Everyone knows the Baltimore Ravens have an historically scary defense. Ravens and defense are practically synonyms in this decade. The team’s 2008 second round draft pick out of New Rochelle raised the running back bar at Rutgers University for three years. Ray Rice was the all-time leading rusher for Jerseys’ Scarlet Knight and now is creating a stir in Baltimore’s backfield. He turned pro as a junior but not before leading Rutgers to a 52-30 International Bowl game victory over Ball State last season. The Big East stud scored four touchdowns against the Cardinals and stacked up 2,0124 total yards on the season. Eight straight times the talented tailback totals topped 100 yards.
Rice has transitioned terrifically to NFL-caliber football after setting practically every rushing record at Rutgers. In his rookie season so far, he has not scored a touchdown. His numbers are deceiving though. Last Saturday was a good breakout game and his performance gave fans something to cheer about. He tied his game high of 64 yards against the Raiders. In his season debut, Rice also tallied 64 ground yards while the Ravens went on to defeat the Bengals 17-10. He had 3 receptions in both of those victories, further proving his value as a yard accumulator.
Rice ran for 280 yards in one game while in college. I was impressed with Ray’s predecessor, Brian Leonard, who was the 2007 52nd draft pick out of Rutgers. Leonard was selected by St. Louis. More of a visionary and hard rusher through open holes, Rice is even more striking. Baltimore has considered utilizing Rice as a kickoff return man. This is a great idea in keeping him in action and adaptable throughout the game. Willis McGahee and LeRon McClain compute the main rushing yards and complete the overcrowded Ravens’ backfield. Rice is the third stringer with something to prove. I think Baltimore should hand the ball to Ray more often. Increasing his workload would improve his effectiveness and enable him to enrich his style, gaining experience. He already knows how to cut inside and outside. All he needs is the time. The rookie has great hands and ball handling ability, similar to Emmitt Smith. If there was a rip on Rice coming into the season, it was for being too small for the NFL. Scouts did not consider him an everyday running back. I would like to see him prove everybody wrong.
Parting points: Something gives me the feeling they will be popping the champagne in Philadelphia tonight.
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