AFC North Top 25: Fourth-ranked player
July, 24, 2012
7/24/12
4:00
PM ET
By
Jamison Hensley | ESPN.com
The AFC North blog is continuing its series on the top 25 players in the division with No. 4:
RAY RICE
Rice Ravens running back
Why Rice is ranked 4th: You can certainly make a strong argument for Rice being at the top of this list. He's been the NFL's most consistent all-around running back over the past three seasons. Rice has produced at least 1,700 total yards since 2009 despite going against tough defenses in the division twice a year. There's no doubt that he deserved his five-year, $40 million deal.
So, why is Rice ranked fourth and not higher? There are three Hall of Fame-caliber players who are entering the prime of their careers in the division. I wouldn't necessarily put Rice in that class just yet. If he puts together another top-notch season, there's a chance he could crack the top three in 2013.
RAY RICE
Why Rice is ranked 4th: You can certainly make a strong argument for Rice being at the top of this list. He's been the NFL's most consistent all-around running back over the past three seasons. Rice has produced at least 1,700 total yards since 2009 despite going against tough defenses in the division twice a year. There's no doubt that he deserved his five-year, $40 million deal.
So, why is Rice ranked fourth and not higher? There are three Hall of Fame-caliber players who are entering the prime of their careers in the division. I wouldn't necessarily put Rice in that class just yet. If he puts together another top-notch season, there's a chance he could crack the top three in 2013.
- ESPN AFC North Blogger
- A University of Maryland graduate
- Lives in the Baltimore area with his wife
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Jamison Hensley
Hensley joined ESPN.com in 2011 after covering the Ravens for The Baltimore Sun for 11 years. A graduate of the University of Maryland, he lives in the Baltimore area with his wife and son.
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