Anyone else anxious to see Fitz?

[CTFan]

I know it was only preseason, and there's not a big data sample, but he was giving the opposing defense some fits. The guy was like a flea -- really quick, and hard to catch. Would love to see him in some late game action if the score allows.

[757RavensFan]

When I read this, I automatically thought you were talking about Houston's Fitzpatrick.  I was about to say, you know he broke his leg?

But yeah, Fitz Toussant looked pretty impressive during pre-season. 

[FlackAttack]

no, not really. i was just fine with forsett and taliaferro running the rock, now i think we're in trouble. we may make the playoffs, but once we play a good team with a great QB, on the road, we're screwed.

[xxDarby]

Good knows I wanna see him play

[Underdogsontop!]

Due to Forsett and Taliaferro having injuries, yeah I wanted to see Touissaint run the ball. Especially to give Forsett more rest for his knee. I'm thinking he might get a shot this week because we are down to Pierce and what looked like a 60% Forsett last week. I wonder how forsett's knee is doing?? Plus I didn't hear anything about another RB being signed to the practice squad??

[52520Andrew]

I like his burst, should be good as long as the O-line opens some holes(knocks on wood)

[stampedehero]

I hope Toussaint does great and earns a steady paycheck

[AsianRice]

I have no problem for Kubiak choosing a RB or WR for us.......

 

The dude has a masterful offensive mind.....

[RaineV1]

I am definitely looking forward to seeing Toussaint play. If the Ravens do part ways with Pierce in the offseason, Toussaint can become part of the main three runningbacks on the team, assuming he shows that he deserves that position.

[Drew P]

No

[cobrajet]

Actually, Yes!

[allblackraven]

Not really anxious but I've definitely seen enough of Pierce.  Toussaint looked impressive vs. 2's and 3's in preseason and as far as I'm concerned, he deserved a shot instead of BP before Taliaferro's injury.

 

Most of all I have my fingers crossed that Forsett's knee is better than we think and that Jaguars D was mostly responsible for our running game last Sunday.

[Maryland]

Well, I can't see the Ravens parting ways with Bernard Pierce this off-season, since he's still in his rookie deal. However, if Pierce doesn't show improvement/struggles in training camp or the preseason, then, yeah; I can see Baltimore cutting him, at that point.

Being in a rookie deal didn't stop anyone from cutting John Simon.

 

Rookie deals make it easy to cut a player with minimal loss. We would incur a measly 100k in dead money and save 600k against the cap if we cut Pierce. His presence here next year will depend solely on whether or not they think he is worth a roster spot, since you can pick up UFA's for 700k, which is basically the same cost as keeping Pierce (Forsett cost 700k for this year, for example).

[Dfence4champs2052]

I won't mind seeing what he can do. I doubt he'll be as bad as Pierce or as a good as Forsett. I'd like tos ee what he brings and give Forsett a change to get a bit healthier for this postseason run.

[GrimCoconut]

Yeah, as much as we like to hate on Pierce, Ozzie has shown he lets guys compete as much as possible before throwing in the towel. I expect Pierce to be here for camp, but unless he shows something I think he won't make the final 53 unless we just totally ignore RB this off-season.

[PeRK82]

Well, I can't see the Ravens parting ways with Bernard Pierce this off-season, since he's still in his rookie deal. However, if Pierce doesn't show improvement/struggles in training camp or the preseason, then, yeah; I can see Baltimore cutting him, at that point.

Same here, i was/am a big Pierce fan but ill be honest. He really hasnt been playing well and you would think he would have done something by now after Rice getting cut. Didnt help , Harbs put him in the dog house after that fumble in the beginning of the season.  

[52N19]

i am curious as well. i think he could be a darren sproles type of runner and receiver. played int eh big 10 so he's a cold weather back and is used to the big stage. 

[FlackAttack]

Guarantee we will cut Pierce this offseason and draft a RB in the 1st or 2nd round of next years draft.

[JoeyFlex5]

I was looking for Fitzgerald Toussaint's draft reports and I found this on Draft Insider: "Patiently waits for running lanes to develop, quickly gets through openings, and effectively follows blocks everywhere. Keeps his feet moving on contact, possesses the agility to get around tackle, and works runs."

 

Sounds like a Gary Kubiak running back to me!

sounds like a carbon copy of forsett!

[JoeyFlex5]

Guarantee we will cut Pierce this offseason and draft a RB in the 1st or 2nd round of next years draft.

yeldon in the 2nd would make me one happy man, taking any back in the first round though, sounds horrible and doesnt sound like an ozzie move, he generally keeps the running game in mind more than most GM's, but i still think he is with the majority who sees much less value and shelf life in a RB and doesnt see them as first rounders. 

 

really though im not so sure its time to give up on pierce, hes still very young and its his first year in a new system and he was competing for playing time with someone who knows the system thru and thru, i think if he underperforms again in year 2 of kubiaks offense then it would be time to part ways, i still love the thought of taking a big time RB in the 2nd though, a backfield consisting of yeldon and juice sounds beautiful

[rmw10]

I wouldn't say that I'm anxious, but I'm more than okay with him getting some reps if Forsett isn't 100%.

[redrum52]

I'm anxious for anyone who can step up in the backfield.

[stampedehero]

When I read this, I automatically thought you were talking about Houston's Fitzpatrick.  I was about to say, you know he broke his leg?

But yeah, Fitz Toussant looked pretty impressive during pre-season. 

His pre season work warranted appointment to the 53 man squad.  The best parameter for us is his grasp of the game plan.

[TDubbs]

I'd like to see Pierce run the ball like his career is on the line (which it is) .. Free Agent to be I'm pretty sure? Hasn't proven he can stay healthy, but with a good finish to the year he can find a roster spot next season somewhere. 

[rmw10]

I'd like to see Pierce run the ball like his career is on the line (which it is) .. Free Agent to be I'm pretty sure? Hasn't proven he can stay healthy, but with a good finish to the year he can find a roster spot next season somewhere. 

 

Pierce still has 1 more year on his rookie deal.  He'll definitely be around for camp next year, but his job isn't guaranteed.  I think he'll be in a battle for a roster spot.

[Grapple Raven]

I really hope we utilize all three RB's Sunday. Forsett needs a break, Pierce needs more reps and we need to see what Toussaint can do in a regular season game.  Toussaint looked great in preseason...hope it carries over.  But it would be great if we could use all three so they can stay fresh, as opposed to running Forsett all the time.  I worry about his knee.

[Maryland]

yeldon in the 2nd would make me one happy man, taking any back in the first round though, sounds horrible and doesnt sound like an ozzie move, he generally keeps the running game in mind more than most GM's, but i still think he is with the majority who sees much less value and shelf life in a RB and doesnt see them as first rounders. 

 

really though im not so sure its time to give up on pierce, hes still very young and its his first year in a new system and he was competing for playing time with someone who knows the system thru and thru, i think if he underperforms again in year 2 of kubiaks offense then it would be time to part ways, i still love the thought of taking a big time RB in the 2nd though, a backfield consisting of yeldon and juice sounds beautiful

I'm a little undecided on how I feel about a first-round RB.

 

Assuming we're drafting in the 20s, I think that is about where Melvin Gordon and Gurley should be drafted. Now, we do have a zone blocking scheme that churns out 1k rushers, but imagine if Kubiak had a guy like Jamal Charles (Gordon is often compared to him) or Adrian Peterson (Gurley is compared to him) running in his offense. That sounds like a recipe for 2k yards per season right there.

 

If Ozzie drafted either one of those guys, I would support his decision, since the bonus in production over an average RB could be magnified by out ZBS. However, if Ozzie passed on them for a position of greater need (WR, CB) then I would still support him, given the trend of RB value. Forsett could be back for cheap anyway, we will have Taliaferro, and we can pick up a 3rd RB or even stick with Toussaint if he looks good. There are a lot of options, and I'm sure most of us will get excited and homer our first round selection whether it is Gordon or Gurley or whoever.

 

Of course, this may all be a moot point, since both could very well be selected before we pick

[TDubbs]

Pierce still has 1 more year on his rookie deal.  He'll definitely be around for camp next year, but his job isn't guaranteed.  I think he'll be in a battle for a roster spot.

 

Ok good to know then. Yeah, he still needs to prove himself worthy of being on this team; So this will be a huge chance for him to make the most out of his opportunities. 

[balfan23]

The primary concern with rolling out a new RB with little or no experience is ball security. The last couple games of the season when you are fighting for your life is a tough time to float trial balloons. Given he is now #3, he will likely see a few carries and we'll make a judgement from that. In the end, he's not much of a change-of-pace from Forsett and we need that to be Pierce - as frustrating as he's been to watch at times. 

 

For me, I keep waiting for Pierce to show some signs of being the back we thought he could be when we closed out the 2012 season. The guy just continues to try to bounce every run to the outside and gets little or no gain. North-South for goodness sake!