This is how much "Prime Time" believes Ray Rice should be playing again in prime time.
Hall of Fame defensive back and current NFL Network analyst Deion Sanders said the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots made a big mistake in refusing to sign the embattled running back after losing LeGarrette Blount and Dion Lewis to injuries.
Patriots' Interest In Steven Jackson Is Writing On Wall For Ray Rice
Speaking on NFL Network earlier, Deion Sanders says Pats should have signed Ray Rice....or "somebody like that." pic.twitter.com/AA0Ozj9QRO
— Christopher Price (@cpriceNFL) January 4, 2016
The Patriots instead brought 34-year-old Steven Jackson out of retirement to shore up their running back situation. The 12-year veteran has 50 yards on 21 carries and one reception for 20 yards in two games so far with New England.
In his last year with the Ravens in 2013, the soon-to-be 29-year-old Rice rushed for 660 yards on 214 carries to go along with 321 receiving yards on 58 catches -- his worst year in the league.
Poll Indicates Fans Wanted Seahawks To Sign Ray Rice After Thomas Rawls Injury
Strictly because of the TMZ Sports video showing Rice punching then-fiancée and now wife Janay Palmer during an incident in an Atlantic City casino elevator in Feb. 2014, Rice has not been afforded another chance in the NFL.
The NFL originally suspended him two games, which the Ravens agreed with -- until the video came out. The NFL then suspended him indefinitely, and the Ravens released him.
NFL teams fear a backlash over signing Rice, but Greg Hardy, who was found guilty of domestic violence later in 2014, found his way back into the league. And while Hardy has mostly skirted the issue about his arrest to the media, Rice has been open, honest and an advocate for victims in domestic violence.
The Patriots, for gosh sakes, once employed convicted murderer Aaron Hernandez.
Any team that takes a chance on Rice would receive a lot of attention for a week or two and then become an avenue for Rice to continue his advocacy for domestic violence victims. The possible redemption value has a high ceiling. And he could've been the solution for the Patriots hopes of repeating as Super Bowl champions.
Instead, they go into the postseason having lost four of their last six games and looking vulnerable going into the playoffs. Ask Deion Sanders.
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