Ray Rice sick?

[SteelJones]

The Baltimore Ravens will battle the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC divisional game on Saturday afternoon and may be without one of their best players.

ESPN reported that Ravens running back Ray Rice is not feeling well heading into the big game on Saturday. Rice reportedly started feeling ill on Friday afternoon and has been vomiting at the team’s hotel.

If he is not healthy enough to play in tomorrow’s game, it would severely hurt the Ravens' chance to win in Pittsburgh.

The latest odds for this game as posted by online sportsbook, Skybook, have the Ravens listed as three-point underdogs, but that is subject to change depending on Rice’s status.

Rice is a key cog in the offense and had 17 carries for 57 yards on the ground in the victory against the Kansas City Chiefs, to advance to this game. Rice is known for turning small swing passes into huge gains and bailing out quarterback Joe Flacco, when the pressure gets to him.

Although the Ravens are deep in the running back position with Willis McGahee, Rice is a focal point of the Ravens offense.

The illness has yet to be identified, but if it is the flu, then other players could be affected although reports have yet to surface.

It is too late for the Ravens to alter the game plan if Rice is unable to play, putting the onus on the other backs to perform against a very good Pittsburgh run defense.

This has the potential to be a closely contested game between two bitter rivals, but without Rice the Ravens could be in trouble.

[lionslicer]

Ravens wouldn't suffer that much without Rice. McGahee is a good backup to him, and if they really need to pound the rock, they have McClain. But I doubt they will, Steelers will shut down the running game early.

I'd rather see Ray Lewis or Ed Reed sick with swine flu.

[davidtrout]

They weren't going to run on us anyway. I expect Rice will still play but, even if he doesn't, it won't hurt them that much. They have RBs will probably run just enough to keep our defense honest. Flacco will be the key to their offense, which I find promising.

[tony hipchest]

i remember one time michael jordan had the flu.

as for willis, it is nice watching the re-match of the 1st game this year and remembering james harrison hit him so hard he fumbled the ball in raven territory and never returned to the game.

mcgaheee dont want none.

[CaliStillersFan]

I hope McGahee starts, remember that hit Clark put on him in 08? I would love to see that moment recreated.

[SteelKnight]

Originally Posted by davidtrout

They weren't going to run on us anyway. I expect Rice will still play but, even if he doesn't, it won't hurt them that much. They have RBs will probably run just enough to keep our defense honest. Flacco will be the key to their offense, which I find promising.

It's not the run but the check down passes that Rice does so well that bothers me.

[CaliStillersFan]

You know Ravens fans are going to be crying, " CONSPIRACY, some nutcase Steelers fan got little Ray sick". I can't hear it already.

[tony hipchest]

after he rubs some vagisil on his vagina he will be fine. he wil play.

maybe he got the sniffles, but other than that, this is nothing more than a ploy leaked to the media for strategic purposes.

ravens will go to the air to open up the run and if/when they do, rice will be their man.

[SacknificentStew56]

I doubt if Rice will miss this game. I say just let it out in the huddle like Steamin' Willie Beamen vomited if he has to.

[CaliStillersFan]

I can see it now

Ray Rice up the middle
Gets stuck by Farrior
Pukes and fumbles
Returned for TD by Ziggy