Ridley opens up about fumbling issue

Photo Courtesy of Kieth Nordstrom

It's no secret that Stevan Ridley has had his problems hanging onto the football. It is also no secret that he is the teams best rusher. A healthy dose of Ridley and LeGarrette Blount this past weekend helped the Patriots squash talk that they were not a physical football team.

After being benched by the coaching staff for the game against the Texans, Ridley has been slowly reintegrated into the offensive attack and was turned to this weekend to close out the Ravens and cap the Patriots most impressive win this season. Ridley is close to regaining the full confidence of the coaching staff which is perhaps why he was more willing to talk about his ball security issues now than he has been in the past.

Really, it’s just being more conscious about it,” Ridley said. “For me, I have to run the way I run. I can’t change really that much because what I’ve been doing is what’s gotten me to this point. The mistakes that I’ve made recently weren’t the same mistakes that I was making when I was in the position that I was in, coming out and getting drafted and the first few years here. But of course, when you have mistakes and you’ve repeated the same mistakes, you have to go back and critique yourself. For me, it’s just kind of keep the ball high and tight and be aware of it. If I can keep the ball there, I think I’ll be OK from here on out, but that’s going to be up to me and nobody but myself.

Injuries are beginning to pile up both on the offensive line and at the offensive skill positions. Running the football with Blount and Ridley can help pound the ball on the ground and give the Patriots a new identity heading into the playoffs. A lot is made of flashy passing numbers during the regular season, but the team that can control the clock and grind out long drives late in playoff games is the one that is going to win the Super Bowl. Ridley's reemergence couldn't have come at a better time and hopefully he continues to keep the ball in his possession and McDaniels keeps calling his number. If the Patriots' defense continues to be stingy in the red zone, and Blount and Ridley can continue successful running between the tackles, the Patriots have as good a chance as any to be the last team standing.


Source: BostonHerald.com

-Ryan Cereola
-@ryancereola