The Ravens were hoping to get a solid complement for Ray Rice when they took Bernard Pierce in the third round of the 2012 draft and that’s exactly what they got.
Pierce averaged nearly five yards per carry on his way to 532 yards for the season and stepped up his game near the end of the regular season and in the playoffs. He did all of that despite a bone bruise on his knee that Pierce says has now healed up. That’s left him feeling like he can do even more to help the team during his second season.
“I’m looking for the same outcome, just a little bit better,” Pierce said, via Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun. “I feel like I did good for my first year. Next year, I’m going to try to do a lot better. The stats will speak for themselves at the end of the day.”
Pierce said he’s put on some weight since the end of the season and now weighs in at 228 pounds. That works well with his taste for running to and through contact, especially since that bruising style comes with an ability to run away from defenders once he’s through the line. Pierce’s presence should allow the Ravens to keep Rice fresh throughout the season, something that should help the offense put its best foot forward in their defense of the Super Bowl crown they won last month.