Bernard Pierce

**PerpetuallyBored74** · 01-21-2013, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by 4G63

Can the Ravens get them both in the backfield at the same time? Talk about matchup problems!?!

+1

Add Leach to the mix, even line him up at TE and watch how fast SF calls time out because they know they aren't prepared for that.

**Beau Petard** · 01-21-2013, 08:43 PM

E_R--
FWIW, and IMO, it almost sounds like you're trying to fix something that ain't broke! Not sure what you mean by 27 carries, as NFL.com says Rice had 19 (Pierce with 9). If you meant Denver, Rice had 30, but had a 4.4 average.

In any event, just consider the 4th and 29 play before, and the little fire drill Rice ran yesterday on a disrupted screen pass. I think part of Rice's effectiveness on offense is that defenses have to plan for him as an extremely effective receiving option for Flacco as well as his impressive ability to run the ball in all kinds of "weather" -into the line, wide, slants, etc. Adding Pierce selectively throws another ? for the defenses, as opposed to just "running him more often". Also, consider that Leach is probably the best fullback the Ravens have had at surehandedness as a receiver, which then contributes to, "Do we cover Rice, or Leach, or are they blocking on this play, or is that play action or a real hand-off, etc.?"

I really think the Ravens coaches are doing an impressively effective job of utilizing Rice and his number of carries this season.

**Everything_Ravens** · 01-22-2013, 02:15 AM

Originally Posted by Beau Petard

E_R--
FWIW, and IMO, it almost sounds like you're trying to fix something that ain't broke! Not sure what you mean by 27 carries, as NFL.com says Rice had 19 (Pierce with 9). If you meant Denver, Rice had 30, but had a 4.4 average.

In any event, just consider the 4th and 29 play before, and the little fire drill Rice ran yesterday on a disrupted screen pass. I think part of Rice's effectiveness on offense is that defenses have to plan for him as an extremely effective receiving option for Flacco as well as his impressive ability to run the ball in all kinds of "weather" -into the line, wide, slants, etc. Adding Pierce selectively throws another ? for the defenses, as opposed to just "running him more often". Also, consider that Leach is probably the best fullback the Ravens have had at surehandedness as a receiver, which then contributes to, "Do we cover Rice, or Leach, or are they blocking on this play, or is that play action or a real hand-off, etc.?"

I really think the Ravens coaches are doing an impressively effective job of utilizing Rice and his number of carries this season.

27 as in the number on ray rice's jersey.

You were thinking way to deep into that one man. I guess I could have made that more clear. I dont think anything is broke but just take that game for example and consider the first half strategy Caldwell was trying to execute. If it was throwing to the half back I have no problem with rice in there (to be honest I don't have a problem with him in the game in any regard, just speculating here) but if the game plan is pounding the ball, then you have to give some serious consideration to a guy that has proven to be very explosive LATE in to this season. Wrong or right

**Brtnder81** · 01-22-2013, 03:08 AM

I think our offensive line suits Pierces style better than Rices. we have a big physical line which is better for a straight ahead runner like pierce. we have 2 very good backs that I have confidence in with the ball in their hands in big situations. this is very good to keep Rice fresh throughout his contract