David Wilson was not the only running back to struggle with fumbles in the first week of the NFL season. Leading New England Patriots rusher Stevan Ridley also struggled with turnovers in his first appearance of the season, resulting in a similar outcome to Wilson's, a benching. The running back was replaced, hurting his future as the starting running back. However, Ridley is not concerned over the move, instead staying focused on the future.
The Patriots needed a comeback in order to beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday and they did it all without the help of Ridley. The running back got the start and put up 46 yards on nine carries in the first hald. However a fumble in the second quarter which was returned for a touchdown led him to get benched for the remainder of the game.
Sheven Vereen stepped in as Ridley's replacement and recorded 101 yards off 14 carries while also having seven catches go for 58 yards. That production has led to the questioning of Ridley's spot on the depth chart. The running back has struggled with turnovers in the past. He has fumbled five times with the Patriots, twice more in the playoffs. However, the running back says he is not pouting over the move by Bill Belichick.
"I can't make excuses, two balls on the ground is unacceptable," Ridley said, via WEEI 93.7 FM. "I'm not going to sit on the past. I have to accept where I messed up, made a mistake and grow from it. That's really all you can do, not point the fingers but come back to work tomorrow. I hate it and it's unfortunate but it's part of the game of football that I'm just going to have to keep working, keep driving and keep pushing forward. We've got 15 weeks in front of us and I'm going right back to work."
Ridley's benching could hurt his future as a starter for the Patriots. With plenty of possible talent sitting behind him, the odds of the running back being on the field at the start of the Jets game is very slim. Vereen was a very capable replacement. The running back was fully ready when his number was called. LeGarrette Blount did not factor into the win that much, putting up a small 15 yards on seven carries, but a strong preseason shows there is potential there.
"You can never predict what the coach's decision is going to be," Vereen said. "You just have to stay ready, and be ready when your number's called. As a running back, you want the ball any time you can. When they trust you with the ball, you have to be able to produce and make plays with it. And we were able to do that with it."
Belichick does not appreciate turnovers. There will be punishment for Ridley's mistakes and that could lead to a big drop on the depth chart.
