Replacement of Ridley

[dales804]

What do people think NE will do to replace Ridley? Obviously we don't know the extent of his injury yet but he's clearly going to miss some time, if not the rest of the year. Does White get a chance now? Is Bolden going to step into that role? Vereen I don't think can carry the ball effectively 17-20 times a game. What about Jonas Gray on the practice squad? Or will it be someone that's a FA or on another roster currently?

 

[Galeb]

Bolden isn't nearly as versatile as Ridley. James White?

 

[RIpats88]

What about the law firm?

 

[PatsBoy12]

Bolden isn't nearly as versatile as Ridley. James White?

Actually, Bolden is more versatile than Ridley. He is a better pass catcher than Ridley. He isn't as good a runner as Ridley. Ridley also has better physical gifts, but that is not what versatility means. No disrespect intended. I understand what you're saying. I just think you used the wrong word.

Bolden just is not very good and cannot be any team's primary option at RB. He does some things well and he is great on ST. That's his strength and why he always makes the team. He'll get more carries, but I think the Pats should still take a serious look at Jonas Gray.

 

[PP2]

What about the law firm?

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.

 

[mayoclinic]

Options:

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

2. Promote Jonas Gray from the practice squad.

3. Sign a veteran off the street. BJGE and Michael Bush have both been mentioned.

4. Trade for a back (unlikely).

5. Some combination of 1-4.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Options:

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

2. Promote Jonas Gray from the practice squad.

3. Sign a veteran off the street. BJGE and Michael Bush have both been mentioned.

4. Trade for a back (unlikely).

5. Some combination of 1-4.

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

 

[patsfan-1982]

BJGE has not averaged 4 yards per since he left the pats I think James White and Vereen will be the top two backs

 

[patsfan-1982]

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

they could do that but James White in his only 3 att is averaging 7 yards per att I would like to see them give have at lest 10 att per game see how he does before that start looking for other PS players

 

[BobDigital]

Honestly I can't get worried about it too much. I am just not a believer great running wins. I think you really only need to be okay. Like Mayo I think it will be a combination of things.

The main one will be Grey/Bolden though. I think we activate Grey and him and Bolden alternate carries depending on who is doing the best that day. I do not believe White is the answer. He to me is clearly a 3rd down back and should not be asked to go between the tackles.

 

[ALP]

Maybe we're discounting develin too quickly?

Bolden will get a chance, but if he's not productive/running with authority after 2 games change it up...he will prob compete with white for starting role and the one who produces wins the gig...I sure hope one of them does, every other option is clearly 2nd, we drafted them/had then I roster last year, hopefully one of the two can prove their worth as a RUNNER, which is what we need, not an unlimited amount of 3rd down backs

Not sure how confident I am one will win the job, but I can hope

 

[varjao]

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.

 

[patsfaninpa]

What about the law firm?

Someone asked Curran that and he didn't think Law Firm had it any more. Can't make anybody miss. A kid whom I thought would get drafted last year but didn't is James Wilder Jr. He's on Cincy's practice squad. He's a bigger back. 6'2" 227lb. James White can be Vereen's backup. Wilder can split time with Bolden as our bigger back.

 

[Sciz]

For anybody wondering, former Patriot George Winn was on the Lions' practice squad to start the season, but was called up two weeks ago, so he's not an option.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Vereen/White can't be lead RBs (from what we've seen of them).

I would rather not put the faith of our running game in Bolden and Gray. I'm actually a fan of trading a late rounder (6th or 7th) for a back out there. Any potential targets? Mark Ingram, Bobby Rainey, Robert Turbin, etc?

 

[Galeb]

Actually, Bolden is more versatile than Ridley. He is a better pass catcher than Ridley. He isn't as good a runner as Ridley. Ridley also has better physical gifts, but that is not what versatility means. No disrespect intended. I understand what you're saying. I just think you used the wrong word.

Bolden just is not very good and cannot be any team's primary option at RB. He does some things well and he is great on ST. That's his strength and why he always makes the team. He'll get more carries, but I think the Pats should still take a serious look at Jonas Gray.

I never thought Bodlen's hands were much better than Ridley's, but I could be wrong. I think he caught more passes because he never stays in to pass block because he sucks at it.

 

[Marinlik]

I really don't want us to sign Law Firm. He just isn't good any more. He can run through that hole, and if no one is around he can get the yards the defense gives him. But that's pretty much it. I'd much rather see us take a runningback from a practise squad. Both cheaper than Law Firm and we might get someone that can become good. I just prefer going with the young guy who might, whatever those terrible odds are, become decent or good in the future over the veteran who isn't much better to begin with, more expensive and with no shot at getting better.

 

[KDPPatsfan85]

James White and promote Jonas Gray. We need a power back like Blount anyway. Then before the trade deadline, trade for a MLB if Mayo is done for the year which sounds like he is which is unfortunate.

 

[Mike the Brit]

BJGE has not averaged 4 yards per since he left the pats I think James White and Vereen will be the top two backs

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.

 

[dales804]

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