Stevan Ridley is finding the Bill Belichick doghouse pretty tough to get out of. The New England Patriots running back was inactive in Week 13 after getting bench the previous week for fumbling issues. The head coach stressed he was not trying to send a message to Ridley, but simply was putting the better backs on the field. After a week of practice and downplaying any drama, Ridley is not a lock to play again in Week 14 against the Cleveland Browns.
Ridley was the lead back for the Patriots. He was responsible for 45 percent of the team's offensive snaps. However, ESPNBoston.com's Mike Reiss reports that those days are likely over and New England is prepared to move on with Shane Vereen and LeGarrette Blount as their two-back rotation.
Ridley has four fumbles on the year, losing all four of them. He has been benched at least twice for the issue and has shown no signs of improving in the future. Throughout practice this week, the running back's workload was noticeably lighter leaving many to believe that he will likely not be active for the upcoming game.
The move is interesting considering Ridley leads the team in rushing on the season by over a hundred yards He is averaging 57.6 yards per game over Blount's 34.8 and Vereen's 44.3 yards. However, Belichick does not take kindly to ball security issues and he is stressing that the team cannot afford any more turnovers.
"The inactive players every week are based on, in part injuries and ultimately what we feel like for that particular game is the best decision for the football team in that game to try to win," Belichick said. "Along with every other decision on the team that I make, it's made with what gives our team, in our opinion, the best opportunity to win on Sundays. That's what all decisions are based on."
Ridley is not injured, he just simply is not the player that gives the Patriots the best chance at winning. With Brandon Bolden injured, Vereen could be the better back this week. Against the Texans, he was active on 41 of the team's 70 snaps. He put up 38 yards in what was a struggling game for the Patriots. Neither Vereen nor Blount are RB1s on a fantasy roster, but their rotation appears to allow both to be successful.
Bolden's status could dictate what happens with Ridley. Is benching the running back a second week in a row the best move? Maybe not, but Belichick appears to be headed that direction.