I'm going to ignore the whole contract aspect...when discussing talent, people normally don't bring it into a discussion unless they are trying to hamper the top guys...the ones who have a proven track record.
Pats RB stable is probably in the top 10 but at the lower end. Ridley is just showing his talent and we have yet to see if it holds ups. Bolden has had a few good games as well.
In comparison to some of the top teams though, Ridley is probably would be ranked in the top 10. When talking about the running game, you want to start with the top guy. I can think of a few players who you would take ahead of Ridley without hesitation (McCoy, Foster, Rice, Charles, Richardson, Lynch). Put Ridley in Turner, Murray, Spiller, Bush, Sproles 2nd tier level.
Overall, the Pats have a SOLID run game but it has yet to show that it is elite. You have to adjust for the Pats air game which doesn't allow teams to stack the box. If you swap any of the top RBs with Ridley, the Pats would be averaging 200 yards on the ground easily.
Ridley - 2nd tier top running back with some ball control issues to still work on.
Bolden - unknown quantity who could be something or could be a flash in the pan. He still gets stopped a lot behind the line.
Woodhead - good change of pace back but that's it. He's a Kevin Faulk but with less talent.
Vereen - seriously...in two seasons, you can count the number of games he's played in on using one hand even if you include preseason. talented but the Pats have had no return on their investment.
Pats RB stable is probably in the top 10 but at the lower end. Ridley is just showing his talent and we have yet to see if it holds ups. Bolden has had a few good games as well.
In comparison to some of the top teams though, Ridley is probably would be ranked in the top 10. When talking about the running game, you want to start with the top guy. I can think of a few players who you would take ahead of Ridley without hesitation (McCoy, Foster, Rice, Charles, Richardson, Lynch). Put Ridley in Turner, Murray, Spiller, Bush, Sproles 2nd tier level.
Overall, the Pats have a SOLID run game but it has yet to show that it is elite. You have to adjust for the Pats air game which doesn't allow teams to stack the box. If you swap any of the top RBs with Ridley, the Pats would be averaging 200 yards on the ground easily.
Ridley - 2nd tier top running back with some ball control issues to still work on.
Bolden - unknown quantity who could be something or could be a flash in the pan. He still gets stopped a lot behind the line.
Woodhead - good change of pace back but that's it. He's a Kevin Faulk but with less talent.
Vereen - seriously...in two seasons, you can count the number of games he's played in on using one hand even if you include preseason. talented but the Pats have had no return on their investment.