Ray Rice

[#1 D]

I see he has a nice stiff arm...

I see that he has nice speed and amazing burst...

Ray Rice #2

I see that he has power and runs down hill (well, sort of...)

Ray Ric #3

Ray Rice is a great solid running back.

[MDmid14]

Rice is a strong back and will do well in our system. Willis needs someone like Rice to back him up and wear down the LB's. My only concern is that the LB's mentioned before will rough him up first. I mean I was at the game against UMD this season and Rice was shut down by our lot of guys.

[neepo13]

Don't quite understand this pick. I thought we already had a mini-back in Cory Ross. Besides, if the Ravens were looking for a powerback, Rice is definitely not that guy. At 5'9" and 195-205, he ain't pushing nobody around in the NFL.

Its a depth move. We lost two running backs this offseason and we have one in Danials that has never taken an NFL snap. Another, who has very limited playing time. We needed the help for McGahee. A lot of the "experts" were saying that if Rice had gone back to school for his senior year, given he stayed healthy, he would have been the top back in next years draft class. If that proves to be the case getting him in the second round was a hell of a steal.

[neepo13]

Unfortunately, that is not something that is very easy to improve. Strength, routes, plays, and feet are easier to get better at but quickness is usually an innate ability.

True but the Ravens play a field position type of game. After watching some of his highlights he seems to be a big play guy, they dont always translate into to touchdowns but a 30 yard run here or a 20 yard run there from this guy could really do alot for a team like us.

[SEERAYRUN]

Take it from someone who watched ray play alot. I can pretty much say with 100% certainty that ray will be spliting carries with Mcgahee by the end of the year. Ray is a every down RB, and while he will be decent as a 3rd down back, its not his thing really. While he maybe small for a NFL RB he not the 3rd down scat back type. He a powerful RB that gets better the more times he carrys the ball. I would not be shocked if you guys end up with a RB situation like Dallas had the past few years. Where Juiles Jones(Mcgahee) would get the token start but Marion Barber(Ray) was the better work horse back.

[rayvenfan_52]

Im actually hopin for both McGahee and Rice to be used they way Jags use their 2 RBs.

[Corvus]

Um, I loved Ray Rice in college and I am stoked that he is a part of our team now, but I seriously doubt he is going to come in and be more of a workhorse than McGahee. I don't really see Ray as a 3rd down back, but I do see him coming in for multiple snaps or even for at least a full possession / drive to give McGahee some rest and I think he will really shine in that role for a couple of years. Kinda like LT and Michael Turner in san diego.

I'm sure we'll use both on the field at the same time for some plays as well, ala Jacksonville as you guys have mentioned.

[flame away]

i can only speak from what i saw of him. I'm a big Bearcat fan and have seen alot of Big East games. I'm not trolling, but i always thought of Ray as over rated. Bearcat Dee shut him down back to back years. I believe he had something like 40 carries for 90 yards this year againist UC. He's durable and tough yeah, but i never thought he'd be a good NFL back. BTW, you'll love Nakamura at safety. He'll give u everything he's got-he's one nasty SOB

[rayrayven]

Rutgers as a team sleepwalked the last 2 yrs vs Cincy. They played them after Louisville win in 06 (maybe biggest Rutgers win ever) and after a Maryland loss where the O'line and backfield blockers had to be replaced. In 2005 he had 195 yds vs Cincy. He would have probably broke NCAA record if he returned his senior year. The thing about Ray is he has huge legs - his calfs are bigger than a lot of linemans. When he comes into a pile with his pads down he has great power and leverage not to mention agility. He's a great "yards after contact" runner. He's also patient and hides behind his blockers just to break to space. Don't worry about his speed. Ray runs outside great and when he gets caught from behind its by the fastest guy on the defense (like the Jets Revis who barely caught him vs Pitt after 60 yd run). The cool thing about Ray is he has the extra gear for the "big game". Anytime the stakes were high at Rutgers and the odds against them Ray excelled. Oh he also has a nasty stiff arm. Baltimore fans are in for a treat if not a surprise. He won't need too many carries before he shows he will be a great NFL back.

[rayvenfan_52]

I cant wait to see the dude in action in the Pre-season.