Brandon Bolden, That's What I'm Talking About

[JackBauer]

And you were also one of Tebow's biggest backers so I just might have to question your eye for talent.

Hmm. That takes some brass ones given your not only wrong but completely incoherent criticisms of Vereen.

 

[DarrylStingley]

I didn't discount the fumbling at all. Not sure where you see that.

Your numbers on the "since" are wholly unconvincing to me since it includes the game against the Jets when the run blocking was atrocious and this past game when Rids was by far the best runner in the first half (when the Tampa D actually gave a damn).

As long as Ridley's fumble issues don't reappear this year, I'd be fine with him having the ball in a close playoff game, though if it were a late drive it would probably be Vereen.

Was referring to Nunchucks post re fumbling.

As to the numbers, they are what they are. He has gained 75 yards on 25 carries. It's never all the running back or all the line. 25 carries is a reasonable sample size and the man is simply not racking up numbers.

I am not a Ridley Hater. I do worry about the fumbles and more than being down on Ridley, I'm high on Bolden's potential and Vereen.

I want no part of Ridley on a late drive to score and I can't imagine that many Pats fans wouldn't have some concern about a possible fumble in that situation, and some more concern than they would about other Pats running backs, past and present.

 

[Oswlek]

Was referring to Nunchucks post re fumbling.

As to the numbers, they are what they are. He has gained 75 yards on 25 carries. It's never all the running back or all the line. 25 carries is a reasonable sample size and the man is simply not racking up numbers.

I am not a Ridley Hater. I do worry about the fumbles and more than being down on Ridley, I'm high on Bolden's potential and Vereen.

I want no part of Ridley on a late drive to score and I can't imagine that many Pats fans wouldn't have some concern about a possible fumble in that situation, and some more concern than they would about other Pats running backs, past and present.

Thus far, Bolden's potential appears to be about as good of a runner as Ridley has already been for 1.5 years now. Why should I be more excited about the potential of someone that might be as good as what another guy has actually done on the field?

If you want to say Bolden would offer an elevated receiving threat, fine. But if the team is looking for that, they would probably have Shane on the field.

Trying to ignore the context around Rids' last two games puts a major damper on your argument, FWIW.

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Hmm. That takes some brass ones given your not only wrong but completely incoherent criticisms of Vereen.

It's funny, you don't come here to talk football, you're the classic example of an internet tough guy.

Let's try to remember we're talking about a player who will have 409 yards rushing through the first 41 games he's been with the team. Maybe everybody can just calm down a little before anointing him the teams best running back.

 

[Oswlek]

It's funny, you don't come here to talk football, you're the classic example of an internet tough guy.

Let's try to remember we're talking about a player who will have 409 yards rushing through the first 41 games he's been with the team. Maybe everybody can just calm down a little before anointing him the teams best running back.

Best running back is hard argument, but he is clearly better than you implied with your earlier post.

 

[JackBauer]

It's funny, you don't come here to talk football, you're the classic example of an internet tough guy.

Curious statement, considering I spend most of my time here talking football and very little of it being an Internet tough guy.

Let's try to remember we're talking about a player who will have 409 yards rushing through the first 41 games he's been with the team. Maybe everybody can just calm down a little before anointing him the teams best running back.

Sure. My point was only you should probably refrain from slamming one of the board's better posters given your own track record.

 

[DarrylStingley]

Thus far, Bolden's potential appears to be about as good of a runner as Ridley has already been for 1.5 years now. Why should I be more excited about the potential of someone that might be as good as what another guy has actually done on the field?

If you want to say Bolden would offer an elevated receiving threat, fine. But if the team is looking for that, they would probably have Shane on the field.

Trying to ignore the context around Rids' last two games puts a major damper on your argument, FWIW.

Not sure why. And I'm not ignoring it.

But as Parcells, you are what your record or numbers say you are. Context matters, but bottom line, Ridley isn't producing and my eyes see a guy who is being very careful with the ball and running with a bit less authority.

No doubt Bolden's pass catching ability is something that distinguishes him. But I think you're too easily ignoring his running. You focused on two runs that were not as good as they could have been and ignore that gorgeous long run.

I don't think we actually disagree all that much. I'm not anti-Ridley (though he DOES worry me re fumbles). You don't hate Bolden.

I just see more potential than you do all around with Bolden and think that with touches he will justify my high hopes.

 

[Oswlek]

Not sure why. And I'm not ignoring it.

But as Parcells, you are what your record or numbers say you are. Context matters, but bottom line, Ridley isn't producing and my eyes see a guy who is being very careful with the ball and running with a bit less authority.

No doubt Bolden's pass catching ability is something that distinguishes him. But I think you're too easily ignoring his running. You focused on two runs that were not as good as they could have been and ignore that gorgeous long run.

I don't think we actually disagree all that much. I'm not anti-Ridley (though he DOES worry me re fumbles). You don't hate Bolden.

I just see more potential than you do all around with Bolden and think that with touches he will justify my high hopes.

Small touches often make potential look greater than it is. Remember what Rids looked like in 2011 when he was used as a change of pace guy?

And, IMO, even putting Rids last two games out there as having any relevance to the discussion is disingenuous. When the Tampa defense still cared about that game, Rid was clearly the best running RB on the team. I agree he looked scared against NY, but he was a lot more comfortable this past week.

 

[Oswlek]

I meant to add that I agree we aren't that far apart. If Ridley's fumbling persists, I can absolutely see Bolden being a capable fill in and even being just as good of a runner with additional receiving threats. I just don't view it as a certainty, and I haven't seen anything that makes me think he'll be a better runner than Ridley

 

[DarrylStingley]

I meant to add that I agree we aren't that far apart. If Ridley's fumbling persists, I can absolutely see Bolden being a capable fill in and even being just as good of a runner with additional receiving threats. I just don't view it as a certainty, and I haven't seen anything that makes me think he'll be a better runner than Ridley

I don't think you really mean that I'm being disingenuous. You wrote that in the prior post.

I'm not being anything less than genuine. Part of the context of the last two games is that they follow the Buffalo benching. So while there are lots of reasons for the lack of great production -- the ones you mentioned -- I think that it follows the fumble game bears emphasis too.

In short, I'm not intending to oversell the last two games. But I do think we have to take a look at how he's produced after he got benched and see what we can learn from it. Maybe it was bad blocking or limited touches. But still, it is what it is, and the context of the Ridley While Concentrating Heavily on Not Fumbling Period is relevant too.

As to who the better runner is, my only point is that the gap between them MIGHT be reasonably small in that area -- we don't really know yet -- and the pass catching gap is probably wide and there very well might be a fumble-itis gap.

Peace out.

 

[Huckleberry1]

I really don't get the Ridley bashing, he had a really good season last year and there isn't a RB in football who would have held onto the ball while unconscious in that AFCG. He does have some fumbling issues but those are not uncommon for young RB's, Kevin Faulk had them as well and i can't imagine how things would have turned out for the 2001-2004 teams had they dumped him because of it. Ridley needs to earn the coaches confidence again and hold onto the ball to be a significant contributor going forward but i believe he will do both. I love Vereen and look forward to his return and believe they will have one of the strongest RB units in football when all 3 are available on a regular basis. It's great to see Bolden contributing when they really need him but he's still 3rd on their depth chart when all are healthy.

 

[Huckleberry1]

Where are all the Le-Slowest Blount supporters now? The Patriots are using Bolden on Third Downs now if you all haven't noticed. I still cannot believe that some people thought that Blount was better than Bodden.

.................................

 

[Huckleberry1]

Blouunt adds "NOTHING" to our dept at RB!

...........................


lmao.......................