Thoughts on Ray Rice

[ThatsmyQB]

the average life span for an NFL RB is like 4 yrs so you pick the best one and hope they can stay healthy.

That's a MYTH, or should I say your reading too much intot he average life, BECAUSE they come up with that AVERAGE life span based on EVERY R.B. to EVER enter the NFL, meaning a rookie 7th rounder comes in plays a few games the nis cut and can't make it in the NFL, and another R.B. drafted in round 1 plays for 8 years and they then come up with the AVERAGE of 4 years, of course based on ALL the R.B.'s to ever enter the NFL!
TRUTH IS, if you find a GOOD R.B., his life span is usually very good 7 years and 3 more good ones, so when oyu find a good R.B. his LIFE SPAN is actually about 7-10 years.
Just look at any GOOD R.B. in the NFL today, and you'll see the GOOD R.B.'s last on average 9 years or so. so that MYTH or shoudl I say MISCONCEPTION that R.B.'s average life span is 4 years is simply not true cause if you're a GOOD R.B., you'll last a long time in the league, cause if you honestly think the average life span for a R.B. was 4 years, no one on planet EARTH would think it would be a good idea to trade up for McFadden, cause the bottom line is if your'e good you're gonna last long (barring injury, but that's true with every position).

 

[ThatsmyQB]

Unless he's got an injury that you are concerned with, being able to handle work load isn't the issue. In fact, one should be concerned about other backs NOT being able to handle full time duties.

EXACTLY, how many CARRIES did Emmitt Smith have ALL THOSE YEARS?
And you guys are worried about what a kid did when he is 19-20-21 years old, you recover a lot quicker and the wear and tear is minimal when your that young anyway, now if he had that many carries over a 3 year span when your in year 8 of the NFL and worried about the wear and tear and how many years he has left, that's one thing, but NOT when your that young and haven't played a down in the NFL, Emmitt in his 2nd 3rd and 4th year in the NFL had over 1,000 carries in that 3 year span or damn close and STILL had tons of great years left and tons of good years left and that's after having that many carries 4 years into the NFL, and this is a college KID having 1,000 carries in college, if anything, it's a PLUS to have that many carries early on showing you can handle the load.

 

[TheCount]

How come no one ever says, "Hey, that QB sure threw a lot of passes in college. We better be careful his arm doesn't tire out, he'll have a short career."

or

"Man, the FB sure blocked a lot of guys. No way will he last in this league blocking so well."

or

"That LB tackled a lot of dudes..."

or

"Boy, that WR sure caught a lot of passes. His hands might fall off if he keeps up at that pace."

Okay, the last one is ridiculous, but you get my point.

 

[ThatsmyQB]

How come no one ever says, "Hey, that QB sure threw a lot of passes in college. We better be careful his arm doesn't tire out, he'll have a short career."

or

"Man, the FB sure blocked a lot of guys. No way will he last in this league blocking so well."

or

"That LB tackled a lot of dudes..."

or

"Boy, that WR sure caught a lot of passes. His hands might fall off if he keeps up at that pace."

Okay, the last one is ridiculous, but you get my point.

Because THROWING A PASS or CATCHING passes you don't have CONSTANT COLLISIONS with defenders on EVERY PLAY, and that does wear on the R.B. position more than any other position!
that being said, when your YOUNG, the amount of carries shouldn't affect you, it's only after years of pounding that you don't want the guy carrying it so much, I mean, look at how many rushign attempts Walter Payton had, and look at Emmitt, in Emmitt's 2nd 3rd and 4th years in the NFL in that 3 year span he had roughly the same amount at Ray Rice did in College, and that's being hit by BIGGER GUYS and 4 years into his NFL CAREER and that didn't slow him down AT ALL, so there's no reason to think the amount of carries Rice had in college should or would affect his shelf life in the NFL!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Okay, the last one is ridiculous, but you get my point.

because RB is the position that takes the most hits, and as you get older, you're body starts breaking down, taking all those hits only accelerates the process, esp. when it's being hit by players who outweigh you by 20/30+ lbs.

I know defenders hit alot, but giving is alot better than receiving

 

[TheCount]

because RB is the position that takes the most hits, and as you get older, you're body starts breaking down, taking all those hits only accelerates the process, esp. when it's being hit by players who outweigh you by 20/30+ lbs.

I know defenders hit alot, but giving is alot better than receiving

Oh, I agree to some extent, but if that's true to the degree some seem to think it is, Marion Barber has about 3 years left in the NFL.

 

[ThatsmyQB]

Oh, I agree to some extent, but if that's true to the degree some seem to think it is, Marion Barber has about 3 years left in the NFL.

Yeah people over rate this BS!
I think Barber is like Walter Payton in that he DISHES IT OUT and thus is giving the blows and not really taking them as much anyway!
His runnign style is brutal, but usually to the defender!
unlike just big backs who run straight and get popped, he has moves and dishes it out also more than just taking the hits!

 

[JustinTheDestructor]

Unless he's got an injury that you are concerned with, being able to handle work load isn't the issue. In fact, one should be concerned about other backs NOT being able to handle full time duties. Besides, the average life span for an NFL RB is like 4 yrs so you pick the best one and hope they can stay healthy.

I disagree, handling the workload is great but its not the issue. It's like Indiana Jones said, "Its not the years, its the miles." There's a reason Ray Rice entered the draft as a junior and it's because one more season of carrying that workload and teams would undoubtedly be worried about how many times he toted the pigskin. You just don't want to draft a guy that's already been beat up like Curtis Martin to be your back for the next 7 years.

Furthermore, are we looking for a guy to carry the full load? Is it really that important that he proves that to us? Not really. We're looking for someone to share carries. So you could go either way with this. One of the others guys who's had less carries could fit in splendidly, or Ray Rice would do just as well despite the mileage. Hell, maybe even welcome the split with Barber.

I'm not saying that Rice won't do well, just that i think he's taken alot of hits. Not something to freak out about, but it downgrades him on my draftboard.

 

[DaBoys4Life]

I disagree, handling the workload is great but its not the issue. It's like Indiana Jones said, "Its not the years, its the miles." There's a reason Ray Rice entered the draft as a junior and it's because one more season of carrying that workload and teams would undoubtedly be worried about how many times he toted the pigskin. You just don't want to draft a guy that's already been beat up like Curtis Martin to be your back for the next 7 years.

Furthermore, are we looking for a guy to carry the full load? Is it really that important that he proves that to us? Not really. We're looking for someone to share carries. So you could go either way with this. One of the others guys who's had less carries could fit in splendidly, or Ray Rice would do just as well despite the mileage. Hell, maybe even welcome the split with Barber.

I'm not saying that Rice won't do well, just that i think he's taken alot of hits. Not something to freak out about, but it downgrades him on my draftboard.

 

[DFWJC]

It's going to fun seeing how all these RBs pan out. I'm very curious about Rice and think he could be a solid, maybe even very good, but not great back.

After watching him the past two seasons, I see him as tough as nails, not super shifty, decent speed (but maybe not as fast on the field as his 40 times, JMO), and someone who will make whatever team drafts him. Surorisingly, I see Mendenhall as being a little like him too. I see Stewart as being more versatile--maybe a blend of Mendenhall and McFadden, so that could be interesting.

 

[TheCount]

I disagree, handling the workload is great but its not the issue. It's like Indiana Jones said, "Its not the years, its the miles." There's a reason Ray Rice entered the draft as a junior and it's because one more season of carrying that workload and teams would undoubtedly be worried about how many times he toted the pigskin.

OR, maybe he had nothing left to prove. It's not like Rutgers was going to win a national championship anytime soon.

RB isn't like QB where you stay that extra year to get better developed, if you're good enough (and eligible), you come out.

 

[92DoverTiger112]

I kinda liken Ray Rice to Clinton Portis....I think he would make a heck of a back...IF he is available in the second, what a value!!!

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Oh, I agree to some extent, but if that's true to the degree some seem to think it is, Marion Barber has about 3 years left in the NFL.

not really since he's never been a full-time back

 

[DFWJC]

I was thinking bout the VT game they were just dominated on both sides of the ball .

I recall watching that game on ESPN.

That was a fairly even game w/ VT scoring in the 4th qtr to seal it.
I recall ECU lost their starting QB a few days before the game and VT loaded the line of scrimmage against the run and especially against Johnson--who did score a TD. VT is very well coached and, as you know, has a great D.

ECU VT

FIRST DOWNS................... 12 16
Rushing..................... 5 2
Passing..................... 5 14
Penalty..................... 2 0
NET YARDS RUSHING............. 142 33
Rushing Attempts............ 35 31
Average Per Rush............ 4.1 1.1
Rushing Touchdowns.......... 1 0
Yards Gained Rushing........ 148 71
Yards Lost Rushing.......... 6 38
NET YARDS PASSING............. 119 245
Completions-Attempts-Int.... 16-31-1 22-33-1
Average Per Attempt......... 3.8 7.4
Average Per Completion...... 7.4 11.1
Passing Touchdowns.......... 0 1
TOTAL OFFENSE YARDS........... 261 278

 

[DFWJC]

Ginn was taken where he was because of his speed. Bowe was the more complete receiver. Just like Johnson will be taken where he is because of his speed, but Rice is the more complete back.

That's not the determining factor, which is, rather, how does one handle wear and tear?

Pretty decent analogy. It may say that Bowe was underrated. I would not write-off Ginn either as they are two different types of reciever. Plus Ginn is a very good return guy who can change a game there too. Hind-site is 2020, but I liked Bowe better last year anyway.

As for CJ and Rice. Rice is the more "complete" back if you mean he can withstand more carries per game. Other than that, I think CJ is more versatile. I actually have issues with both of them, but think they both should be picked in Round 2 or 3 depending on various teams' needs.