Ravens' Rice takes NFL lead in total yards from scrimmage

In a span of 18 short months, running back Ray Rice has gone from being an unknown to doing the unimaginable.

Just six weeks into the regular season, Rice, the Ravens' second-round pick in last year's draft, leads the NFL in total yards from scrimmage. Rice, whose 766 yards are 44 more than the yardage totaled by Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson, said he was unaware of that statistic until Tuesday.

"It's just hard work," Rice said. "It definitely feels good to know that your hard work is paying off. The offensive line always does a great job. Once I get the ball in my hands, I just feel like I've been able to make plays. And it feels good that you know you're doing that to help your team. But leading yards from scrimmage would feel better if we won those games."

Rice leads the team in rushes (73) and rushing yards (441) and has recorded three rushing touchdowns. Rice has also been productive through the air, leading the offense in catches (33), ranking second in yards (325) and turning in one receiving touchdown.

Rice smiled when asked about his abilities on the ground and through the air.

"I want to be known not just as a guy who can run the ball. I want to be known as an all-purpose back, and that's where most of my yards come from," he said. "My thing at the end of the game is, I want to see how many total yards I have because I'm sure I'll be able to catch the ball or run between the tackles or do different things when the ball's in my hands."

Rice's skills had him initially billed as a potential LaDainian Tomlinson or Brian Westbrook. Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who coached Tomlinson with the San Diego Chargers between 2002 and 2006, said he's not shocked at Rice's ability to flourish in this offense.

"That's all we know in this system," Cameron said. "If you go back and look historically, that's the critical element to this system, a three-down back. If a guy's a legit three-down back, he's going to lead the league. That's just the way this system works, and he's doing everything he's being asked to do and then some. He's just scratching the surface."

Hauschka recovering

Kicker Steve Hauschka is still disappointed about missing a potential game-winning 44-yard field goal on the final play of Sunday's 33-31 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but his attitude remains upbeat.

"My mind-set is I've got to get better so that something like that doesn't happen again," he said. "It's one of those things that you try to practice, but it's hard to replicate, and now I know what I need to do in those situations. We're going to be working on it all week, so I definitely think I'll be ready for it."

Hauschka said coach John Harbaugh and players like linebacker Ray Lewis and wide receiver Derrick Mason have been supportive and offered words of encouragement. But he also understands the clamoring of some Ravens fans who have criticized the organization for dumping Matt Stover in favor of Hauschka.

"That's the nature of the job," Hauschka said. "There's perks to the job. When you make a kick like that, everyone's real supportive of you. And when you miss one, that's when the negative part comes out. People are going to question you. That's what we as professional athletes have to deal with every day."

Oher-Allen flap

After igniting a war of words with Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, rookie offensive tackle Michael Oher sought to end the exchange Tuesday, telling The Baltimore Sun: "It was a misunderstanding. Jared Allen, he's a great player. I respect that guy. Been watching him for years. ... We just had an emotional game."

After practice Tuesday, Harbaugh fielded questions from the media. But before ending the media briefing, he offered his unsolicited perspective on the flap.

"Michael Oher is a great kid," Harbaugh said. "He's got tremendous respect for Jared Allen and all of the guys he's played against. I think he looks at those guys and he's always kind of idolized NFL players. He wants to hold his own. He's got a lot of pride, and it means a lot to him when he can go out there and - I'd say to a good degree - hold his own. Obviously, Jared Allen's a great player. Put a lot of pressure on us in that game. That's really the biggest part of what makes their defense so good, and Michael knows that and respects that. We want Jared to know that and everybody out there to know that that's the kind of guy Michael is."

End zone

The organization did not make any moves before Tuesday's 4 p.m. trading deadline, a development that did not surprise Harbaugh. "We're always looking for better players, but we like the guys we have," he said. … Harbaugh said he won't spend the bye week calculating the steps the Ravens would need to take to qualify for the playoffs. "Oh no, I would never do that," he said. "Playoff calculations, that's taboo. You know how you make the playoffs? You win games, and that's what we need to do." … While many players aren't scheduled to return to the team's training facility until Monday, coaches and a few select players requiring treatment will still be at the complex. As for Harbaugh's big plans? "Alison's [his daughter] got two soccer games and a school play, and I think we have a family picture of some kind in the plans," Harbaugh. "So it'll be busy. Thanks for asking." ... Linebacker Jarret Johnson and defensive tackle Kelly Gregg have restructured their contracts, freeing salary cap space for next season.

Baltimore Sun reporter Jamison Hensley contributed to this article.