Stevan Ridley was doling out some good shots Sunday.
But the increased workload also took a toll on his body, and he knows there are more cold tubs in his future if he’s going to be the Patriots’ feature back.
“Thankfully not too bad,” Ridley said of the sudden swarm of media attention he’s getting, via Jeff Howe of the Boston Herald. “Not too bad. I think my life is going to be in the training room a pretty good bit from here on out, so whether I’m sore or not, I’m still going to be in there visiting those guys.”
Ridley had 21 carries for 125 yards and a touchdown, with a number of physical runs that left a mark on the Titans defense. That’s going to lead to some bruises of his own, but he’s willing to play that role.
“You can’t play the position being scared,” Ridley said. “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 your career might last a little bit longer. That’s kind of my philosophy running the ball. I’m trying to get downhill and deliver the punch instead of taking all the beatings.”
Having someone who can run inside the tackles gives the Patriots a different dimension on offense, and as long as Ridley hangs onto the ball, he’ll get plenty of chances.