BY THE NUMBERS: A Closer Look at the Running Game vs Saints

[PatsFans.com Article]

BY THE NUMBERS: A Closer Look at the Running Game vs Saints
By: Ian Logue

Shane Vereen led all runningbacks last night as he appears poised to push Stevan Ridley for more playing time this season, and for those who are interested here's a closer look at how things broke down between each player....

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[sly24]

I don't know why but every time Ridley gets the ball, I'm holding my breath for no fumble.

 

[BlueThunder]

Gee..Ridley didn't fumble???


It's called Coaching :singing:

Ball security had Faulk on the bench at one point in his career. He was steady after his benching for it.....sacrifice a couple yards for concentrating on ball security. Stevan looks like he's smart enough to do it.

Nice to have Vereen and Ridley ...a two headed running attack that can bust a long run or catch one and gain decent yardage.

Concerns about the OL are more founded at this point than Ridley fumbling.:rocker:

 

[Gwedd]

Gee..Ridley didn't fumble???


It's called Coaching :singing:

Ball security had Faulk on the bench at one point in his career. He was steady after his benching for it.....sacrifice a couple yards for concentrating on ball security. Stevan looks like he's smart enough to do it.

Nice to have Vereen and Ridley ...a two headed running attack that can bust a long run or catch one and gain decent yardage.

Concerns about the OL are more founded at this point than Ridley fumbling.:rocker:

Concur. I am cautiously optimistic that Mankins, Waters and Vol are all back and ready to play at the start of the season.

 

[BananaRepublican]

Concur. I am cautiously optimistic that Mankins, Waters and Vol are all back and ready to play at the start of the season.

I have doubts about Vollmer. Not anybody else though.

Even Vollmer doesn't bother me that much. I'd rather see him on the field but if they are being cautious with him I have no problem with that.

 

[brady199]

I'm I the only one who doesn't think Ridley is a "Fumbler"? He fumbled a few times, but that is an awful small sample to make him out to be a guy who can't hold onto the ball. I just don't get it? I'm sure BJGE being the so good holding onto the ball has something to do with it.

 

[Ian]

I'm I the only one who doesn't think Ridley is a "Fumbler"? He fumbled a few times, but that is an awful small sample to make him out to be a guy who can't hold onto the ball. I just don't get it? I'm sure BJGE being the so good holding onto the ball has something to do with it.

Yes, this appears to be a misconception that people don't seem to understand. He only had two fumbles last season, and he had quite a streak going before it happened.

His first fumble came in the new years day game (week 17) against the Bills in the 3rd quarter (I believe it was his 84th carry of the season judging by the stats database, which means he carried 83 straight times prior to that [not including receptions] where he didn't cough up the ball). On that play the ball went out of bounds.

His second fumble didn't even come on a carry, it came on a reception in the 3rd quarter against Denver - although I don't have access to the film right now so I don't know exactly what happened on that play. Prior to that he carried 4 times for gains of 3, 1, and 6 respectfully.

Needless to say I don't agree with him being fumble prone, and hope that people realize he's not as bad as many are making him out to be

 

[pherein]

As some know Im a huge RB buff. I really consider it a art form. It never matters if you can even run 1.0 in the 40. If you don't have the foresight or intuition your a bruiser or a 3 year RB in my mind.
You have to be able to not think at all but see the window. Feel your way threw in a 10th of a second. Know someone is there when its not possible to know that. Some of the greatest RB's had huge problems with sidelines because they have a hard time fathoming limited space, like sanders.
Given and infinite field of play, and 1 point to reach, Im not sure many could stop Sanders from getting to that point.
I look for moves before the defenses reacts. Like the kid knows. He can feel it.
PT has it, and hes slow. But to me being a running back is almost spiritual and brutal. So what do I know,lol. I just love playing the spot.

My impression is Shane Vereen has this foresight
Shane Vereen Cal Highlights - YouTube

Stevan Ridley seems like a bruiser to me
Stevan Ridley Highlights - YouTube

and both played the same as they did before from what I saw. I did watch other tape than just this to come to that opinion, and yes I know Ridley is LSU,lol. Not that bruisers are not needed, look at the Giants or E.Smith. But very few have that foresight and can carry it to the NFL. Im sure there were 100's of RB's that were to slow or small that never got a chance in the NFL, but could have set records because they had it.

 

[Kasmir]

As some know Im a huge RB buff. I really consider it a art form. It never matters if you can even run 1.0 in the 40. If you don't have the foresight or intuition your a bruiser or a 3 year RB in my mind.
You have to be able to not think at all but see the window. Feel your way threw in a 10th of a second. Know someone is there when its not possible to know that. Some of the greatest RB's had huge problems with sidelines because they have a hard time fathoming limited space, like sanders.
Given and infinite field of play, and 1 point to reach, Im not sure many could stop Sanders from getting to that point.
I look for moves before the defenses reacts. Like the kid knows. He can feel it.
PT has it, and hes slow. But to me being a running back is almost spiritual and brutal. So what do I know,lol. I just love playing the spot.

My impression is Shane Vereen has this foresight
Shane Vereen Cal Highlights - YouTube

Stevan Ridley seems like a bruiser to me
Stevan Ridley Highlights - YouTube

and both played the same as they did before from what I saw. I did watch other tape than just this to come to that opinion, and yes I know Ridley is LSU,lol. Not that bruisers are not needed, look at the Giants or E.Smith. But very few have that foresight and can carry it to the NFL. Im sure there were 100's of RB's that were to slow or small that never got a chance in the NFL, but could have set records because they had it.

Do does Woodhead, as his 2010 season demonstrated Not to mention the 8 NCAA records he still holds.

BTW, Woodhead had a *serious* fumbling problem at Chadron, so I do worry about that every time he touches the ball.

 

[patfanken]

As some know Im a huge RB buff. I really consider it a art form. It never matters if you can even run 1.0 in the 40. If you don't have the foresight or intuition your a bruiser or a 3 year RB in my mind.
You have to be able to not think at all but see the window. Feel your way threw in a 10th of a second. Know someone is there when its not possible to know that. Some of the greatest RB's had huge problems with sidelines because they have a hard time fathoming limited space, like sanders.
Given and infinite field of play, and 1 point to reach, Im not sure many could stop Sanders from getting to that point.
I look for moves before the defenses reacts. Like the kid knows. He can feel it.
PT has it, and hes slow. But to me being a running back is almost spiritual and brutal. So what do I know,lol. I just love playing the spot.

My impression is Shane Vereen has this foresight
Shane Vereen Cal Highlights - YouTube

Stevan Ridley seems like a bruiser to me
Stevan Ridley Highlights - YouTube

and both played the same as they did before from what I saw. I did watch other tape than just this to come to that opinion, and yes I know Ridley is LSU,lol. Not that bruisers are not needed, look at the Giants or E.Smith. But very few have that foresight and can carry it to the NFL. Im sure there were 100's of RB's that were to slow or small that never got a chance in the NFL, but could have set records because they had it.

The Key to a great RB is much more about acceleration than speed. Barry Sanders was a 4.6 40 guy, but NO ONE went from zero to go faster than Barry Sanders. After acceleration, I would look at quickness (change of direction), vision, and mental toughness as my next 3 most important attributes. Never underestimate mental toughness. RB's take a beating and if you don't have mental toughness, despite all the other assets, you wind up being Lawrence Maroney.

I thought Maroney was the answer to the Pats' RB prayers early in his first year. He exploded into holes with great acceleration, and had many runs where he turned 4 yd runs into 10 yd runs. But looking back on it, I don't think he had the mental toughness to consistently do that when he inevitably ran into the dings that RB's get, given the abuse they take.

His great acceleration and explosion turned more and more into hesitation and questionable decisions with every injury he encountered. With the exception of on brief moment in 2007 and a good rookie year before the injuries started to pile up, he both teased and disappointed us with his lackluster play. Ultimately his weakness was a lack of the kind of mental toughness great RB's must have in order to play the position.

We have seen great things initially from Vareen, and Ridley. I wouldn't pass judgment until we see how they respond to 200 or more carries and how they play when dinged up a bit. Will we see the kind of acceleration and decisiveness that we are seeing now.