The Second year back is ready…..
When camp opened this summer there was a lot of speculation surrounding the Baltimore Raven’s backfield. Ray Rice was entering his second season with the team, Willis McGahee was still in the mix, and LeRon McClain having moved to full back still figured into the equation. With three capable runners heading into the preseason, many might figure this will have more of the same look of last season with another committee effort.
Last year running back Ray Rice was just a rookie trying to fit in and find his place in a crowded backfield. It was his freshman season and it wasn’t much for fantasy owners to scream about (454-yards rushing, 4.2-yards per carry), but the real hidden gem in his game was his versatility. As a rookie he snatched 33 passes out of the backfield for another 273-yards receiving. The rookie back also showed good ball security losing only one fumble in 140 touches.
Rice was touted as an early favorite to win the job a year ago, but that never materialized with McGahee holding onto the job for much of the season. Looking back at last season, it was pretty clear that Rice’s versatility would make him a favorite again in 2009. It was early in camp that the signs were there with Rice taking most of the first team snaps. Since the beginning of camp, Rice has been slated as the favorite to start and through the team’s first three preseason games he has in fact been the starter.
The preseason tends to offer little new information about a player’s talent and ability, since most teams choose to show very little and keep things simple. One thing we can see is how players look, running, cutting, blocking, etc.
In his three appearances this preseason Rice has not been particularly spectacular on the ground limited to a 3.6-yards per carry, but he’s shown fantasy owners that he is clearly the team’s starter heading into week one. What we have also seen from Rice is how the team is likely to utilize the second year back. Finishing the preseason with 12 receptions, Rice was the team’s leader and appears to be a favorite for third down duties.
Although Rice did not see a whole lot of goal-line carries (just one) in the preseason, it may be too early to expect McGahee to hold those duties. McClain would be the logical choice having held the job a year ago, but Rice’s pass-catching ability will make it very tough to keep him off the field.
A combination of keeping both McClain and Rice on the field together in the red-zone could make great sense as well. What it spells is Rice figures to dominate a lot of playing time in 2009 with McGahee likely in just to play a relief role from time to time. Rice has the tools and has worked hard in the offseason. He’s impressed his coaching staff with his lower body strength and it appears he’s ready to start reaping the rewards of his hard labor.
With names like McGahee and McClain sharing time in the backfield, some fantasy owners may look past Rice in the early rounds. Drafting a running back in a committee situation is always a great risk and Rice is no exception to the rule, but he’ll offer great value as an mid RB3 pick and could go higher in PPR leagues. (2009 Predictions: 220 carries, 950-yards rushing, six rushing touchdowns, 46 receptions, 425-yards receiving, one receiving touchdown)
By David Ortega
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