Bernard Pierce for Starter 2014!

[D_UP]

More like bench the offensive line.

[Chris K]

Rice isn't the problem. 

Just from a viewers standpoint, he seems to be more consistent in his running and blocking, as well as his receiving. That's because he's a veteran, and a good running back. What?? Ray Rice? A good running back you say? Craziness? No. Simply put, it's on the offensive line to create holes. Ray has struggled with his hip all year and that's why we were seeing the "child in a snowsuit" type moves in the open field earlier on, but he has come on as the season has progressed. 

 

Rushing stats:

 

Ray Rice: 3.1 YPC

Bernard Pierce: 2.8 YPC

 

Receiving Stats:

 

Ray Rice: 5.6 AVG

Bernard Pierce: 5.3 AVG

 

 

Although Rice clearly has better numbers, some might say they are quite even in terms of comparing. Fair enough.

 

Ray has 645 yards rushing, 286 receiving. That is 931 receiving yards, and I say he gets at least 70 yards rushing this coming game. Pierce has 408 yards rushing, 86 receiving, he is not a threat as a receiver and has been supremely unproductive this season, albeit behind our line. The simple fact is that Rice churning out almost 1,000 all purpose yards this season is extremely impressive to me, missing a game and having the lingering hip issue, he has continued to produce to the best any RB probably could with our offensive unit this year.

 

I see the intensity in Pierce occasionally, like yesterday when he found his way back to the LOS to prevent a loss and actually gained a couple on a broken play, however he was responsible for a big sack on Joe with a terrible block that I think Rice would have picked up. 

 

Like it or not, Rice is here and will be here for at least next year, which personally, I don't have a problem with whatsoever. 

[BloodRaven]

The only downside to Pierce is he's prone to injuries.

[Neal Could Block the SUN!!]

As has been said- the O line is horrible.

No one can run behind a line that can't block Db's!

Get rid of Castillo and get back to power blocking.

Juan said it would take 6-7 games to get his scheme really flowing. Who in their right mind thinks you have 6-7 NFL contests to figure things out? This clown needs to understand that the pre-season is there for a reason and the real season is not a scrimmage.

FIRE CASTILLO!

[PurpleCityLights]

More like bench the offensive line.

^^ this

[Poes Crows]

Rice has played a little better the last couple games.

 

It's clear to this eye he's been playing hurt.

 

Hopefully, he can come to camp next year a little lighter and fresh.

 

It's all about next year now.

[Brandon22]

Don't have Ray Rice on the bench he is worth a few picks so we could trade him instead of keeping him on the pine

[The Raven]

Don't have Ray Rice on the bench he is worth a few picks so we could trade him instead of keeping him on the pine

 

You're worth a few picks

[NaveSenrag]

Pierce pulls a hamstring every time he steps on the field. We need to draft someone new.

[ratedr]

The line is the problem, not the backs.

Juan Castillo was such a great hire. /sarcasm

[allblackraven]

Not going to happen. Both of them are great RBs, if anything I see a snap split go more towards 60-40 next season. Neither of them entered the season healthy and both got injured more, mostly because all they had to run into was a brick wall. And that wasn't too bad - how many times have both of them been stonewalled behind the line of scrimmage?

 

I'll keep tooting my trumpet - every conversation about the Ravens offense starts and ends with guys up front. Plug in healthy KO back, try to upgrade C and RT, sign TE who can block and catch and get rid off zone blocking. It's a lot to ask for in a single offseason but we've been surprised with how FA turned out few times before.

 

If we don't fix our O-line, we may as well sign AP and J. Charles and watch their average drop to 3y per rush.

[1/28/01]

You're worth a few picks

Hahaha....awesome, but no, he's not.

[tolucaraven]

Did Rice put on weight this season?

Yes. He put on over past two years 15 lbs. Saw a little last year, then a little more this year. He is not even close to his 212 lb listed weight. He is closer to 225-230. He has tipped the balance of his weight limiting his speed, cutting ability, agility and overall quickness. He came into this year out of shape. Last year a little also, but not as bad. He needs to cut weight back to around 210. He was 195-200lbs his first two years. If he doesn't he is good as done from a productive standpoint. He got his contract and got chubby and out of shape period.

[TSizzle00]

Its a misconception that the Ravens have not given Rice the ball in space. He has gotten it many times and simply gone down after first contact. If you sneeze on him hes going down. Some of the problems are the Oline, some are Ray Rice injury, perhaps his legs are done though.

[tolucaraven]

Its a misconception that the Ravens have not given Rice the ball in space. He has gotten it many times and simply gone down after first contact. If you sneeze on him hes going down. Some of the problems are the Oline, some are Ray Rice injury, perhaps his legs are done though.

This is true, but he is both fat and dinged.

[1/28/01]

This is true, but he is both fat and dinged.

You must be SHREDDED if you think Rice is fat. Ha!

[Tank 92]

If you didn't get to read this interview with RR you should.

 

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ray-Rice-Out-To-Prove-Hes-Still-Premier-Running-Back/f8a07f7b-c3cc-4aee-8d4a-e1d45c0c2ade

 

To avoid muscular issues in the future, Rice told reporters that he will re-examine his offseason training regimen once the season is over. The 5-foot-8, 212-pound running back even mentioned the idea of cutting some weight to add more speed to his game.

"Maybe less muscle, more speed,” he said. “It might be something that I want to change up. That will be an offseason study for myself."

 

While BP can run hard and effectively, I don't think he's an answer as a full time starter. He's dinged all the time.

[5aiah]

If you didn't get to read this interview with RR you should.

 

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ray-Rice-Out-To-Prove-Hes-Still-Premier-Running-Back/f8a07f7b-c3cc-4aee-8d4a-e1d45c0c2ade

 

To avoid muscular issues in the future, Rice told reporters that he will re-examine his offseason training regimen once the season is over. The 5-foot-8, 212-pound running back even mentioned the idea of cutting some weight to add more speed to his game.

"Maybe less muscle, more speed,” he said. “It might be something that I want to change up. That will be an offseason study for myself."

 

While BP can run hard and effectively, I don't think he's an answer as a full time starter. He's dinged all the time.

He's not durable and has a history of concussions. He is a change of pace back at best. I would rather draft an excellent physical specimen and have him learn under those two for a year or two. Someone who has all the moves and speed,acceleration and agility but may lack the vision and patience while running that causes other teams to drop him down their board.

[jimjim5]

Bernard Pierce just doesn't appear to be as explosive as last year. Combine that with the fact that he is not fast at all, leads me to not promote him as the starter. Both Rice and Pierce need to lose that extra weight (in the form of unnecessary muscle and/or fat) they put on in the offseason toget their explosive abilities back. Then I would promote a 60/40 split of duties with the primary back being Rice. Rice is not done yet.

[mmcclend]

Yeah, pierce has looked soft to me this year.  I don't think he is the answer either right now.

[jimjim5]

Yeah, pierce has looked soft to me this year. I don't think he is the answer either right now.

They both are no longer lean. I think a large part of that is the Strength and Conditioning coach's philosophy. I noticied that once the Ravens got a new S&C coach that emphasized raw strength and free weights over resistance, many of our star players bulked up to crazy proportions including, Dawan Landry, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce. I could be complete wrong, and the players could just decide to get jacked collectively, but we never had this problem before him.

[mmcclend]

They both are no longer lean. I think a large part of that is the Strength and Conditioning coach's philosophy. I noticied that once the Ravens got a new S&C coach that emphasized raw strength and free weights over resistance, many of our star players bulked up to crazy proportions including, Dawan Landry, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis, Ray Rice, Bernard Pierce. I could be complete wrong, and the players could just decide to get jacked collectively, but we never had this problem before him.

Yepp.... Last year Benard was shifty, fast, fluid as well as strong.  Now he just looks entirely too jacked, slow, unbalanced, and sloppy when he runs.  I feel that they did that to improve his durability but as we all have noticed, that hasnt gotten any better.  To see a player with that type of talent take a step backwards is a head scratcher.  I will admit though he looks lightyears better than rice who is probably my least favorite raven right now.  I know his YPC is almost identical but hes made a few runs for losses turn into gains.

[mmcclend]

If you didn't get to read this interview with RR you should.

 

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/article-1/Ray-Rice-Out-To-Prove-Hes-Still-Premier-Running-Back/f8a07f7b-c3cc-4aee-8d4a-e1d45c0c2ade

 

To avoid muscular issues in the future, Rice told reporters that he will re-examine his offseason training regimen once the season is over. The 5-foot-8, 212-pound running back even mentioned the idea of cutting some weight to add more speed to his game.

"Maybe less muscle, more speed,” he said. “It might be something that I want to change up. That will be an offseason study for myself."

 

While BP can run hard and effectively, I don't think he's an answer as a full time starter. He's dinged all the time.

HAHAHAHAHA Ray is funny man I swear :lol3:

[TZMou]

I wouldn't mind trying him as a receiver next year, especially in certain packages, whether it would work or not I have no idea but give him the ball in space and he could do some damage.

[jimjim5]

I wouldn't mind trying him as a receiver next year, especially in certain packages, whether it would work or not I have no idea but give him the ball in space and he could do some damage.

 

Try who as a receiver? Surely, you're not referring to Pierce, right?

[Ravensfanspls]

Both RB's have been bad all year...Clearly its the offensive line for the running game woes. Not to mention it has been stated that rice really hasn't been healthy all year. You act like pierce has had a productive year or something. And first off if he was really doing so much better he would get a lot more carries. Your only arguing point is he is getting old which may be true but i think rice still has plenty of gas in the tank. With the offense/o-line being the way it is this year i don't think we really know what we have at RB and are going to have to wait till next year.

[TZMou]

Try who as a receiver? Surely, you're not referring to Pierce, right?

I meant Rice, I have no idea what happened with that post, I'm guessing I missed quoting someone. Rookie error  :scared2: