JOXYroxy

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS THIRD ROUND DRAFT PICK (#73) STEVAN RIDLEY
CONFERENCE CALL
April 29, 2011

Q: How has the whole draft process gone for you and how does it feel to be a Patriot?

SR: This whole process has been a dream-come true. It’s been a lot of hard work that’s gone into it and I’m so thankful for the Patriots calling me and giving me a chance to play football and pursue my dream.

Q: Can you describe your running style?

SR: My running style is pretty simple. I’m not a blazer by any means, but I just get the ball and do what I can. I fight for the tough yards, I give my all and play with my whole heart.

Q: How would you assess your blocking ability?

SR: My blocking ability is what needs work. I’m going to know the play, I know how to block, but my technique could always be better. I just have to go in there and improve as a player and focus on what the coaches are willing to teach me.

Q: Did you have any inkling that the Patriots were going to take you at this point?

SR: A lot of teams say they are going to do certain things. I was just waiting for a call and whenever I got a call I was going to be very thankful for it. New England couldn’t have been any more perfect. It’s a team that has a history of winnings championships. I’m looking forward to playing with a lot of guys that know what it takes to win.

Q: As an LSU guy, have you met Kevin Faulk?

SR: I have met him. Faulk’s been down to Baton Rouge, I’ve seen him a total of two or three times, talking to him once or twice. I don’t know him on a personal level, but I have met him before.

Q: You tied his school record with 15 rushing touchdowns last year.

SR: I don’t pay too much attention to stats. I just go out there and play. I’ve actually been told that before and I thought that was pretty neat.

Q: Have you come across Shane Vereen at all during the pre-draft process?

SR: I have. I got to talk with Shane at the combine in Indianapolis. He’s a quality guy, a guy that’s a hard worker. He’s a very humble guy, a great player. We’re going to go into New England and try to learn and develop together and help each other out.

Q: What do you see as your biggest strength?

SR: I think my biggest strength is the ability to go in there and finish out games. When the fourth quarter comes around and you need that running game to go in there and finish it out, I get stronger as the game goes on.

Q: Do you pride yourself in clock-draining, ball-control offensive drives?

SR: I would have to say that I do. Coach [Les] Miles is old-fashioned that he likes to run the ball between the tackles. When we needed somebody to go in there and close out the game and run the ball, that was my job. If that’s the role I fill for the team and the team needs me to do it then I’m willing to do that. I’ve done it before, gone in there and closed out games. If that’s what they need, I’ll be more than willing.

Q: What types of things do you do away from the football field?

SR: I’m from Mississippi, so I’m a big hunter and fisherman. When I’m not on the field, you’ll find me in the woods or something like that. I’m pretty much a country boy at heart

Q: What are your thoughts about becoming teammates your college rival, Ryan Mallett?

SR: Ryan Mallett is the best. I’ve been on the field the last few years and his name has come up in the scouting report as somebody that we would focus on. I’m very excited for Ryan Mallett. To be able to come in here and learn from the best quarterback in the league, Tom Brady, it’s going to be an honor to go in there and play with a guy like that. Tom is also a great guy that Ryan Mallett can go in there and learn from.

Q: What’s your best hunting kill?

SR: I was hunting deer at a young age then I started transitioning into duck hunting the last four or five years. So the best kill I’ve had would have to be ducks.


belichick on ridley:
Q: Can you talk about the two running backs that you drafted today?

BB: I think that Vereen and Ridley obviously play the same position, but I think they are very different players. Both have been very productive in college, Ridley more so this past year, but even when he had an opportunity to play earlier in his career when they had other backs, they always kind of rotated the backs through there at LSU, that he’s been a very proactive guy both in the running game and in the passing game. He’s a bigger, physical back, good running style, gets a lot of tough yards. I’d say Vereen is a little bit more elusive, a little bit more of a space back, has good hands. I think both of those players can help us in the kicking game and they both have been productive at high levels of competition. I think they will complement each other well. We’ve had a little bit of age at that position, so this gives us a couple of young guys that will provide competition for the players that we have in that position.

little kid in the crowd at the giants/dodgers spring training game today.

talked to him today. wouldnt say either way, but seemed like he was gone. mainieri said that would prob be the case as well.


only one to straight up say, yes i'm out, was leon landry.

the rest did the back and forth oh well see. i-e, if i seem wishy washy they'll give me more money.

its on nesn. the only thing i've found is a pricy thing on mlb tv. ugh.

ugh. thats what happens when news folks start talking sports. love them to death, but yikes.

yea yea



i hate the bleeds leads thing. did news for a year. didn't like it. always wanted sports.


as for that. watch the show, i've got sound from players on what they'd buy les miles for christmas.

rough riders won 33-31. black knights led 31-12 early fourth quarter.

its airing right now on wbxh if you get that channel.

quote:

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playing a sport where critical that every man does his job and be in it 100%. Saying such things in "PUBLIC" raises alot of doubts and questions.

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this isn't a hospital. hes not a doctor. this is football. hes 20 years old. come on. yeah its critical to give 100%, but seriously this is a bit ridiculous how much its blown up and read into.


i forget if its this thread or another one where i already said this, but i'd hate to be the girlfriend of any of you guys.

you read into stuff more than any chick i've ever met.



and to keys and your recent post - i agree 100%. and thats what i like about it. if that weeds someone out, then that just helps me!

quote:

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Very good post. My dad told me a long time ago that if you do anything challenging, you will want to quit it at least twice and at times consider it the worst decision of your life. It's definitely true, and the hardest part is realizing when to quit and when to persevere.

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thank you. the list continues, but i figured i'd made my point.


that said - there are several GREAT things about my job that balance that all out.

i'm sure that when barksdale was celebrating a national title two years ago, he wasn't thinking that coming to LSU was the biggest mistake he'd ever made.

quote:

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Joxy if you viewed being a sports reporter and working at WAFB as a mistake do you think you would be able to do your very best and carry your weight work wise with your co-workers?

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ask me that on christmas day when my family is together, in connecticut, and im at work.

or when im sitting in the rain freezing my arse off to go to player interviews at 4:30 pm when i'm anchoring at 6. true story. happened today.)

or when driving round trip to ark pine bluff on halloween day by myself then lugging a camera tripod and computer by myself to a place i hope has internet connection to send something back in time for a 6 pm deadline when the game kicks off at 1:30.

or when i look at my sad bank account because local news doesnt pay shite

or when all my friends spend every weekend doing fun things and im at work.

on any of those days, i could easily pull out my cell phone and say leaving my family and friends up north was the biggest mistake i ever made.and maybe even at the time mean it. but in the end, if you are making the sacrifices, why would you not do it to the best of your abilities in hopes that one day it pays off. why would he move here and then not give 100% if the reason for coming here was to get to the next level. y'alls logic is way way off.

if i didnt want to one day make it in this business, why would i put up with all of this day in an day out. when i could get a 9-5 making at least twice what i make now.

you do it because you love what you do. barksdale loves what he does.

everyone is allowed a weak moment every now and then. cut the kid a break.

quote:

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but when you call being at LSU the biggest mistake of your life then how can you be trusted to give 100 percent.

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seriously?

like he's going to miss tackles and do things to help penn state win?

regardless of where you are nobody wants to be a loser or the reason a team loses.


i'd hate to be any of your girlfriends. men say chicks read into things, but gees you guys are sure blowing this thing up.