NASHVILLE, TN -- Stevan Ridley was one happy running back Sunday night.
He took his time getting dressed after New England's 34-13 win in Tennessee, spending maybe two minutes slowly tying each shoe. The guy was battered. He had pin balled violently though the Titans defense on 21 different carries, over 125 yards. It was a long day.
But when he finally stood up, Ridley did so with a smile.
"When you have days like today when you're running the ball well, you can definitely feel it. But there some runs that were there and some that weren't. The coaches just did an exceptional job of finding the ones that were doing well and they just kept calling them until they stopped them. The offensive line was just blocking and getting on people. There was bodies on bodies and I just had to hit my creases and run.
"I didn't do anything out of the ordinary. I was just the player that I was and out there playing ball."
To be fair, Ridley's performance isn't exactly ordinary. Not yet.
The 125 yards is a career-high, his previous best being 97 last season in Oakland -- on half the carries. His 14-percent share of running back snaps ranked third in line behind BenJarvus-Green Ellis (34-percent) and Danny Woodhead (33-percent) in 2011. Ridley's chance to get more involved was choked off in January when he fumbled in two consecutive games, one being a division playoff.
But then Green-Ellis was traded.
Did the door before Ridley open automatically? Not really. He appeared primed for the lead back spot but would have to earn the trust of his teammates and coaches.
Sure looked like he did in Tennessee.
"It's been a dream come true, to be out there playing on a Sunday," Ridley said. "I'm blessed to just get out there and play. 21 carries, that's a higher number than what I was expecting, but I'm okay, I came out of the game injury free, and that's all I can ask for. I'm just grateful that my team did a good job for me."
The stuff of dreams for a 23-year old.
"I think it's a little bit better than I envisioned," he grinned.
It all just worked.
Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels mixed things up, mobilizing the passing game out of what looked like obvious run formations. When the ground game opened up, New England attacked. The Patriots offensive line tightened up, the tight ends and receivers made their blocks, and the ever-explosive Ridley he couldn't miss.
Now they just have to build on it. Balance is not always characteristic of New England; this is the high-flying, Tom Brady-led Patriots offense we're talking about.
But there is patience in Ridley's determination.
"We have to get better every week and improve, we can't be satisfied. I'm not satisfied. I'm going to enjoy this win today and the game that I had today but we have to get back to work on Monday. That's how we live and breathe around there and that's how we're going to get it. We have a stepping stone to work with."