Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce will look to be a vicious one-two punch in the 2013 season just as they were last year. Pierce, a Temple alumnus, broke out in his rookie campaign as he showed flashes that he can not only be a sufficient backup but perhaps a solid number one option if Rice ever falls to injury.
As a fan, you never want to have to think about the “what if.” Unfortunately, injuries can and will happen, sometimes before the season even starts. Rice and Pierce will be dominating for as long as they are healthy—but what if the injury bug bites?
The battle for the third running back has been a big storyline in Ravens’ camp for years and this season will be no different.
Anthony Allen, 24, will be entering his third season with the team in 2013. He is looking to beat out Bobby Rainey, who spent time between the 53-man roster and the practice squad, and eventually injured reserve in his rookie season.
Allen beat out Rainey for the final spot last year, but we can’t be so sure that he is a better option than Rainey coming into 2013.
Rainey is going to make a strong bid for the 3rd spot on the depth chart. He hasn’t had too much time to show the fans what he can do, but his skills have been shown in his little pre-season time and college play.
In the 2012 pre-season, he was a threat in the passing game, catching 14 passes for 163 yards with two touchdowns. Sure, he was facing second and third string defenses, but he proved that he might have a skill set similar to that of Ray Rice.
At Western Kentucky, Rainey took the record books and re-wrote many long-standing numbers. He owns the school record for all-time rushing yards with 4,523 including one record-breaking season where he racked up 1,695. While there, his role in the receiving game was very notable as well. He broke out in his senior season with four touchdowns over 361 yards.
Anthony Allen was looked at not as much of a speedster, but leaning towards a power-back when he was at Georgia Tech. He’s a bigger guy, and is a completely different running back than Rainey, which will make this decision a bit more interesting.
It’s no secret that Rice is the established number one with Pierce behind him—which is precisely the reason why Bobby Rainey might have a better shot at making the 53-man roster.
Rainey being on the squad will make things a whole lot easier for Jim Caldwell if one of the two guys up front go down.
Should Pierce miss some time, Rainey will be able to back up Ray Rice in a “clone” sort of way. When Rice needs a rest, the 5’7” back could go in and play almost the exact same role that Rice plays already. Rainey is very comparable to Rice, helping the offense stay almost exactly the same.
If Rice goes down, Rainey would immediately fill the part, just with Pierce switching to the “leading role.” If Allen was on the squad, the speed element of the Ravens running game would completely diminish if Rice got hurt.
Logically, it would make sense for Bobby Rainey to take the third spot. Only time will tell, but if Rainey can have a breakout camp and pre-season, look for Anthony Allen’s time in Baltimore to be in jeopardy.
