Running Backs - Who Stays and Who Goes?

[rmw10]

Running backs are the second to last position I'll be covering, which is good timing considering the start of training camp. Then, I'll put together our 53-man roster and we can track it throughout the preseason to see how well we did. Next week will bring QB/ST. Since both of those positions are a bit of yawners, I figured I'd combine them since there's only really 2 conversations that can possibly go on. Anyway, here is your rundown of running backs.



Starters:
Ray Rice - We finally got him locked up to a new deal, and we'll be seeing a lot of Ray on the field.

Vonta Leach (FB) - No questions asked, he'll be starting at FB. The guy's an animal.



Backups:
Anthony Allen - He's been impressive in camp and has been battling for the No. 2 spot behind Rice. He's a big bodied runner that isn't afraid run someone over. He's the true definition of a power back and is a great complement to Rice.

Bernard Pierce - Our 3rd round draft pick has also been battling for the No. 2 spot. He's a one-cut type of runner, meaning he's not necessarily a sped back nor a power back. The best comparison for running style is Arian Foster, although the skill set remains to be seen.

Damien Berry - A UDFA from last year that is also competing for the No. 2 spot. He has a similar running style to both Allen and Pierce. He's faster than Allen, but not as strong. He's slower than Pierce, but stronger than him. He still has practice squad eligibility, making it harder for him to get a spot.

Bobby Rainey - A quick scat back that we picked up as a UDFA this year. He's taken some reps with the first team, but really doesn't have a shot as a running back unless he shines in the preseason. His key to the roster will be kick returns, although there's a difficult battle ahead for him.

Jamison Berryhill (FB) - Who? Yeah, exactly. He's cut and re-signed constantly, but seems to have finally found his place as a mainstay for the preseason. He's here to take some reps for Leach, and could find himself on the practice squad if need be.



So there's your rundown of running backs. Rice, Allen, Pierce, and Leach are all set to make the roster. Can Berry or Rainey force their way onto the roster as well? Should be a great battle to watch to see who will be lining up after Rice this season.




Previous Positions:
Offensive Line - [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/47248-offensive-line-who-stays-and-who-goes/"]http://boards.baltim...s-and-who-goes/[/url]
Safety - [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/47280-safety-who-stays-and-who-goes/"]http://boards.baltim...s-and-who-goes/[/url]
Wide Receiver - [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/47152-merged-which-wrs-will-make-the-team/"]http://boards.baltim...-make-the-team/[/url]
Tight End - [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/47301-tight-end-who-stays-and-who-goes/"]http://boards.baltim...s-and-who-goes/[/url]
Defensive Line - [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/47355-defensive-line-who-stays-and-who-goes/"]http://boards.baltim...s-and-who-goes/[/url]
Cornerback - [url="http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/47394-cornerbacks-who-stays-and-who-goes/"]http://boards.baltim...s-and-who-goes/[/url]
Linebackers - http://boards.baltimoreravens.com/topic/47450-linebacker-who-stays-and-who-goes/

[Alexir]

I will answer this when the pads are put on this wednesday, because Pierce did not impress with shorts and shirt on, so he needs to stand out when it matters. Im not saying he won't make the active roster, but we do not just give positions out, he will have competition from Berry the whole way through and it will come down to the wire. IMO, Allen should be the direct back up. We need him for the short yardage situations.

[The Raven]

Ray Rice, Anthony Allen, and Bernard Pierce will make the roster. The rest are cuts or practice squad material.

I have no idea who the actual number 2 will be. It could be Allen or Pierce. Allen is more of a power, which I love in a running back. I love running backs who punish defenders. But, Pierce has the potential to be a good back as well. We may see a three back rotation to keep everybody fresh. I know that I want Allen exclusively for short yardage, or occasionally Pierce. I'm not a fan of Rice in short yardage. Pierce seems to have a good nose for the end zone from watching his college stuff.


Rainey will have to make the roster based on his return abilities.

Berry impressed me a bit last year, but he will really have to separate himself from the competition. He didn't do as well running behind our back up oline last preseason, while Allen did have moderate success.


I think it's a good problem to have when you have so many running backs who could potentially start and/or contribute. I like all of them.

[Purple Punishment]

I really want to see Damien Berry make it. He was really impressive last preseason

[jdynamite]

I was looking forward to Berry getting more reps and earning a spot, but he will most likely spend another year on the practice squad with the addition of Pierce...

Whether it's Pierce or Allen I hope that the #2 RB provides some stabilty and get 400-600 yds give us another weapon.

[ravensfan520]

[quote name='Purple Punishment' timestamp='1342980715' post='1101755']
I really want to see Damien Berry make it. He was really impressive last preseason
[/quote]

I heard the coaches really like Berry and he was injured some last year. But once the pads are on and with the added bulk I think he may be the dark horse to look out for.

[Yoonkeem]

i guess coming from the U doesnt automatically make you starter material...

but i liked him last year,
felt like he shouldve gotten more snaps by the end of the year,
but i guess the coaching staff knows better than us of what he's capable of

Pierce is the shanahan type of back lol
idk if he can thrive under our running scheme,
but he's definitely got potential

I see rice's carries to be a bit lower next year,
due to durability concerns,
giving allen and pierce chances to pan out.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Yoonkeem' timestamp='1343015494' post='1101911']
i guess coming from the U doesnt automatically make you starter material...

but i liked him last year,
felt like he shouldve gotten more snaps by the end of the year,
but i guess the coaching staff knows better than us of what he's capable of

Pierce is the shanahan type of back lol
idk if he can thrive under our running scheme,
but he's definitely got potential

I see rice's carries to be a bit lower next year,
due to durability concerns,
giving allen and pierce chances to pan out.
[/quote]

If Pierce is a "Shanahan type back", and Shanahan runs the zone blocking scheme, and we run the zone blocking scheme, wouldn't that mean that Pierce could very well thrive?

[Gordo52]

Rice, Pierce, Allen.

[gabefergy]

I cant wait to see Pierce in action. I think he can be a very good back in the NFL.

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Yoonkeem' timestamp='1343015494' post='1101911']
i guess coming from the U doesnt automatically make you starter material...

but i liked him last year,
felt like he shouldve gotten more snaps by the end of the year,
but i guess the coaching staff knows better than us of what he's capable of

Pierce is the shanahan type of back lol
idk if he can thrive under our running scheme,
but he's definitely got potential

I see rice's carries to be a bit lower next year,
due to durability concerns,
giving allen and pierce chances to pan out.
[/quote]
Is this a poem?

[Yoonkeem]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1343051900' post='1101955']
Is this a poem?
[/quote]
haha unintentionally spaced out
guess the inner poet came out of me

[The Scarlet Raven]

I have my favorite and hope he goes out and kicks but! I know he is ready and do his thing. Good luck HERO. I'll be watching.

[Gordo52]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1343034036' post='1101931']
I cant wait to see Pierce in action. I think he can be a very good back in the NFL.
[/quote]
Same here. My bold prediction is that he does better then Ricky did last year.

[Ravenslifer]

I think it will be AA and Pierce.

[ellicottraven]

Based on the last press conference John Harbaugh said: There would be more than 2 back up RBs taking on responsibilites to back up Rice. That being said, I am hopeful all 3, Berry, Allen and Pierce will make the roster!

[cobrajet]

I like the power of Anthony Allen to compliment Ray Rice. I am pulling for him.

[Fred Sanford]

Berry's got some elusiveness, but I think we just don't have a roster spot for him. If we did, drafting Pierce took it away, and if were [i]that [/i]high on Berry, we would've got someone else in round 3.

I like Anthony Allen inside the 20 on either side of the field. He's already a mostly between the tackles, downhill runner, so I'd like to see us ask him to bulk up to 240 or so, since we don't have and haven't had a big runner like that in a long time.

Pierce is sort of an all around guy, not a strictly speed, quickness, or power guy, but a pretty good combo of all 3, like a McGahee. He's got pretty good vision, speed, and a penchance for bouncing it outside, so he has some big play potential.

I don't think the coaches have decided who'll get the most carries behind Rice, but Harbaugh seemed to allude to using them situationally, i.e. probably Pierce for spelling Rice in single drives at a time, and Allen in short yardage and red zone. The preseason will probably have one or the other fumble a few times, which should make the decision on who gets the most snaps a little easier.

[Robbyrobbass]

Damien Berry will make y'all believe watch he has shown more than the other 2 in that mini camp who do y'all think was taking majority of the snaps with the ones it wasn't Allen or Bernard it was Berry & he looked like he belongs there the coaches said

[The Raven]

[quote name='Robbyrobbass' timestamp='1343470313' post='1104969']
Damien Berry will make y'all believe watch he has shown more than the other 2 in that mini camp who do y'all think was taking majority of the snaps with the ones it wasn't Allen or Bernard it was Berry & he looked like he belongs there the coaches said
[/quote]

Thanks for your insight. Nice to know you got invited to the Ravens mini camp to see for yourself. According the article listed below, Allen spent most of the time with the first team in mini camp.

I could care less about what a running back shows in a non contact mini camp.

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/07/Running_Backs_Could_Split_No_2_Job.aspx"]http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/07/Running_Backs_Could_Split_No_2_Job.aspx[/url]

[BloodRaven]

I read that Berry put on a lot of muscle and is the heaviest HB we have now, he would really need to Christian Okoye/Temco Bowl some fools to make the squad.

[ravensfan520]

I think Pierce may fall back some more after getting injured again with hamstring.

[Free Agent]

Im rooting for Anthony Allen to win the #2 RB job. I wasnt very pleased when we drafted Pierce, and I wouldnt be all that happy if he ends up being our #2 RB. I hope Allen gets to be the #2, and Pierce can be the #3 while he develops.

[ravensfan520]

[quote name='Free Agent' timestamp='1343848269' post='1108115']
Im rooting for Anthony Allen to win the #2 RB job. I wasnt very pleased when we drafted Pierce, and I wouldnt be all that happy if he ends up being our #2 RB. I hope Allen gets to be the #2, and Pierce can be the #3 while he develops.
[/quote]

I think Allen would be a great change of pace but I am really pulling for Berry to make the team this time around and get some carries.

[Robbyrobbass]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1343498566' post='1105605']


Thanks for your insight. Nice to know you got invited to the Ravens mini camp to see for yourself. According the article listed below, Allen spent most of the time with the first team in mini camp.

I could care less about what a running back shows in a non contact mini camp.

[url="http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/07/Running_Backs_Could_Split_No_2_Job.aspx"]http://www.baltimoreravens.com/News/Articles/2012/07/Running_Backs_Could_Split_No_2_Job.aspx[/url]
[/quote] u have no idea who I know or who I am so that comment is overlooked this article is old they don't run the ball that much in camp Anthony Allen isn't looking that good pierce has a hamstring injury so he doesn't practice like that Damien Berry is showing up him and Bobby Raniey but Bobby is Ray Rice type 5'8 2 + lbs so u just know what the media let's u know ur welcome for the heads up

[Robbyrobbass]

And the last 2 were contact by the way

[display name]

My prediction for the depth chart:
FB: Vonta Leach
RB: Ray Rice, Anthony Allen, Bernard Pierce.
I think Damien Berry will get the PS. I wouldn't be suprised to see Allen and Pierce share the workload behind Rice.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Robbyrobbass' timestamp='1343922735' post='1108637']
u have no idea who I know or who I am so that comment is overlooked this article is old they don't run the ball that much in camp Anthony Allen isn't looking that good pierce has a hamstring injury so he doesn't practice like that Damien Berry is showing up him and Bobby Raniey but Bobby is Ray Rice type 5'8 2 + lbs so u just know what the media let's u know ur welcome for the heads up
[/quote]

You said that your sources said we'd take Stephen Hill in the first. We traded out of the first, and then we still didn't take him in the second. [i][u]You and your "source" have no credibility.[/u][/i] Also, would it kill you to use proper spelling and grammar? Reading your posts is like deciphering hieroglyphics.

[BloodRaven]

I'm curious as to why Rainey wasn't graded higher considering his similarities to Rice.

[ravefan52]

Were not going to carry more than 4 backs and it will be ray, vonta, allen, and pierce.