There have been many obvious changes with Ray Rice this offseason, more than just his promotion to the Ravens' top running back.
He "trimmed the fat," as Rice likes to say. Last year's second-round draft pick is running with power, driving through tacklers in training camp.
Rice is also much smarter. When the hole closes up, he knows where to bounce, making the cut with confidence.
But to understand the reason he made those improvements, one has to take a closer look at Rice. The word Gifted is tattooed on his right forearm, and One is on his left.
"When I get down, I've got to realize that I'm gifted to play in the NFL," Rice said about his newest tattoos. "Sometimes you got to think - I wasn't the biggest, fastest or strongest. I've had to work to get where I'm at. There are many guys that want to play in the NFL. I'm never going to take that for granted."
His commitment to hard work this offseason has made the 5-foot-8, 210-pound running back a leading candidate to become the team's breakthrough player. Although offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said the Ravens want to continue a running back by committee also featuring Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain, Rice has taken the majority of his snaps with the first team.
Even one of the NFL's top run defenses has come away impressed.
"Ray Rice, to me, is just one of the most exciting players to watch play football," linebacker Ray Lewis said.
Rice showed flashes during his rookie season. He was the seventh running back taken in the 2008 draft and finished seventh among rookies in rushing last season.
The key this season is more consistency, which led to a strange request. The Ravens want him to slow down.
Running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery said a better understanding of the game results in ball carriers showing more patience.
"Last year, he came here in his brand new Ferrari and wanted to drive 100 mph," Montgomery said. "This year, he's in the Volkswagen."
During the offseason, Rice became a student of the position. He would ask Montgomery questions about plays. How is this one supposed to be blocked? Where is the ball supposed to go? Where do you run when the play breaks down?
When he still didn't understand, they would go out on the field and work out the problems.
"You've got to run with a purpose," Rice said. "You can't run being lost."
The advantage Rice has over McGahee and McClain is his impact in the passing game.
