Ray Rice, the ex-Ravens running back who recently was reinstated after an indefinite suspension for his involvement in a domestic violence incident, is available for the taking.
The 27-year-old reportedly has received interest from teams, but no takers. Other than a few preseason carries this season, he hasn't seen NFL game action in almost a year. That's a plus — less wear and tear on his body — right? Wrong, according to ex-NFL running back Terrell Davis.
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Terrell Davis currently working with Gillette Clear Gel leading up to a string of events around the nation this Friday and Saturday offering men a #ClearlyBetter view of the Championship Games. (Getty Images)
"I think at his age, being out a year is a disadvantage," the former Bronco told Sporting News on Friday while promoting his involvement with Gillette Clear Gel. "To try to come back, a year out, especially if there's not an injury, and to come back at the age..."
Davis enjoyed a productive seven-year career in Denver before a torn ACL catalyzed a series of knee injuries that ultimately forced him to hang up the cleats in 2002. He understands age is an important number for a back, and that the older Rice gets and the longer he's away from football, the less productive he can be.
Ray Rice (Getty Images)But Davis does believe that Rice, if given a chance, can be an asset to a team in some capacity.
"I like Ray Rice," Davis said. "If somebody takes a chance on him and brings him back, I do think they'll get a quality back. I wouldn't expect to see no thousand yard rusher, but I expect to see a guy who's still fairly productive.
"He probably wouldn't be a featured back; he'd probably be a complimentary back — get the ball five to 10 times a game. And if he shows that he can carry more, maybe give him more. But I wouldn't expect anybody to bring him in and say 'you're going to be our feature back, we're going to lean on you.'"
Rice remains in free-agency limbo this season until a team gives him a call, a scenario that becomes more unlikely by the day.
Rice averaged 3.1 yards per carry last season. In a revived blocking scheme, his replacement as a feature back in Baltimore this season, Justin Forsett, is averaging 5.8. Based on that production (among other reasons), SN's Vinnie Iyer doesn't see any football reasons for a team to sign Rice.