For all of the scrutiny and controversy that has followed Ray Rice throughout this season, it seems surprising that he could actually still play in the NFL this year. Rice won his case and was reinstated by the NFL and, while the Baltimore Ravens have no interest in bringing him back, there are at least four teams that have expressed interest in signing him already. All of this while Adrian Peterson is still banished until at least next April.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Indianapolis Colts and New Orleans Saints were linked to the embattled running back, while the other two teams have not been identified. However, according to Schefter both Indianapolis and New Orleans are reluctant to sign him based largely on the public backlash that could follow.
Here is a quick look at the three teams that could use Ray Rice regardless of whether or not they are willing to take a chance and sign him.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are in the thick of the AFC playoff picture as the top seed from the South, but they have really benefited from a weak division and thrived largely on the shoulders of star quarterback Andrew Luck. The situation on the ground hasn’t been nearly as promising, as the Indianapolis offense has averaged 112 rushing yards per game to rank 15th in the NFL with the plodding Trent Richardson leading the way. Richardson ran for just 12 yards on eight carries in last week’s win over Washington while Daniel Herron ran for 88 yards on eight carries.
Those numbers might be more of an indication for how bad Richardson has been rather than Herron’s explosiveness, but either way, Rice might be the best fit out of the three. The Colts are also reeling from the loss of Ahmad Bradshaw, who is out for the season.
Colts head coach Chuck Pagano was part of the Ravens staff when they drafted Rice back in 2008 and could be willing to take a chance on him. The question is whether or not this team can handle another public relations nightmare. They’re already trying to repair the franchise’s image thanks to owner Jim Irsay and his legal troubles.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland is still very much in the AFC playoff race even after last week’s loss to Buffalo. Even though they rank 15th in the NFL in rushing yards per game with an average of 113.9 per contest on the ground, the tandem of Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell isn’t exactly flashy. The team just released Ben Tate and signing Rice could provide a spark for their offense. Kyle Shanahan runs a similar outside zone blocking system to the one that Gary Kubiak ran in Baltimore and there is also a Ravens connection through Browns head coach Mike Pettine, who was on the Baltimore staff in 2008. Cleveland is right there in the playoff race and it wouldn’t be a major shocker if they take a chance on Rice as they fight to make the postseason.
Arizona Cardinals
One team that makes a lot of sense right now is the Arizona Cardinals. This is a team that’s lacking playmakers on offense with quarterback Carson Palmer sidelined for the season, receiver Larry Fitzgerald banged up, and now starting running back Andre Ellington fighting another hip issue. Even before Ellington got hurt, head coach Bruce Arians had called him out in recent weeks, saying the team needs more from him. That’s partially why the team went out and signed veteran tailback Michael Bush.
Rice would give the Cardinals some tough running on the inside and provide some experience to a team that’s trying to make a run. The Cardinals rank 31st in total rushing yards (897) and rushing yards per game (74.8) and their 3.1 yards-per-carry average is the worst in the NFL. Rice comes with some public relations baggage but, at the end of the day, he’d likely give their running game a needed boost to help out young Drew Stanton and the offense.
