The Baltimore Ravens' overhauled rushing attack will likely feature Bernard Pierce as the early-down back when the season opens versus the Bengals.
Pierce told The Baltimore Sun on Tuesday that he will be able to practice with no restrictions at training camp after undergoing shoulder surgery in January.
The Ravens are preparing for a potentialRay Rice suspension with a committee attack including Pierce, Justin Forsett and rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro.
After a promising rookie season, Pierce turned in a disastrous 2013 campaign, hampered by shoulder, hamstring, toe and knee injuries behind a blocking scheme that failed to consistently open holes.
Now healthy, Pierce is optimistic about a bounce-back season in new coordinator Gary Kubiak's successful zone-blocking scheme.
"The running game is definitely a lot simpler than what we had the year before," Pierce said. "We actually did this in college. I definitely like the zone scheme. I'm used to it. I got a knack for this kind of offense."
We fully expect the Ravens to boast one of the NFL's most improved offenses this season, with Pierce leading the ground attack in September.
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