BenJarvus Green-Ellis Rumors: Baltimore Ravens Interested?

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis (42) runs the ball in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

A handful of NFL teams have lost some depth at the running back position over the first two weeks of the season, whether it be due to injury, suspension, or legal issues.  Which means that free agent running backs might find their phones ringing soon.

So we shouldn’t be surprised to hear some BenJarvus Green-Ellis rumors, the latest of which indicate that he is drawing interest from a few teams that have recently suffered losses at the running back position, namely the Minnesota Vikings and Baltimore Ravens, as reported by Jason La Canfora.

While the Vikings are a bit thin at the running back position following Adrian Peterson’s indefinite absence, the Ravens are relatively set at the position even after releasing Ray Rice.  Bernard Pierce put in a pretty good performance in week two while taking 22 carries for 96 yards, and Justin Forsett has proven to be a solid change of pace back.  Plus, the team has promising rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro waiting in the wings, and the talented Fitzgerald Touissaint on the practice squad.

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Benjarvus Green-Ellis is a big, punishing back in the mold of Pierce and Taliaferro, so his addition doesn’t make a lot of sense for the Ravens right now.  Which isn’t to say that he doesn’t still possess the talent necessary to carry the load for a needy team.  Green-Ellis split time with Giovanni Bernard last season with the Bengals, rushing 228 times for 798 yards (3.5 avg) with 7 touchdowns.  He isn’t a special talent at this stage of his career, but he can still contribute.

The Bengals let Green-Ellis go because they drafted his replacement in Jeremy Hill, who is cheaper, younger, and more effective.  But don’t be surprised if he gets at least one more chance from a needy team.  The Vikings make sense, as Peterson’s backup Matt Asiata failed to impress last week.  In fact, in his career, Asiata has only averaged 3.1 yards per carry.  So while he may be a good fit for the Vikings or another team, don’t expect to see Green-Ellis signing with the Ravens.