By Austin Medina
Opponents should start taking notes on #42 in the Ravens uniform. Patrick Ricard is producing at a level not seen since the early years of the NFL, more than 50 years ago.
Ricard is the Ravens starting fullback, playing in roughly 26% of all offensive snaps. Ricard's presence in the run game has led to the Ravens #1 rushing attack.
Ricard's level of production goes beyond the ordinary statistics. Listed at 6'3, 311 pounds, his physical run blocking has made way for running backs Mark Ingram and Gus Edwards to rush for 10 touchdowns.
Here's an example:
Additionally, Ricard's impact on the goal line has paid dividends for the Ravens.
During the Ravens 41-7 victory, Ricard logged a career-high 46 total snaps.
Ricard is on his way to becoming an All-Pro fullback, but his productivity goes even beyond.
According to Pro Football Reference, Ricard has logged 196 snaps as a fullback and has logged an additional 135 snaps as a defensive tackle through 11 weeks.
Ricard has appeared in all 10 games on defense as well, tallying nine tackles, two quarterback hits, and a sack. During the Ravens win against Cincinnati two weeks ago, Ricard forced a fumble that Tyus Bowser returned for a TD.
The uncommon duality of Ricard's game was last prevalent during the years of pioneers such as Jim Thorpe, Chuck Bednarik, and Bronco Nagursky.
Thorpe and Bednarik were both Hall of Famers and member of All-Decade teams, roughly six decades ago. Ricard has taken the role of Nagurski, a physical fullback who has also exceled as a defensive lineman. For the latter three players, playing both sides of the ball was common and necessary.
In the modern-day NFL, Ricard is breaking NFL norms and doing all he can to contribute to the Ravens success.
At 8-2 with the top rushing attack and a top-10 rush defense, the Ravens certainly can point to Ricard's contribution as an important factor. Although underrated Ricard has proven that not only is there room for a two-way player, but that a two-way player can produce significantly.
