Matter of fact, all 3 RBs have 1 year deals. So they definitely have to draft someone, since not all 3 of those guys will be resigned in 2016.
Doubt he's on the team when the season starts. Good move for depth and competition for training camp though.
He would have to have a pretty bad camp or not be fully healthy to be cut. He's not great, but he's easily the second best RB on the roster, maybe the best when healthy.
Anyone really down on this 1 year deal is missing the the silver lining. I've heard that it's a redundant signing with Ivory already on the roster, and that it will keep them from drafting another RB. Both of these accounts are untrue. 1- He's Ivory with better feet and vision. If he regains his movement after rehab (this is my biggest question in the signing), the combination of Ivory/Ridley could be a devastating 1-2 punch to beat down a defense. Gailey's open offense or not, this team's strength is predicated by the defense, so there will still be a lot of running involved (especially with subpar QBs). Both of these backs are battering rams (more so of Ivory). However, Ridley has the ability to shift and find open spaces without ONLY being a hammer. Additionally, he's an above average pass protector in the backfield. 2- Again, all 3 backs are on 1 yr deals (Ivory in last year of contract). So chances are that this group will not ALL be back in 2016, so they will need to have someone waiting in the wings so to speak. Also, since Gailey doesn't utilize a FB in his offense, a roster spot will be available and I personally don't see Bohanon back.
Also having all 3 of them on 1 year deals means that all three will be giving it their all to earn new contracts here or somewhere else, players usually play harder in a contract year
I mean honestly, I feel like signing Ridley is an indicator that they WILL draft an RB. Why would you NOT draft an RB when you have 0 on the books for next year?
So draft one before round 4 Seriously... there's no reason NOT to take a guy like Abdullah if he is there in the third.
Thanks for posting these highlights. I had only seen him play in SBs and vs the Jets. I like what I see a lot. Great balance too. If he's healthy, this is a great signing. I agree that it won't keep the Jets from drafting a RB. This guy can contribute in a big way, but his signing also provides more insurance in case they can't get a RB they like in the draft.
IMO he looks more like a bigger Bilal Powell, who coincidentally was from the same draft class and was rated higher.
Another thing good about this signing is that he chose the Jets over other teams. He reportedly had offers from at least two other teams. And picked the Jets we hear because he likes the OC---which is good news and not the first time we've heard that Gailey is highly regarded in NFL circles including players.
Powell was rated pretty high that season coming out of Louisville, and they do share some similarities. Powell could be that "swiss army knife" guy in this offense, since he is really the only one that can catch (catch well that is) out of the backfield.
LMAO over the Patriots Tattoo apparently I hope this guy becomes a beast with us. I like this guy already.
I wonder if after his 1,200 yards per year in '12 and the way Belicheck treats his RB's (benching them multiple games if they are late to practice and if they fumble) has put a bit of a chip on Ridley's shoulder. He has something to prove. That he isn't just garbage discarded by the "greatest coach to ever live."
if he's fully healthy, I won't be surprised if he gets a decent amount of carries. I am predicting a potential 60/40 split. With Ridley getting more carries.
