Ray Rice has been publicly contrite, and done all the right things since he became the face of the NFL’s domestic violence problem. That doesn’t mean he’s going to get a second chance at being an NFL running back.
Rice has clearly become toxic to NFL franchises; despite a rash of injuries to players like Marshawn Lynch, LeSean McCoy and Lance Dunbar, Rice can’t get a look. Even the Bills, who are dealing with a hamstring injury to McCoy, and a concussion to Karlos Williams, have turned to 2012 draft bust Trent Richardson before giving Rice a workout
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Richardson has been a disaster since a 10-touchdown rookie season. He was traded the following year to the Colts for a first-round pick, where he barely averaged three yards per carry, and was eventually bypassed by Daniel “Boom” Herron. This offseason Richardson got guaranteed money from the Raiders, but then got cut anyway. Probably because of plays like this:
And yet, here he is, working out for Buffalo ahead of Rice. It’s notable that Rice’s domestic violence case isn’t the only reason teams are hesitant. In 2013, Rice was not a good running back. He matched Richardson’s 3.1 yards per carry mark, and totaled 660 yards. Rice had rushed for more than 1,000 yards in each of the four prior seasons.
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Players have had bad seasons before and received second chances, though. Trent Richardson has had two consecutive atrocious seasons and is somehow still getting calls from NFL teams. Even former domestic abusers like Greg Hardy and Ray McDonald have been given multiple opportunities, albeit their actions weren’t caught on camera.
Rice may be resigned to being a spectator forever if the likes of T-Rich are considered more desirable. His apparent excommunication from the NFL may be the strongest deterrent yet for NFL players to think twice before committing violent acts.
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