Stevan Ridley....

What's going on with this guy?

One of the big things about us this year is that we had a running game. Ridley is back to his fumbling ways, Bolden is a ghost all of a sudden. If our running game goes we're in serious trouble. Thoughts?

Everyone and their mom fumbled the ball in this game. It is disappointing that Ridley did so early and often, and his fumble was a large factor in us losing the game, but he is a reliable back and the one who i want handling the ball on a running play.

For better or for worse, Ridley is your runningback this season and likely for the foreseeable future, i can guarantee that this team gets some drills on handling the ball in bad conditions in the offseason however, jesus.

Good RB but what else is there to really say beyond he's gotta take care of the football. Incidentally, that goes for all of the other ball carriers too.

Did Ridley have one fumble or two? Box score says one, but the announcers seemed to keep indicating there were two. We they counting the one where he was clearly down?

(One is too many)

onegameatatime said:

Did Ridley have one fumble or two? Box score says one, but the announcers seemed to keep indicating there were two. We they counting the one where he was clearly down?

(One is too many)

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Fumbled once in second half as we were driving. He fumbled on opening possession but he was ruled down.

51Hits said:

What's going on with this guy?

One of the big things about us this year is that we had a running game. Ridley is back to his fumbling ways, Bolden is a ghost all of a sudden. If our running game goes we're in serious trouble. Thoughts?

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Hey worry wart. I've seen Adrian Peterson fumble 3 times in a game, I've seen Matt forte fumble three times. Should they be benched as a result. It happens.

one thing i missed about years past...BJGE may have been a worse runner...but NEVER fumbled the ball..ever

I'll defer to tom Brady (from Ian's press conference thread/post).

“mental toughness, I think that’s what you show. Not every game’s going to be perfect, and not every carry is going to be a 50 yard touchdown, not every pass is going to be a 50 yard touchdown, it’s a matter of understanding what you need to do to help the team win. Being selfless, doing your job

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Tough conditions and the second fumble was a perfect helmet on the ball but...those are excuses. Ridley and Vareen are going to have to decide no one is taking it away. They also need eyes in the back of their heads and know when the play is over to turtle up.

Mental toughness. Woodhead had it today, enough to win if other mistakes didn't happen. Noticed Wilfork give him a good tap on the sidelines. We've got a pretty good core and some guys that need to step up. Bolden's been out, he'll be back in the rotation.

Two more games. It's not about talent at this point, it's who's mentally tough, focused, reliable. TB, Welker, Wilfork, Spikes, Mayo I feel are there. Lots of others need to step up IMO, though they have flashed they aren't in that core.

Woodhead, though limited, seems to be making a bid. You never know who's going to come through, look at 2001. Wiggins and JR Redmond come to mind.

I think Ridley's going to be fine, but it's up to him, he needs to focus these last two games and quit sulking.

Cmon now, even BJGE fumbles every now and then.

Whats more concerning is that it seems when the Pats are up against a good Run Defense Ridley either doesn't run well or isn't given the carries to prove he can do so.

On the other hand when you got Brady, you can't waste time running into a stone wall.

Ridley will be fine, he doesn't fumble anymore then any other RB. I've never seen such an over-reaction to a few fumbles. Ridley is getting a raw deal. All it's gonna do is get in his head, seems like it already is.

brady199 said:

Cmon now, even BJGE fumbles every now and then.

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now he does..with NE he didn't

relax. the guy fumbled once in pouring rain.

Brady_to_Moss said:

now he does..with NE he didn't

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Probably, because he knew he wouldn't get a chance to take, or keep the starting running back position unless he focused on being perfect, including not fumbling. People might not remember, but the consensus was Kevin Faulk was a goner many years ago, partly because of fumbleitis. He improved every phase of his game, but especially ball security and blitz pickup.

Stuff happens, but you can improve ball security by working on it, and it's not "OK" on this team, believe me. That goes for Hernandez and Vereen too, if they want to get to the next level (not that Vereen's at any level of trust yet).

Soadisthebest said:

relax. the guy fumbled once in pouring rain.

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but it isn't like he hasn't fumbled before in big games. I honestly believe that he just gets a little too excited a more focused on the big run. The number 1 job of any running back is to protect the football. Fumbling is 100% preventable, BB knows this and thats why it's not tolerated. Love Riddley but he has to protect the ball at all times, especially in poor conditions and especially against the 49ers of all teams.

TriplecHamp said:

but it isn't like he hasn't fumbled before in big games. I honestly believe that he just gets a little too excited a more focused on the big run. The number 1 job of any running back is to protect the football. Fumbling is 100% preventable, BB knows this and thats why it's not tolerated. Love Riddley but he has to protect the ball at all times, especially in poor conditions and especially against the 49ers of all teams.

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it was just one of those games. every bounce went their way.

Come on guys.... despite the announcers claiming that he had two fumbles all game, he DIDN'T, he only had one since the one in the 1st quarter was clearly overturned and never should have been ruled a fumble. That means that Ridley fumbled once, against the best run defense in football, when a great safety put a perfect helmet-led hit straight into the football during a rainstorm.

Nothing to see here.

TriplecHamp said:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soadisthebest

relax. the guy fumbled once in pouring rain.

but it isn't like he hasn't fumbled before in big games. I honestly believe that he just gets a little too excited a more focused on the big run. The number 1 job of any running back is to protect the football. Fumbling is 100% preventable, BB knows this and thats why it's not tolerated. Love Riddley but he has to protect the ball at all times, especially in poor conditions and especially against the 49ers of all teams.

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to be fair...the one against the Texans would've been incredibly hard to prevent. just about every defender was tearing at the ball in a stopped pile for a while.


it's not "ok" but lets not also act like he fumbles way more than any other #1 back.


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The entire team played a downer for the first 2 and 1/2 quarters. Let's not single out Stevan Ridley for the team's woes.

Not a fumbles are created equal. Ridley seems to have ended up on the bad end of some hits that would force fumbles on a lot of players. I don't think any of them are as bad as the one against the Broncos in the playoffs last year, though. Brodrick Bunkley (a 306 pound DT) had a 10 yard running start and hit Ridley at full speed while he was behind held up by another defender. Not a whole lot you can do about that.

I'm more concerned with the drop in his play. not really against good d's either. was very up and down against buffalo and looked bad v. indy. bolden absence may have him getting a bit worn out. then again the olines play has also declined with the injuries catching up.


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Soadisthebest said:

relax. the guy fumbled once in pouring rain.

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Not only that, it was a really good play by the Niners. Ugh, poor Ridley..