Feb 5, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens players including running back Ray Rice (center, black vest) ride down the street on a float during the Super Bowl XLVII victory parade at M

Ray Rice looks good here, but it wasn’t a good afternoon the entire way down the parade for him.

Video has emerged of Ray Rice actually falling off of the parade float while high fiveing Ravens fans. Don’t worry, he got up. That’s why it’s funny….take a look: (if it doesn’t come up on screen, it will tell you to open in a new window, click on it, it works)

He appeared on the local “Boomer and Carton” show here in New York and told the hosts that he fell as the float stopped short, but he was able to catch himself in a push up position and pop right back up.

On a day of celebration for Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, and the rest of the Baltimore Ravens, a bit of comedy was caught on video. For a guy that is adept at keeping his feet when running through linemen, he had some trouble keeping his feet while standing still on a float.

We only show it because he is OK, and we can all laugh about it afterwards. I have to say, though, it’s pretty funny, wouldn’t you agree?

Jan 28, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore (21) speaks during a press conference at the Marriott New Orleans game to discuss Super Bowl XLVII to be held February 3, 2013. Mandatory Credit: Tyler Kaufman-USA TODAY Sports

Jan 29, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is interviewed during media day in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII against the San Francisco 49ers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

With the countdown to Super Bowl XLVII finally starting to wind down, it’s time to start looking at the matchups on the field. Specifically, we are going to look at the running game, and see who has the edge. Which one of these two guys had a better season, per Pro Football Focus, Ray Rice or Frank Gore? We are going to use some of their unique grades to look at who has the edge on Sunday, “By the Numbers.”

First let’s see who graded out higher overall:

RAY RICE: 13.7
FRANK GORE: 11.0

If you looke at their grade, solely based on running, there is a huge difference:

RAY RICE: 4.4
FRANK GORE: 10.4

So, what accounts for this difference? Well, look at their rankings in the passing game:

RAY RICE: 9.3 (first overall)
FRANK GORE: -0.6

So, one guy is more of a threat strictly in the running game, while one is more of a balanced threat. One more number to look at…..who is more elusive? (Elusive ranking per PFF)

RAY RICE: 23.7
FRANK GORE: 37.9

What does this all tell us? Frank Gore is more of the lethal threat on the ground, but Ray Rice can beat you multiple ways.

Finally, we look at footballoutsiders.com to see how these defensive lines fared against the run.

The Niners allowed nearly .5 a yard less per run with a 3.68 yards per carry, vs the Ravens 4.10. The Ravens were actually last in stuffed percentage, or the percentage of time that they stopped the RB for either no gain or a loss. By contrast, the 49ers were ranked right in the middle at #16. The Ravens power rank was 29th, which means in situations of 3rd or 4th and 2 or less, the Ravens were near the bottom of the league at preventing a TD or a first down. The Niners were 17th.

Basically, the Ravens give it up a lot more than the 49ers do, and the 49ers RB is the more explosive one. Going by the numbers, Jim Harbaugh will win this element of the brothers battle on Sunday.

Here’s my conclusion; a list I’ve come up with in regards to the responsibilities of each player:

• Darrelle Revis (missing from picture) is playing at least ten yards off of his man… if you don’t consider him to be lined up as a Safety.
• RB/KR Joe McKnight is playing Cornerback…. on Defense!
• The Jets have 2 down Linemen—Calvin Pace and Marcus Dixon.
• Kyle Wilson looks to be lined up with the Tight End in the slot to the left.
• Wilson’s actually coming on a blitz, along with Joe McKnight, Eric Smith, Marcus Dixon, and Donald Strickland
• Jamal Westerman is going to take Wilson’s man (Tight End) 1-on-1.
• Antonio Cromartie is locked in man with Torrey Smith, 1-on-1.

Again, I apologize for any blurred photos… due to my limited access to film.

If you missed JETSerious Film Session: Harris Project Part I, you can check it out by clicking here.

Enjoy!

Jets vs. Ravens 2011

Here’s the pre-snap look of Rex Ryan’s ill-advised playcall on 3^rd & 11. Although it is a gutsy call on Ryan’s part, it worked. Let me explain why, and how this play was executed to perfection…

As Flacco drops back to pass, you can see two DB’s (on the top of the screen) coming on a blitz. One of them is the speedster, Joe McKnight. His rapid pass-rush will eventually cause Flacco to have to get rid of it in a hurry. David Harris serves as a QB spy, as Calvin Pace picks up his man—Ray Rice. Rice hasn’t released from his block yet, but once he does, you’ll see that Pace takes him in 1-on-1 coverage.

Harris maintains his focus on Joe Flacco. Calvin Pace, on the other hand, jams Ray Rice and disrupts his route. This will ultimately cause Flacco to become impatient, and force the pass with the blitz coming his way. Harris is in excellent position to prevent the screen pass.

Joe Flacco, unaware of David Harris, forces the screen to Rice.  At this point, Harris can easily jump the route, and watch the ball into his hands for the interception. There’s not much for Ray Rice to do at this point, but to change his direction, and prevent an interception. However, his eyes are on the ball and he doesn’t see Harris jumping his route.

But can Harris cut off Rice’s route and make the pick? Turn the page to find out…