Explosive running the ball inside. Fast off the snap and excels at finding holes and powering through them. Has good size and strength. Brings high intensity to every run and fights hard for every yard. A willing blocker and a high-effort player. Can return kicks.
Flaws:
Doesn't provide much as a receiver out of the backfield. Has struggled at times early in his career with ball security. While very good at anticipating tackles and making cuts, he isn't terribly fluid in the open field.
Career Potential:
Excellent power back.
Movements & Injuries
2011
7/28/2011
Signed by the New England Patriots to a four-year contract.
Career Transactions
2011
4/29/2011
Drafted by the New England Patriots in the 3rd round (73rd Overall) in 2011.
Player News
Stevan Ridley struggled in passing game | 02/06/2013 12:18 PM
News
Stevan Ridley had two drops on eight catchable passes in 2012.
Boston Globe
Impact
No one is going to mistake Ridley for Marshall Faulk. He caught just six passes on 14 targets all season and rarely played on third downs. Still, he's just 24 years old and has the athletic ability to improve in the receiving game. Already a lock for the feature back role and all the goal-line work in New England, Ridley projects as a strong second-round selection in 2013 fantasy drafts.
Stevan Ridley done for AFC Championship Game | 01/20/2013 10:18 PM
News
Stevan Ridley was forced from the AFC Championship Game with a head injury, and will not return.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
Taking the rock from the Patriots' 39-yard-line early in the fourth quarter, Ridley got destroyed by Ravens SS Bernard Pollard, losing a fumble on a (legal) helmet-to-helmet hit. He's almost certainly concussed. Ridley was doing his best to move the chains against an inspired Ravens D before departing, rushing 18 times for 70 yards. Although Ridley's latest lost fumble may have Dynasty-league owners fretting, it would be cruel of coach Bill Belichick to hold it against him, as Pollard's hit would have jarred the ball loose from almost any rusher.
Pats 13-0 when they tally 100 yards rushing | 01/19/2013 10:55 AM
News
The Patriots are 13-0 when they rush for 100 yards as a team this season, and 0-4 when they don't.
ESPN Boston
Impact
That's not a bad predictor of success. The Pats were, of course, held below 100 yards on the ground in their Week 3 loss in Baltimore, tallying just 77 yards on 34 carries (2.3 yards per carry). The Patriots' offense has come a long way in the intervening four months, but establishing the run will clearly be as important as ever in Sunday's AFC Championship Game.
Stevan Ridley rushed 15 times for 82 yards and a touchdown and added one reception for 13 yards in Sunday's Divisional round victory over the Texans.
Rotoworld.com
Impact
Ridley was an afterthought early on with the Patriots in their no-huddle personnel. Facing a worn-down Texans defense, Ridley carried the ball 10 times for 63 yards and the touchdown in a dominant second-half effort. While he could lose playing time to an impressive Shane Vereen going forward, Ridley remains the best bet to lead this backfield in carries.
Ridley's fumbling leads to no lost snaps | 01/08/2013 3:12 PM
News
The punishment for Stevan Ridley's late-season fumbling problems included increased film-room study but no lost playing time.
Sporting News
Impact
There was a perception in mid-December that Ridley could be banished to the doghouse for a second straight postseason, but one fumble was overturned in Week 15 and coaches didn't find fault with the other because he was carrying the ball high and tight only to have the crown of Donte Whitner's helmet jar it loose. Ridley is the Patriots' most dynamic back since Corey Dillon rushed for a franchise-record 1,635 yards in 2004.
