Ray Rice as slot receiver?

**GOTA** · 05-03-2013, 09:32 AM

Were any defenses shaking in their boots when the Dolphins lined Reggie Bush up in the slot? Not really. That doesn't mean you can't do it every now and then but maybe you get 15 snaps a season in that formation. Ray Rice is not going to be a regular slot receiver.

**AirFlacco** · 05-03-2013, 10:04 AM

They would with Rice lining up in slot but I like the idea of alternating him as
Solo mentioned above and with Pitta and he'll still be RB. Slot receivers are often smaller than the big WRs like 5'7" Hawkins of the Bengals. They also have great lateral movements like Rice in the SD video above and they're not afraid to take the bumps and bruises like Ray.

Here's an article entitled SLOT MACHINES and Rice fits the profile here.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/85...-espn-magazine

**moose10101** · 05-03-2013, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by goldenelite28

Jimmy Smith too.

Sure, now that he's been relieved of his duties as LT.

**bensmotorcyclehelmt** · 05-03-2013, 10:44 AM

I dont think necessarilly that the Ray wil be full time slot reciever, but if you notice, we are starting to get some "tweeners" on offense.

Pitta, that new FB and Rice are all multi-faceted and can slide in between positions.

Add depth with guys like Pierce and there could be some interesting personnel packages next season.

It will be interesting to see what wrinkles Cladwell comes up with.

NE used two catching TEs effectively. How can you use 2 great RBs effectively?

Remember, this is his first full year as OC.

**wickedsolo** · 05-03-2013, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Miz89

Rather see Pierce in the backfield and Rice in the slot. Rice and Pierce are both much better than the 4th round pick who seems to be getting overrated at a high pace.

He is getting high praise because of his performance during the Senior Bowl. He was already a natural receiver, but he was just dominating at the Senior Bowl as a blocker out of the backfield.

Is he getting overrated a bit? Maybe. However, I think you're significantly undervaluing what he can bring to this offense.

**EastonRaven** · 05-03-2013, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by Spider Webb

I hope we see more of Rice in the slot this year. He's a mismatch problem and playing more WR will prolong his career.

I wanna say that Marshall Faulk alluded to how his use as a receiver extended his career...if not productivity...so I don't think this is a stretch of the imagination to utilize Ray in that capacity

**EastonRaven** · 05-03-2013, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by GOTA

Were any defenses shaking in their boots when the Dolphins lined Reggie Bush up in the slot? Not really. That doesn't mean you can't do it every now and then but maybe you get 15 snaps a season in that formation. Ray Rice is not going to be a regular slot receiver.

You have a point...however those 15 snaps will keep opposing defense honest to be sure...it would be just one more thing for them to to prepare for if they used it only 1-3 times per game

**alien bird** · 05-03-2013, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by saintmatthew

Maybe we should just field 11 safeties on D...

Is that the ultimate definition of a "bend-but-don't-break" defense?
http://russellstreetreport.com/forum...reak-mean-quot

**lowrider** · 05-03-2013, 07:41 PM

Yeah, use him in the slot, spread him out wide, put him at TE, just get the ball in his hands. Rice is still our #1 weapon on offense and he needs to be part of the game plan at all times. Even when the ball doesn't go to him the defense has to account for him at all times. He opens up opportunities that the offense would not otherwise have.

SuggsKill · 05-03-2013, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by lowrider

Yeah, use him in the slot, spread him out wide, put him at TE, just get the ball in his hands. Rice is still our #1 weapon on offense and he needs to be part of the game plan at all times. Even when the ball doesn't go to him the defense has to account for him at all times. He opens up opportunities that the offense would not otherwise have.

/End threak. Give him the damn ball