Ravens draft Pierce in third round
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Ravens draft Pierce in third round
Keith Pompey, Inquirer Staff Writer
Bernard Pierce will wear the purple, black and gold of the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens selected the former Temple running back with the 84th overall pick in the third round of the NFL Draft on Friday night.
The 6-foot, 218-pounder, who opted to forego his senior season at Temple, was the seventh running back taken in the draft. He’s also the first Owls running back to be drafted since 1989. Back then, Todd McNair was selected in the eighth round by the Kansas City Chiefs.
Lack of durability is the major knock on Pierce, a three-year starter at Temple. But when healthy, he was the Mid-American Conference's most explosive player.
Pierce ranks second on Temple's all-time rushing list with 3,570 yards. His 54 touchdowns, 53 of them on the ground, and 324 points scored are career records at Temple.
Pierce rushed for 1,481 yards this season despite missing one game with a concussion, playing two others with a hamstring injury, and being taken out in the third quarter of a number of games because Temple had huge leads. He set a single-season school record with 27 touchdowns.
Poll: How would you grade the Eagles' draft so far?
That a boy Bernie. Great situation for Pierce. His only knock is durability and he won't be asked to carry the load with Ray Rice in town. And Newsome and Co obviously liked him to move up and grab him. And Newsome knows. His draft record has been outstanding (the guys he has drafted have gone to like 15 Pro Bowls).- excellent selection. Ozzie Newsome is a great scout.— Temple U Owls
- Pierce will compliment Ray Rice and Ravens blocking.— Temple U Owls
Pompey is a native Philadelphian and a University of Pittsburgh graduate. Follow him on Twitter @pompeysgridlock. Reach Keith at kpompey@phillynews.com.
