The Ravens are approaching the time when they’ll need to focus on getting backup running back Bernard Pierce the bulk of the workload in advance of starter Ray Rice’s two-game suspension.
“That’s coach’s call,” offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said. “John has talked about that, but we’re still early in camp. I’m sure it’s something John will address as we get to next week. Obviously, there comes a point where somebody else is probably going to have to work as a starter as we move forward.
“But you still have to get Ray ready to play because come Week Three, he’s going to bounce right back in there. It’s a tough dynamic, and coach will work us through it. He’ll tell us what he wants us to do.”
This makes it sound as if Rice is slated to be the starter upon his return from suspension, which is a concern in the fantasy community. At just 26 years old, it was surprising to see Rice's production fall off the way it did, but he was dealing with hip and quad injuries throughout the season. He was also coming off of a Super Bowl run the previous year, which likely wore him down. GM Ozzie Newsome said he expects Rice to return to Pro Bowl form, but HC John Harbaugh said after the season that the team could take more of a committee approach at running back, which would limit Rice's upside. Still, assuming his offseason legal issues don't impact his availability, he is a bounceback candidate in Gary Kubiak's offense.
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