Ray Rice Comeback

[Tank 92]

My theory on 2013(and maybe a source of other issues) is that he was a little lost and fuzzy between the ears without Daddy Ray Ray around. That combined with the horrid O line play spelled disaster. 2014 he looked good in camp prior to the TMZ airing. I think he could hook up somewhere and do very well.

[rmcjacket23]

I'm thinking off the top of my head

Arizona

Texans

Titans

Cowboys

Raiders

Could all use him

Then why don't they have him?

 

Specifically, the Raiders and Cowboys (who I don't think even remotely need him) have zero problem taking on players with "questionable off-field incidents" and will largely take on any veteran at any time for any reason.

 

And yet, they still haven't taken him. The Cowboys have literally no excuse... so whats the problem? In my opinion, the problem is... they don't think he's better than what they have.

 

Also consider that, specifically, teams like Tennessee and Oakland certainly aren't planning on competing for a SB this season, and aren't really better off in any scenario playing Rice over even a 4th round RB they just drafted.

[Blackbirds Rule]

Then why don't they have him?

 

Specifically, the Raiders and Cowboys (who I don't think even remotely need him) have zero problem taking on players with "questionable off-field incidents" and will largely take on any veteran at any time for any reason.

 

And yet, they still haven't taken him. The Cowboys have literally no excuse... so whats the problem? In my opinion, the problem is... they don't think he's better than what they have.

 

Also consider that, specifically, teams like Tennessee and Oakland certainly aren't planning on competing for a SB this season, and aren't really better off in any scenario playing Rice over even a 4th round RB they just drafted.

I think most of the other teams think like you do. I remember the one preseason game he played with us last year. He had his old burst back and was playing at a lighter weight. I think the last year with us was an anomaly but in this NFL it's a what have you done for me lately. Since his last year was so bad and he's a PR nightmare. That's is why he's not on any other teams. It would take a top running back to get injured on a team that's in a win now mode for Ray to get a try. If someone took a shot on him in the preseason and he lit it up. he'd have no problem making a team. However for a team to take a shot now would have to be certain he could be the player of old. He has too much baggage to take a chance on him and have him be a shot player.

Edited August 5, 2015 by Blackbirds Rule

[52520Andrew]

I think Rice would have bounced back had he played last year, he was recovered from the hip injury, wouldn't have ran behind a pathetic O-line, and trimmed down in weight. Looked a lot more explosive to me.

[Tenacious Faulker]

I think what this guys thinks...

http://live4sportnetwork.com/frontend/ray-rice-deserves-another-chance/

[rmcjacket23]

I think most of the other teams think like you do. I remember the one preseason game he played with us last year. He had his old burst back and was playing at a lighter weight. I think the last year with us was an anomaly but in this NFL it's a what have you done for me lately. Since his last year was so bad and he's a PR nightmare. That's is why he's not on any other teams. It would take a top running back to get injured on a team that's in a win now mode for Ray to get a try. If someone took a shot on him in the preseason and he lit it up. he'd have no problem making a team. However for a team to take a shot now would have to be certain he could be the player of old. He has too much baggage to take a chance on him and have him be a shot player.

The tough part is... NOW is the time to bring him in. You bring him in the preseason and training camp, when there's a bit less media attention, and you can at least see if he can still play. 

 

I can't get my head around the notion that any team is going to sign him in September or October with the intent of him really even playing in games without having seen him work out comparatively to the other guys they got. The media exposure is amplified at that point, and its a very large gamble.

 

It makes plenty of sense for a contending team to bring him into camp, and if you find out he's got nothing left, you cut him. Additionally, you at least get to "gauge" the media reaction... I'd rather take my backlash in July/August than September/October.

 

That, in my eyes, is what makes his lack of signing so far sort of an indictment on the perception of both his skills and risk amongst the NFL teams. I suppose he could get picked up later in August, but at least if I were coaching a team, I'd like to see him competing against my younger, unproven guys in camp so I can see the comparison between the two and assess. 

 

Like it or not, Rice is probably in sort of a "tryout" mode with NFL teams now... he doesn't have the benefit of being able to walk off the street and start I don't think.

[MTRavensFan]

I think what this guys thinks...

http://live4sportnetwork.com/frontend/ray-rice-deserves-another-chance/

Great read.

thanks for the link. I agree 100%

[KariB57]

I hope he can get a rb job on another team. I didn't think his production was as good as it should have been. Imo he seemed not to be finishing plays as well as he could have been anyway. A bit slower, abit heavier. Our family was saying that even before the elevator incident. But I wouldn't begrudge the man a job. I'd be happy for him and his family. Just like I was sad for them when it happened.

[jimmypowder]

The real reason why Ray doesn't have a job right now is not because he hit his current wife .

It's because he made public verbatim the private text conversation between him and the owner of the club .

Now imagine if your boss fires you and you post his private conversation with you via text on let's say Facebook .

You think you would be getting an offer from some other company anytime soon ?

Edited August 5, 2015 by jimmypowder

[rmcjacket23]

The real reason why Ray doesn't have a job right now is not because he hit his current wife . It's because he made public verbatim the private text conversation between him and the owner of the club . Now imagine if your boss fires you and you post his private conversation with you via text on let's say Facebook . You think you would be getting an offer from some other company anytime soon ?

Another company? Yes. The same company? No.

 

I doubt NFL teams care that Rice had poor things to say about his owner. Plenty of happily employed NFL players have buried their teammates, coaches, and franchises on the way out the door, and it didn't take them long to find another job.

 

Heck, just recently, Junior Galette publicly exposed personal and private details about practically the entire Saints team (coaches and players), and another team signs him shortly after.

 

Highly doubt that's the reason he's not employed.

[January J]

Well, I mostly base it off the fact that he was 30th in yards two years ago prior to slugging his wife on camera. So, two years older, already a gigantic amount of wear and tear on the tires, and a horrific showing the last time he was on the field. Needless to say, I think I stand behind my assessment.

The only real on-field argument for him is that 2013 was essentially a "fluke" and a product of a horrible offensive line. If other teams actually bought that, I think he'd be employed by now. I have no doubt the O-line factored into that, but the timing just really couldn't be worse for him.

yes 2013 was not a good year for him, due to a couple of factors- but many ppl forget how good of a training camp he had in 2014 prior to the "incident " . He was projected to have a much better season ( for whatever that's worth) And was much healthier and in excellent shape. Esp now that he is so desperate and basically fighting for his life and last shot in he NFL he has a lot to prove , and has been working his tail off. For that reason alone I don't see why a team wouldn't Atleast bring him in for a workout. But evidentally the combo of the poor 2013 and the media uproar is too much for a team to take on Atleast so far- Although I think that he may actually get a chance sometime this month , now that his interview came out with jemelle hill, in which he seemed very genuine. somebody's gonna give him a shot. However you seem to be on the hate Ray rice bandwagon right now so I'm sure you disagree. Sure there are several running backs who have more tread on the tires- but I don't think anyone here ( other than you evidentally ) believes that there are 32 RBs better than Ray rice when you combine both skill and experience. He deserves another shot regardless, Edited August 6, 2015 by January J

[Tenacious Faulker]

The real reason why Ray doesn't have a job right now is not because he hit his current wife . It's because he made public verbatim the private text conversation between him and the owner of the club . Now imagine if your boss fires you and you post his private conversation with you via text on let's say Facebook . You think you would be getting an offer from some other company anytime soon ?

To a degree, I agree, but everyone was mishandling Rice's case from Goodell to Biscotti.  Peterson beat his 4 y/o bloody AND publically voiced his displeasure at his team AND he not only gets to keep his job but gets a better contract.  Because he did something heinous doesn't mean the league and team can throw him further under the bus to cover up their respective cover ups.  If we're trying to prioritize crimes, beating your kid that bad to me seems a bit worse than striking your fiancee.  HOWEVER, it was the fact that he had graphic video evidence as opposed to having still pictures of his aftermath as Peterson had.

 

There was too much cover

[Tenacious Faulker]

I think what this guys thinks...

http://live4sportnetwork.com/frontend/ray-rice-deserves-another-chance/

Great read.

thanks for the link. I agree 100%

Yeah, its a good site.  Good articles, good forums, breaking news.

[K-Dog]

I am actually surprised he hasn't been picked up.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Without question. Basically every team in the league has a younger, fresher RB than him, and given what we last saw of him, its not hard to understand why.

Ok boss. Without looking it up, name 32 better. Try 20.

Ready, go.

[PurpleCorsair]

Ok boss. Without looking it up, name 32 better. Try 20.

Ready, go.

Lets try...

Adrian Peterson

Demarco Murray

Arian Foster*

Matt Forte

Le'Veon Bell

Anyone else?

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

Lets try...

Adrian Peterson

Demarco Murray

Arian Foster*

Matt Forte

Le'Veon Bell

Anyone else?

To be fair yes.

Eddie Lacy

Marshawn Lynch

Jamal Charles

Lesean McCoy

I'd also take:

Forsett

Bengals rb (the rookie, names escaping me)

Alfred Morris

Frank Gore

Melvin Gordon (on potential alone)

Todd Gurley (same as above)

That's 15 that hands down I'd take as my starting RB over Rice for sure. After that I can't think of many that id say hands down over rice.

There are quite a few teams that Rice would be an upgrade over the starter, and almost every team he's an upgrade on the #2.

He'd be easily the best back on:

Falcons

Titans

Buccaneers

Jags

Panthers

Raiders

Patriots

And would probably be an upgrade or big part of a committee for:

Giants

Jets

Cowboys

Texans

Dolphins

Lions

Browns

Cardinals

49ers

Might be missing a couple, but still with that many teams without a legitimate feature back or going with a committee approach that could really use another quality back it's ridiculous that Rice can't get another shot.

The fact that Hardy and Peterson got the deals that they did and that Rice can't find a job is a little silly. I get there was video of Rice, but that doesn't make the act itself worse.

It was all the talk that they had to handle to Rice punishment appropriately because the NFL is so popular they had a duty to set a precedent on the cultural issue of domestic violence and that it's not accepted or to be taken lightly; yet they're taking no responsibility or being held accountable to teach lessons of forgiveness and redemption.

--

I think if not for Deflate Gate he'd be on the Patriots roster already.

We'll see some more injuries and someone will give him a call. I hope so. He's got a couple good years left in him.

Edited August 6, 2015 by BOLDnPurPnBlacK

[jimmypowder]

Another company? Yes. The same company? No.

I doubt NFL teams care that Rice had poor things to say about his owner. Plenty of happily employed NFL players have buried their teammates, coaches, and franchises on the way out the door, and it didn't take them long to find another job.

Heck, just recently, Junior Galette publicly exposed personal and private details about practically the entire Saints team (coaches and players), and another team signs him shortly after.

Highly doubt that's the reason he's not employed.

You are wrong as usual . Just like you were with the Ray Rice settlement and the Patriots draft pick losses over Deflategate .

No owner wants their private conversations with a player displayed on ESPN . Don't think for a minute that this hasn't crossed the minds of NFL

owners .

Edited August 6, 2015 by jimmypowder

[rmcjacket23]

To be fair yes.

Eddie Lacy

Marshawn Lynch

Jamal Charles

Lesean McCoy

I'd also take:

Forsett

Bengals rb (the rookie, names escaping me)

Alfred Morris

Frank Gore

Melvin Gordon (on potential alone)

Todd Gurley (same as above)

That's 15 that hands down I'd take as my starting RB over Rice for sure. After that I can't think of many that id say hands down over rice.

There are quite a few teams that Rice would be an upgrade over the starter, and almost every team he's an upgrade on the #2.

He'd be easily the best back on:

Falcons

Titans

Buccaneers

Jags

Panthers

Raiders

Patriots

And would probably be an upgrade or big part of a committee for:

Giants

Jets

Cowboys

Texans

Dolphins

Lions

Browns

Cardinals

49ers

Might be missing a couple, but still with that many teams without a legitimate feature back or going with a committee approach that could really use another quality back it's ridiculous that Rice can't get another shot.

The fact that Hardy and Peterson got the deals that they did and that Rice can't find a job is a little silly. I get there was video of Rice, but that doesn't make the act itself worse.

It was all the talk that they had to handle to Rice punishment appropriately because the NFL is so popular they had a duty to set a precedent on the cultural issue of domestic violence and that it's not accepted or to be taken lightly; yet they're taking no responsibility or being held accountable to teach lessons of forgiveness and redemption.

--

I think if not for Deflate Gate he'd be on the Patriots roster already.

We'll see some more injuries and someone will give him a call. I hope so. He's got a couple good years left in him.

But again, we just circle back to the fact that seemingly ZERO fans can actually explain why he's not on these teams. Its borderline difficult to use the "domestic violence" excuse now, because we've already seen Greg Hardy be added to a team and the media outrage lasted like a whole day, if that. Nobody cares anymore.

 

I'd could easily argue against a lot of the teams you just listed as perceived teams that Rice would be an "upgrade" over the starter, considering many of them addressed their RB needs in the draft and it makes zero sense to play a veteran who certainly wouldn't be there long-term over them (disregarding the list of teams on that list who aren't competing for a SB anyway), but that just comes back to yet another reason why he's not on any of their rosters. Basically any team that isn't thought of as a valid SB contender (and there aren't many of these left) he really doesn't make sense on their roster. Virtually no upside for the Jags/Raiders/Titans-type teams to add him to their roster. They've got younger and I'd argue more upside RBs on their roster they'd be better off playing.

 

Its sort of ironic that this fanboard has very much been advocating giving our "young WRs" more snaps and more of an opportunity this season, yet here we are advocating that other teams sign a aging veteran RB and play him over a younger guy on a team that's likely not to be competing for a SB. Doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.

[codizzle]

Lets try...

Adrian Peterson

Demarco Murray

Arian Foster*

Matt Forte

Le'Veon Bell

Anyone else?

Well yea there's a bunch more than that

[codizzle]

Comparing our WR situation to ray rice situation is wrong as well

We want our young guys to have shot but we also have Steve smith... We have the aging veteran on the team right now which is Exactly what rice would be on most teams

[rmcjacket23]

Comparing our WR situation to ray rice situation is wrong as well

We want our young guys to have shot but we also have Steve smith... We have the aging veteran on the team right now which is Exactly what rice would be on most teams

And a lot of the teams that were listed already have an aging veteran as well... that's the point.

 

We keep mentioning Dallas, and they already have Darren McFadden, who certainly fits that mold of an aging veteran with declining skills.

 

The difference between SSS and Rice is that SSS is the de facto #1 WR on this team now and probably for the whole season, while it would be hard to find any team where Rice would be that.

[1/28/01]

But again, we just circle back to the fact that seemingly ZERO fans can actually explain why he's not on these teams. Its borderline difficult to use the "domestic violence" excuse now, because we've already seen Greg Hardy be added to a team and the media outrage lasted like a whole day, if that. Nobody cares anymore.

I'd could easily argue against a lot of the teams you just listed as perceived teams that Rice would be an "upgrade" over the starter, considering many of them addressed their RB needs in the draft and it makes zero sense to play a veteran who certainly wouldn't be there long-term over them (disregarding the list of teams on that list who aren't competing for a SB anyway), but that just comes back to yet another reason why he's not on any of their rosters. Basically any team that isn't thought of as a valid SB contender (and there aren't many of these left) he really doesn't make sense on their roster. Virtually no upside for the Jags/Raiders/Titans-type teams to add him to their roster. They've got younger and I'd argue more upside RBs on their roster they'd be better off playing.

Its sort of ironic that this fanboard has very much been advocating giving our "young WRs" more snaps and more of an opportunity this season, yet here we are advocating that other teams sign a aging veteran RB and play him over a younger guy on a team that's likely not to be competing for a SB. Doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.

The video, the video and the video. Hearing is one thing. Seeing is totally different. The PR mess is what is stopping teams, not that he's "worse than every starting RB in the NFL". Thought you knew all this...

[1/28/01]

And a lot of the teams that were listed already have an aging veteran as well... that's the point.

We keep mentioning Dallas, and they already have Darren McFadden, who certainly fits that mold of an aging veteran with declining skills.

The difference between SSS and Rice is that SSS is the de facto #1 WR on this team now and probably for the whole season, while it would be hard to find any team where Rice would be that.

In your (incorrect) opinion, yes.

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

But again, we just circle back to the fact that seemingly ZERO fans can actually explain why he's not on these teams. Its borderline difficult to use the "domestic violence" excuse now, because we've already seen Greg Hardy be added to a team and the media outrage lasted like a whole day, if that. Nobody cares anymore.

 

I'd could easily argue against a lot of the teams you just listed as perceived teams that Rice would be an "upgrade" over the starter, considering many of them addressed their RB needs in the draft and it makes zero sense to play a veteran who certainly wouldn't be there long-term over them (disregarding the list of teams on that list who aren't competing for a SB anyway), but that just comes back to yet another reason why he's not on any of their rosters. Basically any team that isn't thought of as a valid SB contender (and there aren't many of these left) he really doesn't make sense on their roster. Virtually no upside for the Jags/Raiders/Titans-type teams to add him to their roster. They've got younger and I'd argue more upside RBs on their roster they'd be better off playing.

 

Its sort of ironic that this fanboard has very much been advocating giving our "young WRs" more snaps and more of an opportunity this season, yet here we are advocating that other teams sign a aging veteran RB and play him over a younger guy on a team that's likely not to be competing for a SB. Doesn't really make a whole lot of sense.

 

I feel like you have no idea what the RB situations look like on any of the teams I listed.

 

And it makes sense to add a vet with a young RB for a couple reasons... maybe not to start over him but in case he doesn't pan out you have a backup capable of spelling the guy or taking over and salvaging your run game.

 

He can also help mentor a young RB and get the most out of him.

[rmcjacket23]

I feel like you have no idea what the RB situations look like on any of the teams I listed.

 

And it makes sense to add a vet with a young RB for a couple reasons... maybe not to start over him but in case he doesn't pan out you have a backup capable of spelling the guy or taking over and salvaging your run game.

 

He can also help mentor a young RB and get the most out of him.

Very strong understanding of their RB situations, as do those teams (another reason why Rice is a member of precisely 0 of them). Just because you've never heard of them or haven't seen them play or play well doesn't automatically mean that Rice is better than them, especially from the last thing we saw from him.

 

But veteran RBs than can be capable backups and "mentor" young guys are frankly a dime a dozen in this league right now. Why can't Chris Johnson be that guy? He's unemployed right now. Why can't Pierre Thomas be that guy (he was chosen for a workout by the Texans over Rice, coincidentally)? There are literally probably at least a dozen "veteran" RBs, clearly past their prime, who are desperately waiting for even one phone call from a team.

 

And, if we're now going past the starting role and into a backup role, you're mostly making my point for me. In a backup role, he makes sense. But, again, none of the other guys I listed knocked their wife out on video. So, for the 10th time, its a simple risk/reward analysis at that point. If the reward of that player is he'll be a backup RB and a mentor, its kind of hard to argue that there's nobody else out there that could do that with even close to as much "risk" as Rice has.

[rmcjacket23]

The video, the video and the video. Hearing is one thing. Seeing is totally different. The PR mess is what is stopping teams, not that he's "worse than every starting RB in the NFL". Thought you knew all this...

Yup, and that's a great justification for him not being taken on in a BACKUP role.

 

If the last images we saw of Rice were of him running for 1,500 yards, I don't think his employment status is being discussed right now.

[AsianRice]

such a hard lesson to be learned.....

[PurpleCorsair]

To be fair yes.

Eddie Lacy

Marshawn Lynch

Jamal Charles

Lesean McCoy

I'd also take:

Forsett

Bengals rb (the rookie, names escaping me)

Alfred Morris

Frank Gore

Melvin Gordon (on potential alone)

Todd Gurley (same as above)

 

 

I legitimately forgot about Lynch, sure.

 

McCoy also.

 

Charles is an enigma. He deserves mention, but I think Rice is still better.

 

Lacy? No.

 

I love Forsett as a Raven, truly I do, but for a smaller back he doesn't use (or have?) very much lateral agility. 

 

Morris needs to learn how to catch first.

 

Gore is a great back, and maybe a hall of fame player, but at this point he's an older version of Alfred Morris.

 

Gordon and Gurley need to produce on the field before I move them up the rankings. Too many Mark Ingrams and Trent Richardsons and Darren McFaddens out there.

[Tenacious Faulker]

1/28/01, on 06 Aug 2015 - 10:18 AM, said:

The video, the video and the video. Hearing is one thing. Seeing is totally different. The PR mess is what is stopping teams, not that he's "worse than every starting RB in the NFL". Thought you knew all this...

Yup, and that's a great justification for him not being taken on in a BACKUP role.

 

If the last images we saw of Rice were of him running for 1,500 yards, I don't think his employment status is being discussed right now.

There may be the perception of Rice being washed up in some circles in the league, but those cicles likely consist of the Browns, Riders, Buccanneers, etc.  Kubiaks said this time last year that he thought Rice was healthy and back to form.  If that 2nd video never surfaced or revealed something less of an incident then this discussion never gets a breath of life.  Rice comes back week 3 in 2014 and likely goes on to rush for at least as much as Forsett and he either stays a Raven or is able to gain employment elsewhere without much difficulty.  

 

Because without that second video, you don't have Goodell and Biscotti back pedalling over their investigative measures, trying to silence Ray and turn a messy Waste products of a situation into an open cesspool.  Wht Rice did was wrong.  What came after was an over reaction to something we all already knew happened, but seeing it suddenly turned us all into sheep.

 

Either Rice deserves another chance or Peterson deserves to be out on his keester looking for a job too.  Plain and simple.