Bernard Pierce

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='gabefergy' timestamp='1356390312' post='1278338']
I hate to say I told you so, but I did. I loved Pierce as a prospect and was thrilled when we took him while everyone else was questioning the move. He had doubters throughout TC and preseason but I repeatedly told everyone he would be a great compliment to Rice. It looks like we have quite the tandem moving forward at RB.
[/quote]

I remember agreeing with you on draft-day because we had to explain that Pierce was drafted as a complementary back, not a starter.

I don't think Pierce would've had an immediate impact as the lead back this season, but his effectiveness off the bench is why he's produced. In time, he may eventually justify more carries than Rice -- and frankly, this wouldn't be the worst problem to have.

[dhstandard]

Bernard Pierce is a beast. I remember when we were all complaining when the FO traded up to pick a RB when we had Ray Rice. Looks like they know 10x better than we ever did. I like the Pierce has had a fairly heavy workload with Rice even sitting out for long stretches. If the guy is successful they let him ball. Great find.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1356408166' post='1278497']


That's why the Ravens needed to trade up, because enough people knew about him, that they thought he would be available.

It was a really strong pick.

I'lll also give Harbs so props here, a lot of people questioned going with a RB backup to Rice after having veteran guys the last few years.
[/quote]
Pierce has been a fantastic pick for the Ravens. I think there is enormous value in the selection. You have a guy who can complement Ray Rice and they can keep each other fresh. You also have a guy who can have time to learn and develop if there are areas in need of development. And finally you have a player who can eventually replace your Ray Rice. The nice thing is when Rice's contract is up Pierce should have more tread on his tires from the complementary use he is receiving.

Also, I agree with all your points once again regarding Allen. I think he can be an effective FB. Supposedly, he has good hands. The only thing Leach seems to have over him is being straight-up nasty. Hopefully AA can develop that nasty, hard-hitting attitude because I love it.

Having Allen definitely makes it easier to release Leach, but that is assuming we believe AA can actually be a FB. I'd like to see him actually take a few snaps before doing such a move.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1356408879' post='1278514']

Pierce has been a fantastic pick for the Ravens. I think there is enormous value in the selection. You have a guy who can complement Ray Rice and they can keep each other fresh. You also have a guy who can have time to learn and develop if there are areas in need of development. And finally you have a player who can eventually replace your Ray Rice. The nice thing is when Rice's contract is up Pierce should have more tread on his tires from the complementary use he is receiving.

Also, I agree with all your points once again regarding Allen. I think he can be an effective FB. Supposedly, he has good hands. The only thing Leach seems to have over him is being straight-up nasty. Hopefully AA can develop that nasty, hard-hitting attitude because I love it.

Having Allen definitely makes it easier to release Leach, but that is assuming we believe AA can actually be a FB. I'd like to see him actually take a few snaps before doing such a move.
[/quote]

I agree, I actually think you could put Rainey in that develop role as well. Was highly impressed with his speed and quickness in the preseason. Not sure where he stands in coaches eyes.

Yea you definitely want to see AA in that FB role before committing. I've seen AA blow some guys up on ST blocks, but it takes a certain type of guy to be nasty like Leach. Not sure if AA has that, yet, but maybe he can develop it like you said.

I really like the offense moving forward and think the only area of concern is oline. Upgrade the LT position with a "proven" guy like Albert and the rest falls in place. Oher goes back to RT, KO goes to LG and Gino/upgrade at Center. But that's another topic.

I think in a ideal world, the Ravens would like to run about 70 plays per game. A balanced mix of 40 pass 30 run would keep everyone involved. With 30 rush attempts, i'd like to see Peirce get about 10 touches. I could see Peirce racking up close to 800 yards next seasons. With Rice still having his 1,200 yards or so. I think the Ravens will be one of the truly balanced offenses, with both explosive passing and running.

[rlh445]

My earlier post wasn't to discredit Pierce or his involvement with the offense this year, only to point out that it's not like the kid was a diamond in the rough or anything, he was a known commodity we traded up to snag. Great value though when you think about it. It's no small thing to note that while in gamethreads we were wondering, 'Where the heck is Rice?!,' and he was on the sidelines..where he put himself numerous times when he himself has called Pierce in . It's pretty awesome though to see Rice's FRESH ([b]FRESH!!) [/b]legs because of earlier spelling by Bernard. In at least that way, Cam and Rice helped us.

[Ravenseconbeast]

His starting to grow on me. Its unbelievable how fortunate we are lately in getting solid group of weapons for offense. Torrey(a hit), Dennis Pitta(a hit), Pierce (a hit)

If only they can grow from here on out...they can be one of the premier players in NFL.

[krrock10]

I dont want this to turn into a Rice vs. Pierce thread as they both bring a different skill set to the table, but man, I really really like Pierce. Second running back in the second round that Ozzie hammered home.

What share of the carries would you want Pierce to get? I say around 40% at a minimum. I am a big fan of keeping Rice fresh for the long haul. We signed Rice for 5 years, I want to get max value out of that deal.

Thoughts?

[bravensfan52]

Lets be glad that we got him ozzie jumped up to get him cause the steelers wanted him. They were high on him would have taken him in the second likely if adams didnt fall

[SuggsBarber]

Young fresh legs this time of year headed toward the playoffs has to be a plus. Now if his blitz pickup is okay,then we're really onto something.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='krrock10' timestamp='1356443923' post='1278652']
[u][i][b]I dont want this to turn into a Rice vs. Pierce thread [/b][/i][/u]as they both bring a different skill set to the table, but man, I really really like Pierce. Second running back in the second round that Ozzie hammered home.

What share of the carries would you want Pierce to get? I say around 40% at a minimum. I am a big fan of keeping Rice fresh for the long haul. We signed Rice for 5 years, I want to get max value out of that deal.

Thoughts?
[/quote]

then don't! lol!

~Mili

[sameoldbull]

I really like him as well. He is pretty good using the edge and when he finds the hole he doesn't hesitate and hits it full speed. He is really piercing the defence! I'll show myself out now. Sorry!

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='krrock10' timestamp='1356443923' post='1278652']
I dont want this to turn into a Rice vs. Pierce thread as they both bring a different skill set to the table, but man, I really really like Pierce. Second running back in the second round that Ozzie hammered home.

What share of the carries would you want Pierce to get? I say around 40% at a minimum. I am a big fan of keeping Rice fresh for the long haul. We signed Rice for 5 years, I want to get max value out of that deal.

Thoughts?
[/quote]

Already being discussed. This thread will be merged. Please check for existing threads, before starting a new one.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1356389825' post='1278328']


We seem to have done a nice job. Though, we could have had Alfred Morris too... I do realize the draft is a funny thing and not all players work in all systems. Pierce has been a nice player for us this year.
[/quote]

I had this same thought. Alfred Morris does run really hard but Shanahans zone running scheme has always been well for one-cut backs with even less talent such as Orlandis Gary, Mike Anderson. ( there is a laundry list of 1,000 backs in his system. Even Kubiak has had this in Houston D.Davis, S.Slaton , now Foster ).

Pierce runs extremely hard I like his running style a lot, he doesn't usually waste time shaking laterally, he tries to hit the hole and go.

At times this season I've wondered how B.Rainey might have ran too.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='PeRK82' timestamp='1356389919' post='1278331']
I might get some crap for this But i think B.P can/does run better than Rice.

Rice is more dangerous with the Check downs, i don't think anyone Has,Can or Will do it better.
[/quote]
Why would you get crap? He is a rookie and been averaging more yards per carry even if you take away his big break away run. Rice is definitely the man on the check downs though. Catching the ball is why I love Rice.

[cobrajet]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1356404164' post='1278465']
Pierce needs to work on his cardio.
I was SO disappointed when he ran out of gas on that big run on sunday.
[/quote]
That DB had some wheels, so don't be disappointed, he was slowly gaining on him the whole play.

[CalvinSmoke]

Pierce was on eople's radars for sure. He was a Hiesman prospect before. He also had some monstrous numbers. Look forward to seeing him do some more work. He's my favorite runner on the team by far
I

[redlobster]

[quote name='krrock10' timestamp='1356443923' post='1278652']
I dont want this to turn into a Rice vs. Pierce thread as they both bring a different skill set to the table, but man, I really really like Pierce. Second running back in the second round that Ozzie hammered home.

What share of the carries would you want Pierce to get? I say around 40% at a minimum. I am a big fan of keeping Rice fresh for the long haul. We signed Rice for 5 years, I want to get max value out of that deal.

Thoughts?
[/quote]

Pierce was drafted in the third round not the second

[PurpleCorsair]

[quote name='jdynamite' timestamp='1356450284' post='1278722']
I had this same thought. Alfred Morris does run really hard but Shanahans zone running scheme has always been well for one-cut backs with even less talent such as Orlandis Gary, Mike Anderson. ( there is a laundry list of 1,000 backs in his system. Even Kubiak has had this in Houston D.Davis, S.Slaton , now Foster ).

Pierce runs extremely hard I like his running style a lot, he doesn't usually waste time shaking laterally, he tries to hit the hole and go.

At times this season I've wondered how B.Rainey might have ran too.
[/quote]

Don't we run some of Houston's zone blocking? There was that whole list of pieces about how Leach was basically teaching us how to do it right.

[Malkavian Raven]

[i][font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif]Pierce, to me, is a hybrid between a Ray Rice & Willis McGahee... great downhill runner but can elude tackles.[/font][/i]

[i][font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif]Cannot believe we didn't punch him into the endzone with 1st & Goal.[/font][/i]

[i][font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif]~ Cosmic[/font][/i]

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1356405262' post='1278475']
Yeah I know. He was SO close.
I wish he would have out run those goons.
[/quote]

lol! i wanted him to score too but he doesn't have the speed of Rice. and besides...i believe that defender was running a good angle to catch up to him. the whole time he was running i was shouting...[i]"score pierce! score pierce! score pierce!"[/i] lol!

~Mili

[K-Dog]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1356476625' post='1278935']
lol! i wanted him to score too but he doesn't have the speed of Rice. and besides...i believe that defender was running a good angle to catch up to him. the whole time he was running i was shouting...[i]"score pierce! score pierce! score pierce!"[/i] lol!

~Mili
[/quote]

The good news is Pierce DOES have a TD this season. ( although I cant not recall which game )

[dhstandard]

I'm not saying any time soon. But within the next season or two when he is reaching the end of his rookie contract what would you think about using him as trade bait? It all really depends on how Rice is doing by then but I wouldn't mind getting a 2nd round pick out of this guy maybe even a late first.

This is the issue. His and Ray Rice's contracts end in 4 years I believe. Pierce will most likely receive starting caliber offers in free agency and we can't afford to keep them both. When we get into his 3rd year I think it may be a fine idea to trade him unless we plan on making him our feature back.


This is the distant future and I love our two-headed monster right now. But the best teams always look ahead.

[Ed_Reed20]

It's not particularly difficult to find good RBs, but the team shouldn't be looking to trade Pierce at all.

Even if Ray hasn't completely fallen off by the time his contract ends after the 2016 season, I imagine Pierce will already be cutting into his workload, maybe even significantly. I already think he's a better natural runner than Rice.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1356479646' post='1278948']
It's not particularly difficult to find good RBs, but the team shouldn't be looking to trade Pierce at all.

Even if Ray hasn't completely fallen off by the time his contract ends after the 2016 season, I imagine Pierce will already be cutting into his workload, maybe even significantly. I already think he's a better natural runner than Rice.
[/quote]


But what if Ray maintains good production. He doesn't really take too many hits and the team has been good about not overworking him. I love having them both but teams like the Patriots trade their depth and seemingly have multiple high picks every year. If Ray Rice is still producing at a high level then we can't keep them both.

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1356480087' post='1278951']
But what if Ray maintains good production. He doesn't really take too many hits and the team has been good about not overworking him. I love having them both but teams like the Patriots trade their depth and seemingly have multiple high picks every year. If Ray Rice is still producing at a high level then we can't keep them both.
[/quote]
god we might even trade rice

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1356480087' post='1278951']
But what if Ray maintains good production. He doesn't really take too many hits and the team has been good about not overworking him. I love having them both but teams like the Patriots trade their depth and seemingly have multiple high picks every year. If Ray Rice is still producing at a high level then we can't keep them both.
[/quote]

It's [i]highly[/i] doubtful he does as he'll be 29 after the final year of his contract. Yes, he doesn't tote the rock quite as much as other RBs but he's averaged close to 70 catches since becoming the starter to this point as well. When you also take into account how he was run into the ground in college, it would be medical miracle if he was as productive in five seasons as he is now.

We'll see how things shake out but I firmly believe Pierce will already be a heavy part of the game-plan come 2016 and he'll be re-signed.

[H8R]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1356476625' post='1278935']


lol! i wanted him to score too but he doesn't have the speed of Rice. and besides...i believe that defender was running a good angle to catch up to him. the whole time he was running i was shouting...[i]"score pierce! score pierce! score pierce!"[/i] lol!

~Mili
[/quote]

Pierece is actually probably just as fast as Ray.... Rice gets caught by LBs. hahah

[FerrariFan87]

Reports were that Pierce would have been a Top 15 pick in the 2013 draft had he stayed another year. He's a beast.

[GrimCoconut]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1356480087' post='1278951']



But what if Ray maintains good production. He doesn't really take too many hits and the team has been good about not overworking him. I love having them both but teams like the Patriots trade their depth and seemingly have multiple high picks every year. If Ray Rice is still producing at a high level then we can't keep them both.
[/quote]
What if we take Ray and make him a slot WR? I know he's a RB, but who knows how long he can run the ball. If Pierce starts showing some more promise he could overtake Rice as the #1 in a few years near the end of his deal.

Edit: I realize I didn't explain this too well. What I meant was what if we use sets with Dickson or Pitta at the TE, with Rice in the slot, Smith & Jones as the wideouts with Pierce in the backfield. It would help reduce some of Rice's wear and tear and perhaps lengthen his ability to play.

[dhstandard]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1356481633' post='1278961']
Reports were that Pierce would have been a Top 15 pick in the 2013 draft had he stayed another year. He's a beast.
[/quote]

They say that about a lot of guys with a ton of potential but need more work. Every year there are a ton of players who get that label but don't succeed. At least he got the label though.