Who Do You Want To Backup Rice?

[ed.s52]

With McGahee gone and a wide stable of runningbacks (a lot of which have bulldozing ability) who's on your wishlist. Me personally, I'd throw out names like Kevin Smith, Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown, or maybe even Tiki Barber.

[Romo Ravens]

I want either McClain or Berry with Leach blocking. That'd be pretty sweet in my opinion. Ant Allen would also be my third choice with Kevin Smith as my fourth.

[BaltimoreBean]

I'm confused about McGahee. I thought he didnt feel he should take less than 6 mil a year to be a back up, but he'll take 10 mil over 4 years to be lead back? I'd understand if he really wanted to be a starter, but he seemed like he wanted to stay, just not take a pay cut.

[uhhhh]

McClain or Allen would be nice. Berry's runningstyle is a bit similair like Ray. In my opinion kevin smith is not a good choice. Ever since he busted his knee in his 2nd season, he's was never the same runner. Too bad tho he was a talented RB.

[Yurtle]

Ahmad Bradshaw! Or Ronnie Brown!

But seriously, probably Ant Allen. With Leach or Vickers blocking. This team's run attack was not as good since Lorenzo Neal left.

[Pedro Rhormes]

Since McClain is complaing about not getting carries like his gold season years ago, why not backup him at HB 2?

Put Anthony Allen to be our FB. Or get Vickers, that is cheaper. I know its a crazy Idea swap Allen/McClain positions, instead of Allen backup and McClain FB. But could you imagine Ravens playing with 2 fullbacks? That would be beastly in goal lines.

[PuRock]

[quote name='BaltimoreBean' timestamp='1312078215' post='728002']
I'm confused about McGahee. I thought he didnt feel he should take less than 6 mil a year to be a back up, but he'll take 10 mil over 4 years to be lead back? I'd understand if he really wanted to be a starter, but he seemed like he wanted to stay, just not take a pay cut.
[/quote]

I don't think it was even a matter of a paycut or him wanting to stay. I think the Ravens FO was ready to move on without him. Willis is a fairly humble guy it seems, I never heard much about him wanting to keep 6 million to be the backup.

[uhhhh]

[quote name='Pedro Rhormes' timestamp='1312078579' post='728011']
Since McClain is complaing about not getting carries like his gold season years ago, why not backup him at HB 2?

Put Anthony Allen to be our FB. Or get Vickers, that is cheaper. I know its a crazy Idea swap Allen/McClain positions, instead of Allen backup and McClain FB. But could you imagine Ravens playing with 2 fullbacks? That would be beastly in goal lines.
[/quote]

Allen played HB his entire college career. He doesn't have the weight, he weighs about 225, and I don't think he has the mindset to play it.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Pedro Rhormes' timestamp='1312078579' post='728011']
Since McClain is complaing about not getting carries like his gold season years ago, why not backup him at HB 2?

Put Anthony Allen to be our FB. Or get Vickers, that is cheaper. I know its a crazy Idea swap Allen/McClain positions, instead of Allen backup and McClain FB. But could you imagine Ravens playing with 2 fullbacks? That would be beastly in goal lines.
[/quote]

Its a possibility. But the Ravens I think would first like to address the FB position and that is without McClain in the picture. McClain has made it pretty clear that he wants to be a RB. But I don't know if they want to shell out RB money for him.

As a runner he is a bit overrated IMO. Last two years in tough yardage situation, he really struggled. But the year he was running in the power formation with a beast OLine and Lo-Neal he was able to rack up some stats.

But it isn't crazy to think he'll be back as a RB2, but I think the Ravens are going to go in a different direction.

[Marc2k6]

Berry looked really good at the U!

[dirtybird10]

I hope we can keep it in house this year. Let McClain role out to KC and we use Berry or Allen.

[Marc2k6]

Just college highlights but if you have never seen the guy Anthony Allen well here he is!


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLg2USnoC9c[/media]


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aB2A7YQzeWQ[/media]

[Yatagarasu]

Ray Rice:
5'8"
212lbs
4.44 sec
+ Feature Back
- Should avoid carrying 350 times

Jalen Parmele:
5'11"
220 lbs
4.47 sec
+ Special Teams Kick Returner
+ physical freak as Ravens Ironman winner back in 2009
- Small time school RB (Toledo)

Matt Lawrence:
6'1"
209 lbs
4.52 sec
- Small time school RB (UMass)
- Knee Injury
+ Special Teams guy

Damien Berry:
5'10"
211 lbs
4.58 sec
+ From the U
- Slow 40 yard dash

Anthony Allen:
6'1"
228 lbs
4.56 sec
+ Powerful Bruiser
- Option Offense, must adapt to Pro Style Offense


Short Yard situation - Anthony Allen from 7 yards out HB Dive between Oher and Grubbs

3rd Down Situation - Ray Rice in the backfield

Full Package - Ray Rice and FB (Leach, Vickers, some unknown, maybe McKie)

Main back-ups: probably
Jalen Parmele - due to his special teams versatility and physical ability.
Anthony Allen - due to being the only power back in our arsenal.

Dark Horse:
Damien Berry - must learn to play special teams to expand his role and also show strong performance in training camp and preseason to make the roster.

[Baltimore27]

Jalen Parmele and Anthony Allen are good enough to backup Ray Rice when we need them. We don't need to spend money that we don't have on a backup. We need to sign a FB instead with McClain about to be leave. Get Lawrence Vickers or Vonta Leach!

[kiwi_raven]

Allen would be a nice back up, but in collage he was a runner in space, he didnt really pound the ball up the middle in collage a lot. in space though he creates missed tackles and being mentored by ray he could become just as explosive and dynamic.

[Yatagarasu]

Here's a comparison between Damien Berry and Mark Ingram.

Mark Ingram Combine:
5'9"
215 lbs
4.58 sec
31.5" Vertical
9'10" Long Jump
+ Bruiser Mentality
- Slow 40

Damien Berry Combine:
5'10"
211 lbs
4.59 sec
33.5" Vertical
10' Long Jump
+ Bruiser Mentality
- Slow 40

IF we measure the measurables, they're very close.
From the performance standpoint, Mark Ingram succeed in a rotation of backs that included Trent Richardson. However for Damien, he was not able to hold onto his starting jobs as other RBs outperformed him. Therefore, from potential point, the difference is that one got picked in the 1st round and the other undrafted.

[Ravens 6o3]

Damien Berry or Anthony Allen both sound like they could contribute in a back up role, im excited to see how they are used.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='ed.s52' timestamp='1312077777' post='727990']
With McGahee gone and a wide stable of runningbacks (a lot of which have bulldozing ability) who's on your wishlist. Me personally, I'd throw out names like Kevin Smith, Ricky Williams, Ronnie Brown, or maybe even Tiki Barber.
[/quote]

Id rather have the ones we already have Parmelee, Allen and Steel if we even still have him. But i remember seeing him in the pre season last yr and he looked ok to me. We just need a True FB that wants to be a FB.

[Yatagarasu]

I think our RB will be in good hands unlike the Packers last year.

After Grant went down, their RB Corp went downhill.

Their 2nd round pick Brandon Jackson did not impress.

I think if Damien Berry or Anthony Allen were given those opportunity, they will run hard and never look back.

[Yatagarasu]

Man what's taking so long to sign that stud FB Vonta Leach?

Also, why is Vickers off the radar?

[uhhhh]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312083877' post='728132']
Man what's taking so long to sign that stud FB Vonta Leach?

Also, why is Vickers off the radar?
[/quote]

There are probably more teams interested in them. I know that the giants are making a push to sign leach. They cut madison hedgecock, because of a neck injury, so they have to fill that gap.

[scrock]

Ideally it would be Anthony Allen but who knows at this point, too early in training camp

[scrock]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312083877' post='728132']
Man what's taking so long to sign that stud FB Vonta Leach?

Also, why is Vickers off the radar?
[/quote]

I hate to be debbie downer all the time but most likely we arent gonna get him, getting in a bidding war with other teams means he's gonna be too expensive

[RoflDogs]

I think it ultimately ends up being a battle between Allen and Berry

Who wins? I have no idea

[FerrariFan87]

I'd like to see us bring in a veteran RB, or you know, that Le'Ron McClain fellow... then let those two guys run behind Leach!!

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312081346' post='728079']
Here's a comparison between Damien Berry and Mark Ingram.

Mark Ingram Combine:
5'9"
215 lbs
4.58 sec
31.5" Vertical
9'10" Long Jump
+ Bruiser Mentality
- Slow 40

Damien Berry Combine:
5'10"
211 lbs
4.59 sec
33.5" Vertical
10' Long Jump
+ Bruiser Mentality
- Slow 40

IF we measure the measurables, they're very close.
From the performance standpoint, Mark Ingram succeed in a rotation of backs that included Trent Richardson. However for Damien, he was not able to hold onto his starting jobs as other RBs outperformed him. Therefore, from potential point, the difference is that one got picked in the 1st round and the other undrafted.
[/quote]
You forgot to put + Heisman Trophy Winner, National Champion, NCAA 12 cover athlete for Ingram. Also as you stated their draft position was very different so I'm not exactly why you are comparing them???

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='jimmysmith3' timestamp='1312087836' post='728193']
You forgot to put + Heisman Trophy Winner, National Champion, NCAA 12 cover athlete for Ingram. Also as you stated their draft position was very different so I'm not exactly why you are comparing them???
[/quote]

What he posted clearly illustrated that there is very little difference in the ability of most running backs, at least from a measurables standpoint. Arian Foster was a UDFA, and he was the top running back in the league last season. There is value at that position all over the place in today's league, it's quite possible that one of the guys we have on the roster now could serve as a capable backup and change of pace to Ray Rice.

Peyton Manning didn't win anything in college, yet most consider him to be the best QB in the league. College success and accolades do not necessarily transfer to the NFL. Reggie Bush is a prime example of college success not translating to the league.

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1312088694' post='728201']
What he posted clearly illustrated that there is very little difference in the ability of most running backs, at least from a measurables standpoint. Arian Foster was a UDFA, and he was the top running back in the league last season. There is value at that position all over the place in today's league, it's quite possible that one of the guys we have on the roster now could serve as a capable backup and change of pace to Ray Rice.

Peyton Manning didn't win anything in college, yet most consider him to be the best QB in the league. College success and accolades do not necessarily transfer to the NFL. Reggie Bush is a prime example of college success not translating to the league.
[/quote]
If there is "very little difference in the ability of most running backs" then why would the Saints feel the need to TRADE UP to get another first round pick and then use a valuable first round selection on Mark Ingram when they could pick up a guy with "almost the same abilty" as a UDFA or late round selection? Measureables are measureables, they don't mean ANYTHING when it comes to the football field.

[jimmysmith3]

[quote name='RoflDogs' timestamp='1312085145' post='728156']
I think it ultimately ends up being a battle between Allen and Berry

Who wins? I have no idea
[/quote]
I think Jalen Parmele is in the race too. The coaches must believe in his ability if he's been kept around for this long.

[deathbird52]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1312081346' post='728079']
Here's a comparison between Damien Berry and Mark Ingram.

Mark Ingram Combine:
5'9"
215 lbs
4.58 sec
31.5" Vertical
9'10" Long Jump
+ Bruiser Mentality
- Slow 40

Damien Berry Combine:
5'10"
211 lbs
4.59 sec
33.5" Vertical
10' Long Jump
+ Bruiser Mentality
- Slow 40

IF we measure the measurables, they're very close.
From the performance standpoint, Mark Ingram succeed in a rotation of backs that included Trent Richardson. However for Damien, he was not able to hold onto his starting jobs as other RBs outperformed him. Therefore, from potential point, the difference is that one got picked in the 1st round and the other undrafted.
[/quote]

Berry never lost his job at RB he was recurited as a safety. His first 2 years played special teams and was the scout team RB as a sophomore. His junior season he was the teams 2nd leading rusher. Berry became the lead back as a senior due to Graig Cooper being plagued injured most of the season. The previous 3 seasons Coop lead the team in rushing. The U had a 3 headed rushing attack. Berry was the leading rusher, Coop tried to play through his injuries, and red-shirt Fr. Lamar Miller was 2nd in rushing. Miller may have taken a few touches away from Berry, but he never replaced him. He out performed Berry in a game or 2, but that was just the coaches riding the hot hand.