Ravens’ Rice is Martin clone
Defense has to prepare for another tough runner
ALAMEDA — After giving up 251 yards rushing to Tampa Bay rookie Doug Martin, what will the Raiders do for an encore?
They’ll find out Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens and running back Ray Rice, whose style closely resembles that of Martin. The comparison came from none other than Bucs coach Greg Schiano, who coached Rice in college at Rutgers.
“He coached both of ’ em, so he would know best,” Raiders coach Dennis Allen said. “They look very similar on tape.”
Rice, at 5- foot- 8, 212 pounds, has a low center of gravity like Martin. He leads the Ravens with 622 yards rushing, averages 4.7 yards per carry and has six touchdowns.
“Ray Rice is a little bit more polished a running back,” Raiders linebacker Philip Wheeler said.
With Martin breaking loose for four touchdowns including breakaway runs of 45, 67 and 70 yards, Allen noted it wasn’t the first time the Raiders struggled against the run ( Reggie Bush, Willis McGahee).
“But there have been games when we’ve played exceptionally well, so we know we’re capable of playing the run well,” Allen said.
Wheeler believes Rice and the Ravens offer the perfect opportunity to get back on the horse.
“I was kind of shocked that we let that happen,” Wheeler said. “Even after the game I was thinking, man, we have a chance to redeem ourselves. We have another team with a similar running attack. We can redeem ourselves.”
■ Running backs Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson did not practice with high ankle sprains, and Allen doesn’t expect to know their status until Friday at the earliest. Goodson was spotted at the facility with a protective boot on his right foot.
If McFadden and Goodson can’t play, Allen said there is a plan in place, with options including increased use of Taiwan Jones, playing Marcel Reece as a tailback and the activation of Jeremy Stewart from the practice squad.
■ Linebacker Aaron Curry returned to the 53man roster, and Allen expects him to play against Baltimore in a reserve role. Curry credited prayer and the care of a chiropractor practicing “neuromuscular re- education” for his return.
“After one treatment, I was better than at any time prior to that,” Curry said.
■ Defensive tackle Desmond Bryant was cleared by doctors and back at practice after leaving the Tampa Bay game early in the second half with an accelerated heartbeat.
Bryant believes the condition might have been caused by dehydration.
■ Right tackle Khalif Barnes practiced for the first time since having groin surgery after Week 2, and Allen wouldn’t rule him out of the Ravens game. Cornerback Ron Bartell is practicing for his second week, and chances are good he’ll be put on the 53- man roster to play against Baltimore.
■ Defensive tackle Richard Seymour sat out practice with a sore knee and a hamstring strain. Safety Matt Giordano was limited with a hamstring strain and looks as if he could play against Baltimore.