No one is stepping up to grab the lead in the battle for No. 2 running back – check that, no one that you might expect to grab the lead has stepped up. Damien Berry seems to show the most upside while Anthony Allen struggles. Bernard Pierce has been nearly invisible and yesterday was sidelined with a nagging hamstring.
While this competition is going nowhere fast, the most noticeable backup to Ray Rice is Bobby Rainey. Actually, it’s not even close.
On the field Rainey’s frame reminds many of Rice and you have to wonder if that actually may work against him a bit. He isn’t a real change of pace back due to the similarities and given his size it’s doubtful that he’ll contribute to special teams.
With the loss of his dreads Allen seems to have lost some of that attacking style exhibited in brief spurts in 2011. Berry exhibits a burst and possesses nice change of direction skills but there may be concerns about his ability to secure the football. And Pierce, judging from John Harbaugh’s quip and body language at the podium yesterday when the rookie from Temple was mentioned, seems to be a source of frustration for the coaching staff.
One Ravens source listed the following as pleasant surprises and mild disappointments thus far during camp:
Surprises: Sergio Kindle; Ma’ake Kemoeatu; Bobbie Williams; Corey Graham
Disappointments: Jah Reid; Dannelle Ellerbe; Anthony Allen
The source also added that rookie offensive linemen Gino Gradkowski and Kelechi Osemele have been “excellent.”
