Who will win the battle for the title of Ray Rice's backup?

**TL24x7** · 07-04-2012, 09:39 AM

Aaron Wilson checks in with a report on the trio of backs vying for the job HERE

Cast YOUR vote in our poll today.

Happy 4th everyone!

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**lobachevsky** · 07-04-2012, 11:45 AM

Berry bears watching if only to see if he's lost any of his speed & quickness while bulking up to 223. If not, things could get real interesting real quick.

**Iscull** · 07-04-2012, 12:57 PM

I'm pulling for Bernard. This dude could be Ray's replacement.

**Rxdoxx** · 07-04-2012, 03:22 PM

I can't see Bernard not making the team, we traded up to take him in the 3rd, so he is as close to a lock as we can get.
Now are we carring 2 backs behind Rice? Berry and Allen battle for one spot both
I'm sorry, I don't have the PS eligibility at my fingertips.... if both have eligibility, and we keep one, we cut the one most likely to slide to the PS and keep the one who would probably be grabbed.
I have no idea, gonna depend on camp, how much good tape they generate for other teams in pre-season.
How well they read and pick up blitzers, but that is nearly impossible to get a good read on since Ds hide a lot of things in pre-season.
I think Berry has eligibility left (used one last year)
Allen I think was on the roster last year (active 5 games) so not eligible.

If I had to pure guess I'd go with Allen backing up Rice and Bernard on roster, Berry PS.
If Berry is super in pre-season then Allen goes, but need info that hasn't been produced yet to make that statement

**BcRaven** · 07-04-2012, 04:23 PM

Please don't burn me at the steak (pun intended on July 4th). Is it remotely possible that AAllen could temporarily (for a short period of time) back-up fullback too? Personally, I'd like to see Pierce win the 2nd spot, but I'm happy that we have three young RBs behind RR... Bc

**Rxdoxx** · 07-05-2012, 08:12 AM

Yep, it is possible, versitility helps and having someone at another spot who provides back-up for Vonta would be a plus for Allen's cause.

I don't think Bernard will be fully trusted in back up role early in season, he may entrench himself there late (and FO will want to see what they have in him, especially if Rice is playing under the tag). I do think Pierce will have the 2nd spot late, after he proves blitz recognition, and safety valve release timing.

The other real possibility is Ozzie brings in the next Williams and neither Allen or Berry make the 53.
Just speculation now, absolutely no idea of who will get beat out on another team, but this time last year Ricky hadn't come on any of our radar, then on Aug 8th, bingo we sign him. Looks less probable with the salary cap squeezed but they could do it if they felt it made the team better, I don't think any of us here doubt they could do that if they wanted.

**Iscull** · 07-05-2012, 01:43 PM

Originally Posted by BcRaven

Please don't burn me at the steak (pun intended on July 4th). Is it remotely possible that AAllen could temporarily (for a short period of time) back-up fullback too? Personally, I'd like to see Pierce win the 2nd spot, but I'm happy that we have three young RBs behind RR... Bc

To be honest, I don't see any situation where they would use Allen as a FB. In college, he could be because the LB's he would block against were smaller, weaker, and slower. In the NFL, there are 250 pound LB's that are built like mac trucks and can run with WR's. Allen recently said he toned up his body to 230, which is a great weight for a bruising RB; however, he is not built to be an NFL FB. In addition, we have the highest paid FB in the NFL so I really can't see why we wouldn't use him.

With that said, I can see an instance where maybe Rice/Pierce and Allen could be on the field at the same time. It just wouldn't be due to a FB role. Normally they would use a blocking TE, or H-Back in that situation. Maybe in a shotgun formation, both backs could be next to Joe with 3 WR's out wide.