10 carries for Rice

[RavensAllTheWay]

He had ten carries and only two catches, yet we blew them out. Cross that out as something we can't do: win when Rice doesn't get the ball a lot.

Ray had 12 touches, and we took them down by 31 points. If we get him the ball more, it can only be good.

[gilgamesh]

6.8 avg, 2TDS. He made his touches count, and that's what matters in the end(besides the win).

[RavensWin09]

if it ain't broke dont fix it. our passing game was on so why stop. it seemed like every time rice touched the ball it was a 10 yard run up the middle anyway so what does that tell you? we set up the run using the pass and did it with perfection. also, he only played 3 quarters so i don't get your point.

[Ravenseconbeast]

There will be a time when pur passing game struggles. Rice will get his carries. That is the great thing about having Rice. Cant wait till next week!

[Gordo52]

Having a top QB and a top RB in this kind of hurry up offense will be fun. If ones not having a typical good day then we alway have the other to lean on. I'm just loving this right now.

[Malkavian Raven]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Next week... lets try for even FEWER touches![/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]~ Malk[/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Kidding! Don't neg me, please...?[/i][/font]

[RavensWin09]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' timestamp='1347330574' post='1147035']
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Next week... lets try for even FEWER touches![/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]~ Malk[/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Kidding! Don't neg me, please...?[/i][/font]
[/quote]

i wouldn't go that far but i do feel better with the ball in joes hands as well

[hawkprey]

He got all his normal yards in half the carries because of how smart Joe was making the calls.

[ravensfan160]

I think the announcers touched on it. The Bengals kept going all out to stop Rice no matter how many time we burned them on play-action. I'm sure Joe figured keep taking it until they grow a brain and stop it.

[display name]

We won, didn't we? lol
Oh and that also should Rice last more years. ASAP

[EricH]

After tonight's score...replicate that game plan!

[Crabcakes&Football]

[quote name='display name' timestamp='1347330774' post='1147053']
We won, didn't we? lol
Oh and that also should Rice last more years. ASAP
[/quote]

Or be fresher in the playoffs. We have a high powered passing offense all of a sudden.

[cobrajet]

I am fine with how things are right now.

[K-Dog]

Simply put we have more wepons.

If we dont need Ray Rice, we dont need him. No harm, but if we do need him we all know his potential.

[BMORElegacy]

Ray's runs will be more effective if the D is being forced to honor the passing game. When he ran in between the tackles he was running through daylight. He was getting 6-8 yards a touch and wasn't even touched on his 1st touchdown. You can't hate on that kind of effectiveness lol

[T3hRaven]

[quote name='gilgamesh' timestamp='1347330107' post='1146996']
6.8 avg, 2TDS. He made his touches count, and that's what matters in the end(besides the win).
[/quote]

Exactly, Rice was incredibly effective tonight. Seeing the Pass to set up the Run is a beautiful thing. In today's league, that's how you get 'em, that's how you win. He needs about 10 touches per game and add on depending on the situation. He wasn't checked down to as much tonight as in the past, which hurts his touches, but I'd rather see quality than quantity. When you factor in how much we paid him and how much he's seen over the past few years, if we can use him less to keep him healthy while still winning that's better for the team overall.

[RavensWin09]

he only played 3 quarters, this was not a seattle game. in the box score it looks like it but he would have had 15+ carries. doesn't matter to me, i haven't seen rice more effective

[BMORElegacy]

We should be thrilled to see Ray not getting so many touches. Less touches means a prolonged career

[redrum52]

When you have a core trio on O (Qb rb and wr) you will cause problems. Then add in one of the best full backs sure handed Boldin and our TEs and our offense is in for a big year. I bet Billick is calling out his hair wishing he had this type of balanced team to work with earlier.

On topic it's all about effectiveness. He didn't run a bunch but when he did he got the job done. The days when we do go run heavy Rice will eat. I feel Oher at LT will really help in the run game as well. I think our o line will be one of the best in the league come post season if healthy.

[UMDan]

Bengals were pretty focused on stopping Rice, so I am not upset that Rice didn't get more touches especially seeing what Flacco was able to do. I think our game plan will change depending on who we play, so Rice will still be a huge part of this offense. It's good to see we can win without him getting so many touches.

[CorvusCorax]

This will simply allow Rice to be more of an offensive threat. Now they have to worry more about play action pass. I can see Rice breaking out for a few good runs this season.

[PolishRifle]

[quote name='CorvusCorax' timestamp='1347356351' post='1147642']
This will simply allow Rice to be more of an offensive threat. Now they have to worry more about play action pass. I can see Rice breaking out for a few good runs this season.
[/quote]

He will end up having the same production without getting pounded by linebackers all season long, the way he has been for the last 4 seasons. I think this no huddle might put 4 more years on his career.

[nk02442]

[quote name='T3hRaven' timestamp='1347333532' post='1147284']
Exactly, Rice was incredibly effective tonight. Seeing the Pass to set up the Run is a beautiful thing. In today's league, that's how you get 'em, that's how you win. He needs about 10 touches per game and add on depending on the situation. He wasn't checked down to as much tonight as in the past, which hurts his touches, but I'd rather see quality than quantity. When you factor in how much we paid him and how much he's seen over the past few years, if we can use him less to keep him healthy while still winning that's better for the team overall.
[/quote]

That was what really impressed me. Joe was able to find open recievers and not check down to RR. That means that his vision is much better and he is trusting himself and his recievers. Keep in mind peirce and AA got a decent amount of touches and it was a blowout. If the game was closer ray woulda gotten 10 more carries, maybe 30-50 more yards.

[Corvus]

I know this topic is about Ray's touches (which I had zero problem with the amount, the only time I would gripe at all about the play calling period was when we called 3 WR reverses in that same drive early in the game), but I just wanted to give big props to KO and Harewood for the solid first starts of their career, they were definitely a big factor in Ray and the whole offense's success.

[cobrajet]

Let's not put too much wear and tear on Ray Rice and keep him around here for a long time. I rather have our offense like it was last night and Ray make the most of his touches than to beat him up every week and him only have two more years before he is done.

[Ravenslifer]

As long as Rice is on the field, that's the important thing. If he's not getting carries he's getting catches, and he's probably the most dangerous player in space in the league. And even if he doesn't get those, opposing teams have to gameplan to stop him, which should open things up for everyone else. I'm sure Rice doesn't care if his stats go down, if at the end of the season he has a Lombardi to show for it.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='UMDan' timestamp='1347346082' post='1147599']
Bengals were pretty focused on stopping Rice, so I am not upset that Rice didn't get more touches especially seeing what Flacco was able to do.[u][i][b] I think our game plan will change depending on who we play,[/b][/i][/u] so Rice will still be a huge part of this offense. It's good to see we can win without him getting so many touches.
[/quote]


This is exactly correct. We'll need to adjust not only to who we play, but what evolves during the game to take what the opposing D is giving us. This will be the key offensive dominance.

As others have said, the decreased dependence on RR will not only serve to keep him fresh for when he is needed, but will also extend his career.

[jdynamite]

As I followed the live updates on my Phone I thought Rice had more touches because I kept reading rice for 1st down... Rice may have only gotten 10 Carries but each one them counted and helped to keep the defense honest and off balance....

[TXRaven]

Rice was ok with it he understood the dynamicx of the offense last night. His production was great in those 13 touches though. Can't say enough about the offense last night.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='Malkavian Raven' timestamp='1347330574' post='1147035']
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Next week... lets try for even FEWER touches![/i][/font]

[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]~ Malk[/i][/font]
[font=times new roman,times,serif][i]Kidding! Don't neg me, please...?[/i][/font]
[/quote]
That must be an Andy Reid quote