Report: Bernard Pierce outplaying Ray Rice
Baltimore Ravens running back and former Pro Bowler Ray Rice has had quite a roller coaster ride of an offseason. After video footage was released earlier this year of him dragging his unconscious fiancee out of an Atlantic City Casino elevator, Rice was given a slap on the wrist by the NFL when he was suspended for a mere two games.
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Rice then gave an apology, stating that he and his now wife had learned from the incident. Many people around the NFL community were unhappy with Rice’s punishment and subsequent apology, but at the end of the day the ruling from the NFL was final.
Today reports have surfaced that Rice is being outplayed in Ravens training camp by the backup Bernard Pierce. According to RotoWorld, ESPN Ravens reporter Jamison Hensley has stated that Bernard Pierce has looked like the best running back in training camp thus far.
Pierce is expected to take over the starting running back position for the Ravens during Rice’s two game suspension, but now it seems that Rice’s starting job as a whole is in jeopardy. If Pierce puts up big numbers in the first two games of the season, it will make it that much more difficult for the team to place Rice back into the starting spot come week 3.
Pierce’s carries have increased each year in the NFL, from 108 in his rookie season to 152 last season. Rice had only 62 more carries than Pierce last year with 214 attempts. Expect a more equal workload this season for both men.