John Harbaugh has no doubt Ray Rice can be "every down back".

[The Ram]

Stunning vote of confidence by the coach. This may be true or it may be intended to kick Willis McGahee in the ass to work. But so far I've never met someone who can fake knees that bad so one could assume Harbaugh may be trying to boster the kid's confidence and give him a reward for working hard. Something to monitor but all signs point to Rice leading the Ravens in rushing.

Fantasy value wise he's a second-fourth rounder because of Willis. Should Willis be fully marginalized or injured his value could go up to a 1st depending on how he does in preseason action.


Linkage to the story

 

[Miller]

This is an interesting sit to watch. I am on record staying I don't belive in McClain and that if someone steps up it will be Rice or McGahee. I expect Rice to get the hype heading into the season that will cause his ADP to spike. I couild see it costing a 7th for him by the season. That is a little bit of a gamble. but right now, his stock is low enough that he is a great gamble.

 

[Remote Controller]

I am on record staying I don't belive in McClain and that if someone steps up it will be Rice or McGahee.

stating if anyone is gonna step up, it's gonna be one of these two isn't a really stepping out on the ledge though. Rather stating the obvious. I say watch the preseason and Peerman. Harbaugh will not be afraid to shake it up.

 

[Runnik's Hambones]

Everyone will have to wait for Ryan and I to play rock, paper, scissors to find out who the go to back will be.

 

[Miller]

considering McClain is still the first being drafted among these 3 I believe that would be the obvious would it not???

And Peerman is a pipe dream. I think McClain gets tossed back into HB before he gets a serious look.

 

[RUBBER DUCKIE]

Rice is getting a lot of hype everywhere as a sleeper. Personally, I don't really see it because McGahee is a better "RB" and there is nothing special about Rice. He's just an under-sized RB. Don't bother arguing that McGahee gets injured because Rice was injured three times last year in limited play.

 

[Phicinfan]

Rice is getting a lot of hype everywhere as a sleeper. Personally, I don't really see it because McGahee is a better "RB" and there is nothing special about Rice. He's just an under-sized RB. Don't bother arguing that McGahee gets injured because Rice was injured three times last year in limited play.

First how many undersized rbs do I have to name so you don't feel it is an unworthy group? MJD?
Second....McGahee has a LONG time history of injury and of significant injury. McGahee hasn't been a significant back in a while.
Rice was the all everything, every down back in Rutgers. I think they intend to give him his chance.

 

[RUBBER DUCKIE]

First how many undersized rbs do I have to name so you don't feel it is an unworthy group? MJD?
Second....McGahee has a LONG time history of injury and of significant injury. McGahee hasn't been a significant back in a while.
Rice was the all everything, every down back in Rutgers. I think they intend to give him his chance.

I didn't say I hated all under sized RB's. I only said that I don't see anything that makes R.Rice special. MJD has tree trunks for legs.. .that's special. Chris Johnson ran a 4.24... that's special. I haven't seen anything that makes R.Rice special, but I'd be open to hearing it.

R.Rice was had three injuries in limited play last year and missed several games, too. You can't knock McGahee for getting injured and totally ignore the fact that Rice got injured too.

Just because your an every down back in college at a school that doesn't play top talent, doesn't mean that automatically transfers to the NFL. All of the NFL players are as big and as good (likely better) then the best player on any team R.Rice faced in college. It's different and one does not equal the other.

The coaches statement is most likely a wake up call to McGahee.

 

[Phicinfan]

The coaches statement is most likely a wake up call to McGahee.

Yep, up until he missed more games for injuries....

 

[The Ram]

Willis was quoted this week in the B-More Sun as being cool with his back-up role. Appears he may be reading the writing on the wall.

 

[Remote Controller]

He may even be released.