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Stevan Ridley on another fumble: ‘Can’t make excuses – I messed up’ 10.08.12 at 1:42 am ET
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Stevan Ridley answered the bell Sunday but also had to answer for a key turnover. (Mike Petraglia/WEEI.com)

FOXBORO — For weeks in training camp, Stevan Ridley heard question after question about ball security.

He knew after the way last season ended he would be asked about his ability to hold onto the ball, especially when teams would be targeting him. For the first three games, he had 52 carries without a miscue, including a 125-yard rushing performance in a season-opening win over the Titans.

Then, in Buffalo, he fumbled for the first time since last January against the Broncos. The Patriots recovered and all was forgiven, as he ran 22 times for 106 yards and two touchdowns.

Last winter- when he fumbled against the Bills in the regular season finale – he coughed it up in the very next game and lost this one in the AFC playoff game against the Broncos. The price? Bill Belichick benched him for the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl.

On Sunday, after the greatest rushing game of his career, it happened again. Ridley had to answer questions about a fumble that nearly cost the Patriots control of the game in a 31-21 win over the Broncos Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

With the Patriots having stopped the Broncos at midfield following Willis McGahee‘s drop on a fourth-and-1 pass from Peyton Manning, the Patriots – leading by 10 -were driving to put the game away when Ridley fumbled the ball at the Denver 35. Von Miller forced the fumble with 5:27 remaining, and the Broncos drove the ball down the field before McGahee returned the favor and lost a fumble at the Patriots 14, allowing New England to hold on.

“It was late in the game,” said Ridley, who was benched for the AFC Championship and the Super Bowl after fumbling against the Broncos in the playoffs last January. “You’ve got to close it out. You’ve got to run the football and I told myself before the play [that] I had to hold onto the football. They’re getting paid to play, too. You can’t make excuses. I messed up. I’m sure coach [Belichick] is going to have something to say about it. But, there’s always another day tomorrow. So, I’ll be back to work and working ball security, high and tight. And that’s all I can do.”

Before the fumble, Ridley had a monstrous game, carrying the ball 28 times for 151 yards and a six-yard touchdown. He became the first Patriots back since Laurence Maroney in 2007 with consecutive 100-yard rushing games. He has 50 carries for 267 yards and three TDs in his last two games.

“It’s awesome, man,” Ridley said. “I just have to say, it takes a lot of pressure off [Tom Brady]. And that’s our leader, that’s our team. A lot of people key on him and our running back group has to get some pressure off him so he can be the quarterback he can be. If they’re sitting back there staring Brady in the face every play, we can’t be a one-dimensional offense. So we’re taking pride in that and we’re thankful for it, but there’s a lot of work to be done. We’re not satisfied and it’s still early in the year. There’s a lot of football to be played.

“It didn’t the way I wanted it to but besides that, I’m just thankful to be out there,” Ridley continued. “Some things are going in my favor and some things aren’t. For me, I just need to come back in here on Monday and get back to work. We’re going to continue to work hard. That’s the only way they do it around here and that’s the team way.”

Read More: Bill Belichick, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, nfl Print  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Smith/100003617570321 John Smith

    Ben Jarvis Green Ellis has 3 fumbles

  • Grogan14

    Hey Mike, next time try checking the box score and play-by-play before posting your column. Ridley’s  fumble was after  Broncos had scored to cut the lead to 10, not after McGahee’s drop. If you can’t get your basic facts straight, why should we bother reading your columns?

  • My10sense

    He said “drop,” not fumble.  McGahee screwed up twice.  Pay attention, especially if you’re channeling one of the better all-time Patriots.

  • Hitdog100

    why? they traded nothing.

  • Flatapril1

    Love it.  Gave up nothing to get another body.

  • Dano S

    Very good trade and if Celtics could do another similar deal I think fans would be very enthused with this team going into playoffs.

  • Charlie

    @erockstar they gave up nothing… how is it terrible? answer meeeeeee

  • Scott

    Cause you’re a twit. You read what the scouting report from a hack is, and negate the fact your just replacing an injury with a body. Who knows how much playing time he will get, but I do remember this meathead a few years back saying he’s better then Jordan.

  • Advjoplin

    How many shooting gaurds are we going to have

  • Baker

    He’s 24 years old, and a decent player. Who knows, with some veteran influence he may become a valuable future asset. We shall see.

  • Cfn

    Good trade, since Barbosa is hurt and not happy here; but don’t know much about this guy Crawford; is he in the mold of Courtney Lee?

  • DJKuulA

    So psyched that we gave up a piece of paper instead of Melo. :) Maybe Paul and KG can teach this kid how to play. He certainly has talent.

  • Cfn

    But why did Wizards give him up; there must be some reason.  Does anybody know why?

  • PhilRa70

    This is a great trade! actually, a no brainer

  • Hindle1976

    Great move Danny!!! Something for nothing!!! Only if the Sox can make moves like this!!!

  • Soxfansince75

    Good bench player and another body.

  • Erockstar

    Simply stated LB was a known quality player with skills and great track record of playing hard.  JC is a chucker with questionable attitude… bad trade for a warm body

  • Boris

    Great trade. Woeful wiz just looking to make room and save a few bucks. Their future backcourt are Wall and Beal.

  • Erockstar

     hope Im wrong but LB seemed like a better fit for our team going forward… JC has lots of question marks.  That said he can play this year and LB cant so I see your point.  If LB comes back next year and plays well and JC is a bust we can revisit it.

  • Mike

     what’s not to like? Traded a hurt player for a young player who can score! no brainer!

  • Mike

     Because they are the Wizards!

  • Srogan12

    Seems like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/ZVFM2HRNC5CTO2OUXD4XTX65O4 Dennis

     And that’s all folks. See ya next year. 

  • Chris Kelley

    Barbosa was a free agent anyway.  Celtics lose nothing.   Wish they done something bigger.

  • c-gator

    Barboza is FA at years end, can certainly resign (though he wasn’t happy here).

  • Armand

    Erockstar is an idiot.  They gave up a dude who won’t play again this year.  They got a much needed guard for NOTHING.  

  • Sally Seaside

    AND he can guard Lebron! 18th Banner here we come!!!!

  • Rilawman

    They need to re-work Crawford’s deal to 3 years 39 million!!!

  • Rilawman

    Collins got send to to Washington as well!!

  • Sharon Cox

    I wish all the Brazilian bashing would stop here. Why are we still putting down players just because of their nationality. I wish this bigot ignorance would stop.

  • Dano50

    Give this kid a chance.  He’s been playing for a horrible team.  This is an awesome opportunity for him.  So I like the chances for success.  He sinks or swims and Leandro was probably going anyway by the time he’s healthy.  No lose situation for all.  

  • mike

    Do none of you guys saying Barbosa was not happy here not realize he already said he hopes to come back next year? I also think this trade may include Jason Collins as well but of course modern media can’t even wait for factual info before they post this article.
    All those big trades thrown around by all the blow hards (and I am not just taking Celtics here) and this is the number of trades that happened? Mannix, Broussard and the like should all be FIRED. Much ado about nothing.

  • Jimmy Freeze

    At best LB won’t be ready for 12 months…since he’s older…may be done for good.  His contract is up after this season, so there was no “going forward” for LB in Boston.  He was a 1 year roster-filler.

  • Kobra543

    celtics traded jason collins as well!!

  • Sean L

    Where the hell are we going to get siz big man fouls now that Jason Collins is gone?? This is BS!!!!

  • Ty

    Now THAT is an intelligent comment.  He’ll have to work on his defense, but seemingly every player who has come to Boston since Garnett came here improves defensively… and watching Bradley and Lee play will only motivate this kid further.  Like you said, awesome opportunity for him, and he’s in a much better environment & situation here.  Another thing people can’t overlook here is the fact the Celtics didn’t have to give up Melo.

  • DJKuulA

    Rilawman, this is the Celtics page. The Red Sox page is two clicks to your right. :)

  • Anonymous

    Celtics didn’t give up much.  For those that are worried about losing LB, he was only signed for one year, so he can come back next year regardless.  Losing nothing here except a contract. 

    I get the impression we will now start seeing Fab Melo as someone has to take Collin’s minutes.

    This is a low risk that has some upside if Crawford does some growing up.  If he doesn’t, he won’t be here next year.

  • mike

    I imagine you will see more bodies brought in. I am sure they have someone in mind to take some of Collins minutes because if you think Fab Melo is ready to play on a regular basis your basketball knowledge is in real question. Fab has potential but is clearly not ready to contribute on any regular basis.

  • Chris Kelley

    Jason Collins is gone too.  He never played anyway.  Thinking Fab Melo has no value to anyone.  Chris Kelley – Framingham. 

  • Kobra543

    jason collins now with it, kinda dont like that, we need rebounding!

  • Anonymous

    I agree that the Celts didn’t give up much, it’s just that “shoot happy guard that takes terrible shots” part… UGH!

  • Sean L

     Hey Chris, where you from?

  • Chickey19

    On another matter. Meloni’s Jr. high side kick. got all excited about the summer JayZ and Timberlake concert at Fenway. What is he , 14 years old? Grow a pair.
    Please open the door and have him follow Ordway, Winter, and Meter.

  • Guest

    Fan Melo is garbage! He’s a sloppy center and I wish we would’ve traded him.

  • Gilley Todd

    This is a joke. I understand that it is another body but it certainly doesn’t strike fear in the heart of the Heat fans. Great start on the west coast trip

  • Gcesar6901

    Celts have turned into a team of SG & SF.  Lee, Bradley, Terry, Pierce, Williams, Crawford, Green 

    Why did they not try and get a PG, someone that can actually handle the ball.

  • Geetsolboy

    Glowing reviews. Wow.

  • Jon Smiff

    Good deal.

  • Grygor_c

    Ahhhhhh, gooood trayde Mon!

  • Boston_Sports

    Wow……hang the next banner. Celtics are done. Season over.

  • Bruinman86

    Something for nothing isn’t a bad deal.  The only negative I see is that the C’s end up losing another big body to spot KG minutes. But I’m not realistically expecting them to contend anyway.
     
     

  • Dano50

    What’s Shaq doing?

  • Dano50

    Look at who he’s been playing for.  He better not pull that here or he won’t see the court much.

  • Dano50

    Apparently he does to Danny.  He refused to part with him in the deal according to reports I read and heard.

  • Keebs

    At least you got SOMETHING & you didn’t really have to give anything up. They need bodies.

  • gamma

    you guys realize barbosa is a free agent at the end of the year, it is not like the c’s couldn’t have him come back when he is healthy.

  • doing a lot with a little

    Obviously LB was a better player but what’s your point….hes not playing this year and his contract is up at the end of the year.  If your implying that because they traded him they won’t have a chance at getting him back next year, I don’t believe it was a given he would return anyways.  I doubt he would hold a grudge that they traded him when he couldn’t play anyways…hes still getting paid and can always return next season if he wants, but even then we don’t know what Danny has in mind (who will be available/what type of team we’ll be).  This has nothing to do with LB….you mine as well have been talking about Lebron James for the purpose of your argument…irrelevant.  We gave up a center who didn’t play much, but to be fair he played solid D, set screens, and was a true professional.  Clearly Danny sees more quality big guys out there or soon to be out there than he did back court players.  And to the guy asking how many guards do we need, just look at how many we started with and we lost two.  We have no pg so we need to have 4 guards that can play and help facilitate the offense and bring up the ball.  With Rondo, we could have gotten away with just two other guards, but without him, we needed to replace LB.  We were playing good when we had 4 capable guards stepping up.  It’s fine to think JC isn’t that great, but he is better than a torn ACL and an average at best Center, in an NBA that already lacks quality Centers.

  • Mmg151

    Oh No! Another Crawford?

  • Schwank

    Agreed.  Collins vs Wilcox….looka the numbers. We won’t even know he’s gone.  Barbosa, I liked him but he was here for just this year and he’s hurt and likely won’t be back playing,if he does, until the year after next ( I presume he’s on ayear to year deal.  So yes they gave up nothing. 

    Today the Celt’s are a better team.

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