Baltimore Ravens Stock Report Week Three

Sep 21, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro (34) runs from Cleveland Browns inside linebacker Craig Robertson (53) during the second quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens won 23-21. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Stock up: Lorenzo Taliaferro

For a guy who had never received a regular season NFL carry prior to Sunday, you sure wouldn’t be able to tell it.  Fourth round rookie Lorenzo Taliaferro earned the trust of the Raven’s coaching staff in the preseason, and he capitalized fully on Bernard Pierce’s absence against the Browns by taking 18 carries for 91 yards (5.1 avg) and a touchdown.

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Taliaferro didn’t play on a single passing down and lined up on less than 50% of the snaps, but he did work every time his number was called.  He racked up 3 missed tackles and 38 of his yards came after first contact.  Meanwhile, Bernard Pierce has averaged 4.0 yards per carry through two games with a total of 3 missed tackles and only 113 total yards.

Should the rookie keep the starting gig once Bernard Pierce is healthy, which might be as early as next week?  Yes.  But we aren’t the ones making that decision, and we feel like the Raven’s coaching staff will give Pierce another shot.  But don’t be surprised if he is on a very short leash going forward.