Stevan Ridley Packs on Muscle to be Premier Back
When Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots acquired LeGarrette Blount in late April trade, dealing Jeff Demps and a seventh round draft selection to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it was speculated that it Blount could get into shape he would be the goal line running back in New England. Stevan Ridley's offseason weight lifting and conditioning is his argument to Belichick to keep him as premier back, including between the tackles on the goal line.
According to the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe, Ridley has gained noticeable muscle mass in his upper body by intensifying his weight sessions. Furthermore, Ridley has increased his conditioning because while he wants to get bigger and stronger, he does not want to sacrifice his speed in anyway. It was his speed last year that put him seventh in rushing yards and the combination of the offensive ability and his power that placed him third in rushing touchdowns with twelve.
Ridley understands the risk of gaining weight, but he has not noticed any drawbacks at this point in the offseason. The Patriots have mandated daily weigh-ins, thus the weight gain will never get out of control.
Ridley talked briefly about the balance between gaining muscle mass and maintaining the speed and endurance he had last year:
According to the Boston Herald's Jeff Howe, Ridley has gained noticeable muscle mass in his upper body by intensifying his weight sessions. Furthermore, Ridley has increased his conditioning because while he wants to get bigger and stronger, he does not want to sacrifice his speed in anyway. It was his speed last year that put him seventh in rushing yards and the combination of the offensive ability and his power that placed him third in rushing touchdowns with twelve.
When speaking on his offseason mindset, Ridley states, “The offseason is when you really train hard. During the season, you’re trying to maintain what you’ve got, but during the offseason, you really stack on the pounds. You try to get faster. You try to get bigger. You try to get stronger. This is the time that you have to do that. That’s why the weight is coming on, and I’m hitting the weight room a little bit harder right now."
Ridley understands the risk of gaining weight, but he has not noticed any drawbacks at this point in the offseason. The Patriots have mandated daily weigh-ins, thus the weight gain will never get out of control.
Ridley talked briefly about the balance between gaining muscle mass and maintaining the speed and endurance he had last year:
“It’s a little bit heavier,” Ridley said. “I know that, and I’m aware of it every day in practice with me running and stuff like that. It’s all about being conditioned as well. You can’t have all that weight on and be sucking air two or three plays in. That’s why I say you have to see how well you can carry the weight and if you can go day to day being successful with that."Ridley and Patriots fans alike are hoping it will turn out well and Ridley will be stronger and faster than last year, resulting in an even better year for the third-year back.
