Ravens sign talented but troubled running back
By Brett Foote
Sep 3, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) runs past Chicago Bears safety Sherrod Martin (47) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Why yes, as it turns out, you can go home again. Running back Terrance West, a Baltimore native and former Towson star, proved that theory this week after the Baltimore Ravens signed him to their practice squad. It’s a flier of sorts, despite West’s status as a 2014 3rd round pick and the fact that he was starting games not too long ago.
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West’s fall from grace has been sudden and sharp. A productive player at Towson, he racked up 4,854 yards and 84 touchdowns before entering the draft following his junior year. The Ravens were reportedly interested in West before the Cleveland Browns traded up in the third round to select him.
After competing for the starting job most of his rookie season in Cleveland, West finished with 171 carries for 673 yards (3.9 avg) and 4 touchdowns while splitting carries with Isaiah Crowell. But Browns coach Mike Pettine openly criticized West’s consistency, and the Browns seemed to sour on him as the season wore on.
There were also rumors that West’s poor practice habits, conditioning, ball security issues, and maturity were drawing the ire of the Brown’s coaching staff. Browns running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery even told the press that West and then-Brown Ben Tate got into arguments in the locker room and during meetings.
All of these transgressions led to the Browns shopping Terrance West this past offseason, and they wound up settling on a mere conditional pick in exchange for the young back from the Tennessee Titans. Despite the obvious lack of talent in Tennessee’s backfield, West couldn’t climb the depth chart and was ultimately waived.
Terrance West obviously has the raw talent and the pedigree to be an NFL running back, but his maturity and motivation are still a huge question mark. Signing him to the practice squad is a zero risk move for the Ravens, however, one that could pay off big.
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And even if it doesn’t, the Ravens aren’t losing anything with the move. With an unsettled (and so far unimpressive) depth chart behind entrenched starter Justin Forsett, the Ravens could use an infusion of talent and upside. Even if it comes with a little baggage.