Should Ray Rice get more carries?

[tctony]

[size=4][color=#000000][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]On average he will rush [b]16 times per game[/b] for 84 yards (5 yd average). He will also catch about 4.5 per game for 38 yds receiving (8.3 yd average). His final stat line will look like this: [b]20.8 touches, 121.8 yards[/b][/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Do you think Ray Rice should be utilized more?[/font][/color][/size]

[arnie_uk]

Depends on the situation on game day, also depends if the reduced touches are going to pierce or are we throwing too much. As long as we have a decent run pass situation, we will be ok.

I was a big proponent of giving rice less touches so he can be a full pace come play off time, as well as pro longing his career, and so far pierce looks like he can handle extra touches than a normal back up.

[tctony]

Keep in mind it is a long season and we want a "fresh" Ray Rice in the playoffs. Teams like the Texans are wearing down their top RBs early and who knows how they'll feel come playoff time.

Bernard Pierce has shown potential as well as a compliment to RR.

You can argue that he is only getting 16 carries, but adding in the receptions he is still getting about 20 touches per game. We have enough other talented players that we don't have to be dependent on Ray Rice like we were in 08-10. And if we ever need to go to a gameplan where Ray Rice carries the load, it won't be predictable.

[The Raven]

I think we need to keep Rice fresh for later in the year. I'd like to see more of Pierce and maybe even Allen once in a blue moon. I want Pierce to get more carries. He can rough a defense up more than Rice which can make a difference in tight games. I'd like the rushes to increase (if the flow of the game allows), but give them to Pierce. He's just so great at running behind his pads and making explosive cuts.

[arnie_uk]

All in agreement so far. Better to keep him fresher now for when the bad weather and playoffs kick in...

[The Raven]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1350066270' post='1186063']
All in agreement so far. Better to keep him fresher now for when the bad weather and playoffs kick in...
[/quote]

Keeping him fresh isn't even the sole reason for my wanting to keep his carries down. I think Pierce can be a weapon as well and I'd like to see him used more.

[poescrows]

[quote name='tctony' timestamp='1350064825' post='1186037']
[size=4][color=#000000][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]On average he will rush [b]16 times per game[/b] for 84 yards (5 yd average). He will also catch about 4.5 per game for 38 yds receiving (8.3 yd average). His final stat line will look like this: [b]20.8 touches, 121.8 yards[/b][/font][/color]

[color=#000000][font=verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Do you think Ray Rice should be utilized more?[/font][/color][/size]
[/quote].....good homework, and with those numbers, if/when we do go run heavy the D won't be expecting it.

[DocMartin]

It depends on game time situations. When we are ahead on scoreboard, yes. But I prefer to use Leach and Pierce in short distance 3rd down, possibly using Rice as decoy to draw defenders. Our 3rd down conversion rate needs to improve, if we consider ourselves Super Bowl Contenders. We have tough schedule ahead, controllling the clock will be important.

[Ravenslifer]

I feel like 20-25 touches a game is about right for most game situations, whether he's running it or catching it. Obviously as it gets colder we've traditionally gone to a more run-oriented style, so I expect the rushing attempts to go up when we need them to. The other thing you have to consider is his YA - in every single game except Cleveland, Rice has averaged more than 5 yards a carry. If he gets just 15 carries a game but churns close to 100 yards out of it, I'd say he's being used pretty effectively.

[NaveSenrag]

Ray Rice isn't the keystone of the offense anymore, and he doesn't need to be treated like it. I'd like to see 25 carries between Rice and Pierce together, and however many dump offs Rice gets are left up to Joe. We don't need to run the ball every down anymore, and so we should try to work with our new strength. Use Rice and Pierce to scare the defense and keep them honest, then go for the throat with the passing attack.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1350065013' post='1186040']
Depends on the situation on game day, also depends if the reduced touches are going to pierce or are we throwing too much. As long as we have a decent run pass situation, we will be ok.

I was a big proponent of giving rice less touches so he can be a full pace come play off time, as well as pro longing his career, and so far pierce looks like he can handle extra touches than a normal back up.
[/quote]

I agree 100%
Although I am assuming when you say "passing too much" it is to mean ineffective passing.
I mean if Joe passes and get a first down on every pass and marches down the field and gets a TD than give Ray Rice a lemonade and let him chill.
yes I know that is pretty unrealistic, but my point is, IF the passing game is working and effective, I dont care how many touches Rice gets. Reality is the run game helps open the door on the passing game most of the time. I know that. The run to pass ratio is always on a case by case basis.

[omar586]

25 touches (8 catching and 17 rushing) are about right for RR, i would like him rush the ball more in certain games or situations or when he gets hot or whens he's averaging like 7 yards a pop, but i think they should get the younger guys involved quickly , so if someone has a bad game, the next man up steps, like the other teams are doing like the Pats anyone can run the ball in pats offense, or steelers they have guys they guys that never heard of that running the ball or catching.they should give pierce like 8 touches too

[display name]

It generally takes pressure off the defense.
Not that I don't trust Flacco, but when we have a guy averaging 5.2 yards a carry with the best FB in the league blocking for him, don't risk a pick and hand off the friggin ball a little more!
Edit: But send in Pierce here and there, we don't want to tire Rice out too much.Pierce will make the defense tired.
I guess I'm in favor of running the ball more, but with Pierce involved as well, because again, we want Rice to be fresh down the stretch.

[Alexir]

We need to run him more because he is our best offensive player. Our passing game struggled so much and rice was going off 6 yards a rush. He had a 100 yard game where are passing game mustered 187 yards. Run to pass.

[The Raven]

[quote name='Alexir' timestamp='1350133968' post='1186411']
We need to run him more because he is our best offensive player. Our passing game struggled so much and rice was going off 6 yards a rush. He had a 100 yard game where are passing game mustered 187 yards. Run to pass.
[/quote]

This is a valid point. It could definitely be argued that he should receive more carries. I believe he's only had one game with less than a 5.2 yard per carry average. The amount of runs needs to be increased to help the passing game. When Rice is hitting such a consistently high average, he needs the ball more. Though, I am more in favor of giving Pierce additional rushes instead of giving Rice more.

[SecretAgentMan]

I voted yes, but I think he should get more receptions from Joe.

[Brandon88]

If Ray Rice gets more carries it opens up the Play Action and passing game

[cobrajet]

That depends on a lot of things. If we are going against a weak run defense and Rice gets on fire, then run Ray all day. If we are going against a tem with a week pass rush or weak secondary and Joe is on fire, then maybe not so much. I am a matchup guy who likes to go with a healthy dose of which is ever working on game day. Therefore I voted - Undecided.

With that said, I agree with Mr. Irrelevant, I would like to see Ray get a few more touched in the passing game.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='The Raven' timestamp='1350142059' post='1186450']


This is a valid point. It could definitely be argued that he should receive more carries. I believe he's only had one game with less than a 5.2 yard per carry average. The amount of runs needs to be increased to help the passing game. When Rice is hitting such a consistently high average, he needs the ball more. Though, I am more in favor of giving Pierce additional rushes instead of giving Rice more.
[/quote]is he getting the high yardage average because he's fresher, rested and maybe the d is more zoned in on our passing attack due to the numbers we are putting up thus far.

Catch 22. We could begin to go back to smash mouth football and his numbers could drop because of the higher workload and then the defense will clue in on him more.

Then fans will be calling for Joe to throw more. Each game is a new one, they have to be looked at individually. Go with what's working without abandoning the other.

You can't qualify this to a simple yes or a no

[redrum52]

No. I think Rice is getting enough. I wouldn't mind seeing Pierce in more though. I think the plan is to save Rice for the post season. When it gets cold I predict a heavy dose of the running game. We don't only want to keep him healthy for this season but the rest of his career in Baltimore.

[The Raven]

[quote name='arnie_uk' timestamp='1350227241' post='1186887']
is he getting the high yardage average because he's fresher, rested and maybe the d is more zoned in on our passing attack due to the numbers we are putting up thus far.

Catch 22. We could begin to go back to smash mouth football and his numbers could drop because of the higher workload and then the defense will clue in on him more.

Then fans will be calling for Joe to throw more. Each game is a new one, they have to be looked at individually. Go with what's working without abandoning the other.

You can't qualify this to a simple yes or a no
[/quote]

This is true as well.

Remember that mathematician we hired in the offseason? Perhaps his insight has an influence on Rice's touches.

[kirk sr.]

In certain games

[kiwitexansfan]

As someone who has seen there star running back worked into ineffectiveness after only 6 games, I think the answer should be no.

[Tank 92]

I abstain.

RR should get as many carries as it takes to win the game. This # is not a goal or set in stone. It will change from game to game, half to half, quarter to quarter, play to play, etc. Now, we just need for the OC to understand that!

[nextgen_RavensFan]

I vote yes and here is why, feed him the ball from the backfield 15 to 20 times a game and pass him the ball in open field around 15 times as well. I know we have great receivers and they can get it down field but we do not want to always score fast. Let's still take small but decisive chunks of field to keep the ball in our hands and control the clock.

[msufan]

I originally voted yes but I really think instead of having him get more touches we should give pierce more touches he seems like he is doing pretty good an having rice fresh and healthy when we get to the playoffs will be great

[HoldingCall]

Given problems and injuries on defense along with the severe time-of-possession deficit on offense my thoughts are to increase the run game but not necessarily solely with Ray Rice. I say Rice, Rainey, Pierce, and Leech all have an increased role. The increased role should bring up the LBs and S's and open the down field for Wrs even more.

Due to injuries I feel a change of strategy is necessary especially seeing the T-O-P lopsided in favor of opposing teams. The Ravens should not expect to continue winning when opposing team have 15-20 more offensive plays per game and ten extra minutes with the ball.

[beasy2487]

Yea I think the real story here is the emergence of BP2. He has clearly worked on his pad level and it's translating to solid gains. If not for that I'd say definitely more carries for Ray. I do want to see Rice more involved in non-traditional ways, lining up out wide more often to get those linebackers out in space. I think you could to do a 2-back set, split Rice out wide and then either pass it or hit them with the occasional Pierce draw play to keep them honest... could set up some monster PA plays down the stretch.

[ellicottraven]

I frankly don't know about more carries... that really depends on so many variables with regard to the game being played. However, I do believe he needs to get more '[i][b][u]touches[/u][/b][/i]'