Fansided

Ray Rice: Five potential landing spots

By Matt Verderame

Dec 8, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) reacts after being tackled against the Minnesota Vikings at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) reacts after being tackled against the Minnesota Vikings at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrates his touchdown pass with Matthew Stafford (9), Cornelius Lucas (77) and Brandon Pettigrew (87) against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 4, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Golden Tate (15) celebrates his touchdown pass with Matthew Stafford (9), Cornelius Lucas (77) and Brandon Pettigrew (87) against the Dallas Cowboys during the first quarter in the NFC Wild Card Playoff Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have not won a playoff game since 1991. It has been a stretch that will drive any franchise into a mode of desperation, and after a brutal loss to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild-Card round in January, the Lions must do all they can to get deeper into the postseason.

Detroit released starting running back Reggie Bush this offseason and didn’t draft or sign anyone worthy of a starting role. Joique Bell ran for 860 yards with 3.9 yards per carry in 2014, but is he really a featured back? Ameer Abdullah was taken to become the main back at some point, but it could be a stretch to see him producing at that level immediately. The Lions are a pass-first team with Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, but they need a back to balance out the attack. Rice also gives Detroit someone who can catch the ball and draw the linebackers up, opening up more space for Tate across the middle on crosses and slants.

While any team will get initially crushed for signing Rice, the Lions place in a small enough market in the Midwest to somewhat fly under the radar. Rice would be able to join Detroit without getting top billing, simply joining an already powerful offense.

Next: Rice's game is for the birds

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