Football

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Foster, Rice keeping eye on each other

By: Aaron Wilson

Posted: 10/21/2012 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

WHENEVER Ravens running back Ray Rice carries the football or catches passes Sunday, Arian Foster intends to keep a close watch.

And it's not because the Houston Texans' star is required to observe his counterpart when he's on the sideline at Reliant Stadium. It's because Foster simply wants to.

He would hate to miss a glimpse of a relatively rare breed in NFL circles: a fellow cutting-edge, all-purpose runner.

"Ray's obviously one of the best in the game today," said Foster, who like Rice is a two-time Pro Bowl selection. "I have a lot of respect for him. He's one of those guys I look forward to watching every Sunday. I'm a fan of him."

The Ravens' and Texans' defences will each have to contend with an uncommonly versatile, three-down running back capable of breaking free in the open field, turning a swing pass into long yardage or blocking a blitzing linebacker.

"I just try to be one of the best in all facets of the game, whether it be catching, blocking, running or route running," Foster said. "I take pride in being an every-down back."

It's a case of mutual admiration between Rice and Foster, who has taken advantage of the Texans' trademark zone-stretch play to generate 561 rushing yards and seven touchdowns this season.

"He trusts," Rice said of Foster. "Obviously when you study the other backs, he's the one I study because of patience. We all feed off each other, and it's a copycat league. Obviously, I try to take a few tools out of his book and use his patience."

Rice led the NFL last season with 2,068 yards from scrimmage and set a franchise record with 15 total touchdowns, rushing for 1,364 yards and catching 76 passes for 704 yards.

No player has more yards from scrimmage than Rice since the 2009 season, and since entering the league in 2008, Rice has caught 274 passes for 2,468 yards. That's the most receptions and yards for any back during that span, more than the Chicago Bears' Matt Forte and the New Orleans Saints' Darren Sproles.

In a league now tilted toward the passing game, a player who is both a formidable runner and receiver is a valuable commodity.

"Me and Arian and a few other guys, (like) Matt Forte, I just think that we evolve with the change," Rice said. "The change is being the pass-first league. Arian can catch just as good as he can run, but obviously we all get paid to run the ball. We get paid to make plays as well. We got to be able to catch just as good as we can run."

Foster has been less of a factor in the passing game this season, with only 11 receptions for 72 yards and one touchdown, but he's caught 138 career passes for 1,386 yards and five touchdowns. He's averaging 105.5 yards of total offense per game, compared with Rice's 119.2.

-- The Baltimore Sun

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition October 21, 2012 B12

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