Fansided

Stevan Ridley’s injury didn’t impact Jets trade for Zac Stacy

By Charles Rahrig V

Oct 12, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots trainers attend to running back Stevan Ridley (22) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. New England beats Buffalo 37 to 22. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 12, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New England Patriots trainers attend to running back Stevan Ridley (22) during the second half against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. New England beats Buffalo 37 to 22. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports /
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Despite having major surgery on his knee, Stevan Ridley’s injury had no impact on the New York Jets acquiring Zac Stacy.

The New York Jets added another young piece to their offense during the draft weekend when they acquired Zac Stacy from the St. Louis Rams.

Stacy didn’t have a spot in St. Louis after the team drafted Todd Gurley, and he was subsequently dealt to New York.

While speculation was that the team needed a running back after the knee surgery that recently-signed running back Stevan Ridley had, the Jets are saying that’s not the case.

According to Rich Cimini, the New York Jets reporter for ESPN, general manger Mike Maccagnan said he wasn’t compelled to trade for Stacy because of Ridley’s knee.

"“We thought the idea of bringing Zac in for that kind of investment would be very beneficial and increase the competition at that position,” Maccagnan said. “He’s had success in the league. Two years ago, he was close to a 1,000-yard back. This past season, his production wasn’t quite as high, but we do think he’s a good-caliber running back.”Ridley, a free agent and a former member of the New England Patriots, still is recovering from major knee surgery. Earlier this week, Jets coach Todd Bowles expressed some concern with his depth, hinting they could add a back.However, Maccagnan downplayed Ridley’s knee as a factor, saying it wasn’t the reason he felt compelled to make the trade."

While general mangers and coaches are known to say false things during draft weekend, it’s doubtful Maccagnan is lying when it comes to acquiring Stacy.

Stacy is a completely different running back than Ridley, and he adds a big back to the roster to go with the rest of the running backs on the Jets squad. The Jets are starting to build some depth at the running back position under new the new regime and now have Stacy, Ridley, Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell and Daryl Richardson.

Whether or not all those players make the regular season roster is another story, but the team now has competition at the running back spot and looks more improved than they did before the draft at the position.

With Stacy, Ridley and Ivory, the Jets now have three backs capable of picking up lots of yards for the team. Last season Ivory had 821 yards for the Jets. As a rookie for St. Louis, Stacy had 1,000+ yards on the ground.

This move appears to be one about improving the roster and not because of concern over another players health.

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