Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 10

[Shockt327]

...and they ranked BJGE to be within the bottom 5.

I'm really not too big on PFF (that's a whole 'nother thread), but it's an interesting read. They are unveiling their new "Elusive Rating Signature Stat" that attempts to separate a RB from his offensive line. One of the (many) components of that stat is Yards After Contact. Apparently Ridley was over 3 yards per carry after initial contact; which puts him within the top 10. Pretty cool.

Personally, I'd suspect that yards after contact can be greatly inflated/diminished based on how the RB is used (especially in terms of situation). But, still, good for Ridley.


https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/03/27/2011-elusive-rating/


Interestingly for Cincinnati, they appear to be trading one player from the Bottom 5 for another, with both Cedric Benson and BenJarvus Green-Ellis posting identical figures in average yards after contact.

One of the players in line to replace Green-Ellis in New England is all the way back at the top end of the scale, inside the Top 10. Stevan Ridley had just 87 carries in the 2011 regular season, but averaged over three yards per carry after contact, a full yard more than the player whose carries he may be receiving in 2012.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

While I don't trust any stat that PFF has to offer--they do shoddy work all around--this is one of Ridley's definite strengths. He can shrug off hits, arm tackles in particular, and barely even break stride:

Ridley 33-yard TD Pats vs Raiders - YouTube

Compare that to Woodhead, who is routinely taken down by arm tackles, or BJGE, who lacks the speed to be in that position in the first place. Athletically, Ridley is a whole other caliber of RB.

Or check out some college highlights here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QMFrBEQiGb8

Half of the time, the first hit doesn't even slow him down.

 

[Shockt327]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

While I don't trust any stat that PFF has to offer--they do shoddy work all around--this is one of Ridley's definite strengths. He can shrug off hits, arm tackles in particular, and barely even break stride:

Ridley 33-yard TD Pats vs Raiders - YouTube

Compare that to Woodhead, who is routinely taken down by arm tackles, or BJGE, who lacks the speed to be in that position in the first place. Athletically, Ridley is a whole other caliber of RB.

Yes. This captures my sentiment as well.

 

[BritPat]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

PFF sucks, but even a broken clock is accurate at least twice a day.

 

[BritPat]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Oh, and I've said elsewhere I expect Ridley to be our #1 back in what will be a RBBC system. He will be the starter IMO.

 

[brdmaverick]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

...Personally, I'd suspect that yards after contact can be greatly inflated/diminished based on how the RB is used (especially in terms of situation). But, still, good for Ridley.


.[/I]

BINGO, I think you hit the nail on the head here. I'd also add in overall number of carries. RB's that are used a 'change of pace' tend to have a bit more 'pep' that can make them run through contact.

 

[IcyPatriot]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

also you can bet the Riddley we saw last year will be a bit smaller than the
Ridley we see this year ... one year with the Patriots does wonders for these kids.

 

[hgelpke]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Is this stat reflective of how far the ball flies out after the hit?

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Is this stat reflective of how far the ball flies out after the hit?

I'd rather have a dynamic RB who fumbles occasionally than one that is slow as dirt and never fumbles.

 

[Ring 6]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Is this stat reflective of how far the ball flies out after the hit?

No its reflective of how many yards are gained after the runner is first hit by a defender.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Is this stat reflective of how far the ball flies out after the hit?

You realize that Ridley had exactly one more regular season fumble than BenJarvus "Never Fumbles" Green-Ellis, right?

Fumbles occur on 1.16% of NFL run plays (source).

Ridley fumbled once in 87 carries, which is good for a 1.15% rate (source)

In other words, Ridley fumbled at exactly the league-average rate for running backs. Yeah, the fumble against Denver in the postseason was disappointing, if only because of the poor fundamentals that he displayed, but the whole ordeal has been so overblown on Patsfans that it's ridiculous. We're not dealing with 2001-2002 Kevin Faulk, here. It's not a major issue, and Ridley's technique will be improved for the 2012 season.

 

[dizi24]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

You realize that Ridley had exactly one more regular season fumble than BenJarvus "Never Fumbles" Green-Ellis, right?

Fumbles occur on 1.16% of NFL run plays (source).

Ridley fumbled once in 87 carries, which is good for a 1.15% rate (source)

In other words, Ridley fumbled at exactly the league-average rate for running backs. Yeah, the fumble against Denver in the postseason was somewhat concerning, if only because of the poor fundamentals that he displayed, but the whole issue has been so overblown on Patsfans that it's ridiculous. It's not a major issue.

Thank you, this whole "Ridley is a fumble machine" thing really needs to end. He did fine holding onto the ball in 2011. Of course it is a small sample so it's difficult to say one way or another, but as far as what he has shown on the field, there's really no need to seriously worry about Ridley.

 

[Leemo]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Is this stat reflective of how far the ball flies out after the hit?

one reg season fumble and one playoff, he didnt even lose the reg season one as it went out of bounds, get over it.

 

[signbabybrady]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

I'd rather have a dynamic RB who fumbles occasionally than one that is slow as dirt and never fumbles.

I am not sure either of the above accurately depicts BJGE or Ridley.


But your theory in general will be put to the test this year and I hope you are right. This is one of my bigger fears of this offseason but we are giving up on one sure handed RB and I hope we arent regretting this.

When I read a stat like this I have to wonder if there is any correlation to Ridley fighting for those extra yards and coughing up a few and BJGE maybe looking to secure the ball more at the cost of being more easily brought down. Dont get me wrong I think Ridley can learn to take care of the football better but maybe some of that is knowing when to fight for the extra and when to protect the ball more.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

I am not sure either of the above accurately depicts BJGE or Ridley.

Sure it does. If you feel otherwise, do explain why.

I would concede it's too early to draw any firm evaluation of Ridley, but we already know he's significantly more dynamic than BJGE.

 

[tobias funke]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

For all of the hype over speed, it's not the only thing that makes for an accomplished running back, and sometimes it can even be a hindrance. Benny may not have been the fastest guy on the field, but his vision, patience, and instinct definitely helped make up for it. His touchdown against Baltimore was a perfect example of this.

I'm excited to see Ridley get his shot, but just being faster than our last RB isn't necessarily going to make him better.

 

[JackBauer]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Not really what I'm arguing, and every argument based on a limited sample size is going to be stylized to some degree.

Ridley pretty clearly has the skills to be RB1, whereas BJGE does not. Now whether or not he attains his potential is another story.

 

[Kontradiction]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

Is this stat reflective of how far the ball flies out after the hit?

While I think that his fumbling "issues" are overblown, this made me gut laugh.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

For all of the hype over speed, it's not the only thing that makes for an accomplished running back, and sometimes it can even be a hindrance. Benny may not have been the fastest guy on the field, but his vision, patience, and instinct definitely helped make up for it. His touchdown against Baltimore was a perfect example of this.

I'm excited to see Ridley get his shot, but just being faster than our last RB isn't necessarily going to make him better.

Being faster, more elusive, and better able to absorb and power through contact, however, will (barring injury) probably make him better.

 

[BradyFTW!]

Re: Pro Football Focus ranks S.Ridley's 'yards after contact' output within the top 1

I am not sure either of the above accurately depicts BJGE or Ridley.


But your theory in general will be put to the test this year and I hope you are right. This is one of my bigger fears of this offseason but we are giving up on one sure handed RB and I hope we arent regretting this.

When I read a stat like this I have to wonder if there is any correlation to Ridley fighting for those extra yards and coughing up a few and BJGE maybe looking to secure the ball more at the cost of being more easily brought down. Dont get me wrong I think Ridley can learn to take care of the football better but maybe some of that is knowing when to fight for the extra and when to protect the ball more.

I think it's fair to say that increased yards after contact will tend to correlate with a higher fumble rate, but I wouldn't cite that as being the issue here. In the fumble against Denver, Ridley just displayed crappy fundamentals. The ball was way too far away from his body, and that made it easy to pry away. That, IMO, is why Belichick benched him- it wasn't bad luck, or even something that would have required excellent ball security to prevent. There was no reason for that fumble to happen, and those are the kind of lapses that routinely get coached up in the NFL. You can reasonably expect that Ridley won't consistently make that mistake, IMO. Look at Adrian Peterson's fumbles per season over his career- they dropped dramatically since he game into the league, and that's not a rare thing.

Belichick was clearly upset when Ridley fumbled against Denver--hence why he rode the bench after that--and that means that Ridley's going to receive a lot of coaching on ball security. That, combined with his already-league-average fumble rate, means that I'm not worried at all about this particular issue for the upcoming season.