Stevan Ridley signed a 1-year deal with the New York Jets last week. He remains in the AFC East and is currently recovering from the torn ACL he suffered during Week 5 of the 2014 season. Ridley is a physical runner that is decisive and keeps his legs moving, but is very limited in the passing game. Let’s take a further look at how he fits with his new team.
The Jets sent a clear message by allowing speed back Chris Johnson to walk in free agency. Even though bruising runner Chris Ivory is still the lead back, the Jets chose to sign a downhill power runner like Ridley instead of a pass catcher or a speed back. This signals the Jets intend to play the “ground and pound” game and rely on their defense like the Jets teams that made back to back AFC Championship games.
Ridley is a decisive downhill runner who should be categorized as a power or “big” back. Don’t expect Ridley to outrun the secondary or make many defenders miss via jukes; he hits the hole hard and gains his yards after first contact by “running angry” and falling forward. His style isn’t flashy, but Geno Smith will appreciate when it’s 3rd and 4 instead of 3rd and 8:
Play 1
Even when there is no clear hole, Ridley presses the line of scrimmage and “runs through smoke” to gain chunks of yardage:
Play 2
Ridley is a physical back that can wear a defense down as a game progresses; he logged at least 15 carries 20 times over the past 3 seasons with the Patriots, albeit only playing in 6 games in 2014.… Article continues here
