Lions not interested in Ray Rice

By CM Towle | Mar 26, 2015

Dec 16, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Lions coach Jim Caldwell says that former Ravens running back Ray Rice is not a fit for the team.

So far there still hasn’t been a second chance for disgraced running back Ray Rice. With the start of the new NFL year nearly a month old, there have been no reported talks or visits with teams for Rice, according to a story by ESPN. It’s somewhat of a surprise considering that two other players with domestic violence records in Greg Hardy and Ray McDonald both found jobs with new teams. Meanwhile, Rice was reinstated months ago and hasn’t received even slight interest, as far as anyone knows.

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At the recent owners meetings, two coaches said they hoped that someone would give Rice another chance. One was Rice’s former coach in Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, the other was Colts head coach Chuck Pagano. Along with them, Rice’s former offensive coordinator and now coach of the Lions, Jim Caldwell said he thinks another team will give Rice another chance.

However, no team has stepped up to do that and Caldwell himself quickly dismissed ideas that Rice could be a good fit for the Lions, who released Reggie Bush recently.

"Asked if the Lions would be interested in Rice, Caldwell said Wednesday, “I don’t foresee that, to be plain and simple. There has to be a need and a fit in all areas. At this point in time, he’s not a fit for us.” (via ESPN)"

What’s probably working against Rice is the fact that there are other free agent running backs available without the off-field baggage. Those include Pierre Thomas and Stevan Ridley. At the same time, there will be impact backs available in the draft. Another potential problem for Rice is that he is 28, and he had the worst season of his career in 2013, wherein he only managed 3.1 yards per carry.

Essentially it comes down to plenty of coaches, many who have experience with Rice, saying that they hope Rice will get another chance to play, but no one’s willing to actually be the one giving him that chance.

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