Ray Rice

[flynismo]

All this happiness and joy is icky!!

I need something to complain about, so let's point some fingers, starting with Ray Rizzle.

Once AGAIN, we face a strong defense this season, and he puts up 2-something YPC.

I know, I know -- that holding call on the opening play was BS, and would have changed everything, right?
I dont think so...
first, it was a very close call; maybe it was maybe it wasn't a hold. But reality is, that play aside whether it was a hold or not, Rice did nothing to get the ground game going last night -- 2.4 YPC??

It seems to be a disturbing trend this season that when we face a tough defense, RR fails to get it going. Let's look at how he has done against the better defenses this season:

Week 1 - PIT
5.6 YPC

Week 2 - TEN
3.3 YPC

Week 4 - NYJ
2.6 YPC

Week 7 - JAX
3.5 YPC

Week 9 - PIT
2.4 YPC

Only one of those 5 games did he make an impact.

Even ARI held him to 3.5 YPC (however, running in 3 short TD's didnt help the YPC, and obviously we'll take points over yards any day).


On the season, RR is averaging 4.0 YPC, and as mediocre as that is, it would be MUCH lower if it weren't for the game against PIT and a 9 for 81 yards game @ STL (a defense who wont scare anyone).

For now, it's whatever -- but this needs to fix itself very soon. We're gearing up for a SB run and need that ground game to bring that extra dimension to our offense!

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1320694287' post='859053']
All this happiness and joy is icky!!

I need something to complain about, so let's point some fingers, starting with Ray Rizzle.

Once AGAIN, we face a strong defense this season, and he puts up 2-something YPC.

I know, I know -- that holding call on the opening play was BS, and would have changed everything, right?
I dont think so...
first, it was a very close call; maybe it was maybe it wasn't a hold. But reality is, that play aside whether it was a hold or not, Rice did nothing to get the ground game going last night -- 2.4 YPC??

It seems to be a disturbing trend this season that when we face a tough defense, RR fails to get it going. Let's look at how he has done against the better defenses this season:

Week 1 - PIT
5.6 YPC

Week 2 - TEN
3.3 YPC

Week 4 - NYJ
2.6 YPC

Week 7 - JAX
3.5 YPC

Week 9 - PIT
2.4 YPC

Only one of those 5 games did he make an impact.

Even ARI held him to 3.5 YPC (however, running in 3 short TD's didnt help the YPC, and obviously we'll take points over yards any day).


On the season, RR is averaging 4.0 YPC, and as mediocre as that is, it would be MUCH lower if it weren't for the game against PIT and a 9 for 81 yards game @ STL (a defense who wont scare anyone).

For now, it's whatever -- but this needs to fix itself very soon. We're gearing up for a SB run and need that ground game to bring that extra dimension to our offense!
[/quote]
should hopefully get better with grubbs getting back, hes a stud in the run blocking.. but i think ricky has been running better than him this year, well about even

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

Like arnie_uk said, getting Grubbs back should be significant.

Another thing I noticed is that we tend to run a lot of stretch running plays but I think we have more success up the gut. I think in the coming weeks when the "power football" comes back in the cold weather we'll see improvement.

[flynismo]

Truth is -- I feel that this is much more a reflection on our OL than it is RR. But I felt this week would be perfect timing for the thread, since people can't try to say 'well, it's Flacco's fault because <insert reason here>"

[nextgen_RavensFan]

I think once the league starts to respect our air attack then the ground game will fix itself. You cannot protect against both. His YPC may be low but look at his total yardage per game. The guy contributes a lot.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1320695086' post='859077']
Truth is -- I feel that this is much more a reflection on our OL than it is RR. But I felt this week would be perfect timing for the thread, since people can't try to say 'well, it's Flacco's fault because <insert reason here>"
[/quote]
You think alot of our fans if you feel they need that they have to criticise someone every week haha!

And agreed with deano, for all RR agility and ankle breaking in the open field, hes a very very good up the middle runner, low centre of gravity small in height hard to see our best blockers are up the middle... more often than not when he breaks a big one its from an up the gut run, i think his pulled by TD was up the middle

[Twistidfunk]

I thought Ray and the line did a great job. YPC can be easily skewed as can most other stats.

What I saw was exactly what I wanted. Grind it out, eat up the clock. Where down the D for later in the game and keep Rothlisberger off the field.

They accomplished all of that and Flacco played insanely well.

I can see why people like stats, it gives us something to talk about and compare strengths and weaknesses with other teams but at the end of the day Ray and the line did a great job IMO.

I think the only game where they were awful was the Jets. The Cards game we were down so much so early we had no choice but to let Flacco air it out. Prior to that I thought the run game was churning along just fine.

[redrum52]

Grubbs back combined with the running plays being called might have something to do with this. I feel also should try more power running than zone schemes. We have the personnel I feel to over power many teams defensive fronts. Different topic but it also wouldn't hurt to try and draft a late round speed back next draft. We don't really have a back with great break away speed. I'm assuming Allen might take over for Williams in a year or two and would having to power backs tired out a defense then a speedy guy come in can really off set the opposition. Hold on, wasn't it also you Fly who tried to start the why doesn't RR get any blame movement? Also, to Flaccos credit, he himself made alot of plays last night.

[colljb9]

Even though rices yards per carry may be down, look what hes done. Agreed his total yards per game is outstanding and over the past 2 games he has 4 touchdowns...it looks like rice may finally get that double digit touchdown season we've been looking for

[scrock]

The OL play has been poor lately, we finally got Grubbs to play in a game, maybe they can stick together and get used to playing together, I'm sure the Ravens will work on getting the run game going more, but you also want Joe to stay in a groove too

[RivenHale]

Ray's actually been disturbing me with his running lately. Just not getting it done. We all sucked in Jacksonville, and we were down too much against Arizona to really try and get the running game going. But this has been a pretty disturbing trend. We'll see how it goes now that Ben's back, and supposedly we've got Lee back sometime soon, which will really open up the run game.

[T3hRaven]

Ray Rice does not produce against strong run defenses, and this is why he does not deserve the big contract so many fans are clamoring for on here. He has a great personality and is the best pass catching running back in the league who is deadly on the outside, but he is just not a power running back. When the defense is playing the run tough you expect your running back to pound it in there, and Rice simply can't do it as evidenced by his terrible YPC against good defenses. He's a back that supplements the offense well, but as much as people wish he is, he's just not a back that can take a game over. His numbers are more a reflection on the amount of touches he gets with the runs and passes than a reflection of his skill. I'm not saying get rid of him, I'm just saying his contract should be Ahmad Bradshaw like, not Adrian Peterson like.

[PuRock]

Steelers really focused in on stopping the run. Which they did a very good job. Troy P played inside the box a ton. They were committed to letting Joe beat 'em.

Can Rice do better? Sure. Can the Oline do better? Ofcourse. The holes just weren't there though.

[baltravens]

I think the coaching staff [i]knows[/i] that we need a ground game for our Super Bowl run. Now that we got Grubbs back, watch out for an emphasis with Ray Rice on the ground against Seattle and Cincy.

[Blex64]

Rice's game would have looked a lot better with the 2 TD's he scored that got negated by poor officiating.

Grubbs hasn't been present since week 1. I expect things to improve tremendously. He's Ray Rice.

[Gordo52]

When he didnt block Harrison I was disgusted

[flynismo]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1320700524' post='859302']
When he didnt block Harrison I was disgusted
[/quote]


ugh! Why do we rely on Rice for pass pro when we just gave Leach $3m/year??!!

[Blex64]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1320700614' post='859304']


ugh! Why do we rely on Rice for pass pro when we just gave Leach $3m/year??!!
[/quote]

Ricky is also better at pass pro.

[ball hawkin 20]

yeah i agree with everything you said, but it's not a big deal yet

[wayne]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1320700614' post='859304']


ugh! Why do we rely on Rice for pass pro when we just gave Leach $3m/year??!!
[/quote]
They do that so defenses have to respect a threat out the backfield of catching the ball with the delay routes b/c our coaching staff ain't dumb, they no Leach is a way better blocker but that's one less threat for the opposition to worry about.

Anyway, the Steelers did a great job of stuffing the run and Casey Hampton owned Birk on a couple of stretch plays that could have gained a lot of yards possibly but Hampton blew it up. We need a well balance of the power running game with the stretch running game. O-line takes more of the credit for the run game not producing than Rice though.

[Tank 92]

I don't think there is anything to worry about with RR. His production is down, but a combination of circumstance and the state of the O line is the reason. When it counts, Ray is there to produce.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Ravens<3' timestamp='1320700524' post='859302']
When he didnt block Harrison I was disgusted
[/quote]

"Disgusted" is a little strong, but it was disturbing. Not sure what he was thinking. The way Harrison jumped, Ray could have wiped him out with minimal contact.

What do you think will be said when they look at [i][b]that[/b][/i] in the film room? I see Joe chasing Ray around the room like a younger brother looking for revenge! I bet they laugh it off and look for it not to happen again.

[flynismo]

[quote name='wayne' timestamp='1320701197' post='859323']
They do that so defenses have to respect a threat out the backfield of catching the ball with the delay routes b/c our coaching staff ain't dumb, they no Leach is a way better blocker but that's one less threat for the opposition to worry about.

Anyway, the Steelers did a great job of stuffing the run and Casey Hampton owned Birk on a couple of stretch plays that could have gained a lot of yards possibly but Hampton blew it up. We need a well balance of the power running game with the stretch running game. O-line takes more of the credit for the run game not producing than Rice though.
[/quote]


I get that, but when Joe is lined up in the shotgun, with 3 WR, I don't think Rice being out there is fooling anyone!

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1320694287' post='859053']
All this happiness and joy is icky!!

I need something to complain about, so let's point some fingers, starting with Ray Rizzle.

Once AGAIN, we face a strong defense this season, and he puts up 2-something YPC.

I know, I know -- that holding call on the opening play was BS, and would have changed everything, right?
I dont think so...
first, it was a very close call; maybe it was maybe it wasn't a hold. But reality is, that play aside whether it was a hold or not, Rice did nothing to get the ground game going last night -- 2.4 YPC??

It seems to be a disturbing trend this season that when we face a tough defense, RR fails to get it going. Let's look at how he has done against the better defenses this season:

Week 1 - PIT
5.6 YPC

Week 2 - TEN
3.3 YPC

Week 4 - NYJ
2.6 YPC

Week 7 - JAX
3.5 YPC

Week 9 - PIT
2.4 YPC

Only one of those 5 games did he make an impact.

Even ARI held him to 3.5 YPC (however, running in 3 short TD's didnt help the YPC, and obviously we'll take points over yards any day).


On the season, RR is averaging 4.0 YPC, and as mediocre as that is, it would be MUCH lower if it weren't for the game against PIT and a 9 for 81 yards game @ STL (a defense who wont scare anyone).

For now, it's whatever -- but this needs to fix itself very soon. We're gearing up for a SB run and need that ground game to bring that extra dimension to our offense!
[/quote]
No one misses Ben Grubbs more than Ray Rice. The emergence of the passing game should also lead to more yards per carry for RR. If you wanna complain about something start turnovers. Thats what we need to fix. RR will be fine in my mind we have the best back in football.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='jt3751' timestamp='1320701326' post='859335']
I don't think there is anything to worry about with RR. His production is down, but a combination of circumstance and the state of the O line is the reason. When it counts, Ray is there to produce.
[/quote]
I love Ray Ray but the reason he doesn't put up big numbers on good defenses is because if he doesn't see a giant hole he tries to cut back, he does it everytime. That would be great against an undisciplined defense, but the Steelers stay home, and they pursue the football. Theres a lot o ftimes where if he just hits the whole he could get 3+ yards but instead tries a cut back and gets 1 or 2.

[flynismo]

[quote name='RBates' timestamp='1320702399' post='859380']
No one misses Ben Grubbs more than Ray Rice. The emergence of the passing game should also lead to more yards per carry for RR. If you wanna complain about something start turnovers. Thats what we need to fix. RR will be fine in my mind we have the best back in football.[/quote]


i would complain about turnovers, but we dont really have a problem with that (well other than Flacco's annoying habit of fumbling every week).

If you meant Rice in particular, I'll give RR a pass on his fumbles this year, since I think it is an aberration

[Guest RBates]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1320702705' post='859398']
i would complain about turnovers, but we dont really have a problem with that (well other than Flacco's annoying habit of fumbling every week).

If you meant Rice in particular, I'll give RR a pass on his fumbles this year, since I think it is an aberration
[/quote]
No i meant Flacco, but seriously RR will be fine all things considered, the Pass and Run go hand and hand. Now that we are capable of moving the ball through the air, the ground game should open back up.

[PuRock]

[quote name='flynismo' timestamp='1320700614' post='859304']


ugh! Why do we rely on Rice for pass pro when we just gave Leach $3m/year??!!
[/quote]

To keep the offense unpredictable. Shotgun with a FB is an easy read for the defense.

Ricky is the best pass blocker we have. Leach is the best run blocker. But Rice isn't going to do much against Harrison trying to jump over him.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='CalvinSmoke' timestamp='1320702672' post='859394']
I love Ray Ray but the reason he doesn't put up big numbers on good defenses is because if he doesn't see a giant hole he tries to cut back, he does it everytime. That would be great against an undisciplined defense, but the Steelers stay home, and they pursue the football. [i][b]Theres a lot o ftimes where if he just hits the whole he could get 3+ yards but instead tries a cut back and gets 1 or 2.[/b][/i]
[/quote]


Like the first play of last night's game?

I'm not going to question his running style and I'm not going to worry about his stats. He seems to be pretty effective and eats up a lot of interest from the opposing D.

I trust RR will be there to produce with all of his heart. He has his big brother Ray to answer to.

[BenDufusberger]

What bothered me more than the run totals was seeing that clip of Rice seemingly bailing out of the block on Harrison , leaving Joe exposed.

I hope he just misplayed the block. If he did it to save his own skin , that's not good.