The Raven's Better Pay This Man. . .

The years 2008. The player I thought was the best RB coming into the draft slips to #55. To a team that needed a primary back to carry the load for years to come. The same team was in need of a QB to take them over on offense. They got what is to be believed both in Joe Flacco and Ray Rice. Now with both of there contracts coming up in the next year its time to pick who's the biggest priority. I believe it's Rice by a long shot and I'll explain why.

Since 08 Rice has been an all pro 3 times. Not including the 08 season because he wasn't the only back getting the carries. Flacco has been good, a bit better as of late but not quite what was expected. Does he get wins in the regular season and post season? Yeah, but not when it counts. And in most cases when they lose its because the lack of giving Rice the ball and actually allowing Flacco to air it out.

Rice is saying he wants Adrian Peterson money now. And Flacco is looking to get a long term contract as well. If the Ravens choose Flacco there in danger of turning into a team that must rely ob throwing the ball to win. And Flacco has yet to prove he can win games by himself. He did have flashes of greatness this season when rookie Tori Smith was hot but that fizzled quickly as teams caught on to the deep threat.

With the defense already built and set for the future in Baltimore I'd say Rice is more of a sure thing because of the playing style there. The defense gets stops, gets the ball back, and let Rice run the clock by doing what he does. The pass will open up after that. But by the time the Ravens figure this out it may be too late. Much like when former Raven Ricky Williams left Miami. Of course the Dolphins were upset about his abrupt exit but in hindsight without Williams the Dolphins had to change there whole team outlook. From a power running clock managing team, to a team in search of a QB and RB that could handle the load. Because of the lack of QB play. Hopefully it doesn't come to that for the Ravens. If they decide not to pay Rice it might though.