Ray Rice is a BUST!

[The Moz 71]

Have folks on here watched something I haven't ? Okay he catches passes and would be serviceable in PPR but what has he done running it except for ONE solid game last year? Even in the preseason he didn't do much. He goes down easily or at least looks that way so far - the comparisons to MJD are a joke he is not even close.

 

Sorry maybe i am way off and he blows up but from everything I have seen Ray Rice will leave maybe hyped owners wanting by midseason. I think Willis is the best Runner on that team and by mid season he starts or at least takes the large chunk of RBBC.

[doobious 0]

Sound like a Willis owner to me............

[Tango 0]

Sound like a Willis owner to me............

 

or a Rutgers hater. Being from Syracuse, I know a lot of those.

 

Moz, look at the other Rice threads and you will see in depth explanation going back to Spring practices, roster moves and preseason formations/carries that make the case of why Rice is going where he is going right now. There are very good reasons for his popularity, but we cant write them in yet another thread.

[The Moz 71]

I own Rice in 1 league and Willis in none. I just haven't seen a thing to justify the hype!

[RamslovaMartzhata 3]

How can one say "Ray Rice IS a bust?"

 

You can say he will be a bust.

 

- signed the grammar police.

 

On topic... to me... a 5th round or so runningback who is supposed to get the lion's share of the touches on a team that went to the conference championship, with a run first offense and excellent defense... well what's there not to like? And I don't know which pre-season you were watching... but he ran well iin what I saw. If you are talking abou tthe Ray Rice wqe saw last year... you have a case... but all reports are that he is bigger, stronger and faster than last years model.

 

People aren't enamoured with him and don't expect him to be the next LT or AP or anything... they just really like his value and upside for where he was being drafted.

[WhiteWonder 2,925]

certainly FAR too early to call him a bust.

 

he is a bit overhyped for sure but as someone who saw alot of him in college, he definately has the work ethic and pure skills to make it in the NFL and the Ravens may be the perfect fit for him.

 

I don't expect him to perform on a fantasy level, up to the status he is currently holding, but if you drafted earlier this year, you may have gotten him for a steal.

[Skinny_Bastard 159]

Before season is over.

McClain will be the leading rusher.

[Tango 0]

Before season is over.

McClain will be the leading rusher.

 

Who will be his FB? They dont have one.

[cyclone24 1,935]

Jesus.....this thread would have been fine a month ago.....but if you dont know now....your not paying attention or doing much research.

 

 

Rice will be a beast.

 

Leron McClain? Going to put Rice or Willis at fullback to block for him? That makes sense.

 

And Willis? Even Jamal Lewis thinks hes washed up......Edgerrin James thinks hes lost a step.......Shaun Alexander even thinks hes a shell of his former self.

 

Rice is Legit.

 

Sincerely,

 

Non Rutgers lover, non Rice owner, Non Rutgers/New Jersey/New York hater

[Texansfan 0]

I had Rice marked down as a "sleeper" before my draft, thinking I could get him in the 5-6th round. He went in the 3RD ROUND! LOL, someone drank the kool-aid.

 

I wound up getting McGahee in the 12TH, yes 12TH round! And I honestly think he could be just as good or better than Rice.

 

But ultimately I think this will be a nasty RBBC like it was last year with all 3 backs getting action so I don't think any of the Ravens RB will be reliable this year unless there is an injury.

[The Moz 71]

Jesus.....this thread would have been fine a month ago.....but if you dont know now....your not paying attention or doing much research.

Rice will be a beast.

 

Leron McClain? Going to put Rice or Willis at fullback to block for him? That makes sense.

 

And Willis? Even Jamal Lewis thinks hes washed up......Edgerrin James thinks hes lost a step.......Shaun Alexander even thinks hes a shell of his former self.

 

Rice is Legit.

 

Sincerely,

 

Non Rutgers lover, non Rice owner, Non Rutgers/New Jersey/New York hater

 

 

maybe he will I just haven't seen anything from him yet to make me think that

[columbuscft 0]

The thing is I thought mcclain did good last year, why would they throw him at fullback, I bet by the middle of the season mcclain will be worked in more again.

[cyclone24 1,935]

maybe he will I just haven't seen anything from him yet to make me think that

 

 

True...ill give you that. But hes in a great situation on a team that has a favorable run defense schedule, he SHOULD get the bulk of the carries, and is a team noted for their run pounding offense and stout defense.

 

So i thnk its just the upside of the player combined with the situation and schedule that has everybody stroking it to Rice this year.

[mdm_1971 0]

you cant call a player a bust when he has not had a chance yet......he got very few carries last year and he is now the #1 so if after this season he hasnt done anything then call him a bust but a player taken in 5th round you cant say bust quite yet

[Buck Naked 0]

The thing is I thought mcclain did good last year, why would they throw him at fullback, I bet by the middle of the season mcclain will be worked in more again.

 

They no longer have a FB. McClain can be "worked in more again" w/o either signing another FB or changing their offensive sets. Neither is likely, b/c McClain's running abilities don't dwarf their other options at RB to the point that would necessitate such a move.

 

McClain may vulture a handful of TDs, but if you are holding him think he's gonna be more of the featured back at some point in the season, you are wasting a roster spot.

[16 and 33 0]

The Ravens have been working out FBs and TEs all week (SHOCKER: L.J. Smith is hurt again). Prolly sign someone next week.

 

Did anyone draft RR as a RB2? That would be a bit silly...err, well, overpaying - that's like Bush/McFadden territory. Our draft was early, pre-hyper hype, so I got him in the 7th or 9th (if I was less drunk I could say for certain heh).

 

Anyway, he is a great RB3 drafted in the middle rounds. Kind of understand where Moz is coming from, though...once his price went up to mid-4th, he didn't seem like as good of a value. Because at that point you want a guy who is going to produce, you're gonna start that RB a good 8-10 times if not more.

 

To say he is a bust or will be a bust (semantic b.s.) is a bit absurd - none of us knows for sure. However, its a bit like Pierre Thomas (before his injury). The hype didn't come out of nowhere. Recent high draft choice (year before in Ray Ray's case). Good finish to the season. Has done well with limited opportunities. The team did not address upgrading the position in the off-season through the draft or FA signings. Great OTAs. Encouraging praise from coaches and teammates. Solid preseason.

 

etc etc etc

 

ETA: got him @ 8.11, at the time his ADP was 6.11, so I def lucked out that he slid so far...current ADP up to 4.09...dats crazy meteroric rize. Also also, I'm still drunk.

[dehaven123 31]

Have folks on here watched something I haven't ? Okay he catches passes and would be serviceable in PPR but what has he done running it except for ONE solid game last year? Even in the preseason he didn't do much. He goes down easily or at least looks that way so far - the comparisons to MJD are a joke he is not even close.

 

Sorry maybe i am way off and he blows up but from everything I have seen Ray Rice will leave maybe hyped owners wanting by midseason. I think Willis is the best Runner on that team and by mid season he starts or at least takes the large chunk of RBBC.

 

 

This is not that outlandish.

Rice has not done sh!t.

Like Moz, I'm not sure he gets the most carries in Bmore.

Nobody knew who McClain was last yr coming into the regular season.

McGahee was the starter and getting some decent pub too.

We all know how that turned out.

McGahee could be on the good end of that same type of scenario in Balt.

Only this yr, he's the beneficiary.

 

And no, I dont own either in any league.

[KSB2424 3,173]

you cant call a player a bust when he has not had a chance yet......he got very few carries last year and he is now the #1 so if after this season he hasnt done anything then call him a bust but a player taken in 5th round you cant say bust quite yet

Finally some common sense.

 

Rice is neither a bust (it's his second year for crying out loud and the season hasn't even started for him), nor is he a stud. He's just a talented RB that will be given a chance to play alot on a run first team. Therefore he has a high ceiling, and is attractive to fantasy owners.

 

But thats it. To label him a stud or a bust or a anything right now is way premature.

[plasma george 63]

My take being a Flaaco follower all last year, before anyone knew who he was....grew up near me, and I work with his best friend....yes I do.

 

Rice will start, and be the workhorse RB with most yardage.

Mcgahee will be worked in....he's healthy, and I've heard Flacco say he looks fantastic.....and he may be the exclusive goalliine RB.

Mcclain will be lined up FB, and will get a few carries at goalline and will punch a few in.

 

For the first time in Flacco's life, he wasn't breaking passing records. Harbaugh held him back. This year is going to be different. His passing yards and TDs will go way up. Look for Mason and Heap's TD to go way up, reducing rushing yards/TDs.

 

I sse Ray Rice averaging 50-70yards, with less than a TD every other game. What may drive those #'s up is if the Ravens start domnating teams, and Rice gets punded in the 2nd half.

[steel827 2]

It's not like the Ravens have an explosive offense. They have 3 quality RBs. None will achieve 1000 yards and only McClain has a shot at 10 tds.

 

Rice 925 yds 6 tds

McGahee 750 yds 7 tds

McClain 425 yards 9 tds

[NorthernVike 2,095]

For the first time in Flacco's life, he wasn't breaking passing records. Harbaugh held him back. This year is going to be different. His passing yards and TDs will go way up. Look for Mason and Heap's TD to go way up, reducing rushing yards/TDs.

 

 

I sure hope so

 

 

 

Signed: A Flacco and Mason owner

[KSB2424 3,173]

Rice 925 rush yds 6 tds......50 receptions for 475 yds 3 tds

1400 total yards and 9 TDs.

 

Sounds pretty reasonable to me.

[49ers_suck 0]

those of us high on Rice this year, dont see McGahee as much of a threat because of his history. he'll get hurt sooner than later. McClain is the FB and will get some GL carries.

 

sometimes you gotta take a leap in FF. Rice should have the opportunity to be the man in Baltimore.

 

and FWIW, a lot of us were able (myself included) to get Rice in the RB 3/4 range. imo, thats good value. if nothing else, he's a very good flex play.

[PATSSOX 22]

Ray Rice

 

18 carries 84 yards 0 TD

6 Rec 45 yards 1 TD

[TimHauck 3,307]

I will agree with those saying you can't really say whether or not he'll be a stud or bust just yet, but I do think he's definitely being overhyped and if I had to pick whether I think he'll be a stud or bust (especially based on his current draft position), I'd say bust. (And if it matters, if I was forced to choose my favorite NCAA football team, it'd be Rutgers.)

 

Did someone really say he's in the "perfect situation"? What? He's in the middle of a three-headed monster along with 2 other very capable guys. I don't really buy the Jamal Lewis/Edge comparisons for McGahee, because he's only 28, and everyone know RB's don't die until age 30. Plus McGahee really isn't as injury-prone as some may think, as he's averaged 14.8 games played in his 5-year career. And supposedly he's in the best shape of his life or whatever.

 

I'm not really sure what to think about McClain. I guess they're not planning on using him as much as last year, but he was solid last year so he may get a chance to show he can do it again.

 

But we'll just have to wait and see what happens...

[PATSSOX 22]

Did someone really say he's in the "perfect situation"? What? He's in the middle of a three-headed monster along with 2 other very capable guys. I don't really buy the Jamal Lewis/Edge comparisons for McGahee, because he's only 28, and everyone know RB's don't die until age 30. Plus McGahee really isn't as injury-prone as some may think, as he's averaged 14.8 games played in his 5-year career. And supposedly he's in the best shape of his life or whatever.

 

 

i like McGahee but how many knee injuries can one player have? yes he is only 28 but he blew his knee out in college and has had a few knee injuries in NFL

 

i guess i am really hoping they just let Rice get the carries because i own him in a couple leagues

[TimHauck 3,307]

McGahee has averaged almost 15 games played per year.

 

(And no I don't have him on my team...I'm staying away from all three of them)

[IronMikeBison 0]

leron is the lone fullback. so i see him getting around 100 carries, mcgahee 170 carries (like last year), and ray rice 200+. any running back getting 200 carries and with his receiving skills is worth the 6th round draft pick.

 

the ravens ran the ball 510 times last year among those 3. if they are saying rice is getting the majority of carries, you have to at least think he will get 200 carries. he will only be a bust if he gets injured in my opinion.

[PATSSOX 22]

McGahee has averaged almost 15 games played per year.

 

(And no I don't have him on my team...I'm staying away from all three of them)

 

 

maybe but last year he was hurting most of year with the knee injuries. he had 8 games of 24 yards or less

 

 

 

 

 

2008 game log

[TimHauck 3,307]

leron is the lone fullback. so i see him getting around 100 carries, mcgahee 170 carries (like last year), and ray rice 200+. any running back getting 200 carries and with his receiving skills is worth the 6th round draft pick.

 

But now he is usually gone by then, and has been going in the 4th round or so.

 

maybe but last year he was hurting most of year with the knee injuries. he had 8 games of 24 yards or less

2008 game log

 

Yeah he was hurt and had a bad year last year, no doubt. But supposedly he's in great shape this year. Even so, last year was the first time in his career he had less than 1,000 total yards. Over his career he has averaged 1266 total yards and 7.8 TD's per year. That doesn't just disappear.

[PATSSOX 22]

But now he is usually gone by then, and has been going in the 4th round or so.

Yeah he was hurt and had a bad year last year, no doubt. But supposedly he's in great shape this year. Even so, last year was the first time in his career he had less than 1,000 total yards. Over his career he has averaged 1266 total yards and 7.8 TD's per year. That doesn't just disappear.

 

 

if he was in such great shape wouldnt you think the Ravens would role with him and have Rice be maybe 3rd down back? they must see something with McGahee that they dont like. the fact that he is not starting makes me think the Ravens know their player better than we do

 

if Rice struggles than maybe McGahee can reestablish him self but until than its RICE TIME

[TimHauck 3,307]

I'm not saying he should be starting. Just that he should get a lot of action. And Mcclain will probably get a decent amount too. I'm just not sure if there's enough to go around.

[FeelingMN 273]

Hello FFToday peeps.

 

Haven't been around in a while, but I'm back since my FF draft with some of the guys is next Sunday, our off day.

I haven't gotten a chance to stay diligent on some of the players, trends, and sleepers from around the league.

So post your sleepers...who should I take a flier on this season?

I'll start...Ray Rice. Just letting you know, he is going to be a BEAST this season. Write that down.

 

Maybe the guy is biased, but I'm gonna trust someone who's got some inside info and can see what's going on behind the scenes.

 

[PATSSOX 22]

Maybe the guy is biased, but I'm gonna trust someone who's got some inside info and can see what's going on behind the scenes.

 

 

 

yup and FFTODAY has Rice in Tier 2 and one of top 10 backs

 

if FFTODAY says it, it has to be correct

[Raider 84 29]

Let me break it down for you guys:

 

Rice 1100 350 7 tds

McGahee 400 4 tds

McLain 200 10 tds

[PATSSOX 22]

The Rapid Rise of Ray Rice

 

Ray Rice's Average Draft Position is rising rapidly, as it should be. The second-year running back is emerging as the centerpiece of Baltimore's offense. Rice's current ADP rests at 66.7, or the late seventh round in 10-team drafts (mid-sixth in 12-team formats). He's still a value there. Let's examine why:

 

1. Rice is the Ravens' clear-cut starter. Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain split the starts last season, but Rice quietly overtook them at May minicamps and hasn't looked back. He's started both of Baltimore's first two preseason games. In the second, Rice was the only back to play with the first-team offense. McClain entered with the Troy Smith-led second unit. McGahee didn't play until the second half. With a starting job locked up and perhaps the best hands on the team after Derrick Mason (Rice finished third on the Ravens in receptions per game last year), he has the makings of an every-down back.

 

2. The Ravens will run like crazy. It seems natural for coordinator Cam Cameron to give Joe Flacco "more freedom" in his second year. But Cameron's track record says it won't happen. Cam's recent offenses have ranked 1st (2008), 2nd ('06), 12th ('05), and 4th ('04) in the league in rush attempts. His 2007 Dolphins were 27th, but only because they were horrible and finished 1-15. Anyways, Ronnie Brown led the NFL in yards from scrimmage before his Week 7 ACL tear that year. The Ravens' best talent also isn't at receiver or tight end. Last season's most run-heavy NFL team won't change concepts. That means more opportunities for their new starter.

 

3. Rice appears to be Baltimore's new goal-line back. McClain tallied 10 scores as the Ravens' red-zone specialist last season. But he's packed on weight to do more lead blocking with Lorenzo Neal gone, and is up to 260. Rice also got heavier, but throughout his chest and thighs. He's at 207, or roughly ideal mass on a 5'8" body. Rice did not come off the field during Baltimore's goal-line package against the Jets on Monday night. After two failed Flacco passes, Rice scored from three yards out on third down. The TD came on an unorthodox Statue of Liberty play, but the mere fact that Rice stayed in is a terrific sign for his in-season scoring potential. Meanwhile, McClain has three touches on the preseason to Rice's 17.

 

4. Rice's schedule is extremely favorable, as I see it. Playing in-division Pittsburgh twice hurts, but two bouts with Cleveland (27th in my 2009 run defense ranks helps make up for it. Baltimore also faces five of my worst six rush Ds, and 10 of the Ravens' 16 games are played against teams 16th or below. Using last year's yards-per-carry allowed rankings, the Ravens play nine teams that were 15th or worse, including seven games versus teams in the bottom nine [CLE (2x), GB, OAK, DEN, KC, DET]. It doesn't get much easier.

 

5. Rice is the Ravens' future, and they know it. The 2008 55th overall pick is signed cheaply through 2011, while McGahee's $6.35 million salary cap charge for 2010 is sure to be slashed from the books next March. McClain is an impending restricted free agent. The Ravens showed some concern about this backfield's future by drafting Virginia speedster Cedric Peerman in April. But it's time to get Rice the rock, and see if he's the franchise back of the future. The bet here, obviously, is that he is.

 

The 2009 Rotoworld Draft Guide has been updated to reflect it, not only in our dynasty rankings, but in our re-draft projections as well. Stop on by, and feel confident making Rice your RB2 on draft day.

 

Posted by Evan Silva on August 27, 2009 01:55 AM | Permalink

 

 

article maybe from August 27th but still read it you non believers

[mambokings 0]

This topic is new and exciting.

[Kent 228]

Fortunately for RIce owners, he gets KC at home tomorrow. So, he's going to do very well.

 

If he doesn't, then its a bust. If McClain or Mgahee steal many carees tomorrow, its a bust taking him as a #2.

 

That RBBC is there. Don't kid yourselves. Rice will have his opportunities limited over other RBs taken in the similar rounds.

[PATSSOX 22]

Fortunately for RIce owners, he gets KC at home tomorrow. So, he's going to do very well.

 

If he doesn't, then its a bust. If McClain or Mgahee steal many carees tomorrow, its a bust taking him as a #2.

 

That RBBC is there. Don't kid yourselves. Rice will have his opportunities limited over other RBs taken in the similar rounds.

 

 

i agree if he lays a big fat egg tomorrow against the very shotty KC CHIEFS than i am off the bandwagon as well yup it doesnt take much for me to turn on you

[TimHauck 3,307]

Let me break it down for you guys:

 

Rice 1100 350 7 tds

McGahee 400 4 tds

McLain 200 10 tds

 

I see a lot more out of McGahee than that.