The Rise of Ray Rice

Even before Ravens starting running back Willis McGahee underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on his troublesome knee, the Baltimore beat writers were already writing the praises of Rutger rookie Ray Rice. His impressive work in camp even had some thinking that the future was now and that Rice would prove to be the better back by season's end.

Ray Rice did nothing but backup those assements as he ran through a Vikings first string defense that is usually stout against the run. After gaining only 12 yards on six carries the week before, Rice exploded this week for 77 yards on 8 carries and added a touchdown for good measure. Despite the good performance, new Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh was doing his best to temper the storm that will no doubt come once McGahee returns and has any moment of struggle.

"When Willis is healthy and ready to go, he’s our starter, but both those guys will play"

That statement obviously suggests that Harbaugh isn't going to just give up on McGahee, but Rice's continued outstanding play will make it hard for the first year coach to keep him off the field. The fantasy players are taking notice as well. Willis McGahee was easily being considered a late RB1 but now is finding himself slipping further and further down draft boards, even landing in the fourth round in some recent mocks on fantasyfootballcalculator.com.

Ray Rice on the other hand was wallowing in the handcuff territory of the 14th round, but now has a ADP in the 10th, and is being selected as high as the 7th. Any setback in McGahee's recovery coupled with another outstanding preseason performance will cause shock waves through the fantasy world, and more importantly in Baltimore.

Willis McGahee won't relinquish the starting role without a fight, so while the fans and beat writers in Baltimore may be ready to annoint Ray Rice as the new star, the Ravens will find themselves with two very capable running backs that will strike fear in the defenses of the AFC North.