News:Stevan Ridley told the Boston Herald he's had no lingering effects stemming from the concussion he suffered in the AFC title game last January. "I thank the Lord that I'm healthy and brought me back," Ridley said. "All I can do now is move forward from that, but it was a nice hit that I took. Just got to shake it off. Comes with the game. ... I'll be out here this year ready to go."
Analysis: Ridley dominated carries for New England with 290 for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns during the regular season. We haven't seen a back dominate reps like that for the Pats in years, and while the team added LeGarrette Blount and sport a deep RB depth chart, all expectations are for Ridley to shoulder another heavy load. We like Ridley as a borderline No. 1/No. 2 Fantasy running back worth a pick between 10th and 20th overall in standard leagues (15th and 30th overall in PPR leagues).
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley left in the fourth quarter of Sunday's AFC Championship Game against Baltimore with a head injury and was ruled out for the remainder of the game, the team announced. Ridley took a crushing helmet-to-helmet hit from Baltimore defensive back Bernard Pollard and immediately crumpled to the ground, fumbling the ball in the process that the Ravens recovered. He remained on the ground for several minutes before walking off the field under his own power and heading to the locker room for further observation.
Analysis: Ridley, who was surprisingly not in the starting lineup for last Sunday's win over Houston, served as the leading ball-carrier against the Ravens and racked up 18 carries for 70 yards. He finished with more carries than the rest of the Patriots' running backs combined as he averaged a quality 3.9 yards per attempt. Ridley finished with a career-high 13 total touchdowns during the season, including the playoffs, as he welcomed the role of the team's primary option out of the backfield. He will turn only 24 during the offseason and should be considered with a selection in the first three rounds of all Fantasy drafts for the 2013 campaign.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is ready for the rematch with Baltimore in the AFC Championship Game. Ridley struggled against the Ravens in Week 3 with 13 carries for 37 yards, but he has double digits in Fantasy points in five of his past seven games, including the playoff victory against the Texans last week. The Ravens have allowed four of their past six opposing running backs to reach double digits in Fantasy points, including Ronnie Hillman last week.
Analysis: Ridley will likely share playing time with Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead. How the game plays out will determine how Ridley is used. If the Patriots go ahead early in the game then Ridley has the chance to kill the clock. But if the Patriots trail at all then Vereen/Woodhead will see increased time, and we expect Vereen to get more playing time after he scored three touchdowns against the Texans. Still, based on how Ridley has played this year, he is worth the gamble as a quality option in any Playoff Challenge game.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley had 15 carries for 82 yards and a touchdown during New England's 41-28 win over Houston in an AFC Divisional Playoff game Sunday. It was the third consecutive game he finished with at least 70 rushing yards as he averaged a solid 5.5 yards per carry. Ridley, who did not appear on the field until the team's third possession, plunged into the end zone on an 8-yard run in the third quarter. Fellow running back Shane Vereen posted three total touchdowns, including two scores through the air.
Analysis: The Patriots did not provide any reason for Ridley not being in the starting lineup as Danny Woodhead drew the unexpected nod. However, Woodhead was sidelined on the first play of the game, which cleared the path for Ridley to finish with a game-high 15 carries. He has now topped that mark 14 times during his breakout season and remains the leading option in the New England backfield. Ridley now has 13 touchdowns on the season and should continue to be viewed as a high-end Fantasy option in all playoff formats. Consider him with a pick in the first three rounds of all drafts for the 2013 campaign.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is looking forward to facing the Texans in the Divisional round of the playoffs Sunday. Ridley did a good job against the Texans in Week 14 with 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown. He scored in seven of his past nine games, and the Texans allowed double digits in Fantasy points to five running backs in their past seven outings. Ridley also has six touchdowns at home this season.
Analysis: Ridley has the chance for a quality playoff run, starting with the Texans. He hasn't run for 100 yards since Week 8, but he has reached double digits in Fantasy points in four of his past six games. We like Ridley as a solid option in Playoff Challenge leagues.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley found the end zone twice in Week 17 against the Dolphins. Ridley scored on a 1-yard scamper on fourth and goal in the second quarter before punching it in from a yard out later in the period. He finished with 74 yards on 20 carries in the 28-0 win and averaged 3.7 yards per carry.
Analysis: Ridley turned in a very productive sophomore campaign in New England as he became the fifth player in franchise history to rack up over 1,200 yards on the ground. He also found the end zone 12 times and should be New England's starting tailback for years to come. At 23-years-old, Ridley still has a ton of upside and could end up putting up even better numbers next year if he winds up starting all 16 games. Fantasy owners should consider him a high-end option in most formats heading into 2013.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley will be looking to get back into the end zone in Week 17 against the Dolphins. Ridley, who has 10 rushing scores on the year, has been shutout in the scoring department in each of his last two games. He has racked up 107 yards on the ground over that stretch and will be now facing a Miami defense that is allowing an average of 104.5 yards rushing per game. The Dolphins have surrendered eight touchdowns on the ground while yielding an average of 14.1 Fantasy points, which ranks seventh overall.
Analysis: Ridley has been very productive in his second year with the Patriots and needs only 11 yards on the ground to become the fifth player in franchise history to reach 1,200 in a season. He should have no problem hitting that number this week against a Dolphins' defense that has struggled to defend the run of late. Miami has surrendered over 100 yards rushing in three of its last four contests and allowed three rushing scores over that stretch. Ridley rushed for 71 yards and a TD in his first meeting against the division rival back in Week 13 so consider the 23-year-old a viable start in most formats this week.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley had a nice game during the Week 16 win at Jacksonville Sunday. Ridley rushed 18 times in the game for 84 yards. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry and had a long run of 16 yards. Ridley did not score in the game and did not make a catch.
Analysis: Ridley was able to bounce back somewhat from a terrible performance in Week 15 against San Francisco. He was sharper against the Jaguars and was also able to hold onto the football. The Patriots continue to use Danny Woodhead in a variety of ways, but Ridley remains the lead runner. Heading into Week 17 against Miami, we expect another solid performance from Ridley as the Patriots need to win for playoff implications. Ridley rushed for 71 yards and a TD against the Dolphins Week 13 in Miami.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley needs just 95 rushing yards Week 16 at Jacksonville to become the fifth player in Patriots franchise history to reach 1,200 in a season. He will look to accomplish that against a team giving up plenty of yardage on the ground this season. The Jaguars are allowing the second-most Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs as they have given up 1,770 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. The Jaguars have also allowed running backs to rack up 455 yards receiving with two receiving touchdowns. Just last week Miami's Reggie Bush rushed for 104 yards against the Jaguars.
Analysis: Ridley did not perform up to par last week against San Francisco's tough defense. He rushed nine times for just 23 yards and fumbled the ball away as he finished without any Fantasy points for the first time all season. Ridley had been rolling prior to that game with a touchdown in five straight and six of seven contests. He should be able to get back on track Week 16 against a terrible run defense. Fantasy owners should consider Ridley for a bounce-back performance as a No. 1 Fantasy running back.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley failed to get it going on the ground as he turned in a mediocre performance during Sunday's contest against the 49ers in Week 15. Ridley also lost a fumble in the third quarter, which led to a San Francisco touchdown on the very next play. He rushed for a season-low 23 yards on nine carries in a 41-34 defeat. He was not involved in the passing game, as he finished with no catches or targets on the night. Ridley's fellow running back, Danny Woodhead, rushed for a team-high 61 yards and scored two rushing touchdowns.
Analysis: Ridley has been a key contributor for the Patriots all season and for some reason coach Bill Belichick used Woodhead, who has been more of a pass-catching running back, on the ground. Ridley was used just once after the fumble, though the Patriots were rallying back from a 28-point deficit using mostly passing plays. Also, Woodhead had 29 of his 61 yards on the ground before the fumble. Ridley will try to get back on track against the lowly Jaguars in Week 16. The Jaguars have allowed 145.7 yards on the ground per game this season, which is the second-most permitted in the league. We expect him to be back to his old ways, so consider him as a viable starting option in all formats heading into Week 16 at Jacksonville.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley will try to extend his scoring streak heading into a tough matchup at home against the 49ers in Week 15. Ridley collected 18 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown in Week 14 against a stingy Houston defense in Week 14. He has scored a touchdown in six consecutive games. Ridley will face another stingy defense that has allowed just 90.8 yards per game on the ground this season, which is the second fewest allowed in the league. The 49ers have allowed just two rushing touchdowns this season.
Analysis: Ridley was a key contributor for the Patriots last week against the Texans and is in the midst of a breakout season. After rushing for 441 yards and a touchdown in 2011, he has racked up 1,082 yards with 10 touchdowns through 13 games. He has netted 65 yards on more on the ground in eight of the last 10 games this season. Opposing running backs have averaged just 10.8 Fantasy points game this season. The 23-year-old could have a hard time finding room to run next week, so consider him as a viable option in most formats heading into Week 15.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley entered Week 14 against the Texans having scored a touchdown in five straight games. He was able to find the end zone again as he punched one in from 14 yards out in the fourth quarter. After running for just 22 yards in the first half, Ridley ended up carrying the ball 18 times for 72 yards and the score in the 42-14 win. He had a long run of 14 and averaged 4 yards per rush. Ridley led New England in rushing in the victory.
Analysis: Ridley continues to have a breakout campaign for the Patriots as he now has 10 touchdowns on the year with 1,082 yards rushing. His ability to move the ball on the ground has given New England some potent balance on offense and a dimension they have not had in years. The 23-year-old could have a hard time finding room to run next week, however as the 49ers will come to town. San Francisco has limited running backs to an average of 10.8 Fantasy points thus far. Still, Ridley has been a reliable option in Fantasy all season long and should remain active in most formats for Week 15.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley will be looking to extend his scoring streak to six straight games in Week 14 against the Texans. Ridley has found the end zone in each of his last five games and has racked up 421 yards rushing over that stretch. Houston enters the contest boasting the league's second best run defense, allowing just 87.6 yards rushing per game. The Texans have surrendered only two touchdowns on the ground this season while yielding an average of 10 Fantasy points to opposing RBs, which ranks first overall.
Analysis: Ridley has been a TD machine over the past five weeks as the second-year back has really come into his own during his sophomore campaign. He has found the end zone nine times already this season has already racked up 1,010 yards on ground with four games left to play. However, he will be a facing an extremely stingy Texans' run defense this week. Houston has only allowed two opposing RBs to find the ground on the ground against them this season, which both came in the same game against the Lions back in Week 12. Still, Ridley has been way to productive of late to bench, so continue to roll with the 23-year-old as a viable low-end option in most formats this week.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley had a decent day against the Dolphins in Week 13, and that was enough to get him past a major milestone for the season. Ridley rushed 19 times for 71 yards in the game, becoming the 12th running back in New England history to top the 1,000-yard rushing mark. He finished the game at 1,010 yards on the season, on 225 carries. Ridley rushed for a touchdown for the fifth game in a row as well, giving him nine on the season, in a 23-16 win.
Analysis: Ridley has been a pleasant surprise all season long, taking the lead in the Patriots’ running game and never relinquishing it. He entered Week 13 ranked seventh in the league in rushing yards, and he is on pace for over 1,300 yards on the season. Ridley will face a tough test in Week 14, as the Patriots get set to host the Texans. Houston is allowing the second-fewest Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, at 10.3 per game. Fantasy owners should still consider Ridley a high-end starter, despite the matchup.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley has the chance to top the 1,000-yard rushing mark in Week 13, but he faced a tall task against a Dolphins defense that has been very stout against the run this season. Ridley sits at 939 yards after 11 games, and he enters the game against Miami on quite an impressive run; he has 348 yards and four touchdowns over his last four games. If he simply keeps that pace up Sunday, he will pass that benchmark, however that is by no means a guarantee against Miami.
Analysis: Ridley needs 61 yards to reach the milsestone, a total that only five running backs have reached individually in 11 games against Miami. Ridley also has a four-game scoring streak on the line, against a Miami defense that has allowed just three rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs. Despite the tough matchup, Ridley’s recent play has been too much for Fantasy owners to ignore. Keep him active in most Fantasy formats as he guns for his first 1,000-yard season.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley enjoyed another solid performance as he nearly reached the century mark against the Jets Thursday night in Week 12. Ridley sliced through the Jets' front seven for a team-high 97 yards rushing and a touchdown on 21 carries in a 49-19 victory. He ripped through for a 9-yard strike early in the fourth quarter for his eighth touchdown of the season.
Analysis: Ridley reached the end zone for the fourth consecutive game and was able to bounce back in a big way for the Patriots. He is in the midst of a breakout campaign and has 939 rushing yards this season. Ridley will try to keep his touchdown streak alive on the road against the Dolphins in Week 13. Miami has allowed 96.8 rushing yards per game entering Week 12, which could pose a tough test for the 23-year-old. Fantasy owners should continue to view him as a viable option in all formats heading into Week 13 at Miami.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley heads into the Week 12 Thursday night game on Thanksgiving with plenty to be greatful for. Ridley will be taking on a Jets team in New York that is allowing the sixth-most Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs on the season. The Jets have been better against the run lately, but Ridley should get plenty of yardage against that defense as he looks to score a touchdown for the fourth consecutive game.
Analysis: Ridley was held to 28 rushing yards last week as Shane Vereen and Julian Edelman each out-rushed him yardage-wise in the game. That said, Ridley did score a touchdown to extend his streak and should see the bulk of the carries against the Jets, a team Ridley has never scored against. Of course, that shouldn't matter this week as we believe he might get that first elusive touchdown against the AFC East foe. Consider Ridley a solid No. 1 Fantasy running back for the Week 12 game.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley tallied 13 carries for 28 yards and a touchdown during New England's 59-24 rout of Indianapolis in Week 11. Ridley finished with the fewest rushing yards among the Patriots' trio of rushers, surprisingly behind Julian Edelman (47) and Shane Vereen (40). He salvaged his subpar outing with a 3-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter -- the third consecutive game he's reached the end zone.
Analysis: Despite a lowly yardage total, Ridley still made an impact for the Patriots and now has seven total touchdowns on the season. He has accounted for at least 65 yards or a touchdown in each of his past four games while serving as New England's leading running back, although he didn't act the part Sunday. Fantasy owners should expect a rebound during Week 12 against the Jets on Thursday as he chewed up New York for 65 yards on 17 carries during the teams' previous meeting this season.
News: After a minor rough patch in the middle of October, New England running back Stevan Ridley has returned to his standout form the past two games and is averaging 112.5 rushing yards during that span. He will attempt to amass at least 98 yards for the third consecutive game during Week 11 against Indianapolis and add to his sterling season total. Ridley ranks third in the AFC with 814 total rushing yards and will face a Colts defense that has struggled against the run, surrendering an average of 120.3 rushing yards per game.
Analysis: In addition to his strong yardage totals, Ridley has also reached the end zone in each of his past two games to give him six touchdowns on the season -- easily a career high as he entered the year with just one score. He remains the clear leading option in the Patriots' backfield and has posted less than 15 carries only once in nine games this season. Indianapolis has yielded an average of 18.0 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, but only one touchdown to the position over the past four weeks. Ridley still remains a high-end Fantasy option in all formats for Week 11.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley had a solid performance in the Week 10 win over Buffalo Sunday. Ridley got into the end zone on a 1-yard run early in the game and ended up closing in on 100 rushing yards. Ridley finished with 22 carries for 98 yards as he missed out on 100, but did score the touchdown in the game. Ridley did not make a catch and was targeted just once by quarterback Tom Brady.
Analysis: Ridley has now scored in back-to-back games and is averaging over 100 yards per contest in the last two for the Patriots. Danny Woodhead scored twice against the Bills but that shouldn't change Ridley's Fantasy value heading into Week 11 against Indianapolis. Ridley has been solid and can be active in all Fantasy formats against the Colts.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is looking for another 100-yard game against the Bills at home in Week 10. Ridley has four 100-yard performances this season and has already torched the Bills for 106 yards and two touchdowns in his last meeting in Week 4. The Bills have allowed 169.5 yards per game on the ground, which is the second-most in the league.
Analysis: Ridley had a breakout game against the Bills his last time and has been relied on for the bulk of the carries for the Patriots this season. He has rushed for 716 yards and five touchdowns this season and is raked seventh in the league in rushing. The Bills have been one of the worst units against the run and has allowed 26.5 Fantasy points per game, including 10 touchdowns in the last five games. Fantasy owners should keep him active in all formats heading into Week 10.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley broke 100 rushing yards for the fourth time this season Week 8 at St. Louis (London). Ridley went over 100 yards in the second half Sunday on a career-best 41-yard carry. Ridley finished with a team-high 127 yards on 15 carries. He netted his fifth rushing touchdown on a 1-yard carry in the second quarter. Ridley might have had a two-touchdown game, but he was stopped on a goal-line carry late in the first quarter. Shane Vereen eventually scored from 1-yard out on that drive.
Analysis: The Patriots might have a glut of running backs, but the team relies on Ridley as its top back. His touches lately have been limited to the 15-20 range, but as he proved Sunday he can still do a lot of damage despite not being an every-down back. The Patriots also like to use him down at the goal line, which is a plus as well for Fantasy owners. The Patriots are on a bye until Week 10 vs. Buffalo. Ridley had 106 rushing yards and two touchdowns Week 4 against the Bills, so Ridley will be a viable Fantasy option again Week 10.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley enters Week 8 at St. Louis (game being played in London) looking to hit pay dirt for the first time since Week 5 against the Broncos. But if history prevails, then netting a touchdown Week 8 isn't in Ridley's favor. In six career games against NFC opponents, Ridley has no touchdowns and is averaging 23 rushing yards per game. The Rams are yielding 15.3 Fantasy points per week to running backs, but no running back has scored in the last three games against St. Louis. Running backs have totaled five touchdowns (four rushing) against St. Louis this season.
Analysis: Ridley has been a very frustrating Fantasy option the last few weeks. He got off to a great start this season, but has managed just 99 rushing yards and no touchdowns in his last two games. It seems that fumble late in the game against the Broncos has put him in the dog house a bit as coach Bill Belichick has gotten other running backs (Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Brandon Bolden) involved on offense. Ridley is still a startable Fantasy option because he has at least 15 touches in all but one game this season. We just might need to temper expectations a little bit because of the other running back options for New England.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley had 17 carries for 65 yards during the Patriots' 29-26 overtime win over the Jets in Week 7. Ridley was held under 70 rushing yards for just the third time in seven games this season as he managed 3.8 yards per carry. His yardage total was nearly matched by backup Shane Vereen despite the latter earning nine fewer carries as he finished with 49 yards on eight attempts.
Analysis: Ridley remains the starter in the backfield for the Patriots, but the team's constant rotation can sometimes be dizzying. The 23-year-old has now been held out of the end zone in back-to-back games -- matching a season high -- as he remains stuck on four touchdowns. It's still encouraging Ridley was supplied with ample carries as he entered Sunday's game ranked third in the NFL with 118 rushing attempts. He should be able to halt his recent scoring drought and is worthy of a starting spot in most Fantasy formats for Week 8 at St. Louis.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley will not only be seeking a rebound performance during Week 7 against the Jets, but he will also attempt to reach a personal rushing mark. Backed by his stellar sophomore season, Ridley needs 35 rushing yards to reach 1,000 yards for his career and he will square off against a New York defense that is permitting 150.5 rushing yards per week. Ridley, who has topped 100 yards three times this season, was limited to a season-low 34 yards on 16 carries against Seattle in Week 6.
Analysis: Ridley lost some carries to Brandon Bolden last Sunday, but he should return to serving as the leading ball-carrier for the Patriots after Bolden was ruled out with a knee injury. The 23-year-old had tallied three touchdowns in his previous two games coming into Week 6 and will not attempt to reach the end zone for the first time in his career against the Jets. New York is allowing an average of 21.3 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season and have surrendered a score to the position in all but one of its six games. Consider Ridley a solid starting option in all Fantasy formats for Week 7.
News: After rushing for over 100 yards each of the previous three games, Patriots running back Stevan Ridley did not have the same success against the Seahawks in Week 6. He gained 8 yards on four carries in the first half and finished with 16 rushes for 34 yards in the 24-23 loss. He had a long run of 6 and averaged just 2.1 yards per carry. Ridley, who led New England in rushing, also caught one pass for zero yards in the defeat.
Analysis: Ridley lost carries to Brandon Bolden in the first half but after Bolden went down with a knee injury, the Patriots started giving him the ball more. Still, the 23-year-old put together his worst performance of the season Sunday and has proven that he can be shut down by better defenses. Keep an eye on the status of Bolden heading into next week as Ridley could continue to lose touches to his teammate. With the Jets up next on the schedule, however, Ridley remains a viable option in the majority of Fantasy formats. Ridley rushed for 17 yards on 12 carries in two games against the division foe a year ago.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley has surpassed 100 yards rushing each of the previous two games but will have a tough task trying to reach that mark again in Week 6 against the Seahawks. Seattle boasts the third-best run defense in the NFL, giving up under 67 yards per contest, and has held opposing running backs to an average of 8.2 Fantasy points. Ridley is the first New England player to post back-to-back 100-yard rushing games since 2007.
Analysis: Ridley has established himself as the lead back in New England with 490 yards rushing thus far and four touchdowns. He has also seen 20-plus carries in three out of the four games and gives New England some much-needed balance on offense. While he has a tough matchup for Week 6, quarterback Tom Brady should be able to open up the run with the pass and Ridley has developed into a reliable option in Fantasy. Keep the 23-year-old active in the majority of formats against the Seahawks.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley posted his second straight 100-yard performance in Week 5 against the Broncos. After running for 70 yards in the first half, he finished with 151 yards on 28 carries -- both career highs -- with a touchdown in the 31-21 win. His fourth score of the season came in the third quarter when he was able to punch it in for 8 yards out. Ridley, who led New England in rushing, also lost a fumble late in the game. His performance was the highest single-game rushing yardage total by a Patriots player since Dec. 23, 2007, when Laurence Maroney had 156 yards on 14 carries in a win over Miami. "It didn't end the way I wanted it to, but besides that, I'm just thankful to be out there," Ridley said, per the team's offical website. "Some things are going in my favor and some things aren't. For me, I just need to come back in here on Monday and get back to work. But we're going to continue to work hard, that's the only way they do it around here and that's the team way."
Analysis: Ridley did not see any carries after losing the fumble in the fourth quarter but luckily for owners, he had already done some solid damage. Sunday marked the third time this season he saw over 20 carries, and he has gone over the century mark in each of those contests. It looks as though the Patriots have found their lead back but keep in mind that they love to mix and match at the running back spot from time to time. Still, based on his production thus far, Ridley is looking like a viable option in Fantasy going forward. Even though he will be going up against a tough run defense in the Seahawks in Week 6, keep the 23-year-old active in most formats.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley enters Week 5 against the Broncos leading the team in rushing with 339 yards on 74 carries with three touchdowns. Denver ranks ninth in the league in run defense, giving up under 88 yards per game, and has allowed an average of 11.5 Fantasy points to opposing running backs. In two games against the Broncos last season, Ridley carried the ball 15 times for 76 yards.
Analysis: Ridley has gone over the century mark twice through four games this season, including rushing for 106 yards with two touchdowns a week ago against Buffalo. He is showing owners that he can carry the load in New England and is proving to be a viable option in Fantasy after some inconsistencies during his rookie campaign. While the Broncos have been tough against the run thus far, the Patriots should be able to open things up with the pass, leading the way for another productive performance for Ridley. Consider the 23-year-old a reliable option in all Fantasy formats for Week 5.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley carried the ball 22 times for 106 yards on Sunday against the Bills. He scored two touchdowns.
Analysis: Ridley has had an interesting season so far, with games of 125, 71, and 37 rushing yards before Sunday's performance. His low point -- 37 yards against Baltimore -- was due to New England spreading out the offense and using Danny Woodhead as the lead back. Using a traditional set, Ridley excelled. And even though he wasn't the team's leading rusher -- Brandon Bolden ran for 137 yards -- Ridley got the most carries (22) and scored two touchdowns to Bolden's one. The Patriots host the Broncos in Week 5, a team that had allowed about 98 yards per game over their first three games (for comparison's sake, Buffalo had allowed 100.3 per game over that span). Ridley is a solid start in the RB2 slot going forward.
News:Stevan Ridley had an interesting Week 3 performance against the Ravens, gaining just 37 yards on 13 carries after rushing for a combined 196 yards over the first two weeks. He also failed to record a catch, as he had five receptions in his previous two games.
Analysis: Ridley's absence was explained in an ESPNBoston.com article that pointed out Danny Woodhead is the back the Patriots prefer in the three-wideout/spread offense. Since they went to that formation often against the Ravens, Ridley was relegated to a complementary role. This has a good news/bad news dichotomy to it: the good news is that Ridley hasn't been benched or fallen out of favor--he just isn't the right man for the spread package. The bad news is that the Patriots could pull the spread offense at any given time, making Ridley a wildly unpredictable gambit for your Fantasy team. He can run for 125 yards or 37 yards, both on the whim of two offensive tinkerers who do what's right for real football, but remain frustratingly enigmatic for Fantasy football. Because of this, Ridley cannot be benched ("He can run for 100 yards!") but he probably shouldn't be slotted in as anything higher than a flex ("He might only get 30 yards on 11 carries!"). And don't even try to explore the old box scores for any help here, as the Patriots have thrown several running backs -- all in the same game -- at the Bills over the last three seasons, with insanely varied results, including two games where Woodhead/Kevin Faulk (essentially the same role) figured prominently and four where they took a back seat. The best course of action here is to start Ridley at flex and hope that the spread offense is tossed to the side in Week 4 against the Bills.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley’s roll continues to shrink after a big game in the season opener, as he finished Week 3 against the Ravens with fewer carries than fellow running back Danny Woodhead. Ridley carried the ball 13 times for 37 yards, while Woodhead had 15 carries for 34 yards and a touchdown. Ridley also ceded goal-line carries to rookie Brandon Bolden, while being a non-factor in the passing game, with no catches and just one target in a 31-30 loss.
Analysis: The Patriots are notorious for their flexibility with packages, much to the consternation of Fantasy owners, who are getting a first-hand view of that with Ridley. He was one of Week 1’s breakout stars, rushing for 125 yards and a touchdown, but since has rushed for 108 yards and no scores over the last two games. Woodhead has the better pass-catching abilities, so he finds more time in various packages where Ridley does not even see the field. The Patriots are set to take on the Bills next Sunday, a team that has surrendered 100.3 yards per game on the ground so far this season, but which held Cleveland to 33 yards in Week 3. He is recommended as more of a flex Fantasy option in Week 4.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley looked like a real difference maker in Week 1, rushing for 125 yards and a touchdown in a 34-13 win against the Titants. He came back to earth in Week 2, rushing for just 71 yards, and he might have some trouble finding running room Sunday against the Ravens. Like Week 2, the Patriots may find themselves needing to throw the ball more often against Baltimore in Week 3, as it has the potential to be a very close game. If that happens, the team will likely not be looking Ridley’s way as often. Complicating things for Ridley is that Shane Vereen may be healthy this week, and he may take some snaps from him as a dynamic pass catcher out of the backfield.
Analysis: Ridley has yet to face the Ravens in his career, but they enter the week having allowed a rushing touchdown to an opposing running back in each of the first two games of the season. They have allowed 207 yards on the ground over the first two games of the season, though no individual running back has been able to top the century mark against them. The Ravens limited opposing rushing games to 93 yards per game last season, and they kept the Eagles to 89 yards in Week 2. Ridley remains worth starting in most Fantasy formats, but owners should temper expectations against a tough matchup.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley, who broke out with 125 yards on 21 carries in Week 1, was similarly productive to begin Week 2 against the Cardinals, picking up 54 yards on 11 carries in the first half. But the flow of the game -- namely, the Patriots' inability to put anything other than field goals on the scoreboard -- forced him out of the picture in the second half. For the game, he had 71 yards on 18 carries. He added 24 more on three catches.
Analysis: For the record, Ridley looked good picking up his 71 yards, hitting the holes hard and picking up decent yardage after contact. But alas, the Patriots went back to their bread and butter when the going got tough. Ridley still looks like a breakout player for Fantasy owners this season and should be a productive start more often than not. You just have to remember that, with all the weapons quarterback Tom Brady has at his disposal, the passing game will take precedence from time to time. With a tough matchup coming up at Baltimore, you might want to treat Ridley as more of a flex option in Week 3.
News: In a departure from the Patriots' usual pass-happy ways, running back Stevan Ridley, a first-year starter, was the star of the offense Week 1 at Tennessee, picking up 125 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. But that doesn't he'll be able to do it every week. As the Patriots have preached all week, the distribution between the pass and the run will depend on matchups and circumstances. "Depending on the game situation, it becomes maybe a bit out of balance if you get a substantial lead or vice versa, where the second half, you may be forced to throw it a lot more than you would like to," quarterback Tom Brady said. "But when it's a competitive game and it's still the first quarter, second quarter and you play some of these games that are going to be four-quarter games, you really have to be able to [be balanced] over the course of the entire game."
Analysis: So which kind of game will the Patriots play against the Cardinals in Week 2? It's probably safe to assume they won't be playing catchup. Whether they jump out to a big lead or play one of those four-quarter games Brady mentioned, Ridley will have an opportunity to contribute again. And he might be in an even better position to succeed against a defense that ranked 21st against the run. Hey, the Cardinals gave up 85 yards on 21 carries to Marshawn Lynch in Week 1, and they didn't have to pay nearly as much attention to the quarterback then. Though the identity of the Patriots offense could seemingly change from week to week, this week seems like the ideal time to start Ridley in Fantasy now that we know they're confident using him.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley made a great first impression in his first NFL start in Week 1 at the Titans. Ridley had 21 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown and two catches for 27 yards. It was the first 100-yard rushing game of Ridley's career.
Analysis: Ridley is looking like a great replacement for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and he should continue to run well for the rest of the year, especially with Shane Vereen (foot) out. Continue to use Ridley in all leagues heading into Week 2 against the Cardinals.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is coming off a quality preseason (34 carries for 152 yards and a touchdown), and he should see the majority of carries if Shane Vereen (foot) is out or limited in Week 1 at the Titans. This is a good matchup for Ridley since the Titans allowed 13 touchdowns to opposing running backs last year and 12 reached double digits in Fantasy points.
Analysis: Ridley steps into BenJarvus Green-Ellis' role from last year, so look for him to work at the goal line and also see plenty of carries. He is worth starting in all leagues this week as either a No. 2 running back or flex. We like his upside, especially with Vereen out or limited.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley was involved in both the passing game and the running game during Friday's preseason game against the Buccaneers. Ridley, who is looking take over as the team's starter, took a handoff from one yard out for a touchdown early in the second quarter. He played three quarters and touched the ball 19 times, finishing with 16 carries for 87 yards and a touchdown on the ground. He also caught all three of his targeted passes for 17 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per reception.
Analysis: Ridley probably put any doubt to rest as he seems like the clear go-to option in the Patriots' running attack heading into the regular season. He finished his rookie season with 441 yards and one touchdown on the ground in 15 games as he occasionally out-rushed some of the starters last season. It's his time to take in the backfield as he should be considered a high-end No. 2 Fantasy running back. He is worth drafting as early as Round 5 in most standard formats.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley (knee) dressed for Monday's preseason game against the Eagles, but did not get into the game until the second half. Ridley, who was nursing a knee injury, saw Shane Vereen got the start over him. That said, Ridley did participate in warmups and was in full uniform and took his first handoff in the third quarter. He finished with five carries for 14 yards and was targeted once in the passing game.
Analysis: Ridley suffered an injury to his right knee on Thursday in practice and the Patriots appeared to be holding him out Monday. That said, they gave him some offensive plays late in the game and he made it through OK. The fact he dressed and played suggests he should be OK going forward. He has been a star this offseason and should be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back worth a pick beginning in Round 6.
News: The Boston Herald reports that Patriots running back Stevan Ridley suffered a right knee injury during Thursday’s practice. The report says there’s no indication of the severity or how long he’ll be out, but "it could be a fortuitous sign that he watched the remainder of practice from the sideline before walking to the locker room under his own power."
Analysis: We hope that Ridley isn't seriously hurt, but it sounds like the Patriots could just be using caution to make sure he is OK. We doubt he will play Monday night against the Eagles, and this could open the door for Shane Vereen to take away reps from Ridley. He has been a star this offseason, and we hope he doesn't suffer a setback. As long as Ridley is healthy he should be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back worth a pick beginning in Round 6. If his knee is bad then his value will drop, but we don't want to consider that possibility.
News: ESPN.com reports that Patriots running back Stevan Ridley continues to look comfortable as a receiver out of the backfield. The report says Ridley "looks comfortable enough to play in the Patriots' up-tempo empty offensive set." Ridley could be moving toward a three-down back in the New England offense.
Analysis: Ridley is doing everything he can to take the lead in the New England backfield with the departure of BenJarvus Green-Ellis. While the Patriots will never become a running team with a featured back, Green-Ellis still scored double digits in touchdowns each of the past two seasons, and Ridley is a significant upgrade in talent over Green-Ellis. If he wins the starting job as expected ahead of Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead then Ridley should be considered a high-end No. 2 Fantasy running back. He is worth drafting as early as Round 5 in most standard formats.
News: Though he was outshone by backup Shane Vereen and did not appear in the game after the early minutes of the second quarter, Patriots running back Stevan Ridley had a solid debut in the preseason opener Thursday against the Saints. Ridley had eight carries for 40 yards in the game, and averaged 5.0 yards per carry. He was not used in the passing game, with no catches or targets.
Analysis: As of today, Ridley is expected to be the number one running back in New England, though Vereen was impressive in his own right in the game. Ridley came on towards the end of last season, averaging 70 yards per game over the final three games, so there is some reason to believe he could be productive if given the chance. Of course, given the nature of the Patriots’ offense, he likely is not looking at a huge role in the coming season even if he is the top option for carries. Fantasy owners should target him in the early-middle rounds on Draft Day, as a No. 2 running back in most formats.
News: Comcast Sports Net in Boston reports that Patriots running back Stevan Ridley is looking good through the early portion of training camp. The report says "Ridley continues to look fast and decisive and really comfortable in the offense." The report also says "still not seeing much from Shane Vereen."
Analysis: Ridley is doing everything he can to take the lead in the New England backfield with the departure of BenJarvus Green-Ellis. While the Patriots will never become a running team with a featured back, Green-Ellis still scored double digits in touchdowns each of the past two seasons, and Ridley is a significant upgrade in talent over Green-Ellis. If he wins the starting job as expected ahead of Vereen and Danny Woodhead then Ridley should be considered a high-end No. 2 Fantasy running back. He is worth drafting as early as Round 6 in most standard formats.
News: New England running back Stevan Ridley has been used as the primary runner with the first team in early Patriots training camp, reports WEEI.com. That said, Shane Vereen is also getting first-team reps later in practice and is being utilized more catching the football. Danny Woodhead also gets plenty of reps in a third-down role.
Analysis: Ridley appears to be the early favorite to start at running back for the Patriots this season. Of course, New England loves to spread it around and keep backs fresh and Vereen and Woodhead are more than capable of that. Still, Ridley presents the most upside, and he's worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy running back with a mid-round pick. He might not get 200-plus carries and produce like an elite option, but he can still help Fantasy owners this year as a flex option or key reserve. Look for him to be drafted some time around Round 6 or 7.
News: The Boston Herald reports that at running back for the Patriots "it makes sense for Stevan Ridley to be the main man between the tackles, and Bill Belichick clearly believed he had someone to fill that role when he decided to let BenJarvus Green-Ellis walk" as a free agent. Ridley is competing with Shane Vereen, Joseph Addai and Danny Woodhead for the No. 1 job. Vereen got a ton of playing time during offseason camps, and his role will increase significantly this season if he stays healthy. Vereen’s hamstring set him back in a big way as a rookie, when he only had 15 touches. He figures to work on receiving downs and as a change-of-pace rusher, with Woodhead in a similar role. Addai is likely going to see time as a reserve.
Analysis: We expect Ridley to be the main rusher for the Patriots this season, but he will lose touches to Vereen, Woodhead and Addai. Still, Ridley presents the most upside, and he's worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy running back with a mid-round pick. He might not get 200-plus carries and produce like an elite option, but he can still help Fantasy owners this year as a flex option or key reserve. Look for him to be drafted some time around Round 6 or 7.
News: Speaking from a fundraising event in Baton Rouge, La., the Natchez Democrat caught up with Patriots second-year rusher Stevan Ridley and asked him about the upcoming season. Ridley sounds determined to push for playing time as soon as camp opens. "I want to get to that No. 1 spot. And to this day that is still what I'm doing with the Patriots. I'm fighting for that No. 1 spot," he said. "Everything I could have asked for is right in front of me. It's all about, 'What do you do right now?' I'm smiling and happy, but at the same time it's a business, and you have to realize if you don't do your job there is somebody coming to replace you. I'm going into this year focused with an edge I've never had. It's put up or shut up at this point, and I'm ready to play."
Analysis: Though the Patriots are always mum on their personnel plans, we assume Ridley will share in some capacity with fellow second-year back Shane Vereen, potentially taking on roles similar to what we've seen in the past from the Pats. That means Ridley could be in line for a slew of touchdowns and potentially a dozen touches per week like BenJarvus Green-Ellis used to get. Ridley's a hard-nosed runner who totaled 441 yards and a touchdown on 87 carries spread out over 12 games. In four games where he had at least 10 carries, Ridley averaged 6.26 yards per carry (307 yards on 49 carries) with a score. There's a lot of real potential here for Ridley -- he's worth drafting as at least a No. 3 running back worth a pick starting in Round 6.
News: The radio station WEEI in Boston reports that running back Stevan Ridley said Tuesday that the primary ball-carrier job this season is "wide open" with Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead and Joseph Addai in the mix. “We’re not the ones who say who it’s going to be. We’re not really focused on who’s going to be the guy. We’re just trying to help each other out and learn together," Ridley said. "One person is not going to get it done all the way through the season, and we know that, so we have to be able to depend on everybody."
Analysis: We expect Ridley to be the main rusher for the Patriots this season, but he will lose touches to Vereen, Woodhead and Addai. Still, Ridley presents the most upside, and he's worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy running back with a mid-round pick. He might not get 200-plus carries and produce like an elite option, but he can still help Fantasy owners this year as a flex option or key reserve. Look for him to be drafted some time around Round 6 or 7.
News: Patriots running back Stevan Ridley has been working with the team's first- and second-team offenses in OTAs, reports the Boston Globe. It is believed that Ridley will work in a tandem with Shane Vereen this season so long as they stay healthy and productive without fumbling the football. A fumble in the Patriots' first playoff game last season banished Ridley to the bench for the rest of the postseason, so it's an area he's been working on.
Analysis: We're not reading into what the Pats do in OTAs much but we do assume both Ridley and Vereen will take on roles similar to what we've seen in the past from the Pats. That means Ridley could be in line for a slew of touchdowns and potentially a dozen touches per week. Ridley's a hard-nosed runner who totaled 441 yards and a touchdown on 87 carries spread out over 12 games. In four games where he had at least 10 carries, Ridley averaged 6.26 yards per carry (307 yards on 49 carries) with a score. There's a lot of real potential here for Ridley -- he's worth drafting as at least a No. 3 running back worth a pick starting in Round 6.
News: The Boston Herald previewed the Patriots' running backs and believes Stevan Ridley should work with fellow second-year rusher Shane Vereen out of the gate as the team's rushing twosome. The Patriots have used multiple backs for years and have veterans on the roster in Danny Woodhead and Joseph Addai, but the younger players figure to get the first crack.
Analysis: During late-May OTAs, Vereen was getting most of the time with the first-team offense, not Ridley. We're not reading into that much but we do assume both will take on roles similar to what we've seen in the past from the Pats. That means Ridley could be in line for a slew of touchdowns and potentially a dozen touches per week. Ridley's a hard-nosed runner who totaled 441 yards and a touchdown on 87 carries spread out over 12 games. In four games where he had at least 10 carries, Ridley averaged 6.26 yards per carry (307 yards on 49 carries) with a score. There's a lot of real potential here for Ridley -- he's worth drafting as at least a No. 3 running back worth a pick starting in Round 6.
News: The Patriots have signed former Colts running back Joseph Addai, the team confirmed Thursday. He's expected to provide depth at the position with second-year backs Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen and veteran Danny Woodhead. Addai, a 2006 first-round pick, averaged 3.7 yards per carry last season and was released by the Colts in March.
Analysis: You didn't think the Patriots would just let Ridley waltz his way into the dominant rushing role, did you? Here's the good news: If Addai is the stiffest competition the Pats could find for Ridley, then the younger back should do well. Ridley's a hard-nosed runner who totaled 441 yards and a touchdown on 87 carries spread out over 12 games. In four games where he had at least 10 carries, Ridley averaged 6.26 yards per carry (307 yards on 49 carries) with a score. There's a lot of real potential here for Ridley -- he's worth drafting as at least a No. 3 running back worth a pick starting in Round 6, even with Addai joining the team.
News: You might say this one has been a year in the making. With BenJarvus Green-Ellis reportedly signing with the Bengals, it's looking increasingly clear that Stevan Ridley could become the Patriots' best rushing option. Ridley's a hard-nosed runner who totaled 441 yards and a touchdown on 87 carries spread out over 12 games. In four games where he had at least 10 carries, Ridley averaged 6.26 yards per carry (307 yards on 49 carries) with a score.
Analysis: Ridley is the only physical inside rusher left on the Patriots' roster; Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead are more speedy outside rushers and pass catchers. While Ridley won't see every-down work, he could pick up all of the stats Green-Ellis is leaving behind. In two seasons, Green-Ellis had double-digit touchdowns (24 total) with over 1,600 rush yards. There's a lot of real potential here for Ridley -- so long as the Patriots don't make a splash with another running back. If this holds up, Ridley will be worth drafting as at least a No. 3 running back worth a pick starting in Round 6.
News: The Patriots made RB Stevan Ridley a healthy inactive on Sunday for the AFC Championship game at home against Baltimore. The Boston Globe had reported that the Patriots were thinking of going with just BenJarvus Green-Ellis for the rest of the playoffs after Ridley had fumble issues against the Texans in the divisional playoff win.
Analysis: Ridley had a solid season as a rookie for the Patriots. He played so well this year, in fact, he could be the team's No. 1 RB heading into next season. For now, however, he's unlikely to see much of the ball for the rest of the playoffs as he's inactive for Sunday's AFC title game. Fantasy owners should consider Ridley a sleeper heading into next season.
News: The Boston Globe reports that the Patriots might stick with RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis as the sole rusher for the rest of the playoffs after Stevan Ridley fumbled in Saturday's divisional matchup against Denver. The report says Ridley is "obviously the team’s most explosive back but was sent to the bench after his second fumble in as many games (one lost)." The Patriots put a huge premium on ball security and since Green-Ellis has never fumbled, they might just go with the sure hand the rest of the way.
Analysis: Ridley rushed four times for 21 yards in Saturday's 45-10 win over the Broncos. He also caught one pass for 4 yards with the fumble. It sounds like he won't be doing much the rest of these playoffs, so ignore him in mos challenge games. But heading into 2012, Ridley could be the No. 1 option for the Patriots, and he should be considered a sleeper on Draft Day.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley rushed four times for 21 yards in Saturday's 45-10 win over the Broncos. He also caught one pass for 4 yards in the outing. Ridley did lose a fumble and was the fourth leading rusher on the team.
Analysis: Ridley outperformed fellow RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis three times late in the regular season, but Green-Ellis got more touches on Saturday. Over his final three games of the regular season, Ridley had 39 carries for 210 yards, so he can definitely produce. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on this running back situation in the offseason to see if New England adds anyone else into the mix. For now, Ridley looks to be a solid middle-round choice on Draft Day.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley had a career-high 15 carries for 81 yards against the Bills in Week 17, marking the third straight game in which the rookie out-carried veteran BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who had seven carries for 22 yards. Green-Ellis did get the carries at the goal line, though, scoring on two rushes of less than 5 yards. Over his final three games of the regular season, Ridley had 39 carries for 210 yards.
Analysis: Ridley's production was limited early in 2011, but by the end of the year, the Patriots had clearly come to think of him as the most reliable of their rushers. The lack of goal-line carries will make Ridley more of a middle-rounder than an early-rounder in 2012, but if the distribution of carries changes in the playoffs, so will his value. You'll want to keep a close eye on the situation as the Patriots attempt to reach the Super Bowl following a first-round bye.
News: New England RB Stevan Ridley finished the Week 16 game against the Dolphins with the team lead in rushing on Saturday. Ridley helped the Patriots defeat the Dolphins as he rushed 13 times for a team-high 64 yards. Ridley had a long carry of 18 yards and did not score in the game. He was targeted once in the passing game, but did not make a catch.
Analysis: Ridley has had exactly one game this season in which he recorded anything close to a solid game for Fantasy purposes. That game came Week 4 at Oakland when he rushed 10 times for 97 yards and a touchdown. Ridley has barely combined for the same production since that game. Heading into Week 17 against Buffalo, Ridley is not a recommended Fantasy option. That said, he could see the bulk of the carries once again. Ridley rushed six times for 42 yards in Buffalo Week 3. He could have some value, however, should New England rest either Danny Woodhead or BenJarvus Green-Ellis against the Bills.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley had one of his better performances of the year in Week 15 against the Broncos. After rushing for just 51 yards over his last six games, he gained 65 yards on 11 carries in the 41-23 win. He had a long run of 24 and averaged 5.9 yards per carry. Ridley led New England in rushing in the victory.
Analysis: Ridley has been hit-or-miss since his 97-yard performance in Week 4 but showed a lot to like on Sunday. The Patriots usually give him more carries based on how he does with his first touches on a weekly basis so it is hard to predict his production. He could see an improved role down the stretch but given his streak nature, view Ridley as a low-end Fantasy RB for Week 16 against the Dolphins.
News: New England RB Stevan Ridley was not a factor in the Week 14 win at Washington. Ridley was not targeted in the passing game and did not get a carry for the Patriots in the win. Kevin Faulk was in action for the Patriots.
Analysis: Ridley was not a factor on Sunday against the Redskins as Faulk actually got into the action. If the Patriots are going to Faulk, Ridley's value would almost be non-existent. Ridley will play at Denver Week 15 and the Broncos have been pretty good at limiting the Fantasy performances of opposing RBs on the season. In fact, the Broncos have only allowed one rushing touchdown all season long and that went to Maurice Morris of Detroit back in Week 8. The Broncos do give up some 100-yard rushing performances, but Ridley has Danny Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis and possibly Faulk now ahead of him on the depth chart. He is not a recommended Fantasy option for Week 15.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley heads into Week 14 at Washington with the possibility of a decent matchup. Washington has been decent defensively against running backs this season, though not in recent weeks. Marshawn Lynch rushed for 111 yards against the Redskins Week 12 and the Jets' Shonn Greene racked up 88 yards and three touchdowns just last week.
Analysis: Ridley has garnered a total of six Fantasy points since scoring his last touchdown Week 4 at Oakland. The Patriots roll with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Ridley's touches are just secondary in the offense. Ridley is not a recommended Fantasy option for Week 14 at this time.
News: New England RB Stevan Ridley paced the Patriots with eight carries for 33 yards during a 31-24 victory over Indianapolis in Week 13. Ridley finished with 19 more yards than BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who recorded just six carries, but was the only running back to reach the end zone.
Analysis: Ridley notched his highest rushing total since Week 4 against Oakland (97) as New England's continues to shuffle its lead option in the backfield. Entering Sunday's game, Ridley had not surpassed 20 yards and the rookie seemed to becoming phased out in the running game. Fantasy owners should not expected much production from Ridley as he has just one touchdown this year. Leave him on the bench in Week 14 at Washington.
News: After exploding for 97 yards against Oakland in Week 4, New England RB Stevan Ridley has seen his production steadily decline in recent weeks. Ridley, who is third on the Patriots' depth chart behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, has amassed just 50 rushing yards total in the seven games following his outing against the Raiders. In addition, he has surpassed five rushing attempts just once in that span.
Analysis: Ridley is unlikely to halt his stretch of limited production during the Patriots' meeting against Indianapolis in Week 13. New England is expected to lean heavily on Green-Ellis against a Colts defense that is allowing a staggering 150.6 rushing yards per game -- second most in the NFL. Indianapolis is also surrendering an average 23.7 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this year. Fantasy owners should not consider Ridley a worthwhile starting option in the majority of leagues for Week 13.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley gained 4 yards on four carries in Week 12 against the Eagles. He had a long run of 6 and averaged 1 yard per carry in the 38-20 win.
Analysis: Ridley has rushed for 18 yards over the last four games and will continue to see minimal touches as long as BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead are healthy. Heading into Week 13 against the Colts, continue to view the rookie as more of a handcuff option for deeper Fantasy leagues.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley has not been seeing many touches recently and that could continue in Week 12 against the Eagles. He has just eight carries for 14 yards over his last three games. Philadelphia ranks 14th in the league in run defense, giving up just under 111 yards per contest, and have allowed an average of 18.6 Fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Analysis: Ridley received no carries for the first time since Week 8 this past week and has not been very productive for owners of late. Unless BenJarvus Green-Ellis or Danny Woodhead get injured it doesn't look as though his role is going to chance so leave the rookie on the bench in deeper Fantasy leagues for Week 12.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley received zero carries in Week 11 against the Chiefs. BenJarvus Green-Ellis led New England in rushing with 81 yards, followed by Shane Vereen (39 yards) and Danny Woodhead (27 yards).
Analysis: Ridley did not touch the ball for the first time since Week 8 on Monday night and could see his carries go to Vereen going forward. While his long-term value seems to be pretty high, he is not worth starting in the majority of Fantasy leagues until his role improves on offense. Plan on leaving Ridley on the bench for Week 12 against the Eagles.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley will not being going up against one of the better run defenses in the Chiefs in Week 11. Kansas City ranks 26th in the league against the run, giving up 134 yards per game, and have allowed an average of 20 Fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Analysis: Ridley has seen eight carries over the last two games but has been able to gain just 14 yards on those touches. BenJarvus Green-Ellis continues to see the majority of the carries for New England, and it doesn't look as though that is going to change anytime soon. Considering his current role with the team, view Ridley as a No. 4 Fantasy RB or flex option for Week 11.
News: New England RB Stevan Ridley had five carries for a lowly four yards during the Patriots' 37-16 win over the Jets in Week 10. Ridley, who had a long run of just three yards, finished with less than six attempts for the fourth consecutive game. RB Danny Woodhead paced the team with 38 yards on seven carries.
Analysis: Ridley -- and the rest of the New England running backs -- took a backseat to Woodhead as he was the only player to average more than two yards per carry. Like the Patriots receivers, the backfield is becoming a tough situation for Fantasy owners to accurately read. With too many players fighting for rushes, consider Ridley a marginal option -- at best -- in deeper Fantasy formats for Week 11 against Kansas City.
News: New England RB Stevan Ridley didn't get many touches last weekend and with so many backs in the mix, the rookie could be the first one to lose carries. He had just three rush attempts for 10 yards in Week 9 versus the Giants. In Week 10, Ridley and the Patriots face the Jets. So far this year New York is allowing 123 yards on the ground per outing so far this year -- eight games -- and given up nine rushing scores. That comes out to 19.25 Fantasy points per game to opposing team's running backs.
Analysis: The Patriots have Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead as well, so Ridley will have to fight for touches moving forward. For now, Ridley is not a recommended start, but is worth stashing in deeper Fantasy leagues as a handcuff option.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley was not involved much on offense in Week 9 against the Giants. He carried the ball three times for 10 yards and also had a 2-yard catch in the 24-20 loss.
Analysis: Ridley has seen his role diminish in New England in recent weeks and appears to be on the outside looking in when it comes to carries. Keep an eye on his progress going forward but keep Ridley stashed away in deeper Fantasy leagues until he starts proving his worth on the field.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley did not receive a single carry a week ago and could be a non-factor again in Week 9 against the Giants. New York ranks 28th in the league in run defense, giving up over 130 yards per game, and have allowed an average of 20.3 Fantasy points to opposing running backs.
Analysis: Ridley had his best performance in Week 4, rushing for 97 yards with a touchdown, but has totaled just 32 yards over the last three games and appears to be falling out of the rotation in New England. With Kevin Faulk re-emerging a week ago, it looks as though Ridley and Danny Woodhead could be on the outside looking in when it comes to touches in the running game. Keep an eye on the situation going forward but owners would be wise to leave Ridley on the bench in the majority of Fantasy leagues for Week 9.
News: New England RB Stevan Ridley did not have a carry and was not targeted in Week 8. The Patriots would lose to the Steelers, 25-17.
Analysis: Ridley may see touches with the return of Kevin Faulk to the active roster. Fantasy owners should keep tabs on this running back situation during the week to see who the Patriots tab as the starter for Week 9. New England hosts New York next Sunday, team that has had trouble stopping the run this season. The Giants have given up nine rush touchdowns and an average of 130 yards on the ground through seven games. Ridley is not a recommend Fantasy start for next week, unless New England shakes up the depth chart.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley faces the Steelers for the first time in his career this Sunday. Pittsburgh has been giving up 107.1 rushing yards per game this year and allowed five rushing scores in seven games. That translates into 19 Fantasy points per contest to opposing team's running backs. Ridley has 28 carries for 180 yards and one touchdown so far this season.
Analysis: Ridley continues to learn the Patriots system, which involves a lot of pass plays. Fantasy owners should keep tabs on the health of BenJarvis Green-Ellis heading into Sunday as he's still dealing with an injury. If Green-Ellis is out Ridley's stock would rise. Otherwise, Fantasy owners should view the rookie as a flex option for Week 8.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley had three carries for 19 yards -- 16 coming on one run -- in Week 6 against the Cowboys. While he didn't do a lot, Ridley contributed in New England's 20-16 victory.
Analysis: Ridley got some touches on Sunday, but not enough to make much of a Fantasy impact. He is the second option behind BenJarvis Green-Ellis, but will see an increase in touches if Green-Ellis gets banged up. The Patriots are off next week. The next time they take the field it will be Week 8 when they travel to Pittsburgh, a team that gives up 112.8 rushing yards per game (as of Week 6). Fantasy owners should view Ridley a flex option for that contest.
News: New England hosts Dallas in Week 6, a team that is allowing just 61.8 rushing yards per contest. Patriots rookie RB Stevan Ridley is coming off a quiet week where he had just 13 yards on the ground. The Cowboys are giving up just 12 Fantasy points in standard CBSSports.com leagues to opposing team's running backs. Dallas has also allowed just one rushing score in four games.
Analysis: Ridley is the second option behind BenJarvis Green-Ellis, but both will have a tough time on Sunday. While New England will likely use Ridley moving forward, his Fantasy value will be like the stock market, changing drastically. The rookie should be viewed as a low-end No. 3 RB or flex option for this week, despite a tough matchup.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley was not much of a factor in Week 5 against the Jets. Ridley was held to just 13 yards rushing on seven carries in the 30-21 contest and had a long of 5 yards. He averaged just 1.9 yards per carry and was outperformed by teammate BenJarvis Green-Ellis, who rushed for a career-high 136 yards and two touchdowns.
Analysis: With Danny Woodhead ruled out with an ankle injury, many thought Ridley would see a huge spike in production on Sunday. However, Green-Ellis had the hot hand the Patriots stuck with him for much of the contest, limiting Ridley to just seven carries. However, New England is still very high on the rookie out of LSU and he is expected to continue and be worked more and more into the offense, especially with Woodhead banged up. Still, until he proves he can produce on a weekly basis, Ridley's value will remain limited to that of a low-end option. Continue to view him as such heading into Week 6 against Dallas.
News: Patriots RB Danny Woodhead is not expected to play in the team's Week 5 game vs. the Jets, opening the door for Stevan Ridley to work with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and shoulder the rushing workload. Ridley had 97 yards on 10 carries last week against the Raiders and should at least have the same amount of carries against a Jets defense that has struggled to contain the run so far this season. New York has allowed an average 21.5 Fantasy points to opposing RBs on through the first four games of the year.
Analysis: Ridley caught everyone's attention with a strong preseason, but he still entered the regular season third on the depth chart. He only got a career-high in carries Sunday because Woodhead was dinged up, but here he is to take advantage of the situation. Though Green-Ellis is still expected to start and see a few more touches, namely at the goal line, Ridley still can help Fantasy owners as a No. 3 RB this week. At the very least, pick him up and stash him as he's available in 35 percent of CBSSports.com leagues.
News: Patriots coach Bill Belichick talked Monday about rookie RB Stevan Ridley's performance on Sunday against the Raiders, which included a 33-yard touchdown and 97 yards on 10 carries. "He had a couple good runs. Again, he did some good things out there," Belichick said. "There were some other things that weren't quite the way they need to be. He's got good vision, broke some tackles. I thought really in the running game, we got some good yards on the outside -- our receivers did a good job of blocking. There was a decent amount of, I'd say, basically uncontested yardage out there. We got outside and there really wasn't much defense out there."
Analysis: Ridley caught everyone's attention with a strong preseason, but he still entered the regular season third on the depth chart behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. He only got a career-high in carries Sunday because Woodhead was dinged up. However, Ridley is averaging 8.2 yards per carry and has three runs of 20-plus yards, so it might be tough for the Patriots to keep him on the bench with the way he is running. Still, we don't see the Patriots using one feature back, so Ridley still has low-end Fantasy appeal heading into Week 5 against the Jets.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley had a breakout performance in Week 4 against the Raiders. He carried the ball 10 times, gaining 97 yards with a touchdown in the 31-19 win. The rookie also had a 3-yard catch. Ridley led New England in rushing and scored his touchdown on a 33-yard run in the third quarter.
Analysis: Ridley averaged 9.7 yards per carry on Sunday and outgained starter BenJarvus Green-Ellis despite seeing six fewer carries. He was used very often when the Patriots' passing game struggled early on and could see more touches going forward, especially with Danny Woodhead dealing with an ankle injury. Keep an eye on how he is used going forward and the status of Woodhead. With the Jets on the schedule for Week 5, consider Ridley a low-end Fantasy RB.
News: After pacing the team in rushing last Sunday, New England RB Stevan Ridley is looking to become a more valuable piece in the Patriots offense during Week 4 at Oakland. Ridley racked up 44 yards on seven carries during New England's 34-31 loss to Buffalo. He also recorded his first catch of the season for eight yards to finish just two receptions behind Danny Woodhead's team lead among running backs (three).
Analysis: Ridley, who is in his first season out of LSU, remains third on New England's depth chart behind Woodhead and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. However, he has increased his rush attempts in each of his past two games since being shut out of the offensive plan during the Patriots' season opener. Fantasy owners shouldn't expect an abundance of value from Ridley in Week 4 despite the Raiders permitting an average of 27.6 Fantasy points per game to opposing running backs this season. Consider him a low-end No. 4 Fantasy RB for the matchup.
News: Patriots rookie RB Steven Ridley was the team's leading rusher in Week 3 against the Bills. Ridley ended up with seven carries for a team-high 44 yards. His longest rush went 16 yards. He also had one catch for 8 yards.
Analysis: Ridley came into Week 3 with just two carries for 9 yards through two games. He got most of his reps in the second half and played mostly in shotgun formations, so he got carries on delays and draws. He ended up as the most effective back for New England, which is why he had his best day as a pro. But Ridley is still technically third on the depth chart behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead heading into Week 4 against the Raiders, so he is yet a recommended Fantasy option.
News: New England RB Stevan Ridley carried the ball twice for nine yards during the Patriots' 35-21 win over San Diego in Week 2 on Sunday. Ridley, who was selected in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft, had a long rush of six yards as he earned both carries in the first half.
Analysis: Ridley shined in the preseason, but is still buried on New England's depth chart behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead. The 22-year-old certainly possesses some upside, but is not worth starting on a weekly basis in any Fantasy format -- for now.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley was active for Week 1 against the Dolphins. He was limited in practice earlier in the week due to an ankle issue. Ridley did not play in the 38-24 win.
Analysis: Ridley, who rushed for 148 yards with two touchdowns in the preseason, is clearly sitting behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead in the backfield pecking order but showed in the preseason that he can be productive when given the opportunity. With his potential solid in the wide-open New England offense, the rookie is worth stashing in deeper Fantasy formats. But heading into Week 2 against the Chargers, leave Ridley on the bench in the majority of Fantasy leagues.
News: For the second straight day, Patriots RB Stevan Ridley was limited in practice Friday with his ongoing ankle issue. He missed the last two preseason games after excelling for more than 200 total yards and three scores. Ridley's status for what would be his first pro game against the Dolphins in Week 1, is still up in the air.
Analysis: Ridley is clearly sitting behind BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead in the backfield pecking order even if he plays, so Fantasy owners should monitor the situation before taking action. The Pats are notorious for hiding injury information as much as they can, so Ridley should be considered a "go" until the inactives come out on Monday night. With his potential solid in the wide-open New England offense, the rookie is worth stashing in deeper Fantasy formats though he is not a recommended option for now.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley was limited in practice Thursday due to an ankle injury. New England opens the season on Monday night in Miami.
Analysis: The Patriots are really never forthcoming about the status of injured players, so we might not find out if Ridley is playing Week 1 until inactives come out on Monday. But you probably shouldn't start Ridley in Week 1 anyway because we don't know how much of a featured back he will be with New England. Even though Ridley did well in the preseason, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead are expected to be the team's top two backs to open the year. It's worth stashing Ridley in deeper Fantasy formats, however.
News: The Boston Globe reports that Patriots rookie RB Stevan Ridley missed Saturday's preseason game against the Lions due to an apparent injury. New England would not disclose the injury, but the paper suggests Ridley injured his hamstring during the second preseason game against Tampa Bay and was limited in practice all week.
Analysis: Ridley has been a standout during the preseason for the Patriots, and we hope he's OK heading into the year. Ridley has the chance to share playing time with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, but he needs to be 100 percent healthy. Keep an eye on Ridley's status, and he's worth drafting with a late-round pick in all standard leagues. In rookie-only formats, Ridley is worth drafting with a first-round pick.
News: Patriots RB Stevan Ridley, who suffered an apparent leg injury during Monday's practice, was healthy enough to carry the load with the second-team offense in Thursday's preseason game against the Buccaneers. Ridley led the team with 14 carries for 84 yards and he added 27 yards on three receptions in the win. He did fumble once on the night.
Analysis: Ridley dazzled to the tune of 100-plus total yards and three touchdowns while seeing the bulk of the rushing load last week with BenJarvus Green-Ellis sitting out. He has made quite the impression in a pair of preseason games, but the backfield is still very crowded in New England. Ridley is clearly sitting behind Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, who split the first-team reps 50/50. Fantasy owners should continue to monitor the situation with Shane Vereen and Kevin Faulk in the mix for touches as well. Even if he holds suit as the team's No. 3 RB, Ridley is just a marginal threat in very deep leagues, so select him as such on Draft Day.
News: ESPN.com reports Patriots RB Stevan Ridley, who suffered an apparent leg injury during Monday's practice, returned to action on Tuesday.
Analysis: It seems Ridley didn't do any serious damage, which is very encouraging after his breakout performance in the Patriots' preseason opener. New England has a bevy of running backs again and there no clear-cut choice at this time who will get the bulk of carries. Ridley is making a case for the job, but it's tough to consider him anything more than a late-round Fantasy flier in the deepest of formats. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead are probably the safer bets if you are looking to draft a New England running back.
News: Patriots rookie running back Stevan Ridley, who dazzled for three touchdowns on over 100 total yards in his preseason debut Thursday, suffered an apparent leg injury in Monday's practice. He was not able to return the the field. The team did not diagnose the injury when it occurred.
Analysis: Ridley, the team's third-round pick out of LSU, was able to burst on to the scene in his first game action since college with some RBs banged up for New England -- but now he may one of them. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on the issue once more information is gathered on the matter. Ridley has the chance to compete for some carries once the games count, but we can't see it being enough to warrant much Fantasy value as long as BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead are healthy. Stay tuned.
News: Patriots rookie running back Stevan Ridley had an impressive debut in Thursday's preseason game against the Jaguars. With Danny Woodhead starting the game and BenJarvus Green-Ellis sitting out, Ridley was the No. 2 RB on the depth chart. He was productive on the ground both inside and out, while excelling in the passing game as well. The LSU product compiled three touchdowns in the blowout win, two on tough one-yard runs and the other on a 16-yard connection from rookie QB Ryan Mallet.
Analysis: Ridley totaled 111 yards (64 rushing) on the evening, showcasing his versatility and every-down-back potential. He still has Woodhead, Green-Ellis and fellow rookie Shane Vereen to worry about for carries, but he is off to a solid start. The Patrots will not likely hang on to more than four backs, including returning veteran Kevin Faulk. Ridley has his work cut out for him, but he made an explosive debut on 23 touches. Fantasy owners should keep an eye on the situation in New England as we draw closer and closer to the regular season. Unless he earns significant playing time when it counts, Ridley is not worth selecting as anything more than a late-round flier on Draft Day
News: After drafting Cal RB Shane Vereen with a second-round pick, the Patriots drafted running back Stevan Ridley of LSU with the ninth pick of the third round. The 6-foot, 225-pound Ridley started only nine of his 39 games at LSU, but had at least one touchdown in 10 of 13 games last season. As a junior in 2010, he ran for 1,147 yards and 15 touchdowns as the Tigers' primary ball carrier. For his career, he carried the ball just 306 times but gained 1,419 yards for 19 touchdowns.
Analysis: This guy is right up the Patriots' alley: Ridley is considered a powerful inside runner and has sufficient size to block for the quarterback, plus he's a former team captain with good leadership skills. How he'll fit into the Patriots' offense this year remains to be seen, but with BenJarvus Green-Ellis already established in the backfield it's unlikely that Ridley will see a lot of meaningful playing time. Long term, though, Ridley should be very solid for the Pats. Ridley's worth a late-round pick in seasonal leagues, a middle- to late-round pick in dynasty/keeper leagues and a Top 20 pick in rookie-only drafts.
