Ravens will go with hot hand at running back

[papasmurfbell]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/11/11/ravens-will-go-with-hot-hand-at-running-back/

 

In a plot line that’s become all too familiar to the Ravens this year, running back Ray Rice had a bad day on Sunday.

Rice ran 18 times for 30 yards, lowering his average to 2.5 yards per carry on the season and leading coach John Harbaugh to say Monday that he thought Rice’s hip is still troubling him. Rice missed one game earlier this year with a hip flexor injury, but declared himself healthy and back to his old self coming out of the team’s bye week. Whether it is injury, poor blocking or some combination of factors, Rice’s lack of productivity is opening the door for Bernard Pierce to grab a bigger share of the workload.

“Both of those guys are going to get a large number of carries, and I think whichever guy is playing better should get more carries as we go forward,” Harbaugh said, via the team’s website. “Both of those guys have to play for us and play well. You can’t have one back carrying the ball 35 times these days. We don’t need to do that; we think we’ve got two very good backs.”

Pierce hasn’t exactly been forcing the issue as he’s averaging just 2.8 yards per carry himself while battling a hamstring injury, but the Ravens aren’t really in a position to be choosy. They need their offense to get better if they are going to make a playoff run and that means looking under every rock for help.

 

 

[vmax]

Terry Allen...Jason Brookins...I see no difference.

Start Tyrod Taylor or run the Polock behind Leach....but they must use Leach or they will never run the ball.

[oldno82]

Sounds like they're going to give Pierce an extended look which is good. We need to find out if he's worth keeping for next year. I don't think Rice is.

[cravnravn]

Thats just selfishness on Rice's part, He is HURTING this team, he is not healthy..

 

The coach needs to grow a set and make him inactive Sunday

[Robjr83]

I wouldn't call Pierce the hot hand. Room temperature compared to Rice's stone cold.

[varaven45]

Boy, how I long for the days of Jamal Lewis. How did the running game go so bad, so quick. Its embarrassing.

[papasmurfbell]

Sounds like they're going to give Pierce an extended look which is good. We need to find out if he's worth keeping for next year. I don't think Rice is.

He is in his 2nd yr. They have control of him for 4 yrs. He isn't going anywhere.

 

Thats just selfishness on Rice's part, He is HURTING this team, he is not healthy..

 

The coach needs to grow a set and make him inactive Sunday

Peirce needs a blow at some point in games. Someone has to back him up.

[Money]

Let's see...right now Pierce is 46 out of the 48 qualifying RBs in YPC and Rice comes in at 48 out of 48. I guess that makes the hot hand Pierce?

[varaven45]

Pierce sounds more like "Cool Hand Luke"

[ravinmaniac52]

What about that Scott guy? Isn't more of a scat back?

[papasmurfbell]

To be honest I forgot he existed. After being injured the first game he played I haven't seen him again.

[cravnravn]

Boy, how I long for the days of Jamal Lewis. How did the running game go so bad, so quick. Its embarrassing.

 

I dont Ray Rice is running the exact same way as Jamal did after the ankle injury, theres no pep in his step

[varaven45]

Crav,

 

I was referring to Jamal's presence as the "hammer". He could take over games and especially the 4th Q. That's what I miss.

[cravnravn]

So could Rice, prior to his injury..

 

You wait til the season ends and he announces he needs a hip surgery, that'll piss me off

[papasmurfbell]

Crav,

 

I was referring to Jamal's presence as the "hammer". He could take over games and especially the 4th Q. That's what I miss.

I have always thought they needed a hammer type. Imagine Gore here the last few yrs.

[varaven45]

Yep. Havent had since JLew. Its a dying breed in todays pass happy NFL. Imagine Joe with a JLew and a stout OL ?