to a T.

mgteich · Feb 26, 2015

patfanken said:
6. We need Vareen or Vareen's replacement. And since I have zero confidence in White, its most likely going to have to come from outside the organization.

I agree that we need Vereen (probably not likely) or his replacement. I am impressed that since YOU have zero confidence in White, you think that the replacement is most likely to come from outside the organization. I agree that Vereen's replacement SHOULD come from outside, but I am not as confident as you are that Belichick agrees.

Joker · Feb 26, 2015

PFK has little confidence in White because he has SEEN White in preseason and camp a number of times. I spent more time at camp than probably anybody here. White is a proto JAG.

Tom Brady threw FOUR TD passes against the #1 defense in the NFL in the Superbowl. Vereen made a large amount of yardage on wheel routes. The importance of having a running back returning from injury signed to a 3 to 5 year contract is escaping me. Of course you'll print some ridiculous snark about my lack of intelligence once again to deflect the fact that YOU have a rather stilted view of Ridley and his importance to this team. Let's just SEE what happens....you know...like the Fanoony debacle you sunk your fangs into for dear life.

BlueThunder · Feb 26, 2015

SalemPats said:
I like Ridley, but in our offense he's a 2 down back with fumbling and injury issues. He might be more talented than Blount, but BB trusts Blount more and he's super cheap. Gray has talent and potential, i'm not sure BB will want to pay for Ridley. BB will not carry more than 5 rb's on the roster and currently we have Blount, Gray, White, Bolden (will stay because of ST) and Vereen. Even if we lose Vereen, Ridley is not his replacement.

Let's not forget Devlin in the RB mix.....He's on ST also and a good lead blocker.....I don't think BB/Josh is about to part ways with him just yet.

Ridley

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal

PatsFans.com Veteran

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

Experienced Starter w/First Big Contract

PatsFans.com Supporter

Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Supporter

Pro Bowl Player

2nd Team Getting Their First Start

PatsFans.com Veteran

Veteran Starter w/Big Long Term Deal

Pro Bowl Player

In the Starting Line-Up

PatsFans.com Veteran

PatsFans.com Supporter

PatsFans.com Veteran

PatsFans.com Supporter

PatsFans.com Supporter

Similar threads