Ray Rice has been quiet

**bt12483** · 02-09-2013, 02:35 PM

I figured after a SB win, he would be one of the main media guys.

I know he had an appearance on Ripa (?) and Strahan, but other than that haven't heard much from him.

Maybe he is a little bummed about his playoff performance?

Colts:
rush - 15/68
pass - 1/47
2 fumbles

Denver:
rush - 30/131, 1TD

NE:
rush - 19/48, 1TD
pass - 3/22

SF:
rush - 20/59
pass - 4/19
1 fumble

Playoff totals:
rush - 84/306 for a poor 3.64ypc, 2TDs, 3 fumbles
pass - 8/88

In fact I think his stats this year were a bit of a down year for him. I really hope we didn't burn him out 2-3 years ago with over usage (similar to Turner in Atlanta).

I am glad we have Pierce, because that should push Rice more to maintain top dog status. Even still, I'd be happy giving Rice fewer carries and making him more integral in the passing game such as Sproles in NO.

**leachisabeast** · 02-09-2013, 02:37 PM

Not many RBs (even the HOF ones) have ever been very good in the play offs, or in SBs. I think the high intensity makes the run games ineffective in the big PO games.

**The Excellector** · 02-09-2013, 02:38 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Not many RBs (even the HOF ones) have ever been very good in the play offs, or in SBs. I think the high intensity makes the run games ineffective in the big PO games.

Where was that during our multiple month debate?

**CincyCat** · 02-09-2013, 02:44 PM

I felt bad for Ray. I think the fumbles really shook his confidence.

**bt12483** · 02-09-2013, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by leachisabeast

Not many RBs (even the HOF ones) have ever been very good in the play offs, or in SBs. I think the high intensity makes the run games ineffective in the big PO games.

Last 3 years...

Regular Season:
2010 4.0 ypc
2011 4.7 ypc
2012 4.4 ypc

Postseason:
2010 3.1 ypc
2011 3.0 ypc
2012 3.6 ypc

I think using Pierce more will preserve Rice better for the long season.

**Justlovemybirds** · 02-09-2013, 02:48 PM

Rice had a chance to boost his marketability majorly during this post-season run but his struggles this post-season all but canceled that.

**bt12483** · 02-09-2013, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Justlovemybirds

Rice had a chance to boost his marketability majorly during this post-season run but his struggles this post-season all but canceled that.

Yeah. It seems the media has hopped on Jacoby instead, partly because of his personality.

But Ray Rice also has a bubbly personality, and would have easily been a media darling. But like you said, no one latches onto the guy's that struggled.

I just fear that it seems to be a pattern.

Of course it could be that in the playoffs teams key on Rice because he has historically been our playmaker, and they don't want to let him beat them. So they shut him down and force us to use other players to beat them, to Rice's detriment.

**Section 502 Raven** · 02-09-2013, 02:54 PM

i was thinking the same thing. i think rice has an ego larger than most and his putting the ball on the ground is a way for your teammates to lose confidence in you. the emergence of benard pierce has left rice somewhat muted.

i hope he responds with a chip on his shoulder and plays lights out next year. either way it looks like we are set at RB for the foreseeable future. when pierce is up for his second contract rice may be about done.

**lovefootball** · 02-09-2013, 02:55 PM

Teams key in on Rice during post season, he will always have an average game. But if average means making crucial first downs, I'll take it. Pierce was a god send with his running ability and his vision that allowed him to break to the outside for nice gains. Pierce on the team last year would have been the pust the offense needed. N o disrespect to Ray(4th & 29), he has been there for the Ravens I'm sure he realizes that it was a team effort and is playing his role as a key member of the team. The fumbling baffles me in postseason play. More likely an attempt to get more yardage while forgettin about ball security.

**StingerNLG** · 02-09-2013, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by CincyCat

I felt bad for Ray. I think the fumbles really shook his confidence.

I think this more than anything. And I think that he may not be that happy that his "backup" outran him either. Pearce got a LOT of touches this year.

And I don't think he was overused at all. Think about how many games this year he barely touched the ball. If anything, he should have been fresh for the playoffs.

His fumble in the SB could have cost us the game.

**BohBalmer** · 02-09-2013, 02:57 PM

Benard pierce!

**RavenScallywag** · 02-09-2013, 03:00 PM

Really, only 3 guys have hit the circuit...

John Harbaugh - Head Coach
Joe Flacco - Super Bowl MVP
Jacoby Jones - "Runner up" for MVP, had two biggest plays in Super Bowl

No Reed, No Torrey, No Pitta, No Ngata, Not much Suggs (just bashing Skip on First Take)...

**bt12483** · 02-09-2013, 03:05 PM

It sucks for fantasy football purposes (Rice is usually a top 3 pick), but real life 2013 Raven's football is going to look more like our 3 headed monster from a few years back, but with one less head.

I hope Pierce can stay healthy. I love how different they are as runners.

I would really like to see Rice morph into a more Sproles like role.

**CincyCat** · 02-09-2013, 03:11 PM

Originally Posted by StingerNLG

I think this more than anything. And I think that he may not be that happy that his "backup" outran him either. Pearce got a LOT of touches this year.

And I don't think he was overused at all. Think about how many games this year he barely touched the ball. If anything, he should have been fresh for the playoffs.

His fumble in the SB could have cost us the game.

A couple of game against the Bengals ought to cheer him up. He always runs wild on us.

**LukeDaniel** · 02-09-2013, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by RavenScallywag

Really, only 3 guys have hit the circuit...

John Harbaugh - Head Coach
Joe Flacco - Super Bowl MVP
Jacoby Jones - "Runner up" for MVP, had two biggest plays in Super Bowl

No Reed, No Torrey, No Pitta, No Ngata, Not much Suggs (just bashing Skip on First Take)...

Wasn't Rice on the Rippa/Strahan show? (whatever it's called nowadays)

**Justlovemybirds** · 02-09-2013, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

Wasn't Rice on the Rippa/Strahan show? (whatever it's called nowadays)

**NC Raven** · 02-09-2013, 03:27 PM

He's been on Facebook nearly every day, getting out info about different charities and causes.

As far as I'm concerned, he's been making plenty of noise, and for all the right reasons.

**RavenScallywag** · 02-09-2013, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by LukeDaniel

Wasn't Rice on the Rippa/Strahan show? (whatever it's called nowadays)

Ok, you are correct...

So really, he's gotten the same amount of press then.

**ballhawk** · 02-09-2013, 03:29 PM

I think next year they use Pierce more between the tackles and try to get Rice out in space more. As much as Ray struggled between the tackles, he is still one of the hardest in the league to get down in the open field. Harbaugh has proven that he will put his stud RB on the bench in favor of an up and comer.

**Maelstrom** · 02-09-2013, 03:30 PM

I thought Rice was a little off this year compared to previous years in the manner in which he carried himself. It was very subtle, but he exhibited a bit more bravado and swagger, and for him, I am not sure it is a good thing.

After the epic 4th and 29 conversion it ramped up, subtly again, but just a bit more. Then after the two fumbles in the 1st playoff game he did not seem as relaxed on the field, because usually he just flows and goes. He seemed tight to me.

Maybe I am reading too much into it and seeing things that are not there, but I hope he says to himself, "Rhu rho. I better really work hard this off season and get my head in the right place to play football from the get go this year."

He is still a great player. Will be interesting to see how he works and plays without Ray Lewis around.