Could RB Bernard Pierce make a serious push for starter in 2014?

[The Raven]

Pierce said that he/Ravens wanted him to add more muscle weight to take more hits. He said that he played under he usual playing weight so he could clock in a faster 40 in the combine and that's the weight he played at his rookie season... but added it last offseason. Will find link.

 

Link: http://baltimoresportsreport.com/bernard-pierce-primed-for-breakout-sophomore-season-42265.html

 

He added 10 pounds.. There's also a video of him saying he gained at least 15 somewhere also.

 

Gotcha. He should probably cut at least five pounds, or get in the 215-220 range. But then again, I don't think the weight gain really affected his speed too much. He had two huge runs early in the season, and he looked pretty fast on each. 

[blitzking33]

Gotcha. He should probably cut at least five pounds, or get in the 215-220 range. But then again, I don't think the weight gain really affected his speed too much. He had two huge runs early in the season, and he looked pretty fast on each. 

I love Bernard Pierce (I'm actually wearing his "Fear the Beard" shirt now lol).

 

I didn't mean to point out that the weight loss slowed him down.. but if he played beastly with his weight in his rookie season why change it. He is starter material IMO and Terrance West would be a good compliment to him.

[ellicottraven]

I seriously doubt it. I think he makes a good change of pace RB right now. But, if Rice can't get back to his old self, I expect to see a RB being drafted again this year who may end up taking the starting RB position...

 

Then again, I have a feeling Rice will be productive under the new RB coach's supervision...

[Seseau]

We need to draft a RB in the middle rounds.

 

Pierce is easily injured so I am not comfortable with people saying he should be the starter at all

[MrDelDante]

2 back sets. Is it a pass? Is it a run? WHO KNOWS!

[PurpleCityLights]

We need to draft a RB in the middle rounds.

Pierce is easily injured so I am not comfortable with people saying he should be the starter at all

^^^This

[Hardbaugh]

Pierce had durability concerns coming out of college and still hasn't been able to shake that label despite not being the featured guy.

 

I'd love to see him take off in Kubiak's offense as he seems to have the skill set to excel.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I wonder, given the style of coach Kubiak's schemes where does a fullback fit in? Run to set up the pass is great but is Vonte or Kyle the man to lead? Just a thought, do you think this should be a part of the conversation? Is the fullback a thing of the past or an extra blocker for Bernard or Ray? Also, another pass option for Joe? Liability or asset, thoughts please.

[sflegend89]

I could see him being the starter. Kubiak's system is more geared towards a slasher like Arian Foster. Pierce definitely fits that description and might over take Rice because of his style of running. A lot of it depends on how strong of an offseason he has, would like to see BP add some weight to his frame and become more physical.

[thieverycorporation]

I wonder, given the style of coach Kubiak's schemes where does a fullback fit in? Run to set up the pass is great but is Vonte or Kyle the man to lead? Just a thought, do you think this should be a part of the conversation? Is the fullback a thing of the past or an extra blocker for Bernard or Ray? Also, another pass option for Joe? Liability or asset, thoughts please.

I'd much rather use tightend's/ as opposed to the fullback position. Also I'd use that roster spot to keep an extra wideout/runningback on the active/gameday  option.  Tightends are large targets by nature so three potential miss matches at one time could used. Slam a speedy slot man into the equation. instant opportunities. Another thing is a new style/playbook will have teams in afc north scratching there heads as they have been programmed with vanilla extract as the ingredient. I wouldn't keep Leach at all. 

[thieverycorporation]

Rice or Bernardo and another speedy tailback together on a given play. "Ahhh which way did he go, Samm" ? 

[flynismo]

If our new offense is anything like Houston's, Rice will be the primary back. Pierce will still get a good bit of touches

[Militant X 1]

After this Ray Rice news; Pierce may have to be the guy!

 

#Mili

[ratedr]

After this Ray Rice news; Pierce may have to be the guy!

#Mili

I thought that even before the news lol

[Gordo52]

Which would mean RB becoming a need. Ugh, as if we didn't have enough.

[The Raven]

Which would mean RB becoming a need. Ugh, as if we didn't have enough.

 

With Kubiak's track record, we might not need to draft one, though. Signing a vet FA and a UDFA might suffice. He's made a career of generating pro bowl production out of no name backs. 

[Gordo52]

With Kubiak's track record, we might not need to draft one, though. Signing a vet FA and a UDFA might suffice. He's made a career of generating pro bowl production out of no name backs.

Just don't think Pierce can handle being the lead back. With his durability and all, he's definitely got the skillset.

[rayrayven]

Pierce is a decent runner. However he plants hard. Guys who plant hard get hurt more. Alas Adrian Peterson couldn't run behind Baltimore's line and zone scheme last year. It sucked - sucked! Plus fans who act like Pierce is special mystify me. Ray could do diddley last year and Piecre did even less. Some fans write as if Pierce is Brady waiting to take over from Bledsoe.

[redlobster]

How does Cierre Wood fit in with Kubiak now. He was cut by Houston when Kubiak was the coach due to smoking weed in a hotel room before a team game.

[Militant X 1]

It will be interesting to see what the Ravens do.  I'm thinking they may pick up a RB in the draft.

 

#Mili

[Alexir]

Pierce should see his opportunity, this is a PR nightmare and Rice will probably be cut in 2015. Suspension is probable for Rice so Pierce needs to take that job and literally run with it

[SeaHawk]

Pierce is a decent runner. However he plants hard. Guys who plant hard get hurt more. Alas Adrian Peterson couldn't run behind Baltimore's line and zone scheme last year. It sucked - sucked! Plus fans who act like Pierce is special mystify me. Ray could do diddley last year and Piecre did even less. Some fans write as if Pierce is Brady waiting to take over from Bledsoe.

 

Pierce is an excellent back for a zone scheme. He excels at the one cut run. Meaning, if he stays healthy, he will do great in this offense. Just watch.

[rayrayven]

Pierce is an excellent back for a zone scheme. He excels at the one cut run. Meaning, if he stays healthy, he will do great in this offense. Just watch.

 

I watched last year (and Ravens had a zone scheme). Pierce had an anemic 436 yds and 2.9 ypc average. Oh and he had 2 whole touchdowns.  We aren't talking Walter Payton here. Alas as I said Ravens run blocking and scehem were atrocious last season. I couldn't believe pro coaches making millions actually put that mess together

[SeaHawk]

I watched last year (and Ravens had a zone scheme). Pierce had an anemic 436 yds and 2.9 ypc average. Oh and he had 2 whole touchdowns.  We aren't talking Walter Payton here. Alas as I said Ravens run blocking and scehem were atrocious last season. I couldn't believe pro coaches making millions actually put that mess together

 

And how much better did the world class Ray Rice do?? I'm not sure that any back could have ran behind that atrocious line. All I'm saying is that Pierce is a better fit for the Zone running game than Rice.

[MrDelDante]

We should have kept Bobby Rainey!

[Radinho84]

It will be interesting to see what the Ravens do.  I'm thinking they may pick up a RB in the draft.

 

#Mili

too many other holes in my eyes.

 

I think he will get a second chance with the ravens. he deserves it considering what he did for us in the past. he is on the bubble though.

 

I don´t care about what he did because this is all speculation right now and as long as we don´t know what happened we should´t care. Our organization will find a way to get him back on track no matter what..

[Seseau]

Argh...Pierce will have to step up now.

 

As you can tell I was against pierce but now we have no choice. Rice screwed up big time.

[cushrinada1986]

We should have kept Bobby Rainey!

I said that for the longest time and there were actually fans out there that was like "we dont need him since we have rice" now what??