FB/DL Patrick Ricard
If you don’t follow Baltimore closely, you’re likely scratching your head here. I fully expect Pro Bowl voters to do the same in spite of a solid case for Ricard to get the nod here.
Ricard doesn’t get much press because . . . well, how many fullbacks actually do any more? But Ricard is a big reason why the Ravens have been so excellent running the ball this season. His tenacity as a blocker is to be expected, but it’s Ricard’s surprising speed that has seen him used quite often to block outside the tackles on run plays, helping spring Jackson on more than one occasion. Against the Bengals in Week 10, Ricard gave the perfect example of what he means as a blocker, taking his guy 10 yards off the ball and to the ground.
I'm still charting the run game (late start this week) but had to stopd & share this clip. Watch @PRic508 sustain his block on LB57 damn near 10 yds downfield, finish him to the ground, then skip off the field. So awesome! pic.twitter.com/UaSwYtWfoq
— michael crawford (@abukari) November 12, 2019
Ricard is also incredibly versatile. While I listed him as a fullback and defensive lineman, he’s also been thrown in at tight end more than a few times this season. He’s a rotational player on the defensive line and even plays on special teams.
At a time in the NFL when most players have highly specialized roles, Ricard does some of everything at a fairly high level. It might not be enough to sway Pro Bowl voters specifically thanks to a very limited stat sheet, but Ricard should get in because of all he offers.