The Patriots offense has not had a running game like this since 2004 when Corey Dillon was taking handoffs from Tom Brady. The Patriots have had a number of running-backs line up in the backfield over the last eight years from Laurence Maroney to Fred Taylor to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and none of them were able to replicate Dillion's production. The Patriots have been unable to find their next great running-back until now.
Stevan Ridley has emerged as the Patriots lead rusher and he's running with it, pun intended. Ridley has 4 touchdowns and is currently fifth in the NFL with 490 rushing yards. He has back to back 100 yard games and 3 on the year. He is showing the ability to not only pound the rock up the middle but also bounce it outside and show his speed to the corner. He reads defenses extremely well, finds the holes and makes beautiful cuts. He is the most complete back the Patriots have had in a long time. Everyone has tried to come up with reasons why the Patriots are running the ball more in 2012, well the answer might be as simple as they have finally found their bell cow running-back.
The Patriots also have a great compliment of backs behind Ridley and they all provide something different to the offense which makes for an even more effective running game. They have their short yardage/goal line type back in Brandon Bolden and their change of pace/passing game back in Danny Woodhead. These two players have proven they can make plays when their numbers are called. Woodhead is good for at least one big play a game, and it usually comes on a crucial 3rd down play.
This running-back group led by Ridley is young, talented, explosive and ready to take over this Patriots offense. In my opinion it's no coincidence that the last time the Patriots hoisted the Lombardi trophy was when they had a dominant rushing attack to compliment Brady and the passing game. What the Patriots offense has lacked the last eight years is now a strength, this running game is legit and it just might be the missing piece to the Patriots hoisting another Lombardi trophy.
Stevan Ridley has emerged as the Patriots lead rusher and he's running with it, pun intended. Ridley has 4 touchdowns and is currently fifth in the NFL with 490 rushing yards. He has back to back 100 yard games and 3 on the year. He is showing the ability to not only pound the rock up the middle but also bounce it outside and show his speed to the corner. He reads defenses extremely well, finds the holes and makes beautiful cuts. He is the most complete back the Patriots have had in a long time. Everyone has tried to come up with reasons why the Patriots are running the ball more in 2012, well the answer might be as simple as they have finally found their bell cow running-back.
The Patriots also have a great compliment of backs behind Ridley and they all provide something different to the offense which makes for an even more effective running game. They have their short yardage/goal line type back in Brandon Bolden and their change of pace/passing game back in Danny Woodhead. These two players have proven they can make plays when their numbers are called. Woodhead is good for at least one big play a game, and it usually comes on a crucial 3rd down play.
This running-back group led by Ridley is young, talented, explosive and ready to take over this Patriots offense. In my opinion it's no coincidence that the last time the Patriots hoisted the Lombardi trophy was when they had a dominant rushing attack to compliment Brady and the passing game. What the Patriots offense has lacked the last eight years is now a strength, this running game is legit and it just might be the missing piece to the Patriots hoisting another Lombardi trophy.
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