The Facts:
When Joe Flacco handed the football off and threw swing passes to Rice this spring, he was privy to a close view of the physical progress of the three-time Pro Bowl RB. "He’s definitely in good shape," Flacco said of Rice at the close of the Ravens' mandatory minicamp in June. "I don’t know if he’s any quicker or anything like that; you’ll have to ask him. I can say he definitely looks good and he’s running the ball well. Our guys are creating some room out there even with no pads on."
Reported by the Baltimore Sun
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
This adds to previous reporting suggesting Rice had regained much of his old quickness, displaying an ability to run away from defenders that completely disappeared during the worst season of his NFL career last year. Rice has lost roughly 20 pounds since last season when he was as heavy as 225 pounds while struggling with hip and quadriceps injuries that robbed him of his ability to elude pursuit or break tackles. Rice awaits a potential multi-game suspension under the NFL personal-conduct policy stemming from a felony aggravated assault case following a physical altercation with his wife in February. He also enters a pivotal year of his career. Rice rushed for just 660 yards and averaged 3.1 yards per carry, his lowest numbers since becoming a regular starter. He averaged just 1.1 yards per carry after contact, the worst numbers in the NFL. The Ravens are banking on a resurgent year from Rice while they prepare for his potential absence at the start of the regular season. Fantasy football owners shouldn't bank on that. Nor should they run from Rice when the value demands he be picked. Just don't buy in too early.
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