Kirby Lee- USA Today Sports
During the season, Baltimore Ravens backup running back Bernard Pierce was not a known figure in the NFL. But from those who watched the Ravens closely week in and week out, they saw a gem. I did too.
Pierce, in his limited action with the Ravens last year, rushed for 532 yards during the regular season at 4.9 yards per carry on 108 attempts. In the playoffs, Pierce’s name became more known as he rushed for 202 yards on 5.2 yards per carry.
The Ravens see a stud in the second year player, which is why he will continue to see more action according to baltimoreravens.com. That’s especially true if the Ravens wide receiver position does not hold up with Anquan Boldin now gone, forcing the team to fall back a little bit more on the running game. The decision to increase Pierce’s carries is not a slight by any means to Ray Rice.
Rice will obviously be the starter, but the Ravens just gave Rice a five-year contract worth $40 million in 2012 at the age of 25. We all know about running backs wearing out sooner than any position. So keeping Rice fresh and creating value in his contract in later years would be the Ravens’ focus at this point.
Rice is the known figure in the NFL when identifying the Ravens running game. He does everything from catching out of the backfield to running between the tackles. He is notorious for being among the league leaders in yards from scrimmage since he became a starter in 2009. So instead of looking at this as a competition for a starting job at the moment, it is emerging a top three duo at the running back position in the league.
