Baltimore Ravens 2010 Running Back Preview
Ray Rice
The major break out of 2009 could be argued as the number one overall
player in 2009 fantasy football and thus preseason number one for
2010 for many reasons.
The biggest reason is the very good offense that the Ravens are
putting together. Joe Flacco is fast becoming an excellent quarterback
and with the addition of wide receivers Anquan Boldin and Donte
Stallworth, the Raven offense can fast become one of the better
offenses in the NFL.
The Raven offensive line is among the best in the league. 2009 #1
pick tackle Michael Oher is going to be a great player for years
to come.
The number that made Rice such a stud in 2009 was his incredible
78 receptions which put him into the Brian Westbrook category. This
will not happen again in 2010. This was more of a symptom of a problem
with the Raven offense than the desire to throw to Rice, and that
was the Ravens lack of receivers as well as Flacco's youth. Rice
is a great receiver out of the backfield, but his numbers will go
down in 2010.
A likely drawback to drafting Rice too high is his goal line ability.
At 5'8, 205 pounds he is not ideal at the goal line, but at 6'0,
260 pounds, fullback Le'Ron McClain is ideal and at 6'2, 232 pounds,
so is veteran Willis McGahee.
2009 Statistics:
1,339 Yds - 7 TD's - 78 Rec - 702 Yds - 1 TD
2010 Projection:
1,321 Yds - 8 TD's - 62 Rec - 581 Yds - 1 TD
