Ray Rice And Vonta

[Tank 92]

If you watched Sound FX from the niners game, you heard RR and Leach have a little bit of a heated exchange at the huddle. Leach closed it by saying "Let me do my job Ray", or something like that. Kind of disconcerting, but I think it may have been a turning point for their "harmony". Now, listening to both after the browns game, it sounds like they are on the same page and Ray now knows he has to trust Vonta to succeed.

I think this may signal a huge, consistent upswing in our running game. What yall' think?

[Ravenslifer]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1323315893' post='899096']
If you watched Sound FX from the niners game, you heard RR and Leach have a little bit of a heated exchange at the huddle. Leach closed it by saying "Let me do my job Ray", or something like that. Kind of disconcerting, but I think it may have been a turning point for their "harmony". Now, listening to both after the browns game, it sounds like they are on the same page and Ray now knows he has to trust Vonta to succeed.

I think this may signal a huge, consistent upswing in our running game. What yall' think?
[/quote]


I think it's a football game, and everybody yells at everybody all the time. I'm sure people have yelled stuff at Ray Lewis, to his face. I'm sure people yell at Suggs when he whiffs on a sack. Nobody remembers any of it after the game. The running game has gotten better, IMO, because someone upstairs yelled at Cam after the Seahawks debacle. We ran it 5 times in that game. We haven't run it less than 20 since. Here's what I do think. Not having an offseason hurt a lot of teams, and hit us especially hard on offense, since be brought in 3 new lineman, 3 new receivers, and are working with 2 second year tight ends who saw almost no action last season and a rookie WR starting double digit games for us.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1323315893' post='899096']
If you watched Sound FX from the niners game, you heard RR and Leach have a little bit of a heated exchange at the huddle. Leach closed it by saying "Let me do my job Ray", or something like that. [u][b]Kind of disconcerting[/b][/u], but I think it may have been a turning point for their "harmony". Now, listening to both after the browns game, it sounds like they are on the same page and Ray now knows he has to trust Vonta to succeed.

I think this may signal a huge, consistent upswing in our running game. What yall' think?
[/quote]

there was nothing disconcerting about that exchange imo. it was 2 professionals handling a situation a little differently. Ray was pissed because the O-line and TE (Dickson) got beat at the goaline. Ray's thing was; "you don't get beat at the goaline!" Vonta was just tryng to calm Ray down in that exchange and asked him to let him do his job (as the FB). he told Ray, "just stay with me!" we saw that in operation vs the browns.

~Mili

[BenDufusberger]

I don't know if that particular exchange had anything to do with it but since then RR has made several comments in interviews that suggest that he's come to a better appreciation of the value of following the lead of Leach. Maybe the coaches drilled it in , or maybe he did it on his own , but he seems to have bought into the idea 100% now , whereas before I think he placed more trust in his own instincts.

I think it will benefit his game if he keeps it up. I'd still expect him to freelance if the opportunity arises , but with a bruiser like Leach to run behind , most times he should probably stay right on his heels.

[JohnJohnson]

Ray Rice questioned what Leach did on the previous play, and Leach was like dude, I'm the veteran here. Then a moment later Ray admitted he was wrong. If anything it makes their relationship stronger.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1323317511' post='899115']

there was nothing disconcerting about that exchange imo. it was 2 professionals handling a situation a little differently. Ray was pissed because the O-line and TE (Dickson) got beat at the goaline. Ray's thing was; "you don't get beat at the goaline!" Vonta was just tryng to calm Ray down in that exchange and asked him to let him do his job (as the FB). he told Ray, "just stay with me!" we saw that in operation vs the browns.

~Mili
[/quote]


Different sound bite.

Regardless, maybe "disconcerting" was a little strong. After hearing the conversation I just thought, "Ray, listen to the dude already!"

[Grapple Raven]

I made posted this last week:

I know I will probably get alot of negatives for this, but I hope Ray Rice learns to listen to Vonta Leach and Harbs, and follow the play call. It is clearly seen in the Sound FX, and the Behind the Bench(One Winning Drive, part 1) segments from last week...don't get me wrong I love Ray Rice...but I don't know what it is, but he seems to be getting a little too big for his britches lately, imho. We got Vonta for a reason. Behind the Bench actually shows you an example where it appeared to be at least two plays Thursday that if Ray had followed Vonta, he would have gained more yards...I think that is what his RB coach and Harbs and Vonta were saying to him.

Then today I read this story on CSN Baltimore...

[url="http://www.csnbaltimore.com/football-baltimore-ravens/news/text-message-fired-rice-up?blockID=607538&feedID=6703"]http://www.csnbaltimore.com/football-baltimore-ravens/news/text-message-fired-rice-up?blockID=607538&feedID=6703[/url]

Good story...must have worked! Vonta often doesn't get the credit he deserves, maybe now he will! I love myself some Vonta!

[Purple Nurple]

[quote name='JohnJohnson' timestamp='1323319066' post='899137']
Ray Rice questioned what Leach did on the previous play, and Leach was like dude, I'm the veteran here. Then a moment later Ray admitted he was wrong. If anything it makes their relationship stronger.
[/quote]

Yep. "my bad, bro" was the quote. And Mili, it was two totally different plays.

[Yoonkeem]

Rice and Vonta are like excelling Student and Teacher.
Glad to have them both in the backfield.

[Tank 92]

Another piece of the equation is the developing communications and trust between Leach and the O line. We've had the same 5 guys playing together with Leach for a few weeks now and that has to be improving as well.

There are much better days ahead for our running game. Hopefully it translates into not only more effective overall offensive production, but also better red zone efficiency.

[CapoRocky]

I really like the way that the running game has improved over the past 2 games. I expect that we are running a lot against the Colts this Sunday.

[AsianRice]

The running game clicking is no better time than in December cuz we need those running game during cold, blizzard night; Additionally, if we are against high octain offense, we can control the clock with our running game which very few teams in the league can do that....

[SideStep77]

I think from now on Rice will follow Leach, they even said that Vonta sent Rice an "inspirational text" to get him pumped for the game. Maybe this could be a turning point for them, to gain more yardage.

[usmccharles]

Out of all the Free Agents i wanted leach more than anyone, the guy is a monster and loves to put a hit on someone. I swear every game the analyist will point out at least once how hard leach hit someone...i love it

[Tank 92]

[quote name='usmccharles' timestamp='1323365439' post='899419']
Out of all the Free Agents i wanted leach more than anyone, the guy is a monster and loves to put a hit on someone. I swear every game the analyist will point out at least once how hard leach hit someone...i love it
[/quote]


He was definitely a great signing. We haven't had a true fullback since Lorenzo Neal and Ovie Mughelli.

I love Brad Jackson's nickname for him; Vonta "Nosebleed" Leach.

[tsizzle95]

so glad we got this guy. leach is a true physical football player as shown by his helmet on twitter lol. and yeah rice just put up 204 yards, im pretty sure they are on the same page

[sflegend89]

It wasn't disconnecting. Ray just said "V you supposed to get #98" (forget what number)

Vonta said "Nah Ray, you shoulda stayed with me you had plenty of green"

*Vonta runs to the sideline*

*Ray thinks about it"

Ray: "My bad yo"

[CalvinSmoke]

C'mon man, if you know football, and how men operate you know that that exchange was completely necessary. On top of that, Ray did need to check himself, because he's been cutting back way too much lately, i got negged for saying it a few months ago but it's the truth. But things are working out now, we have too many run bruisers up front for Ray Rice not to have a career year. #toast to a great rest of the season for Ray Rice

[jaege]

Leach is one of several excellent pick ups the Ravens had this season. The guy knows his stuff, and he can drill a hole. Now when the opposing team's defense knows that Rice is going to run they will have to deal with Leach in the breach too.

[keebl3rs]

I still don't understand what Houston was thinking when they let this guy go.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='Ravenslifer' timestamp='1323316490' post='899108']


I think it's a football game, and everybody yells at everybody all the time. I'm sure people have yelled stuff at Ray Lewis, to his face. I'm sure people yell at Suggs when he whiffs on a sack. Nobody remembers any of it after the game. The running game has gotten better, IMO, because someone upstairs yelled at Cam after the Seahawks debacle. We ran it 5 times in that game. We haven't run it less than 20 since. Here's what I do think. Not having an offseason hurt a lot of teams, and hit us especially hard on offense, since be brought in 3 new lineman, 3 new receivers, and are working with 2 second year tight ends who saw almost no action last season and a rookie WR starting double digit games for us.
[/quote]


More important than increased reps, I think the improved chemistry between Vonta, the O line and Ray is making the run game more effective. Kind of goes along with what you said about not having an off season and the new lineman.

And yeah, players yell at each other all the time. But this was Leach trying to get RR on the right track and now that he finally gets it, the running game has improved.

[Mick0311]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1323315893' post='899096']
If you watched Sound FX from the niners game, you heard RR and Leach have a little bit of a heated exchange at the huddle. Leach closed it by saying "Let me do my job Ray", or something like that. Kind of disconcerting, but I think it may have been a turning point for their "harmony". Now, listening to both after the browns game, it sounds like they are on the same page and Ray now knows he has to trust Vonta to succeed.

I think this may signal a huge, consistent upswing in our running game. What yall' think?
[/quote]


Nah, this is normal stuff in a football game. If they took it back to the sideline and had it out, that's one thing. I also hear RR saying somthing like "Yeah, sorry yo" as Leach was walking away. They are always giving each other props in the media and on Twitter. I think they have a good relationship.