Are The New England Patriots Ready To Trade Stevan Ridley?
The New England Patriots are no strangers to draft-day transactions in the Bill Belichick era. This season, the Patriots might be looking to trade away a player who has been a significant part of their running game since being drafted in the 3rd round in 2011: RB Stevan Ridley.
There are a few reasons why the Patriots may look to move Ridley through the draft. The first has to do with ball security difficulties. As anyone who has followed Ridley's career with the Patriots certainly knows by now, he has had a big issue with fumbles. Given that getting into the league in 2011, he has fumbled the football 9 times, losing six of them. The team replied to these problems by demoting Ridley to third-string running back at the latter part of the 2013 season.
Given the fact that the Patriots preach ball security together with all of their running backs and offensive players in general, the probability these people would extend Ridley long-term once he can cough the football up at any moment appears unlikely. He is actually skilled, however in today's NFL, the running back position is deemphasized. You can usually find running backs with a similar skillset to Ridley who can actually hold on to the football.
Another reason why the draft would be an ideal time for all to move him is because the majority of good players in free agency have been claimed. Teams around the league still have gaps to fill and at this moment, they are surely more than likely weighing their alternatives between just a few good players at each and every position. Simply put, teams may find a reliable commodity in Ridley a lot more enticing than a rookie running back who has never taken a snap in an NFL match.
Perhaps the most crucial reason why the Patriots might choose to transfer him at some time throughout the draft is due to financial reasons. With Ridley set to turn out to be a free agent towards the end of this upcoming season, he will possibly be looking for a huge pay increase regardless of his fumbling concerns. One team out there with a major need at the position will probably allow him that pay raise.
Will the Patriots be looking to offer a player who was demoted to third string much less than a year ago a long-term contract for significantly more profit? My guess could be no. The team will likely need to get something in return by trading him now instead of losing him for nothing in free agency.
Having said that, the Patriots probably will be seeking to add a running back or 2 in the draft. Maintaining Ridley may not be in the cards for a team that prides itself on getting the job done. For a running back, that job is grasping onto the football. A couple of teams that may have interest in a purchase for Ridley are the Tennessee Titans along with the Cleveland Browns. Both teams need a running back with Chris Johnson passed from the Titans, and the injury-prone Ben Tate combined with aging running back Willis McGahee at the position for the Browns.
In any event, a potential Ridley trade is something to keep an eye on perhaps during the 2nd or even third day of the 2014 NFL draft.
There are a few reasons why the Patriots may look to move Ridley through the draft. The first has to do with ball security difficulties. As anyone who has followed Ridley's career with the Patriots certainly knows by now, he has had a big issue with fumbles. Given that getting into the league in 2011, he has fumbled the football 9 times, losing six of them. The team replied to these problems by demoting Ridley to third-string running back at the latter part of the 2013 season.
Given the fact that the Patriots preach ball security together with all of their running backs and offensive players in general, the probability these people would extend Ridley long-term once he can cough the football up at any moment appears unlikely. He is actually skilled, however in today's NFL, the running back position is deemphasized. You can usually find running backs with a similar skillset to Ridley who can actually hold on to the football.
Another reason why the draft would be an ideal time for all to move him is because the majority of good players in free agency have been claimed. Teams around the league still have gaps to fill and at this moment, they are surely more than likely weighing their alternatives between just a few good players at each and every position. Simply put, teams may find a reliable commodity in Ridley a lot more enticing than a rookie running back who has never taken a snap in an NFL match.
Perhaps the most crucial reason why the Patriots might choose to transfer him at some time throughout the draft is due to financial reasons. With Ridley set to turn out to be a free agent towards the end of this upcoming season, he will possibly be looking for a huge pay increase regardless of his fumbling concerns. One team out there with a major need at the position will probably allow him that pay raise.
Will the Patriots be looking to offer a player who was demoted to third string much less than a year ago a long-term contract for significantly more profit? My guess could be no. The team will likely need to get something in return by trading him now instead of losing him for nothing in free agency.
Having said that, the Patriots probably will be seeking to add a running back or 2 in the draft. Maintaining Ridley may not be in the cards for a team that prides itself on getting the job done. For a running back, that job is grasping onto the football. A couple of teams that may have interest in a purchase for Ridley are the Tennessee Titans along with the Cleveland Browns. Both teams need a running back with Chris Johnson passed from the Titans, and the injury-prone Ben Tate combined with aging running back Willis McGahee at the position for the Browns.
In any event, a potential Ridley trade is something to keep an eye on perhaps during the 2nd or even third day of the 2014 NFL draft.
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