McNabb Says Rice Fumbles 'Way Too Much'
When asked which NFL "superstar" would take a step back in 2013, former Eagles quarterback and NFL Network analyst Donavan McNabb named running back Ray Rice.
McNabb's reasoning?
First, he believes Bernard Pierce will eat into Rice's touches.
Second, McNabb says Rice is a fumbler.
"Ray Rice to me, [he] fumbled the football entirely way too much last year," McNabb said. "Ray Rice we know is a Pro Bowler and can make big plays for you, but he has a tendency of fumbling the ball entirely too much. So expect Bernard Pierce to really step up and be that guy."
Let's take a look at McNabb's claim.
Rice only fumbled the football once last regular season, and it did not result in a turnover. That's especially impressive when considering Rice was one of the league leaders in touches.
Rice got slippery hands in the playoffs, however, where he coughed up the ball three times. He lost two fumbles in the wild card playoff in a 24-9 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Thanks to the Ravens defense, neither of Rice's turnovers in that game resulted in points for the Colts.
After the uncharacteristic game for the Pro Bowler, Rice declared, "I'm not a fumbler.
"I'll take both of [those fumbles] on the chin, I don't know if I want to say it – but I saved my worst game for today. That'll be the last time I address me fumbling. It won't happen again."
Rice fumbled one more time in the third quarter of the Super Bowl on the Baltimore 24-yard line, and it led to three points for the 49ers.
So would Rice's unusual turnover stretch result in "a step back" next season?
To me, if he takes a step back at all, especially in terms of stats, it would be because he and Pierce are a great 1-2 punch, not because of fumbles.
|
Ray Rice Career Fumbles | ||||
|
|
Regular Season |
Playoffs | ||
|
|
Fumbles |
Fumbles Lost |
Fumbles |
Fumbles Lost |
|
2012 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
2011 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
2010 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
2009 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
|
2008 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
Elam Not Hiring Agent, Could Save Money
After toying with the idea, first-round draft pick Matt Elam isn’t planning on hiring an agent to negotiate his rookie contract, according to Aaron Wilson of The Baltimore Sun.
Despite not having representation, the report indicated that Elam will finalize his contract with the Ravens before the start of training camp on July 21.
Under the NFL slotting system, there is little wiggle room for negotiations and Elam is slated to sign a four-year, $6.767 million contract that will include a $3.301 million signing bonus. Elam is getting advice from his older brother, veteran NFL safety Abram Elam.
"Although it's rare for a player not to hire an agent, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement makes agents a lot less important than they used to be for rookies," wrote ProFootballTalk.com's Michael David Smith. "If Elam were to pay the maximum allowable commission of three percent of that to an agent, he'd be giving up $203,010. So he'll save a nice chunk of change by declining to hire an agent.
"That is, he'll save a nice chunk of change if he doesn't do anything foolish and sign a contract that has clauses he doesn't understand, costing him the ability to earn all the money he's entitled to earn. That's always a risk, and it's the reason most players are willing to hand over a significant commission to an agent even if there really isn't any negotiation to be done at all."
Watch Out For WR David Reed
When debating who will become the Ravens' Nos. 2 and 3 receivers, David Reed is usually mentioned as an afterthought.
Jacoby Jones, Tandon Doss and Deonte Thompson seem to be the main contenders, but you have to watch out for Reed, says CBSSports.com's Jason La Canfora.
In an offseason where the Ravens made headlines for releasing players left and right, Reed got a new contract. That says something for the fourth-year veteran, especially if he can stay healthy.
"It wasn't that long ago that many on the Ravens' coaching staff were very high on receiver David Reed," La Canfora wrote. "He was seen as a potential special teams difference maker, and the heir apparent to Derrick Mason as a possession receiver. Since then, he's flamed out as a return man with fumbling issues and struggled with injuries and for playing time.
"But at a time when the team was cutting players all over the place, Reed got $2 million to stay. Seems to me he will get a good chance to move up the receiver pecking order with Boldin gone. This looks like his last stand and I wouldn't be shocked if he takes advantage of it."
Rice Loving WWE's Monday Night Raw
WWE's Monday Night Raw visited 1st Mariner Arena this week, and while Torrey Smith was super bummed he had to miss it due to wedding planning, Rice got up close to the action and appeared to enjoy every minute of it.
Rice was in the front row, per The Baltimore Sun, and the announcer even put the spotlight on him.
"There's Ray Rice, the running back who runs over the Cleveland Browns regularly," announcer Michael Cole said.
Check Rice out flexing his muscles for TV cameras.
Quick Hits
- The Ravens are looking to get on the plus side of the sack differential. They became the first team since 2001 (Patriots) to win the Super Bowl after finishing the season with a negative sack differential, allowing 38 sacks and picking up 37. [The Baltimore Sun]
- Marc Sessler ranked the Ravens' backfield No. 3 in the league behind the 49ers and Seahawks. [NFL.com]
- Retired linebacker Rolando McClain filed not guilty pleas to charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest Tuesday. [The Baltimore Sun]
- In a 2013 supplement mock draft, Henry Hodgson has the Ravens passing on all eligible players. Only Houston wide receiver Dewayne Peace was taken during the draft by the Lions in the seventh round. [NFL.com]
- @QadryIsmail: @vleach44 are ya putting the 44 back on and becoming the #Juggernaut again for the purple n black? #offeronthetable [Twitter]
- @vleach44: @QadryIsmail leaving all options open right now gonna do what's best for me and my family. #business#Nfl [Twitter]
- @jasonlacanfora: Talks ongoing between the Dolphins and Pro Bowl fullback Vonta Leach. They remain in the lead to land him [Twitter]
- @TorreySmithWR: Been having folks doubt me since day one...Love proving people wrong...I live life with a chip on my shoulder [Twitter]
- @ravenssalarycap: Barring any other roster moves, Ravens will be $5,299,459 under the Salary Cap once Matt Elam finally signs his rookie deal. But that is the Ruleof51 Cap #. As of Week 1, all on 53, PUP, IR, PS will count against Cap. That will greatly eat into the $5,299,459 [Twitter]
