Ridley Nears Medical Clearance

[Delhommey]

Running back Stevan Ridley is scheduled to make his first visits in free agency this week as he explores potential opportunities for 2015 that would have him playing elsewhere from New England. Ridley tore his right ACL on Oct. 12, had surgery Nov. 18, and is on target to receive full medical clearance in about six weeks.

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=bostonnew-england-patriots&id=4779832&city=boston&src=desktop&rand=ref~%7B%22ref%22%3A%22http%3A%2F%2Fprofootballtalk.nbcsports.com%2F2015%2F03%2F29%2Fstevan-ridley-close-to-medical-clearance-lines-up-visits-this-week%2F%22%7D

Cheap and capable of being a bell cow back. Seems like just the kinda player Gettleman likes

[MV%doe]

I'm still salty about bill stealing gaffny. I'll state this too, reaves(started a game for panthers)may open some eyes.

[xerxes]

He's more of a pass catching RB, which we don't really do a lot. I'd rather get a Stewart replacement in the draft.

 

edit: mixed up my patriot RBs. was thinking of Vereen.

[Bozarden]

He fumbles. A LOT. no thank you

[Jakob]

I'd only take Ridley if Tolbert is on his way out.

[DaCityKats]

Ridley is a decent runner. more of a power back/ one cut guy but could be a cheap option at RB.

[SOJA]

yes he fumbled a lot, but Bellicheat is so weird with how he handles his RBs there is no telling how good this guy is 

[Bj-Monster23]

yes he fumbled a lot, but Bellicheat is so weird with how he handles his RBs there is no telling how good this guy is

Skipper could do wonders with him.

[panthers55]

so why pick up a guy coming off ACL reconstruction even at vet minimum when we can pick up someone likely just as good and healthy in the fifth round for example when we have 3 picks. By then we will have already drafted an OT, a WR and a DB. Good time to get a RB, maybe a linebacker and another receiver. Won't be Hardy though I wish it were. As a Panther fan and not the fan of a player I would want to pickup third or fourth round talent in the fifth. Great value. But I hope I am wrong and he is still there and that Gettleman is high on him like I am. We will see.....

[CarolinaNCSU]

I'd rather draft a guy. His fumbles worry me way too much. 

[nickzz]

He's more of a pass catching RB, which we don't really do a lot. I'd rather get a Stewart replacement in the draft.

no he's not lol

huge fumbling problem. I would be pissed if we signed him.

[TheRumGone]

Pass

[gettlemanjack]

He's more of a pass catching RB, which we don't really do a lot. I'd rather get a Stewart replacement in the draft.

Ridley is not a pass catching RB. His most receiving yards in a season was 62 yds in 2013. Ridley is a big 225-pound, slow (4.66), between-the-tackles power back that runs hard and would be fun to watch lined up behind our strong interior line

New England Sports Network Doug Kyed @ DougKyedNESN

Stevan Ridley runs hard as hell. Gets 1-2 yards more than he

should on almost every carry.

Ian Rapoport @ RapSheet

RB Stevan Ridley..really runs hard

easports.com Madden rating czar Donny Moore @ Donny_Moore

Stevan Ridley runs hard

G VAD @ GeorgeVadnais

3m

Sure hope Ridley returns to the Patriots, not many people run as hard as he does. Underrated

Ridley's best season was 2012 when he ran for 1263 yds and 12 TDs.

Rotoworld today: "Free agent RB Stevan Ridley will visit with teams next week. Ridley has been recovering from a torn ACL and is expected to be fully cleared in about six weeks. A reunion with New England seems unlikely given Ridley's similarities to LeGarrette Blount. ... The bruising 220-pounder has chronic fumbling issues and will probably have to settle for a one-year deal."

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nfl/6487/stevan-ridley

he has 9 fumbles on 679 touches, 1 per 75.44 touches...which at 18 touches per game would be 1 every 4.19 games. That is consistent with his record for most fumbles in a season: 4.

His last season in LSU's smash-mouth offense, Ridley was the feature back and ran for 1,147 yards, 15 TDs.

The Patriots drafted him 3rd R, #73 overall, just two spots after DeMarco Murray (#71 overall).

Ridley is just entering his prime years, having just turned 26 in January. He's coming off a torn ACL

Rotoworld: "Coming off ACL surgery, Ridley will attempt to reestablish his value before getting another chance at free agency in 2016. He's been one of the better power backs in the league when healthy, and has potential to be a high-reward signing for a team that's willing to bet on his recovery. Ridley should command an incentives-based deal in the range of $1.25 million. ... Ridley's name hasn't come up much in free agency, which is understandable given his recent ACL tear. But he's..a big back that's capable of handling a workhorse role. If Adrian Peterson leaves Minnesota, it appears the Vikings view Ridley as a possible replacement ...Ridley won't be expensive. ... Ridley is a power back who could thrive behind Dallas' big offensive line. Wherever Ridley lands, he'll likely sign a short-term "prove it" contract."

http://www.rotoworld.com/recent/nfl/6487/stevan-ridley

[My Goodness My Guinness]

People seem to forget that when Ridley was healthy/not in Bill's doghouse that he was getting 20+ carries a game. And he can run between the tackles, and catch passes. A lot like Stewart actually. He even fumbles like Stewart.