While outside linebacker Terrell Suggs campaigned for more carries for his running back in the emotional postgame locker room Monday night, Ray Rice laughed and shrugged off the hoopla.
Rice had just eight carries for 28 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But that few of carries is more of an anomaly than a trend, and not something Rice is upset about.
Rice was averaging 17.8 carries per game before Jacksonville. Versus Houston and the New York Jets in the past two weeks, he had 23 and 25 carries, respectively.
“[Suggs] was outspoken about it, but I definitely know my carries will come when the offense has success,” Rice said.
“I’m going to be one of the guys that brings this offense together. I’m not going to be pointing my finger everywhere.”
The Ravens didn’t get a first down in nearly 40 minutes, which didn’t leave many opportunities for getting into a rhythm and getting the Pro Bowler carries.
They also didn’t find much room on the ground, as collectively the Ravens averaged just 2.8 yards per rush. Rice was targeted in the passing game eight times and made a team-high five receptions.
Still, as Head Coach John Harbaugh and Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron have said, Rice getting so few carries isn’t a formula for success. Harbaugh said getting Rice more carries, as Suggs suggested, is “what we’re trying to do.”
“Yeah, I definitely expect to be more involved,” Rice said.
“My involvement hasn’t changed in this offense since the beginning of the season. I don’t want Cam and them to feel like they’ve got to force me the ball. I tell you, I’m not that kind of guy. My carries come when the whole offense has success. I look forward to having that success going forward.”
Rice also had a fumble against the Jaguars, his first in 522 straight regular-season touches (the NFL’s longest streak).
The ball popped out when Rice ran into the back of right guard Marshal Yanda, giving Jacksonville possession at the Ravens’ 34. He nearly had another fumble in the second quarter, but that was reversed after a replay challenge.
“It was frustrating knowing that it happened,” Rice said. “But at the same time, I know I’m a player in this league and I know that ball security hasn’t been an issue for me and I’m looking forward to getting it back next week.”
Rice confirmed what Harbaugh said on Tuesday that he was not benched during Monday night’s game and that he did not get into an argument with Running Backs Coach Wilbert Montgomery.
Just a week ago, pundits lauded Rice and Montgomery for working together to alter the Ravens’ rushing scheme against the Houston Texans.
“There weren’t any play-calling issues. There weren’t issues on the sideline,” Rice said. “We were just trying to find answers to move the ball. It had nothing to do with me and the fumble. It had everything to do with us trying to try to find an answer to get to the next drive.”
