Bernard Pierce for Starter 2014!

[SecretAgentMan]

I'm calling for the benching of Ray Rice.

 

While most of the blame doesn't go onto him, it is obvious to me that he has gotten old. 

 

This doesn't come as much of a surprise to me.  Unless you're a super back (AP) or a power back (Frank Gore), a shelf life for a RB is very short.

 

So, I'm not mad at Rice for getting older..... 

 

In fact, I applaud him for being a smart business man, and taking the money he could while he could.

 

Thankfully, we have Bernard Pierce, who I think could be a capable starter for us. 

 

He's big enough to be a feature back (6'0, 220)

 

Is a very athletic back (4.4 40 time) 

 

And can make something out of nothing (seen numerous times).

 

I want him as the starter going forward. Rice has gotten old, no shame in it, but he doesn't scare defenses anymore. 

 

It's clear to me he doesn't have it anymore.  

 

This post will probably be ridiculed by the masses, but I don't care. I'm going to call for Rice's job. He's too old, and has lost it. Sad thing is we can't cut him either. 

 

I think Pierce should start next season. He's certainly athletic enough and has good enough vision to do so. He wouldn't fall flat on his face every play like Rice has. 

 

The only concern with BP is that he has some injury history, which is why I think we take a RB in the draft this year. 

 

Anyone else think that BP will be the starter next year? 

[Sami84]

So...we have one of the highest paid running backs on the bench eating cap space...

Sadly it may have to come down to that.

[tsizzle95]

Considering that pierce's numbers werent great, benching rice wont solve everything. As you stated, there are other issues that have to be addressed and whether its the scheme or the personnel i don't really know... If pierce started this year i doubt his numbers were be much better than rice's. Rice has been one of my favorite players, so its hard to admit that he is regressing, but without a doubt its true. If rice comes into camp next year and isnt in GREAT shape, im all for seeing what pierce can do as the starter. I just hope the FO sees the need to address the offensive line first.

[Bltravens]

So...we have one of the highest paid running backs on the bench eating cap space...

Sadly it may have to come down to that.

Gotta play the best for the good of the team.

[redravenfan]

Pierce needs to run in bubble wrap he takes one hit and he is injured rice is more durable .need to concentrate on fixing the oline  and we won't have a high dollar back on the bench .

[rmw10]

I'm not sure that benching Ray Rice is the answer, but moving to more of a 50/50 split is probably a good choice.  I think if you fix the OL, both guys perform better.  Ray Rice is obviously on the decline, but he still has some value.

[redlobster]

Problem is pierce can't even stay healthy through a full games work anymore

[funky141]

Get better at O-line is the answer not benching your best player.

[TDubbs]

I disagree. While Ray Rice's injuries have limited him this year, the lack of any push from the Oline in the run game is to blame. I think we've discussed this issue enough. Until that problem is addressed, it truly doesn't matter who is at RB, they will see no daylight. 

 

It's been a scheme and player problem. Both are to blame (maybe Castillo)? In any event. I'm confident before the draft and free agency our Front Office will watch every snap and pin point the issue. 

[Militant X 1]

The issue is that Rice is NOT being utilized properly at this stage in his career and it is catching up with him.  He is more of a "out in space" type of back.  Always has been in my eyes due to his size.  Get him the ball on sweeps, tosses and pitches.  Hit him with a few HB screens and passes in the flats.  Instead, they keep trying to run him up the gut in between the tackles.  Smh!  Pierce is that back!  He's bigger than Rice and can hit those holes with bad intentions.  These cats would make a hellacious 1-2 punch combination if they were being rotated in properly.

 

#Mili

[pmr468]

I think Pierce is just as capable as Rice. He's also younger and cheaper, so it might not be a bad idea to think about at least trading Rice.

[rmw10]

The issue is that Rice is NOT being utilized properly at this stage in his career and it is catching up with him.  He is more of a "out in space" type of back.  Always has been in my eyes due to his size.  Get him the ball on sweeps, tosses and pitches.  Hit him with a few HB screens and passes in the flats.  Instead, they keep trying to run him up the gut in between the tackles.  Smh!  Pierce is that back!  He's bigger than Rice and can hit those holes with bad intentions.  These cats would make a hellacious 1-2 punch combination if they were being rotated in properly.

 

#Mili

 

I'll actually have to disagree here.  Rice has not been good in space all season.  He's doing the Jamal Lewis studder step/dance thing and he is not making people miss anymore.  That ability isn't completely gone, but he's certainly not the open space back he used to be.  I think he needs to lose some weight this offseason and hopefully he returns to the old Rice.

[Ravenskid52752]

i think one thing that is going unsaid is that ray rice VISION has took 6 steps back. holy cow his vision is way off. i saw a play where the oline block good on the play and there was a hole there and he just straight ran into marshal yanda and yanda looked at him like c'mon man your hole is over there why are you running into me. and here is the play. and other plays

http://baltimoresportsandlife.com/baltimore-ravens/ray-rices-role-ravens-run-game/'

 

http://russellstreetreport.com/despite-struggles-rice-still-leads/

[H8R]

Pierce looks good at times, and I thought he was going to emerge this year... but he's not tough enough! He's injured far too often!

[Militant X 1]

I'll actually have to disagree here.  Rice has not been good in space all season.  He's doing the Jamal Lewis studder step/dance thing and he is not making people miss anymore.  That ability isn't completely gone, but he's certainly not the open space back he used to be.  I think he needs to lose some weight this offseason and hopefully he returns to the old Rice.

And, I respectfully disagree with this because we saw a play like that from him last night that went for a few yards.  To me, I see more of the studder step/dance thing that you mentioned from him running up the gut.

 

#Mili

[PoeDinkum]

The issue is that Rice is NOT being utilized properly at this stage in his career and it is catching up with him.  He is more of a "out in space" type of back.  Always has been in my eyes due to his size.  Get him the ball on sweeps, tosses and pitches.  Hit him with a few HB screens and passes in the flats.  Instead, they keep trying to run him up the gut in between the tackles.  Smh!  Pierce is that back!  He's bigger than Rice and can hit those holes with bad intentions.  These cats would make a hellacious 1-2 punch combination if they were being rotated in properly.

 

#Mili

Well said! Neither have impressed me physically as they haven't been durable this year. Worse, as you point out our coaching staff has yet to CONSISTENTLY maximize the strengths of each with innovative game plans, or at the very least timely play calls. I can't tell if it's a lack of faith in the players, or if the coaches have too much faith in what they perceive to be the fundamentals to victory, or if they lack the skill set to evolve and adapt.

 

In any event, Ray's play this year dictates that he needs to be put on notice that next year it is indeed his starting job to lose AND I'd like to think that if he loses the job to Pierce or a FA that Ray is T-E-A-M oriented enough to fulfill his role as a 3rd down back. 

[BALTIMOREFLACCO]

I mean Pierce is under 3 yards a carry and Rice is BARELY at that number so neither option is looking too good right now. 

[redrum52]

I'm calling for the benching of Ray Rice.

While most of the blame doesn't go onto him, it is obvious to me that he has gotten old.

This doesn't come as much of a surprise to me. Unless you're a super back (AP) or a power back (Frank Gore), a shelf life for a RB is very short.

So, I'm not mad at Rice for getting older.....

In fact, I applaud him for being a smart business man, and taking the money he could while he could.

Thankfully, we have Bernard Pierce, who I think could be a capable starter for us.

He's big enough to be a feature back (6'0, 220)

Is a very athletic back (4.4 40 time)

And can make something out of nothing (seen numerous times).

I want him as the starter going forward. Rice has gotten old, no shame in it, but he doesn't scare defenses anymore.

It's clear to me he doesn't have it anymore.

This post will probably be ridiculed by the masses, but I don't care. I'm going to call for Rice's job. He's too old, and has lost it. Sad thing is we can't cut him either.

I think Pierce should start next season. He's certainly athletic enough and has good enough vision to do so. He wouldn't fall flat on his face every play like Rice has.

The only concern with BP is that he has some injury history, which is why I think we take a RB in the draft this year.

Anyone else think that BP will be the starter next year?

Wouldn't mind it all. A 60-40 split with Rice as the 3rd down back seems like it would probably help them both out and maybe keep Rice semi productive through the rest of his contract. Hoping the injruy is still lingering why he still seems to be struggling a bit. People keep saying blow up the o line, but I don't think it's that drastic. I'd give KO another shot while atill drafting a guard late and look for a replacement at center while getting a rt in rounds 2-4.

[CorvusCorax]

Did Rice put on weight this season? 

[Ravenseconbeast]

Solves absolutely nothing.

The backs go as far as how the lineman performs. I still believe Ray & Pierce(both statiscally one of the worst) are pro backs. But you cant do squat when you have clueless div3 gino dudskowski commanding the line and juan castillo developing pur young lineman. It spells disaster when you mix them all together.

[PurpleCityLights]

They will draft another RB.

[The Raven]

I don't care who the hell starts at RB if our line stays this bad. The fact is nobody except AP could have a 4.0 YPC average behind this line. I think we'd be okay with some bum, no name UDFA RB so long as the line can make holes.

[SecretAgentMan]

I don't care who the hell starts at RB if our line stays this bad. The fact is nobody except AP could have a 4.0 YPC average behind this line. I think we'd be okay with some bum, no name UDFA RB so long as the line can make holes.

The line making holes is part of it. But watching some of Rice's runs is just pathetic. He's lost his burst, and it's clear of that. 

 

That being said the oline is still the biggest problem

[The Raven]

The line making holes is part of it. But watching some of Rice's runs is just pathetic. He's lost his burst, and it's clear of that. 

 

That being said the oline is still the biggest problem

 

If the oline is good, you can get any RB to run through a hole. 

[SecretAgentMan]

If the oline is good, you can get any RB to run through a hole. 

That's a fact, but a RB with burst will get more yards than a RB w/o. 

 

Rice is getting old. It's obvious to me that he doesn't have it anymore

[redrum52]

If the oline is good, you can get any RB to run through a hole.

And this is why I said we shouldn't have re-signed Rice... money should've gone to the o line.

[SecretAgentMan]

And this is why I said we shouldn't have re-signed Rice... money should've gone to the o line.

Nah. I understand why we paid him the way we did. He was awesome in open space and was a better receiver than most backs.(see 4th and 29).

[jazz1988]

i think one thing that is going unsaid is that ray rice VISION has took 6 steps back. holy cow his vision is way off. i saw a play where the oline block good on the play and there was a hole there and he just straight ran into marshal yanda and yanda looked at him like c'mon man your hole is over there why are you running into me. and here is the play. and other plays

http://baltimoresportsandlife.com/baltimore-ravens/ray-rices-role-ravens-run-game/'

 

http://russellstreetreport.com/despite-struggles-rice-still-leads/

 

Ray Rice overall has been having a hard time   adjusting  to Castillo scheme  which can be said about Pierce as well . I think  both backs along with the  offensive line have had a hard time adjusting to Castillo scheme which has lead to miscommunication between the running backs and  offensive line. Overall the whole offense in general is  lost which is why everything is so  bad  which is direct result of too many voices

 

Mike Preston went on address the issue on offense and If what was said  is true then the ravens have a lot of work to do http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/ravens/bs-sp-preston-ravens-column-1224-20131223,0,5829128.column

[The Raven]

Nah. I understand why we paid him the way we did. He was awesome in open space and was a better receiver than most backs.(see 4th and 29).

 

If we invested more in our line, we might have even been in the 4th and 29 situation.

 

Backs that are good in space are a dime a dozen. What sets Rice apart is his ability to be good in space, and, when his line permits, he's decent running. He's a great receiving back back too. Rice is a luxury that has cost us more than he's given us.

[redrum52]

Nah. I understand why we paid him the way we did. He was awesome in open space and was a better receiver than most backs.(see 4th and 29).

It has nothing to do with Rice but rbs in general. My thinking is unless you get an extremely special talent, rbs are basically interchangeable if you maintain a certain level of o line play. Not only that but you usually get double on your investment cause you get a run game/pass pro and the run game helps open up passing or vice versa.