Why I believed Bernard Pierce should've gotten and should continue to get touches.

[Da Baltimore Son]

I thought Bernard Pierce should have gotten the ball more to help Ray Rice because everytime he touched the ball he was able run forward. Just because a player plays a limited role doesn't mean you can't see he has potential. He may not have ran over 50 yards until the last 3 weeks, but that's because he wasn't getting the ball that much. He may have been carries of 2,15,8, 13, 17 or whatever, but... what running back runs 17 yards everytime he touches the ball. None. Also, it wasn't like he was fumbling the ball either. Cam Cameron failed to utilize Bernard Pierce, but I saw what Jim Caldwell saw in Pierce and they're using him more now. Ray Rice carried the ball 15 times last game and caught the ball 1 time. Bernard Pierce carried the ball 13 and ran for like a buck 7, so basically they're using a more even combination of the two backs. The being said, Ray Rice touching the ball is important because of the versatility of his carrying and catching out of the backfield, so he is not a scrub, but if he touches the ball every play he'll get burnt out faster. Every runningback gets burned out, but it make sense to take care of him, so he can produce for a longer amount of time. Yes, we have a bad record when Ray Rice doesn't carry the ball 20 times, but that's because were down and trying to pass the ball to get back into the game. It help Bernard Pierce's career last longer as well. There's a reason Baltimore moved up in the 3rd round to draft Bernard Pierce and it wasn't so he would sit on the bench. They wanted to use him and now they are. Ever since Jim Caldwell became the new coordinator, there's been more balance throughout the whole offense because I just believe theres better coaching. In the long run that will help everyone.

[Peej7245]

The way both are running the ball, I believe both will get their touches.

[Baltimore Ravens Lets Go!]

Maybe Cameron just didn't use Pierce as much because he was inexperienced? Now that he has more games under his belt perhaps he would have been used more anyway. No way to know now that Cam is gone. At any rate I agree with you and so did Bruce Laird former Baltimore Colt Safety who said Pierce is a beast and runs with an attitude. Laird was a tough, hard hitting safety and he said he would not have looked forward to tackling Pierce.

[Tollbooth Willie]

Pierce provides the same flavor of change-of-pace that McGahee provided.

McGahee was a luxury in Baltimore. Pierce is a younger, healthier version IMO. I'd like to see heavy doses of the run whenever possible. I believe in making teams beat you, not giving them opportunities to beat you. If a team can't stop the run, you run it down their throats until they can or you win...whichever comes first.

This pass-first NFL is looking too much like the CFL to me. I like the long bomb as much as the next guy, but nothing will ever replace the smashmouth run game in my heart.

[JasonM]

I agree, but Pierce may be injured:

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/201...-marshal-yanda

[prairieaug]

I think Pierce looks like the real deal. Hope he's healthy this weekend.