Free agent running back Stevan Ridley appears to be touring the AFC West. He's spent four seasons with the New England Patriots, visited with the Miami Dolphins on Tuesdayas a free agent, and met with the New York Jets yesterday, according to ESPN. Let's hope the Buffalo Bills aren't the next stop.
Ridley is coming off a down season in which he appeared in only six games due to injuries. His best season as a pro came in 2012 when he rushed for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns. Excluding his injury plagued 2014, Ridley has a career 4.6 yards-per-carry average and a simple downhill running style that coaches seem to admire.
Ridley has played in six games against the Jets over his career, totaling 272 yards on 77 carries with two touchdowns. New York's new regime, led by general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles, don't seem to mind his previous experience as a heated division rival.
The Jets currently have Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell as the top two backs on their depth chart. Ivory rushed for 821 yards and six touchdowns last season while totaled 141 yards and one touchdown on 33 total attempts. The Jets like both backs so Ridley would have to compete for carries. However, Lamar Miller is coming off the best season on his career in Miami and may be tougher to unseat.
It will be interesting to see where Ridley ultimately lands.
