Getty ImagesTwo new names are on the Patriots inactive list on Sunday.
Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco is out, as is rookie running back Stevan Ridley. Ochocinco is back in New England for the game after flying to Miami for his father’s funeral. Ocho only had one snap in last week’s game.
Ridley’s removal is a bigger surprise. He’s fumbled in the last two Patriots games, but he was also the team’s leading running back down the stretch. New England is rolling with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, and Kevin Faulk as their running backs on Sunday. That leaves them rather thin if they suffer an injury.
Also out for New England: Gary Guyton, Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Mallett, Donald Thomas, and Shane Vereen. Rookie Nate Solder will start at right tackle for Vollmer.
The Ravens are fully healthy. Ed Reed, listed as probable during the week, will start at safety.
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Ochocinco has been inactive all year.
Thin are RB? Can you say Hernandez?
Polite is active — not that thin at RB.
Ridley fumbled, so I am not surprised.
Ridley doesn’t have much experience against the blitz yet…it’s not that surprising of a decision
1 injury to 3 active running backs and they’d be thin?
I don’t agree with deactivating Ridley. He has fumbled twice all year and is averaging over 5 yards per carry. He is their only real running threat. This is biting off your nose to spite your face. Don’t discard a good young player again Bill
or maybe someone will bench you for all those fumbled draft picks.
I guess “the Genius” is still waiting to suprise the league with a Ochocinco.
OMG!!! he wont get his 1 snap?!?!?
If 85 is inactive why is he even at the game? Go be with your family. If the Pats didn’t tell him he would not be playing until today, that is incredibly f’ed up.
Aaron Hernandez had 5 rushes for 61 yards against the Broncos. The Patriots have a solid, versatile group of running backs heading into the AFC Championship!
So is this the “surprise use”, by the smartest coach in the league, that you were speaking of yesterday?
RAVENS 24 PATS 20
Ah, swan song for Kevin Faulk. Faulk has been a key contributer throughout his career. No doubt Belichick has plans to mix him in.
Good stuff. Go Patriots!
Maybe 85 will be able to Tweet during the game now!
Thin @ RB with 3 RB in the waiting tells you just how bad the the run game is in Foxborough
Ocho and Haynsey were the most obvious no shows when they got acquired…. they both convinced Bill that they were looking to turn their failed prima donna careers around…
and nobody but Bill has been surprised how they both did zero once the paychecks started coming in….
if an Ochocinco is inactive for a playoff game and nobody notices, did it really happen?
Having Faulk active and Ridley inactive isn’t just about giving Faulk a swan song opportunity.
It’s the playoffs. Belichick goes with his “good hands” players on special teams and elsewhere. Always has.
Ridley will only get better with time.
More about pass protection than fumbles I’d say.
Faulk knows how to chip
No Ocho & Ridley means majority of Patriots snaps will be in no huddle/hurry up.
Patriots 31
Ravens 20
I think Ridley being sat is less about his fumbling and more about the Pats game plan.
When Bill faces a strong run defense, he’s not one to beat his head against the wall.
Victory will be by air.
just how bad the the run game is in Foxborough
The running game will be after the catch.
I must admit I stole that from somebody on Reiss’s board.
That was one of the worst national anthems ever.
Ocho should just stay with his family this weekend. he cant see some action next week when his teammates get him into the Super Bowl.
Too bad Steven Tyler wasn’t inactive
Sundays the day that ocho cleans belicheks house and walks the dogs.
They won’t need em cuz the ravens got Flacco starting.
Wow! That Patriots’ offense is really going to miss Ochocinco’s one snap!