Curious ... Rice Or Flacco?

[Guest RBates]

Rice...... because Rice is not just a back, he is an elite back, and Flacco is average quarterback. In fact right now his name should be instead of Joe cool---------Average Joe.

[Ravenslifer]

Flacco and it's not even close. You can always find running backs in the draft, always. If Flacco played in a weaker defensive division he'd probably have surpassed 30 touchdowns last year, if not 35. Baltimore searched 12 years for a franchise quarterback, and we're talking about a guy whose already a top 10 quarterback in this league, in only his fourth season, in an era with maybe the greatest collection of offensive quarterbacks to ever play (Manning, Brees, Rivers, Rodgers, Brady, Schaub, Roethlisberger, Eli, etc.). On the flip side, I would be mildly amused if Flacco ended up a free agent, went to an offensively minded team that put serious pieces around him, and then came back here and dominated us, if only to see the reactions of certain members of these forums who don't seem to appreciate what we have in Flacco and what it was like for 12 years without him. You know, like in 2003 when Jamal Lewis set the single season rushing record, and we still finished 10-6 and lost to Tennessee in the Wild Card round. Or 2002 when Jamal went over 2000 yards, and our record was 7-9, because we dropped 3 of our last 4. Our quarterbacks that year: the amazing combo of Jeff Blake and Chris Redman. Better yet, you can ask the Minnesota Vikings what it's like to have the best running back in the league and instability at the quarterback position. I'm sure if we asked them they'd trade us Christain Ponder and a first round pick for Joe right now.

[gabefergy]

[quote name='Corvus' timestamp='1316862454' post='802386']
This is a total non-issue IMO, Ray is a bonafide free agent after this season, Joe still has one year left on his rookie deal after this year. Both will get taken care of, but Ray is the imperative resigning this offseason, with Grubbs a close 2nd, Joe getting a new deal will likely come after.
[/quote]
I agree that its a non-issue, Ozzie will make it work. Both Rice and Flacco are integral to our offense and there really is no reason why we won't be able to sign both.

[CapoRocky]

I like Flacco. I'd hate to see him go. That said, I would prefer to sign Rice first, then Grubbs. Flacco has until the end of next season. There is no way that they will let any of the 3 go.

[The King]

Ray Rice is the better player, but Joe Flacco plays the more valuable, and more difficult, position.

Grubbs should also be a higher priority than Ray Rice next offseason. Rice is definitely a great back who is a huge help in the offense, but finding a guard of Grubbs' caliber is difficult. As long as you have a strong line then any player can carry the ball for you well enough.

[Ravensstrike4424]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1316895769' post='802608']
I agree that its a non-issue, Ozzie will make it work. Both Rice and Flacco are integral to our offense and there really is no reason why we won't be able to sign both.
[/quote]

[harfordravenfan]

No time to read all the post but gotta vote flacco on this one. As great as rice is, rbs can be replaced so much easier than qbs.

[Ravens Lover]

I choose Rice he provides everything at the RB position, he can run, block, catch as a defense its almost impossible to make an offence with him one dimensional

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1316812308' post='802036']
I assume you mean the Ravens... and which one you would keep if you can only afford to give one of them a new contract?

I have to say Flacco.(I know, shocking... but my choices are limited to 2 guys in this instance) But I'm definitely not giving him a top-tier QB contract. He pretty much gets my vote by default, because I just don't see the point in paying a running back top dollar. It's the easiest position for a rookie to come in and immediately contribute. There is an overstock of very good running backs that some can't even find a team, let alone a starting position. And the league really favors passing over running anyway.

And on top of all that, I don't think Ray Rice is nearly as dynamic as many do. Sure, he's great for fantasy football. But I'm pretty sure many running backs would be awesome in Baltimore's current offense. A ton of check-down throws. A great offensive line. etc. I believe you can find a back with a lot more speed than rice, more power, and a better blocker. I just can't see paying a running back a big contract when the money can be better spent on pretty much any other position for the team.
[/quote]

Not as dynamic??? Wow....that's all I'll say about that.He is the absolute lube that keeps our offensive machine going.

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='Ravensstrike4424' timestamp='1316959909' post='802901']
[/quote]

I get that its just a question.

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='Corvus' timestamp='1316862454' post='802386']
This is a total non-issue IMO, Ray is a bonafide free agent after this season, Joe still has one year left on his rookie deal after this year. Both will get taken care of, but Ray is the imperative resigning this offseason, with Grubbs a close 2nd, Joe getting a new deal will likely come after.
[/quote]

You're missing the point. It's not really a question because we know Oz will figure it out. Just wanted to know who would pick who.

[Dfence4champs2052]

[quote name='Ravensstrike4424' timestamp='1316830178' post='802278']
um we will be able to keep flacco and rice
[/quote]

Duh, I said I was just curious.

[Ravensstrike4424]

[quote name='Dfence4champs2052' timestamp='1316991940' post='804538']

Duh, I said I was just curious.
[/quote]

that first part wasnt to bright on your part cya

[Ed_Reed20]

You have to go with Joe. As great a talent as Rice is, quality RBs are much easier to find than QBs that give you a good chance to win every week.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='757RavensFan' timestamp='1316803407' post='801870']
Rice!! Any decent QB can throw a checkdown.
[/quote]

yes sir!

~Mili

[RavenFanatic1327]

i simply say flacco because it is a qb driven league

[Death_from_Above]

Name all the good QBs we've had, then name all the good RBs we've had. Trent Dilfer has been our best QB prior to Joe. How's that for a bit of reality.

Look at the elite teams in this league, they all have top notch QBs. Look at who has won the Super Bowl; Manning, Brady, Breeze, and Rogers (yes I left Ben out on purpose. It all starts at QB. I love Ray Rice and I hope he's a Raven for life; I love our defense and they had a magical year in our Super Bowl win; but this francise has been hurting for a legit QB.

With a gun to the head, it has to be Joe.