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Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:13 pm EDT

Exhibitionist: We shall call him the 'Long Gain' Rice

By Big Noise

Similar to another Jersey legend, former Rutgers standout Ray Rice was "Born to Run."

The rookie runner, who had a banner camp, has excelled in exhibition play. His electrifying 94 total yards on just 11 touches (9.6 YPC) versus Minnesota's inflexible first-team rush defense Saturday generated uproarious cheers from the pro-Michael Phelps crowd. On a 42-yard burst, Rice showed breakneck speed, a characteristic many scouts questioned entering April's draft. Only Phelps' record-setting eighth gold medal triumph, shown on the M&T Bank Stadium JumboTron after the game, created more ear-shattering screams.

Despite Rice's sensational efforts, John Harbaugh seems committed to Willis McGahee, telling the Baltimore Sun:

"Who's going to be the starter? It's Willis. If McGahee is healthy. But [Rice] plays like a starter, if that's what you're asking."

Rice is quickly growing into a complete back. He has picked up blitzes effectively and has improved significantly as a pass catcher. In his two-year collegiate career he caught just 29 passes. On Saturday, he snagged three balls for 17 yards. Whoever emerges from Baltimore's three-headed gerbil at quarterback - Troy Smith, Joe Flacco or Kyle Boller - Rice could become an integral dump-off target.

McGahee, who last week underwent minor knee surgery, is expected to be ready for the regular season opener, but given Rice's explosive preseason it wouldn't be shocking if the Ravens decided to deactivate him Week 1 versus Cincinnati. It's also possible a platoon could be installed. Although it's unclear exactly how the workload would be split.

Rice should have another stellar performance Saturday against a very pliable Rams front. If that happens, it could push Harbaugh to concede more carries to the rookie.

Yes, the Ravens O-line is in transition and the passing game looks decrepit, but Cam Cameron has a reputation of developing statistical giants at running back (e.g. LaDainian Tomlinson and Ronnie Brown).   

Obviously, the hype surrounding Baltimore's Uncle Ben's has catapulted his draft value. Just two weeks ago, Rice's Mock Draft Central ADP was 183.2 (RB57). In drafts conducted this week, it's 111.7 (RB42). Until Harbaugh releases more concrete information on the youngster's exact role, classify him alongside other high upside rookies Chris Johnson and Felix Jones.

--

Photo via Getty Images

Related: Fantasy Football, Exhibitionist

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44 Comments

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  1. Jason R
    1. Posted by Jason R Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:29 pm EDT

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    Maybe you should draft this guy (lots of upside!), along with Chad Pennington (comeback season!). If so, I've got a league I want you to join...
  2. Blake H
    2. Posted by Blake H Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:37 pm EDT

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    Big Noise, who do you think will be more productive? Ray Rice, Chris Perry, Kenny Watson, Maurice Morris, Pierre Thomas, Michael Bush, etc.... Who will break out and why?
  3. Rahshad A
    3. Posted by Rahshad A Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:57 pm EDT

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    i dont understand all the noise for rookie rbs. dont get me wrong they could be somewhat productive, but when you guys are plastering the guys on the front page, people are expecting huge numbers that solid rb2 might put up. besides darren mcfadden, i dont expect any rookie rb to surpass 800 yds and 4 tds
  4. hawnlay
    4. Posted by hawnlay Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    Short Grain, Long Grain Rice. The Noise is more well learned than I at first believed. That or a food nerd.
  5. John P
    5. Posted by John P Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:42 pm EDT

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    I don't even expect HIM to (possibly) because Justin Fargas is still there (probably for a reason)
    Forte might....I wouldn't place bets on any Bears, but.....
  6. BTXJ
    6. Posted by BTXJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    noise is as dumb as a valley wrestler w/a concussion the answer to your question #2 is rice and the answer is b/c he will start and more importantly he is from jersey.
    i would go on but i'm not getting paid like noise
  7. Xobai
    7. Posted by Xobai Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    Noise, thank-you very much for improving the Exhibitionist content from last week's Zach Miller post. Highlighting the rookie RBs makes for a worthy read, despite what the morons above me may have posted.
    BTW, you neglected to mention that Baltimore has picked up Lorenzo Neal, the best pure fullback in NFL history.
  8. The Chosen One
    8. Posted by The Chosen One Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:34 pm EDT

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    Ray Rice is outstanding. Expectations for rookie rb's has gone up because of the breakout seasons for several rookie rb's in the recent years and more importantly last year - Adrian Petterson. If you think about it the potential point production from a player like Rice is very high for his ADP. Personally, the guy reminds me a lot of Clinton Portis and I think he'll have a better career if he can stay healthy.
  9. Orca
    9. Posted by Orca Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    Ray Rice will have a good season because:
    1.) Willis Mchee'sgay has no heart
    2.) Willis Mcgayhee has no brain
    3.) Willis Mcgayguy has no knee
    I hate Willis. Maybe he should move to Toronto.
  10. Orca
    10. Posted by Orca Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:56 pm EDT

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    What I meant was.....
    GO BILLS!
  11. Xobai
    11. Posted by Xobai Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    Orca, our neighbors to the North are very polite. It would not be becoming to force Willis McGahee on such neat, respectable people, all the while keeping Ray Rice to ourselves.
  12. BTXJ
    12. Posted by BTXJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    #* you are a moron. this whole blog is a waste of time for people that know football and are already have rice on their radar and are targeting him esp. with the value he provides at his current ADP (which is now going to drastically change)
    This blog is boring FF 101 (obviously you need)
    The Miller blog was useful b/c most idiots are wasting high picks on gates, gonzo, winslow, etc. when their is crazy depth at TE and those picks should be spent on quality backups at WR and RB
  13. BTXJ
    13. Posted by BTXJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:55 pm EDT

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    ooops i meant #8
  14. parklife420
    14. Posted by parklife420 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:59 pm EDT

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    huh huh huh...he said, "three-headed gerbil"...i'm not big on reaching for any rookies in the nfl. sure, ap was sick, but how many people have that talent? i'll keep my eye on the rooks, and pick them up if they fall to me late, but certainly not depend on one for a second back...
  15. Kylie's dad
    15. Posted by Kylie's dad Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:34 pm EDT

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    Hey Jason R (first poster)-
    You've played in over 100 leagues and never won a single one. I've got a league I want YOU to join.
  16. Xobai
    16. Posted by Xobai Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    BTXJ: Based on the fact that the only people defending Miller in the comments of that blog were dimwitted homers, I'm guessing you're a Raider fan, in which case we're lucky that at least you were able to release the shift key before you started typing in all caps.
    Miller is so far down at a deep position that posting about him is totally unnecessary. He's not worth a roster spot in 95% of fantasy leagues (the other 5% being those stupid 20-team leagues that start three TEs every week). Just a quick list of better tight ends outside the top 10: Crumpler, Boss, Daniels, Lee, Olson, Ben Watson. Then add Dustin Keller, because Favre hits his TEs where it counts (the red zone). Among the Yahoo composite ranks at his position, throw out Noise's irrational mancrushing #12 and he's ranked about #18. The 18th best player at a position that's normally only 10 deep is not worth mentioning.
    This is hardly the first time decent fantasy owners have heard of Ray Rice, but reading (and posting) about him is still much more valuable than the 18th-best tight end.
  17. uscgamecock09
    17. Posted by uscgamecock09 Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    Yea jason, what league you want me to beat you in? Ray Rice should be the MJD to McGahee's Fred Taylor and I am really excited to have Lorenzo Neal as his fullback. The passing game may be in trouble right now in Baltimore, but the run game is certainly not.
  18. Dave
    18. Posted by Dave Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:45 pm EDT

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    To sum up:
    Rip Van Winkle "What did the five fingers say to the face?"
    Jason R "Wut? "
    Rip "SLAP!"
    Profile owning is cold blooded... especially when you're the first in the thread. You hate to see that, you really do...
  19. the guy
    19. Posted by the guy Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:22 pm EDT

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    Hey man, I posted defending Miller and I'm a Niners and Jags fan. I honestly think Miller will have 80 catches this year. But that's besides the point. Rice is worth writing about, rookie RBs usually make an impact, I mean I'm sure most of you were playing fantasy sports in 2006 when Reggie Bush, Maurice Jones-Drew, Joseph Addai and Laurence Maroney all came into the league. I had all four of those guys on one team and won the championship. I think even if McGahee is healthy, the new standard in the league is to have two good RBs running for your squad, so Rice will get his opportunities.
  20. D
    20. Posted by D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    Jason R
    You clearly dont get it
    He is just giving possible late round sleepers to take in deeper leagues.
    I'll take you in my league, the guy that drafts Chris Brown of the Texans over potential upside players.
    What do you have against Chad? The most Accurate QB in the NFL
  21. D
    21. Posted by D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    Oh and judging by your profile, i will definently take you in my league
    two 8/10 finishes and a 7/10
    HAHA
  22. Xobai
    22. Posted by Xobai Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    The guy: my apologies for lumping you in with the dimwitted homers. That was wrong of me.
  23. Xobai
    23. Posted by Xobai Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:06 pm EDT

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    And West Coast: your baseball teams are currently at 10th of 12 and 6th of 6. I don't think it's very nice to laugh.
  24. Pops
    24. Posted by Pops Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:16 pm EDT

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    J. Stewart from Carolina is gonna be rookie of the year and Calvin Johnson is gonna break out this year!!! I guarenteesheed it!!!!

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