Ray Rice

[OriginalColtsFan]

Is anyone surprised that for ALL the carries Rice had today (19 carries -- MAN it seemed like more -- for 48 yards), he didn't get as many yards as Pierce (9 carries -- 52 yards).

Playoffs just don't seem to bode too well for little Ray, do they? 2.5 average? W T H?!!

He did have some important timely runs, but clearly, the offense simply cannot rely on him in order to win.

[Slidemaster]

Defenses key in on him. He makes Pierce better.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Defenses key in on him. He makes Pierce better.

No. He doesn't make Pierce better. Pierce's skill set makes Pierce better.

[Peej7245]

Defenses key in on him. He makes Pierce better.

For many seasons, we heard how teams would try to take Rice away and make Flacco beat them...

How's that working out now?

[OriginalColtsFan]

For many seasons, we heard how teams would try to take Rice away and make Flacco beat them...

How's that working out now?

Is that a trick question?

[Slidemaster]

No. He doesn't make Pierce better. Pierce's skill set makes Pierce better.

That's absolutely not true. They were even saying on the highlights on NFL network after the game that Pierce's abilities are enhanced because defenses don't key in on the run as hard when they see Rice out of the game. Rice absolutely makes Pierce better.

[OriginalColtsFan]

That's absolutely not true. They were even saying on the highlights on NFL network after the game that Pierce's abilities are enhanced because defenses don't key in on the run as hard when they see Rice out of the game. Rice absolutely makes Pierce better.

Yeah. Okay. Just like Joe Flacco is an average QB.

[Slidemaster]

Yeah. Okay. Just like Joe Flacco is an average QB.

You clearly just want to argue. Enjoy yourself.

[Far from home]

Is anyone surprised that for ALL the carries Rice had today (19 carries -- MAN it seemed like more -- for 48 yards), he didn't get as many yards as Pierce (9 carries -- 52 yards).

Playoffs just don't seem to bode too well for little Ray, do they? 2.5 average? W T H?!!

He did have some important timely runs, but clearly, the offense simply cannot rely on him in order to win.

They focused on him. The thing I noticed is that he didn't really get many opps for outside runs, and they tried to work off the run instead of off of the pass.
They will have to switch it up against the Niners if they are going to make yards like they did the last two weeks.

[elj1201]

No. He doesn't make Pierce better. Pierce's skill set makes Pierce better.

How can you say Ray Rice's history and reputation have nothing to do how the pats defense respond when he isn't on the field.....derp

[OriginalColtsFan]

How can you say Ray Rice's history and reputation have nothing to do how the pats defense respond when he isn't on the field.....derp

Ray Rice's history is just that -- history. He's clearly lost a step, and Pierce is a better runner IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS, particularly, UP THE MIDDLE. That is NOT, and never HAS BEEN, Ray Rice's strength. Rice has always been better in space. Always. So focusing or not, Pierce is a better runner up the middle. And when you're going to keep running (13/16 on first downs in the first half) up the middle, Pierce is the better choice because it fits his skill set better. Period.

[markh]

Bingo! I think this will help open things up for Rice in the SB. Teams can't ignore Bazooka Joe any more.

For many seasons, we heard how teams would try to take Rice away and make Flacco beat them...

How's that working out now?

[Peej7245]

Is that a trick question?

Rhetorical, friend. Rhetorical!

[OriginalColtsFan]

Rhetorical, friend. Rhetorical!

Exactly. And no matter what issues you and I disagree on, our support of Joe and what he brings to the Ravens is on record, again and again. As much as I would have loved to see the Colts go all the way this year, it does my heart good to see Joe, and the Ravens, succeed. Especially for Joe. He's taken more chit than any other really good QB. Ever.

[cprenegade]

Personally, I think the Ravens could have let Rice walk in free agency and really not suffered much offensively with Pierce replacing him. Flacco has now played himself into an upper tier contract so the Ravens gambled and lost by not getting that contract done instead of doing Rice's. Flacco is now going to cost much more than he would have after last year.

[OriginalColtsFan]

Personally, I think the Ravens could have let Rice walk in free agency and really not suffered much offensively with Pierce replacing him. Flacco has now played himself into an upper tier contract so the Ravens gambled and lost by not getting that contract done instead of doing Rice's. Flacco is now going to cost much more than he would have after last year.

I agree 100%. And I've said that before as well. Some people just get emotionally attached to certain players and it clouds what they see in terms of what's actually happening out on the field. But whatever. It'll be interesting to see how things develop moving forward.

[Frank Costanza 831]

Personally, I think the Ravens could have let Rice walk in free agency and really not suffered much offensively with Pierce replacing him. Flacco has now played himself into an upper tier contract so the Ravens gambled and lost by not getting that contract done instead of doing Rice's. Flacco is now going to cost much more than he would have after last year.

Hindsight is 20/20. Can you imagine this board's reaction if we had done that last offseason?

[OriginalColtsFan]

Hindsight is 20/20. Can you imagine this board's reaction if we had done that last offseason?

Frank...it's not just a matter of hindsight. Most NFL RBs have a short shelf life. Ray was a major cog in the offense the past 4-5 years, but Joe is the future. Pierce, Allen, and Rainey would have been more than serviceable, and the Ravens could have fit everyone under the cap very nicely, assuming they signed Joe to a long term contract last season. But they didn't, and now they'll have to deal with the current situation.