Is Ray Rice the real deal?

[captainki11z]

So last year Rice gained elite RB stats by getting 1339 yards on the ground and another 702 yards through the air on 78 receptions. That's not a typo, I said 78 receptions. Hello PPR! He also managed to get 8 total TD's, even with McGahee and McClain getting the goal line touches. So my question to you is Ray Rice worth the hype that the "experts" claim he is? Most rankings have him projected as the 4th or 5th RB, or even higher in PPR leagues.

Some other questions...

1. Does Ray Rice have enough talent to get to the end zone before McGahee and McClain get called off the bench? Can he get 8 TD's again?
2. How many touches is Rice gonna lose because of Anquan Boldin?
3. How much of Rice's success is a result of the Raven's o-line?

[BGbootha]

Fact = Ray Rice is the solid #1 back on a decent running team.
Fact = In a PPR league you can't ignore a guy who had 78 receptions out of the backfield.

I don't see how you can rank this guy outside the top four in a PPR league. If you don't count PPR then you can bump him down, but he has to be early in the first round no matter what.

[Wenchtamer]

Let me attempt to dispel the "McGahee is a threat" beliefs out there.

McGahee vultured 5 TDs in the first 3 games. After Week 3 is when the team took the reins off Rice. Just look at it as the Ravens easing Rice into the starting role.

For the next 7 games, McGahee did not have a rushing touchdown.

Then McGahee gets 1 consecutive weeks against Green Bay and Pitt. Ok, that happened.

Then McGahee gets 2 against Detroit...AFTER Ray got his
to the tune of 220 total yards and a touch.

McGahee then doesn't get one until the final game of the season, where they were clearly preserving Rice for the playoffs.

As far as I'm concerned, as a guy who owned Rice in 4 out of 5 leagues last year (Inc 2 dynasties) and saw how the season went, McGahee only stole TWO touchdowns from "Starter" Ray Rice!

If Willis McGahee is keeping you from drafting Ray Rice, well...he shouldn't be.

[dgan]

Let me attempt to dispel the "McGahee is a threat" beliefs out there.

McGahee vultured 5 TDs in the first 3 games. After Week 3 is when the team took the reins off Rice. Just look at it as the Ravens easing Rice into the starting role.

For the next 7 games, McGahee did not have a rushing touchdown.

Then McGahee gets 1 consecutive weeks against Green Bay and Pitt. Ok, that happened.

Then McGahee gets 2 against Detroit...AFTER Ray got his
to the tune of 220 total yards and a touch.

McGahee then doesn't get one until the final game of the season, where they were clearly preserving Rice for the playoffs.

As far as I'm concerned, as a guy who owned Rice in 4 out of 5 leagues last year (Inc 2 dynasties) and saw how the season went, McGahee only stole TWO touchdowns from "Starter" Ray Rice!

If Willis McGahee is keeping you from drafting Ray Rice, well...he shouldn't be.

Awesome breakdown! That pretty much sums it up.

Anquan Boldin will get open so theoretically Flacco won't have to "check down" as often, meaning Rice may see a decline of 10-20% in receptions. But that's not for sure, just a possibility. But even at 50+ receptions, he's still a monster.

[Azrael]

Cam Cameron always throws his RBs the ball ALOT. He threw it all the time to LT. Ronnie Brown had nearly 40 catches in 7 games under Cameron. Rice had almost 80 last year. I wouldn't expect the guy to catch less than 70 balls. PPR stud for sure.

[petedog9]

After spending the offseason in the weight room, Ray Rice now bench presses 405 pounds and squats more than 500.

"Look at him over there," said FB Le'Ron McClain. "He lives in the weight room all the time. I mean all the time! He is going to be a beast." Rice's extraordinary strength is the primary reason why he succeeds between the tackles where so many other smaller backs fail. He's one of the most complete tailbacks in the NFL, and he'll be a goal-line stud in 2011 if the Ravens part with Willis McGahee.

Source: Roto

[Carnac]

Rice is the real deal PPR or not. Of course, in PPR leagues, his value is even greater.

He is an early 1st rounder in any format. Draft him with confidence.

[justinj312]

Yes, Ray Rice is the real deal. Next question...

[benb18a]

Yes, Ray Rice is the real deal. Next question...

Will be become the next Marshall Faulk?

[aaawall91]

If cam Cameron is there than I buy. Ray Rice plus Cam...oh, my.

Also I see Bolden as a plus not a negative this is a guy who can block and is tough, I can see Rice taking it farther more often with Bolden out there.