HITMAN202

Few of ranters saw Alexander play, and even though he played with Cincinatti in the NFL, he was an over-rated back. I agree he had impressive numbers, but the truth is he couldn't cut or break many tackles. He had tremendous speed and good size for the late '70 SEC-styled tailback. But he was not the stud people make him to be. I watched him play for four years.

Simply put... JJ did not, did not have the ability to drop back and make good decisions where to throw the ball downfield. He would lock on to a receiver or under pressure get "happy feet" and get sacked. He would have been a good wishbone or double wing QB, but in the shotgun.. forget it. We saw his best, and it wasn't very good (average at best.) Now this is not to say JL or Met are better, but LSU has a better chance to win the BCS with either ; not with JJ.

Ridley a stretch ??? Give me a break !! Yea I thought Ridley would go in the 4 th round at best, and reviewed top six draft sites that had him ranked as high as the 13 th and low as the 25 th best RB (he was the 7 th taken) but ultimately who are the best to judge a player's value ?? Belichick is arguably the best coach and drafter in the NFL. Disagree with him ??? Yea, but comparing your opinion to him is a joke. Also, teams don't into their own little huddle and make their picks. Sure, coaches (and owners..Jerry Jones ???) look at their specfic needs, but go to mentors, to other coaches, and to other owners whom they have close relationships to (ie. worked under or with) and ask for their opinions, particular those outside their division. I bet the Pat's "think tank" got into their league "network" and bounced Ridley around . Would the Pat's have waited util the 4th to draft him if they could ?? Of course !! But many in their "network" thought he wouldn't be available because his value was so high. Now many Ranters would say that the Pat's were intentionally given bad advise. Remember, all (yes all) head coaches early in their careers have had long professional relationships and friendships with opposing coaches and trust their views. The Pat's took that info and drafted Ridley in the 3 rd. The humour is not that the Pat's made a mistke, but that us Ranters don't know sh*t !!!

You're wrong. Why ?? If he had stayed (and avoided injury) he would have been only the 4th LSU back in history to have two 1,000 yd rushing seasons. Then a career as an LSU representative/recruitor and a big Baton Rouge celeb ($$$ in businesses and promotions) would have then been a sure thing. Many would argue that with such a large stable of RB's, Ridley's numbers would be lower in 2011. I disagree. With an up-tempo offense (like we saw against Teaxas A&M) Ridley 's touches would be unchanged.

I think the 2011 team has the best set of RB's compared to each of the last 10 seasons. But replacing Ridley is going to be a lot harder than most realize. He was underestimated when he was signed in 2007, considered to be an average SEC RB at the start of the 2010 season ... but proved himself to be very special... 1 st team SEC special. Last year I was not impressed with Ford's running between the tackles, and that is what we will need in 2011. Now the book is still out on Spencer Ware, but what I saw in the Cotton Bowl was impressive.

The kid knocked my eyes out. What a player.

Unfortunately, he may just be not as good as people had thought.

He was accused of cheating on a test in one subject early in the semester in which he and another student both got 49/50, with both missing different questions. It was pure BS, to be frank, but LSU's academic cheating policy is so strict, that your're guilty until proven innocent once accused. I bet he doesn't go pro. He'll be 5th rd pick or worse, IMO.

Completely agree. He has, in my opinion, no reason to stay to 1)Prove his abilities,2) Get drafted higher or 3) learn more. Just as he surprised most Ranters with a sterling 2010 season ( not I), he will surprise most with a quality NFL career.

I bet Ridley goes pro. He'll remember what happened to Black,Scott and Lavell in 09. Black wasn't drafted (probably would have gone in the 3rd or 4th round) and both Scott and Lavell would have gone earlier ( maybe Lavell would have been a 1st rd pick). He'll remember. Next year Ridley will not get as many carries ( Ford will know the playbook by then) and who knows about injuries. 225 totes is a lot of hurt on the body. Who knows, but I bet he'll go pro.