RAVENS VOICE: Ravens defeat Patriots 31-30 on late FG by Tucker

RAVENS VOICE: Ravens defeat Patriots 31-30 on late FG by Tucker: Ravens defeat Patriots 31-30 on late FG by Tucker Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) reacts after kicker Justin Tucker kicke...

Patriots’ Stevan Ridley takes starting job and runs with it

After One Week, Ridley gets another

BARRY CHIN/GLOBE STAFF
Patriot Stevan Ridley set career highs in the Week 1 victory over the Titans with 21 rushes for 125 yards.


FOXBOROUGH — Stevan Ridley’s approach to football was shaped by all those years growing up in Mississippi, playing linebacker and fullback on sweltering summer nights. Even now, as a tailback, he takes the field with one goal: Avoid being tackled.

In Ridley’s mind, avoid being tackled doesn’t mean avoid making contact. He likes the contact. Thrives on it, actually. His game was built on it.

Anybody who watched the Patriots’ season-opening win at Tennessee saw an eye-opening game from Ridley, who set career highs with 21 carries for 125 yards. A healthy chunk of those yards came after the first defensive player hit Ridley, illustrating how difficult he is to bring down. Because of the 5-foot-11-inch, 220-pounder, the Patriots’ fortunes at running back are suddenly looking up.

“You can’t play the position being scared. You’re going to take a lot of contact, but as a runner, if you can try to deliver the blow instead of taking the hit, I think that your career might last a little bit longer,” Ridley said. “That’s my philosophy running the ball. I’m trying to get downhill and just deliver the punches, instead of taking all the beatings.”

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Patriots cut veteran receivers

By Mike Rodak | ESPNBoston.com

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Veteran receivers Jabar Gaffney and Donte' Stallworth were among several players released by the New England Patriots on Monday evening as they cut their roster to 75 players.

Both had signed free-agent contracts in the spring to return to New England. The release of Gaffney comes as a slight surprise as he was coming off career highs last season with the Redskins. He had a quiet training camp, however, and was held out of the team's last two preseason games with a thigh injury.

The release of Gaffney and Stallworth solidifies veteran Deion Branch's roster spot as the team's No. 3 receiver, although tight end Aaron Hernandez, who sources told ESPN.com Monday signed a contract extension earlier Monday, could also factor into the mix at the position.

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