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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
You were talking about Rice/Leach, not the entire team.
And you can't use backs with low attempts, skews the numbers. Sample size is too small.
Rice, MJD and McCoy were the 3 best who stayed healthy and played every week. Throw Willis in there too whatever, doesn't change the productivity of Leach/Rice.
And on 3rd down when the "other" backs are in the game dragging the team YPC down Leach is on the bench.Follow me on Twitter! https://twitter.com/#!/thenflanalyst
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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
We also had a MUCH better offensive line in 2009.
We had Jarred Gaither at left tackle for a good part of 2009 who was a very good left tackle no matter what anyone here says. Ben Grubbs and Yanda both had stellar years at guard as usual, Matt Birk was that bit younger and fresher and had a very solid year in his first season as a Raven. Oher was one of the best right tackles as a rookie. Rice didn't have as much attempts either, we where also playing the NFC North that year against some very weak run defensive teams. You cannot compare the two years
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05-29-2012, 06:36 PM #39Veteran Poster
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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
Read my comment above to explain why this was the case.
Honestly I can understand people questioning if we need him, and question his contract. But to say we'd be better off without him, or saying we need a new full back is absolutely crazy IMO. I wonder how our rushing offense would have looked in 09 with that Oline and Leach on the team.
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05-29-2012, 07:29 PM #41Legendary RSR Poster
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Not sure why you moved the goal posts here.
You stated that Rice and Leach do not compliment each other. I argued Rice had his best year statistically since the addition of Leach. Why you've adjusted your point towards the entire Ravens rushing attack is mysterious at best.
Harbs said bringing in Leach freed up Rice to not only be a rushing threat but to add a level to the receiving game we saw in 2009, with Rice being more involved.
The stats bear this out. He saw increases in total yards, TD's and almost every other measurable. Both players credit each others great seasons to one another.
Maybe sticking to your original premise would serve you better?Last edited by HoustonRaven; 05-29-2012 at 07:56 PM.
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05-29-2012, 07:49 PM #42
Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
If Rice had actually followed half of Leach's lead blocks, he would have had 20% more yards than he did.
Yeah, we need him.
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05-29-2012, 08:29 PM #43Veteran Poster
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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
Did not change the argument. Pointed out that Rice was more productive in 2009. Then went on to prove that the entire Ravens rushing attack was more productive in 2009 without Rice. You missed the entire point of my initial post which is that I think Rice would be better in an offense without a fullback. You pointed out that you thought he had his best year with Leach. Rice has only been in an offense that utilizes a fullback completely missing the point of the initial post.
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05-29-2012, 08:45 PM #44Legendary RSR Poster
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2009 featured the tandem of Rice at RB and McClain at FB. As you argue, that was Rices' best year.
2010 saw a mostly two back set of Rice and McGahee. Rice had his worst statistical year.
2011 featured the return of a FB with the result of his best statistical year.
Your claim of Leach and Rice not complimenting one another looks even more thin with the added analysis of 2009.
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05-29-2012, 08:57 PM #45Regular 1st Stringer
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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
I seriously cannot believe that we were 1 play away from a Super Bowl and fans are on here asking questions like this. Leach's presence on the field is definitely helpful. That cannot be argued. I believe Leach plays special teams (at least sometimes) also and that can't be forgotten. Ever see Le'Ron play special teams? When you use words like "need" is where you make your mistake. Does any team "need" any particular player? Do the Colts "need" Peyton Manning? Did the Redskins "need" Carlos Rogers? Did the Eagles "need" Brian Dawkins? Did the Ravens "need" Foxworth or Josh Wilson? The answer to all of these questions is going to be based on your own opinion, therefore, "need" isn't the correct word to use in my opinion, and "want" is. And the only real or objective answer to all these questions is "maybe". This isn't Madden. Do The Ravens need Leach? Maybe....should we want him? Definitely. In my opinion his leadership and presence was seen and felt last year in a big, big way. Without him I think we would have seen MANY more sacks and tackles for a loss as an offense last year. Our O line last year was in relatively decent shape, and certainly wasn't bad, but they weren't the mauling type of O line we had gotten used to when Le'Ron was here. That made Leach's job a little tougher than Le'Ron's as a whole. Sure Le'Ron is faster than Leach and has great hands and juke moves, etc., but the guy is a straight up cry baby and hates to block. He wasn't used much in KC last year....gee I wonder why. Leach is an in your face, "I want to hurt you" kind of player. Sounds like a real Raven to me. Sure he makes good money, that's part of being a Pro Bowl starter and the best at what you do in the entire NFL. It's not like he's making $7million a year or something. As I said, 1 play from a Super Bowl. When was the last time before Leach got here that we were 1 play away from the Super Bowl? I'm not saying Leach was the answer to all our problems last year, obviously he was not, but between his in your face presence and making it 1 play from a Super Bowl, how can we really complain? Some fans are just too snobby.
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05-29-2012, 09:17 PM #46
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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
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05-29-2012, 09:34 PM #47
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Re: Seriously, Do The Ravens Need Vonta Leach?
I've tried saying that to him, and he can't seem to come up with an argument for it, he is arguing with logic here.
Honestly, the contract is probably too big for a FB, but he plays a critical role in the way this offense runs. And he is the best lead blocker in the NFL right now, to say that Rice would be better off without him is crazy. We had Rice run without a FB in certain games back in 2010, and he had his worse rushing season then (apart from 08 where he was hurt).
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