Why was anyone starting a Patriots running back?
He is my favorite of the RBs as he was the guy used at the GL mostly, that has value but still hard to start him after weeks like this.I'm hanging onto him. He'll still be the Patriots top choice in the passing game, and will be worth a start as a desperation play in the event of injuries/bye weeks.
Then again, if there was a good WW option on the wire this week, I may have a different opinion.
Sigh... you were right. It only cost me 5 pts, and Jimmy Graham saved my ### last night to pull out the win. 6 more inches at the goal line would have made it a good call though.I've picked up Bolden and dealt away Ridley, but I think there's actually some chance this happens. ATL is vulnerable to the power rush. I expect Bolden will be better against bigger teams with strong run-defense (bengals types) where they resort to dumpoffs as extended handoffs, and Ridley is better against teams who can be run on. Although, OTOH, the high-scoring/dome/trackmeet/turf aspect of this game does point to Bolden. I think Bolden is viable but if I could choose between them I'd still go with Ridley.Rolling w/ Bolden (and have both) - 14 team league no ppr. Unless he's inactive of course. My reasoning is 1. Ridley has sucked at about 3 ypc. 2. I think this game will be high scoring and 3. BB and McDaniels have to be looking at the production of the two of them and it's not even close.Bolden or Ridley? Which guy would you roll with tonight?
So, this will be the week Ridley goes off. On my bench.
You, sir, have not met the St. Louis Rams.This has to be the worst 3 headed RBBC in the league right now w/ blount getting his share consistently now. And I'm sitting on 2/3 of it. FML.
I think Blount and Ridley cancel each other out with similar skill sets. I still think there's room for Bolden. I like his prospects better this week against a tough Cincy D that should stiffle Ridley/Blount in the traditional running game. Hopefully they shift away from power rush and let Brady check down to Bolden a half dozen times.You, sir, have not met the St. Louis Rams.This has to be the worst 3 headed RBBC in the league right now w/ blount getting his share consistently now. And I'm sitting on 2/3 of it. FML.
meh... the difference is there's value in the 3 headed (4 if you count vereen) RBBC in NE. Maybe not stat wise thus far this season, but they actually move the ball and score points. Maybe not like years past w/ Brady, but they're 4-0 and improving w/ new faces and their "stars" coming back soon (allegedly).You, sir, have not met the St. Louis Rams.This has to be the worst 3 headed RBBC in the league right now w/ blount getting his share consistently now. And I'm sitting on 2/3 of it. FML.
I agree.SaintsInDome2006 said:Let's revisit:
week 3, 100 total yards, 5 catches, 6 targets, had some problems in pass protection.
week 4, vs ATL, given the scoring this should have been better, he had a goal line TD reversed, got 3 red zone opportunities, he was open on maybe 1-2 TDs that could have been scores if Brady had thrown to him, he went out for a bit, 1 catch for a big loss, 17 total yards, bleckh.
week 5, 64 total yards, 6 receptions, 8 targets, no red zone chances, had a huge drop on a potentially big play - really a pretty decent day.
Given his chances he might be somewhat under the radar. I somewhat think the the Pats will be pushing to pass the ball down the field to keep up with the Saints, at home, this could be a good start for him.
Click the drop button, and slowly back away.So what will us Bolden owners do once Gronk/Amendola/Vereen come back?
I dropped Bolden too last week. I figure owning Ridley is enough Belichick-induced RB stress for one team. If Bolden can stay healthy & maintain a role when Vereen comes back, so be it. Then it will be a 4 headed RB monster.Dropped him . . . Maybe it was too early, and with Ridley back and (relatively) healthy - I saw little use for Bolden . . .
This is my thinking as well. I picked him up for this game only. Bad bye week issues. For those that care.socrates said:So far this season, Miami has allowed 40 receptions for 366 yards to backs out of the backfield, setting Bolden up as a potentially good PPR play this week. That said, trying to forecast Coach Belichick's offensive gameplan is an exercise in futility. It would not surprise me in the least if we see a heavy dose of Ridley this week, and the snap-count percentage from last week is reversed.
I am not sure what, if anything, can be gleaned from this, but in his 4 games against Miami, Ridley has 52 carries for 209 yards (4.0 ypc) and 3 TDs -- hardly stellar, but efficient (Per game average: 13 carries for 52 yards and 0.75 TD).
I have Powell and don't know what to do. Bolden is available on my WW.This is my thinking as well. I picked him up for this game only. Bad bye week issues. For those that care.socrates said:So far this season, Miami has allowed 40 receptions for 366 yards to backs out of the backfield, setting Bolden up as a potentially good PPR play this week. That said, trying to forecast Coach Belichick's offensive gameplan is an exercise in futility. It would not surprise me in the least if we see a heavy dose of Ridley this week, and the snap-count percentage from last week is reversed.
I am not sure what, if anything, can be gleaned from this, but in his 4 games against Miami, Ridley has 52 carries for 209 yards (4.0 ypc) and 3 TDs -- hardly stellar, but efficient (Per game average: 13 carries for 52 yards and 0.75 TD).
I'm sure it's just a coincidence but in a ppr league every other week is a good week.SaintsInDome2006 said:I gave up - started him he pooped, sat him he played well, basically a roulette wheel.
With Vereen coming back I wouldn't hold my breath on him.Had a TD overturned, but it's just impossible to figure out the situation from week to week. Only 3 carries (all went for over 10 yards) with zero receptions in a game where they scored 55 points and Ridley fumbled.
The only thing we know about NE RBs is that Vereen is useful in ppr leagues as a rb2 or flex. Outside of that, crap shoot.Welp - Ridley fumbled, again. Bolden played extended time last night in one of the best comebacks we've seen the Pats put together.
Is there a legit pecking order change here? Bolden worth a roster spot now?
ETA - I like his talent and skillset. If I thought for sure the Pats woud use him in the RB rotation with Vereen, I think he's absolutely worth a spot. Question is what happens with Ridley and Blount moving forward? Is it Bolden's until he screws up?
Not James White?My guess is they will bring up Jonas Gray from the PS to replace Ridley. Bolden will continue his backup and ST role. He is simply not an every down back. Gray looked solid in preseason and is more of a complete back.
On a side note, I feel really bad for Ridley. Love that kid's style of play and feel he gets abused waaaaay too much for fumbles by Boston fans and media. To have this type of injury in a contract year is devastating. I really hope he comes back to NE or elsewhere on a one-year deal and excels so he can get a big contract somewhere. He deserves it.
No. White is more a COP back and has not looked good IMO.Not James White?My guess is they will bring up Jonas Gray from the PS to replace Ridley. Bolden will continue his backup and ST role. He is simply not an every down back. Gray looked solid in preseason and is more of a complete back.
On a side note, I feel really bad for Ridley. Love that kid's style of play and feel he gets abused waaaaay too much for fumbles by Boston fans and media. To have this type of injury in a contract year is devastating. I really hope he comes back to NE or elsewhere on a one-year deal and excels so he can get a big contract somewhere. He deserves it.
and then the dark lord banished him to the realms of irrelevance on the PS.White was pimped by all including the dark lord as a 3 down back.
he wasn't on the ps --- he just wasn't active most weeks because they didn't want to have 4 rb most games.and then the dark lord banished him to the realms of irrelevance on the PS.White was pimped by all including the dark lord as a 3 down back.
Brandon Bolden - RB - Patriots
Brandon Bolden is tentatively expected to start in the Stevan Ridley role Thursday night.
Beat writer Jeff Howe expects a rotation between Bolden, James White and Shane Vereen, with the Patriots riding a hot hand. Vereen is obviously the safest bet as we know his passing back role is intact and the Patriots have used him in some short-yardage situations before. Bolden is a desperation roll of the dice until we get some more clarity here.
Related: James White
Source: Jeff Howe on Twitter
Oct 16 - 9:35 AM
Rain or high wind forecast?"Desperation roll of the dice"
He just described my fantasy team. I'm giving Bolden a go. If the weather gives the passing game trouble he could be a good start.
The clarity might be we see the Pats start throwing a lot more.I think this is a classic stay-away situation until we have some clarity (of course, that's easy for me to say since I own both Vereen and Bolden). The fact that people are talking up four different people suggests that no one really has any idea. And it's entirely possible that, even after tonight's game, we still won't have clarity.