Forgotten man: loving Ridley's attitude so far

[English Patriot]

All this hysteria we are caught in (including myself) and we are forgetting about 2 horses that are really gonna be a huge part of the cog next season: Ridley and Vereen.

Because of their seniority coming into play now we are gonna have to be able to really rely on these guys going forward but i would like to talk more about Ridley because he was the one in that RB group with the big big question marks.

Looking at his maturity and the way he's handling himself in the off season makes me think he'll have turned a corner and knows what's needed for him to be the lead back.

Please don't forget that this guy is an elite running back when he's taking his chances and TAKING CARE OF THE BALL.

Anyway check this video out from the other day and you might see what i'm talking about: New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley ready to be leader - NFL Videos

At the end of the day a Stevan Ridley that is on the field for the majority of the snaps as the ball carrier with Vereen adding that dual threat is a much much more potent offense.

 

[chicowalker]

I want Blount back, too.

 

[English Patriot]

I want Blount back, too.

Not too sure, maybe it's time to go with a change of philosophy like we are on D and just give 1 man the reigns with Vereen as that constant option.

I want Blount too but not at the price he can command.

 

[Froob]

Blount isn't going to command much. Interested to see what Moreno does. Probably can't offer enough that it won't be worth it for him to not return to Denver though.

 

[chicowalker]

Not too sure, maybe it's time to go with a change of philosophy like we are on D and just give 1 man the reigns with Vereen as that constant option.

I want Blount too but not at the price he can command.

I haven't researched it yet but I'm thinking Ridley's fumbles might be connected with fatigue. Couple that with the ever-present risk of injury, and I'd much rather have 3 effective backs than 2 -- especially since all 3 give opponents something different to deal with.

Not sure Blount will cost a lot.

 

[Brady6]

Blount isn't going to command much. Interested to see what Moreno does. Probably can't offer enough that it won't be worth it for him to not return to Denver though.

Moreno is an interesting player because McDaniels obviously likes what he has to offer. I think he will sign with the Colts though.

 

[mayoclinic]

Looking at his maturity and the way he's handling himself in the off season makes me think he'll have turned a corner and knows what's needed for him to be the lead back.

I have to say, I was very impressed with how Stevan Ridley handled himself on NFL Network this week. He came across as a consummate professional, team-first player, and Patriot. He took complete responsibility for his fumbling issues, and when queried about a possible Pats-Broncos AFCCG rematch next year he politely refused to take the bait, noting that that was too far ahead to look.

The kid has obvious talent. Lets hope he's put his fumbling issues behind him and learned to protect the ball properly. And while he'll never be Shane Vereen, if he could get more involved in the passing attack, he'd be even more effective.

 

[Dagg]

I like Ridley but much like joe flacco he is certainly not elite. There are a handful of elite backs in the and he ain't one.

 

[Brady6]

I haven't researched it yet but I'm thinking Ridley's fumbles might be connected with fatigue. Couple that with the ever-present risk of injury, and I'd much rather have 3 effective backs than 2 -- especially since all 3 give opponents something different to deal with.



Not sure Blount will cost a lot.

He fumbled in the first half twice in week one against the Bills, if he was fatigued in week one we need to hit up Costco and by the guy a case of red bull.

 

[Brady6]

I want Blount back, too.

I think Blount was great for $680K last season but I'm not sure how much he would impress me for $2M a season.

 

[chicowalker]

He fumbled in the first half twice in week one against the Bills, if he was fatigued in week one we need to hit up Costco and by the guy a case of red bull.

Not simply fatigue in terms of the season or even the game -- I'm wondering about multiple consecutive carries as well, where focus could come into play. Like I said, though, it's just a thought.

 

[chicowalker]

I think Blount was great for $680K last season but I'm not sure how much he would impress me for $2M a season.

Obviously he would have to be at the right price. I haven't seen anything about his expected market value. Have you seen something indicating that he'll get $2mm?

 

[Brady6]

Not simply fatigue in terms of the season or even the game -- I'm wondering about multiple consecutive carries as well, where focus could come into play. Like I said, though, it's just a thought.

Maybe I think it was more of an issue with being conscious of the ball when making a move or a cut. He was able to get away with that in college in the NFL the players are always slapping at the ball.

 

[Kdo5]

Ridley is a team player. Every word he has spoken since being with the team indicates it. I read some article a few days ago in which he gushed about Revis being on the team. No one else has said a peep about it.

I want Ridley to resign with the team. Elite? No. But no one other than Corey Dillon in our SB year has rushed for as much yards in a season than Ridley. He isn't a bum.

 

[makoute]

He always had the right attitude, the problem is he won't stop fumbling.

 

[Galeb]

I haven't researched it yet but I'm thinking Ridley's fumbles might be connected with fatigue.

It has nothing to do with fatigue. He tends too hold the ball too far away from his body. It's actually surprising he's fumbled as little as he has. He's getting better, but still has a long way to go.

 

[Nikolai]

Ridley is definitely a team-first player, but he needs to review film of Tiki Barber's turnaround. He stubbornly held that ball up high and close to his body.

The RB market is such that Blount isn't going to command a ton of cash. The days...they are a changin'.

I see no reason not to revisit the Ridely-Blount-Vereen stable from last year.

 

[fair catch fryar]

While I disagree with you about loading up defensively, I agree with you on this. I've been watching him on NFL Network this week and the guy is saying all the right things, he seems to have embraced the humble attitude that tells you to "walk softly, but carry a 48-ounce Louisville Slugger just in case".

 

[chicowalker]

It has nothing to do with fatigue. He tends too hold the ball too far away from his body. It's actually surprising he's fumbled as little as he has. He's getting better, but still has a long way to go.

What I'm thinking is that he does that out of habit -- a habit he reverts to when he's not focused, as you tend to do when you're trying to get out of a bad habit. And that focus is lost when he's tired or he's been in the game several plays in a row.

 

[fair catch fryar]

He always had the right attitude, the problem is he won't stop fumbling.

I seem to remember Kevin Faulk having fumble-issues, but he seemed to be able to figure that out pretty well. I have high-hopes for Ridley.