Bernard Pierce

[dhstandard]

[quote name='H8R' timestamp='1356481131' post='1278959']
Pierece is actually probably just as fast as Ray.... Rice gets caught by LBs. hahah
[/quote]

Rice's specialty isn't speed but the ability to fit through tiny holes and make people miss (due to his size and uncanny balance while getting very low to the ground). He isn't the type of back that gets hit hard like Jamal Lewis who wear down because of it. He is a finesse runner and they tend to stick around a lot longer.

[PeRK82]

[quote name='cobrajet' timestamp='1356470198' post='1278890']
[b]That DB had some wheels, so don't be disappointed, he was slowly gaining on him the whole play[/b].
[/quote]

I know that Rice would have ran out of Gas 10 or even 15 yds shorter than where BP Got caught.

[beasy2487]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1356485773' post='1279003']


Rice's specialty isn't speed but the ability to fit through tiny holes and make people miss (due to his size and uncanny balance while getting very low to the ground). He isn't the type of back that gets hit hard like Jamal Lewis who wear down because of it. He is a finesse runner and they tend to stick around a lot longer.
[/quote]

This. People want Rice to be a Sproles/MJD mix when in reality he is more of a Sanders/Faulk hybrid. His best weapons are his center of gravity combined with his ability to line up anywhere and create mismatches, not his strength or his speed(although he is still above average in both of those areas as well).

[Fred Sanford]

To be fair to Bernard, if Torrey had tried to block his guy at all on the 70+ yarder, it would've been an easy touchdown. Jacoby was HAULIN' down the field to help block on the play, Torrey gave an Oher-like level of effort probably assuming his block wouldn't matter since the play was away from his side of the field. To be fair to Torrey also, he's usually a good blocker.

Yanda did a great "Toro!" and let his guy rush upfield before turning the tables and driving him almost into the harbor. Leach took an LB, I think Blackburn, and just smashed him into silly putty, as he is wont to do.

[rayrayven]

[quote name='beasy2487' timestamp='1356489746' post='1279025']
This. People want Rice to be a Sproles/MJD mix when in reality he is more of a Sanders/Faulk hybrid. His best weapons are his center of gravity combined with his ability to line up anywhere and create mismatches, not his strength or his speed(although he is still above average in both of those areas as well).
[/quote]

Rice has great burst. He was always one of the best at the cone drills. He can hit full speed at the snap - and he can run outside on anybody. He's not going to out-sprint most teams over 40 yards ("long speed" its called) but his game speed off the ball is as good as anybody. I laughed when Raiders took McFadden before Rice because I knew McFadden was a skinny legged injury waiting to happen. He was a "race up the field" runner after the OL gave him a big hole. Five years latter and McFadden is a relative bust at 60+ million. Rice was a steal.

Rice also puts a hurting on defenders because he can run for another two yards with power as he is falling. He uses his arm as another leg. He beats the hell out of defenders legs and shins. Rice has calves bigger than linemans. If you see him in pads in person you wouldn't think he could run a 4.49 with tree stump legs like that.

RIce hasn't really been used the way he should be. Ray konws how to gnaw away for yards - but the more he gets the ball the more the chances he breaks away - and he gets better with more carries. All those 10-14 carry games with the Ravens have been suboptimal for Rice. The Ravens OL is also lousy vs the better teams. The Texans made them look like a mediocre college line last year. If Rice had a OL like the 49'ers he would have 1450-1600 yds and 4 more TDs by now. No RB in todays NFL can dominate a game in playoffs without a top OL. Stopping Rice is always #1 for defenders.

[indianstick]

I feel like there was already a pierce thread made earlier in the season.

Regardless, He was one of my fav rbs in this draft class. I didn't think we would draft a rb period but if we did I wanted either Benard pierce or robert turbin. I'm glad we snagged pierce in the third like we did because pitt would of most definitely drafted him in the third. I love pierce's ability to make cuts without losing speed. That's what really stood out to me when i watched him in temple and in the combine. The two back system is vital for a great running game. It's key to have a back up who compliments the feature back well and also fits into the offensive system, which pierce does both of (his hands are solid too although they aren't as great as rice's but he has above average hands for a rb)

We are basically set with our backs for the next 4-5 years at least. I would love to see leach retire as a raven. The fb position is vital for a running game and leach is easily the best. I feel like 3M is well worth him.

I am a huge Ray rice fan and feel like not only is he going to last longer than the typical rb, his best year is still ahead of him. Pierce is going to be a huge part of allowing ray rice to last but I want to see both of them on the team beyond 5 years. Maybe the roles get switched and ray rice understands that he won't get feature back money for his next contract so he resigns with us for back up money and we extend pierce. I know RB is the second fragile position (after CB) and the smartest philosophy for that position is to just allow it to turnover by drafting young rbs in the middle rounds. So I would understand if we don't keep both ray rice and pierce beyond 4-5 years, but that would be my ideal situation.

[indianstick]

[quote name='GrimCoconut' timestamp='1356484431' post='1278987']
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.
[/quote]

I was actually thinking about this yesterday. Rice would be a great slot wr. He definitely has the hands to play there, and if they line up a corner on him, he would break that tackle almost every time. I feel like it wouldn't be a bad idea to have both of them on the field at the same time. God I hope we get a creative OC (if caldwell isn't next season)

[flaccopoe]

Fact: BernardPierce had the 3rd most rushing yd in Week 16, bested only by Jamaal Charles and C.J. Spiller. Ray Rice had the 5th most rushing yd.

[flaccopoe]

[color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif]Fact: Bernard Pierce had the 3rd most rushing yd in Week 16, bested only by Jamaal Charles and C.J. Spiller. Ray Rice had the 5th most rushing yd.[/font][/color]

[H8R]

[quote name='dhstandard' timestamp='1356485773' post='1279003']
Rice's specialty isn't speed but the ability to fit through tiny holes and make people miss (due to his size and uncanny balance while getting very low to the ground). He isn't the type of back that gets hit hard like Jamal Lewis who wear down because of it. He is a finesse runner and they tend to stick around a lot longer.
[/quote]

I understand that.... and if you look at what I quoted.. It was mentioned that he doesnt have the speed of Ray Rice. I was speaking to the fact that neither have elite top end speed. Rainey is the fastest top end RB on the team.

[CalvinSmoke]

Pierce reminds me of Edgerrin James, minus the 4.38 speed of course lol

[jdynamite]

[quote name='PurpleCorsair' timestamp='1356476108' post='1278931']


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.
[/quote]

They used it more last season than this season or it seems that way to me. Like when they run stretch plays to the outside with zone blocking. Wish I has access to some of those paid stat sites to list amount of runs done with zone blocking. Amount of Ray Rice runs with Leach and without leach.
Because it always annoys me to see a Dive out of the Singleback formation with Ray rice go for 1-2 yards.

Most times when pierce runs he has leach lead blocking.
Houston and Washington have smaller Guards for constant pulling and running out wide with cut-blocks.

[indianstick]

The behind the bench (1 winning drive) videos for the giants game is awesome. It's hilarious how the players get on pierce for not scoring on that 78 yard drive. haha ray rice goes "ay bernard, you know the one thing me and you have in common? we both get caught from behind" loll

[jimmypowder]

Pierce was our best pick of last years draft

[dhstandard]

[quote name='Fred Sanford' timestamp='1356494346' post='1279046']
To be fair to Bernard, if Torrey had tried to block his guy at all on the 70+ yarder, it would've been an easy touchdown. Jacoby was HAULIN' down the field to help block on the play, Torrey gave an Oher-like level of effort probably assuming his block wouldn't matter since the play was away from his side of the field. To be fair to Torrey also, he's usually a good blocker.

Yanda did a great "Toro!" and let his guy rush upfield before turning the tables and driving him almost into the harbor. Leach took an LB, I think Blackburn, and just smashed him into silly putty, as he is wont to do.
[/quote]

Then again Torrey has gotten a lot of holding calls on big runs even when if they are phantom calls. He probably saw Pierce run off and didn't think his guy would have done much. In all honesty he may have been right as getting tackled before the endzone is better than a holding call to bring the play from 70+ yards to - yards. We had a solid lead at that point and getting 3 points vs 7 isn't a major deal.

[CalvinSmoke]

[quote name='jimmypowder' timestamp='1356564056' post='1279603']
Pierce was our best pick of last years draft
[/quote]It's between him and Osemele but yea... you'r probably right.

[TZMou]

RB tandems will be the future in the NFL I think and with Rice and Pierce we have a good one, I also think Allen is being molded into a RB/FB/TE hybrid, his blocking on special teams has been pretty good this year.

[Latch]

Remember McGahee and Rice? Two awesome running backs that could both straight tear up the field? Super excited about this Rice&Pierce partnership. They compliment each other perfectly. Has anyone seen Bernard catch any good balls? I personally think one of Ray's best qualities is his receiving abilities.

[K-Dog]

I miss McGehee

[Tank 92]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1356749039' post='1281497']
I miss McGehee
[/quote]


Why? BP has much more left in the tank and I think his running style is a better compliment to RR.

I also think this combo will prove to be the best in Ravens history, especially if we can keep Nosebleed in the backfield with them. Three headed Mega Monster!

[flaccopoe]

I really hope Pierce doesn't become a casualty of the salary cap in the offseason!

[1/28/01]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356759779' post='1281599']
I really hope Pierce doesn't become a casualty of the salary cap in the offseason!
[/quote]

You hope Pierce, who just signed his rookie contract, isnt a salary cap casualty?

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356759779' post='1281599']
I really hope Pierce doesn't become a casualty of the salary cap in the offseason!
[/quote]what are you talking about? Anyone on a rookie contract esp a fourth rounder would never be a cap casualty. If they are cut they've done something wrong.

[K-Dog]

[quote name='awholelottahaloti' timestamp='1356756997' post='1281580']



Why? BP has much more left in the tank and I think his running style is a better compliment to RR.

I also think this combo will prove to be the best in Ravens history, especially if we can keep Nosebleed in the backfield with them. Three headed Mega Monster!
[/quote]

Why not?
He was a great RB, he was a team player. He was fun to watch on the sidelines he was great in interviews.

Just because you miss some one doesnt mean you want them back on the team.

[jdynamite]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356759779' post='1281599']
I really hope Pierce doesn't become a casualty of the salary cap in the offseason!
[/quote]

He is under a rookie contract how do u think he will be a cap casualty ?

U can have these thoughts 3 years from now.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1356791351' post='1281653']


Why not?
He was a great RB, he was a team player. He was fun to watch on the sidelines he was great in interviews.

Just because you miss some one doesnt mean you want them back on the team.
[/quote]


Right, I guess you could mean that.

I just think of how I "miss" Todd Heap. While I like Pitta, I sure do wish we could have Todd back in his prime.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1356783990' post='1281632']
You hope Pierce, who just signed his rookie contract, isnt a salary cap casualty?
[/quote]

I've heard from some people on the [i]House Cleaning[/i] Thread that he might be cut to save money. Leach too, as BAL is riding Rice out for the long term.

[Tank 92]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356802230' post='1281753']


I've heard from some people on the [i]House Cleaning[/i] Thread that he might be cut to save money. Leach too, as BAL is riding Rice out for the long term.
[/quote]


There is not a snowball's chance in hell that Pierce will be "cut". You might as well start thinking now about what his new contract will look like when his rookie deal expires. Bernard is the real deal.

[arnie_uk]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356802230' post='1281753']


I've heard from some people on the [i]House Cleaning[/i] Thread that he might be cut to save money. Leach too, as BAL is riding Rice out for the long term.
[/quote]pierce won't, leach is possible boldin, jones all possibilities, pierce not so much.if anything hed be traded

[Ed_Reed20]

Just a microcosm of how good Pierce has been, according to the guys at PFF:

[quote]

While there have been plenty of calls for [b]Ray Rice[/b] to see more touches on offense, it’s worth noting that he’s not the only person in the backfield getting it done. [b]With 32 missed tackles forced from 315 total touches, and averaging 2.37 Yards After Contact Per Attempt[/b], Rice has an Elusive Rating of 24.0, 15th among running backs who have seen at least 50% of their teams attempts.

While that’s impressive, his backup Bernard Pierce has been even better on the limited touches he has seen. Pierce has an Elusive Rating of 84.4, [b]with 21 missed tackles forced from 92 touches on offense, and he averages 3.70 Yards After Contact Per Attempt.[/b]
[/quote]