They do not remember what happened last year, they remember what is happening THIS year and on a more distinct note, they do not remember what happened in week one, they remember what happened LAST week. That truth is rather unfortunate for 24 year old Patriots running back, Stephan Ridley who has fumbled 3 times in the last 3 weeks and has been benched following each turnover.
Following his most recent fumble, the 4th of his 2013 season, any sliver of fan respect for Ridley's successful 2012 was lost only to be replaced by a constant calling for the 3rd year back to simply get out of town.
“For me, it’s almost disgusting, man,” he said in the locker room after the fumble that caused him to leave the game and then violently spike his helmet on the sideline. “Consecutive weeks. Personally, as a player, my team deserves better. I come in, I work, bust my a-- every day. To come in and have the same mistakes happen, there’s something I gotta do different, I gotta do better. As a competitor all I can do is come in here and keep working. ... I just gotta be there for the team when they call me.”
By comparison, Ridely's 4 fumbles lost in 2013 are twice those accumulated by Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson and 3 more than league rushing leader: LeSean McCoy. It is no doubt about the fact that when he can lock the ball tight against his chest and run around with it, Ridley's proficiency in bouncing off of outside tackles sure makes him top back material. He rushed for 1,147 yards on 249 carries during his final year at LSU and then hit the 1,000 yard mark 2 years later in the NFL when in 2012, he stormed past defenders to rush for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns on 290 carries.
He has potential but the fumbles are tough. He has been benched following each fumble this season and although his most recent mistake was the first one that pulled him from the entire game, he was benched for a full half in Week 1, and then pulled out for the better part of a quarter in Weeks 8 and 9. Furthermore, in games like these in addition to ones following those in which Ridely has fumbled, he has seen the number of chances he gets deccrese even when he is on the field.
He is getting benched as well as losing his teammates trust. Double trouble.
“When I put the ball on the ground, they have no option but they take me out. It’s sickening, man,” Ridley said. “I’m frustrated, but it’s part of the game. I think that as a player, you’re going to have your ups and your downs, but the main thing is you have to stay focused and keep your eye on the prize at the end of the day. I’m not going to get too far down. I’m going to put more pressure on myself to go out there and practice and change up some things. I can't keep doing this.”
But as was said earlier, he may be running out of time. Last season Stephan Ridely averaged just over 18 carries per game while just 1 season later, his benchings and decreeing trustworthiness has dropped his average down to 13.5. That does not seem like much but when you factor it in, guys like Ridely often average close to 5 yards per carry tacking away 5 such runs drops their game rushing totals by close to 25 yards. This has been evident this season and even more so in the past few weeks as his snap totals have gone down steadily from 26 in Week 8, to 13 in Week 9 and then an abysmal 4 back on Sunday against the Broncos.
However what seems to be the worst aspect of this all for Ridley is the fact that his absence from the field has not been missed especially with the recent re addition of Shane Vereen to the rushing core. He in collaboration with Brandon Boulden took over the entire rushing attack last week combining for 21 attempted ground plays and 9 additional targets through the air.
Since the middle of last year, he has really emerged and developed into that role,” Tom Brady said of his budding new rusher Vereen following Week 9's Monday Night Game with the Panthers. “I think the best part is he really understands the importance and magnitude of that role and takes a lot of pride in it. It’s a hugely important part of our offense.”
Now more than ever, it seems that it is Vereen's turn to take over. Stephan Ridley is a great running back, and a powerful athlete but when you look at the stats the big 4 spot in the fumbles column makes you cringe and makes Bill Belichick angry. Ridely says he thinks it is disgusting and will continue to work as hard as he can to stop the fumbling but as it stands he might not get that opportunity.
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