2ND PAT ANSWER
First Revis, and now the Jets sign ex- New England RB Ridley
The Jets raided the rival Patriots yet again Wednesday, adding former New England running back Stevan Ridley to their backfield stable.
A league source confirmed the Jets had agreed to terms with Ridley, a 26yearold veteran whose 2014 season ended after just six games due to a torn knee ligament.
The 5foot11, 230pound Ridley, who also reportedly had offers from the Redskins and Dolphins, is the second prominent former Patriot to sign with Gang Green this winter after the Jets hammered out a reunion with All-Pro cornerback Darrelle Revis last month.
Ridley joins a crowded Jets backfield that already includes Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell and could grow even more if new general manager Mike Maccagnan opts for a running back in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Ridley’s arrival could spell the end of Ivory’s tenure with the Jets because the two have similar, between the tackles running styles. Ivory also has been injuryprone throughout his pro career andwas brought in by the previous regime of former GM John Idzik.
Ridley has issues of his own, though. Not only did he miss the final 10 games and the postseason last year because of the knee injury, but the LSU product also has lost an eyepopping nine fumbles in less than four full NFL seasons.
But Ridley, a thirdround pick by the Patriots in 2011, has been extremely productive at times, too. His high point came in 2012, when Ridley romped for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns in 16 games ( including 12 starts).
Ridley tailed off considerably the past two seasons, scoring just nine touchdowns combined in that span and averaging a mere 3.6 yards per carry last year before going down with the knee injury.
According to a league source, Ridley thought strongly about signing with the Dolphins or Redskins but settled on the Jets because of his interest in playing in new offensive coordinator Chan Gailey’s scheme.
Ridley’s departure also is another blow to the Super Bowlchampion Patriots, who already lost running back Shane Vereen to the Giants this offseason. New England is left with Jonas Gray, Brandon Bolden and LeGarrette Blount, the latter of whom was notified this week he will be suspended for the season opener by the NFL for a violation of the substanceabuse policy.
Jets re- sign DE Douzable
The Jets continued to fortify their front seven, bringing back defensive end Leger Douzable on a oneyear deal.
The 6foot4, 305pound Douzable, who turns 29 in May, is one of the top backups to ends Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson. Douzable, a seventhyear pro, had 2.5 sacks and 14 tackles in 16 games last year— his second with the Jets.
The Jets have been busy signing defensive help in recent weeks, adding former Vikings linebacker Erin Henderson, ex-Packers linebacker Jamari Lattimore and veteran linemen Kevin Vickerson and Stephen Bowen.
ESPN reported Wednesday the Jets also are interested in signing former Chiefs linebacker Joe Mays.
The depth also could come in handy for the Jets in the offseason with Wilkerson so far staying away from workouts with the team, apparently because of unhappiness about the lack of a newcontract.