The Facts:
Following up on the
ongoing story. ... Ridley looks like the early favorite to assume the bulk of the duties that BenJarvus Green-Ellis handled in 2011 when he led all backs with a 34 percent playing time clip.
Reported by ESPN.com
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
The departure of BenJarvus Green-Ellis leaves the Patriots in need of a chairman to head their backfield committee and Ridley continues to look like that guy after taking the lead role in the final three regular-season games thanks to his 5.1-yard average and all five of the team's rushes over 20 yards. Of some concern: Two fumbles left him on the bench in the final two playoff games and fellow second-year man Shane Vereen was
getting more first-team reps earlier this offseason. But it appears Ridley is back in HC Bill Belichick's good graces. Also, according to ESPN.com's Mike Reiss, rookie free agent Brandon Bolden of Mississippi has been a surprise and appears to have a real chance to earn a roster spot; he's caught the ball fairly well and at 5-11, 220 pounds has a nice combination of size, speed and power. Vereen, the 2011 second-round draft choice, is still working to find his groove while Danny Woodhead once again looks primed to serve as the change-of-pace option.
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