Should the Cardinals Pursue Ray Rice?

Following back to back losses to Seattle and Atlanta, the Arizona Cardinals need to shuffle things up to get back on track. An interesting question presents itself just days after the NFL reinstated Ray Rice… Should the Cards consider signing Rice?

Starting running back Andre Ellington has been nicked up all year with a foot injury before getting knocked out of the game this past Sunday against the Falcons with a hip injury. The Cardinals could very well be in need of a long-term answer at the position if Ellington’s hip injury is anything serious.

Nov 30, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Arizona Cardinals running back Andre Ellington (38) leaves the game with an injury against the Atlanta Falcons in the second quarter at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Backup running back Stepfan Taylor looks to be the primary back if Ellington is to miss this week’s game against the Chiefs with Marion Grice serving as Taylor’s backup.

Regardless of whether Taylor and Grice’s numbers will be called, Rice would be a definite upgrade over both of these options if he’s in game shape as the Cardinals currently rank 31st in the league with 74.8 rushing yards per game.

From 2009-2012 Rice received 250+ carries while surpassing 1,100 yards in each season. In those four seasons he also totaled 33 touchdowns, while maintaining an average of over four yards per carry. Rice also showed that he is a great dual-threat running back with 278 catches in those four years as well.

Aug 16, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

The catch with Rice may be his numbers from last year, when he posted 214 carries for a measly 660 yards (3.1 ypc) and just four touchdowns.

If the Cardinals were able to roll out a scheme with both Ellington (when healthy) and Rice involved in the offense, the backfield could easily bring in 10-12 catches per game. A fresh pair of legs is something that Rice offers and would be ideal heading down the stretch to the playoffs.

Signing a fresh 27-year-old, three time Pro Bowl running back with four games, including three against NFC West foes, remaining sounds like the perfect addition to a team with a chance to play in the Super Bowl in their own stadium.