Stevan Ridley Visits With NY Jets

According to multiple reports, former Patriots' running back Stevan Ridley visited with the Jets yesterday and the Jets are interested in signing him.  The Miami Dolphins are also interested in signing Ridley.

Ridley is a 26 year old, 5' 11", 230 pound power back.  He was originally a third round pick of the Patriots, out of LSU, in the 2011 NFL draft.

Ridley has posted a 4.3 yards per carry average for his career.  His best season was 2012, when he rushed 290 times for 1263 yards, a 4.4 ypc average, and 12 touchdowns.  Last year Ridley was slowed by injuries, playing in only 6 games and amassing 340 yards on 94 carries for a 3.6 ypc average.  Ridley has had a bit of a fumbling issue, which landed him in Bill Belichick's doghouse. He has fumbled nine times in 672 career touches.

Stevan Ridley has little pass catching experience, catching only 23 passes on 36 targets in his four year NFL career, for a 6.3 yards per reception average.  As a power back who offers little in the passing game, Ridley appears to duplicate much of the role of Chris Ivory.  That may not make an ideal fit for the Jets, who could probably use a back who is much more useful in the passing game.  However, with only two competent NFL quality backs currently on the roster, Ridley would provide a significant upgrade over the likes of Daryl Richardson in the Jets backfield.