Stevan Ridley's role

[ivanvamp]

The fumble that was caused by a helmet, that is pretty hard to avoid. Crap happens sometimes. I still like Ridley a lot.

He needs to focus on not fumbling however.

I assume that Bolden will be sharing more of the load. It might be all of the backs splitting time, which might be a good thing.

He actually had two fumbles. One was recovered by the Pats as Hernandez made a great hustle play to get it. It would have cost the Pats seven points.

 

[Jackson 2]

He has fumbled 6 times including the playoffs, not 10.

You are correct. Even more impressive.

 

[Uncle Rico]

Curran provided some interesting perspective on Ridley's fumbles:

It was, as Belichick would say, not what you're looking for. But it was something we used to see from the Patriots much more than we do over the past three seasons.

Consider these statistics for fumbles and fumbles lost since 2001.

2012: 13 and 7
2011: 13 and 5
2010: 9 and 5
2009: 17 and 9
2008: 17 and 10
2007: 14 and 6
2006: 27 and 15
2005: 19 and 9
2004: 24 and 13
2002: 24 and 10
2001: 29 and 13

It's eye-opening to see how often the Patriots put the ball on the ground early in the Belichick-Brady regime. And a good chunk of that was attributable to Brady, who had 11 fumbles in 2002 and 13 in 2003.

Surprising to see those numbers from the SB-winning years (not sure why he left out '03). And Brady's early fumble numbers were, well, Sanchez-esque. You certainly don't want fumbles but they do happen. As Curran goes on to say — others have pointed out here — you have to look at whether those fumbles were caused by sloppiness from the runner, or the result of a well-placed hit and/or bad weather.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

That's kinda funny that you chose to use AP as an example of a non fumbler since fumbling was what he was known for early in his career.

Comparing an average player to one of the GOAT's at his position is probably unfair and perhaps I shouldn't have introduced the subject.

But, to your point, while Peterson put the ball on the ground too often in his first three seasons, he also produced an average of 1,771 yards from Scrimmage per year at the same time, or a little over what Ridley has produced in total in his first two seasons. He obviously learned to turn his fumbling around and become a "complete package" thereafter.

 

[Kontradiction]

Let him keep playing. He hasn't been consistent at all this season, but that can be helped with reps to keep his confidence up.

Getting Gronk back will be good for Ridley. Gronk is an excellent run blocker and excels in sealing off the edge for Ridley to bounce big runs to the outside.

 

[PP2]

Getting Gronk back will be good for Ridley. Gronk is an excellent run blocker and excels in sealing off the edge for Ridley to bounce big runs to the outside.

Don't forget the wham blocks. Hernandez has been having a hard time executing that task in his stead.

 

[PatsFan2]

Should be limited!

 

[Jackson 2]

Getting Gronk back will be good for Ridley. Gronk is an excellent run blocker and excels in sealing off the edge for Ridley to bounce big runs to the outside.

Good point...

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Curran provided some interesting perspective on Ridley's fumbles:



Surprising to see those numbers from the SB-winning years (not sure why he left out '03). And Brady's early fumble numbers were, well, Sanchez-esque. You certainly don't want fumbles but they do happen. As Curran goes on to say — others have pointed out here — you have to look at whether those fumbles were caused by sloppiness from the runner, or the result of a well-placed hit and/or bad weather.

Thanks for the stats. Useful and interesting.

The problem, and I don't claim to be making an earth shattering statement here, is, to use a BB term, "Situational."

All fumbles and picks are not created equal. A first quarter turnover that results in a three and out by the other guys in their own territory is usually survivable, but it always doesn't work out that way.

The Champ Bailey Endzone pick and 100 yard return in the last Playoff game we played in Denver was a back breaker when the Pats were driving to take the lead in a close game (yes, I thought that Watson caused a touchback at the last second, but that and $5.00 will get me an overpriced Starbucks Latte). Ridley's Fumble in the third quarter on Sunday was another back breaker, costing the Pats field position and, more importantly, giving the 'niners the chance to go up 24--3.

 

[Uncle Rico]

...

The problem, and I don't claim to be making an earth shattering statement here, is, to use a BB term, "Situational."

All fumbles and picks are not created equal. ...

Absolutely. And even "reliable" players have had some badly timed turnovers in this era. Brady had that pick in Denver as you mentioned, and threw one in the end zone against Carolina in the SB. Antowaine Smith had a killer fumble near te goal line vs the Rams in the 2001 regular season. Troy Brown had a horrific fumble on a return late in the Snow Bowl v the Raiders.

 

[PatsFanSince74]

Absolutely. And even "reliable" players have had some badly timed turnovers in this era. Brady had that pick in Denver as you mentioned, and threw one in the end zone against Carolina in the SB. Antowaine Smith had a killer fumble near te goal line vs the Rams in the 2001 regular season. Troy Brown had a horrific fumble on a return late in the Snow Bowl v the Raiders.

Absolutely. And those are the things on which games and championships can turn, or not turn, depending on the disposition of the Football Gods on any given day.

Why did the Giants put the ball on the ground several times in last year's SB without a single one of them bouncing conveniently into the warm embrace of a Patriot's eager arms? Why did five SF fumbles end up remaining in their possession last week?

I can't answer those questions other than to repeat a truism: Don't turn the frickin' ball over when it's in your hands!

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

His role is not going to be reduced. Like I said before I think last year's "benching" was overblown. Yeah he stopped getting carries but even before the fumble it was pretty clear that BJGE was the #1 back for the playoffs. Ridley got a lot of work in the regular season because BJGE was banged up but before the fumble even happened, BJGE was getting the vast majority of carries from the start of the Denver game. But now it's Ridley's job and he's lost 2 fumbles all season, 1 was in rough conditions where a handful of others fumbled, and it was just a perfect hit on top of that.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Once Gronkowski returns Ridleys role increases dramatically on this team.

 

[The Gr8est]

Curran provided some interesting perspective on Ridley's fumbles:



Surprising to see those numbers from the SB-winning years (not sure why he left out '03). And Brady's early fumble numbers were, well, Sanchez-esque. You certainly don't want fumbles but they do happen. As Curran goes on to say — others have pointed out here — you have to look at whether those fumbles were caused by sloppiness from the runner, or the result of a well-placed hit and/or bad weather.

Yup. When the debates over whether to keep Brady or Bledsoe were going on, one of the biggest issues I had against Brady was how seemingly easy it was to separate the ball from him.

That hasn't been an issue with him for quite a while now, but it really was noticeable in 2001.

Incidentally, Brady recovered all but one of his fumbles that year as I recall.

 

[The Gr8est]

I wanted him benched on Sunday after the 2nd fumble, but going forward, it won't help us any.

Time to move on...

He only fumbled ONCE, when a SF defender drove his helmet into the ball. The one in the first quarter should have been ruled down prior to the ball coming loose, and should never have required a review.

 

[DocHoliday]

He only fumbled ONCE, when a SF defender drove his helmet into the ball. The one in the first quarter should have been ruled down prior to the ball coming loose, and should never have required a review.

Exactly. One wasn't a fumble, the second was impossible NOT to fumble.

Sometimes we get so scared at the possibility of a fumble we make rash decisions...

 

[Huckleberry1]

Ridley has been huge for this team all season, give him the ball and use him as much as possible. They need him, as well as the rest of the RB's to win it all, and that's all that matters now. Time for another winning streak to close the season out.