Baltimore Ravens State of the Corps: Running Backs

Remy Cabache

The Baltimore Ravens have a ton of uncertainty at running back this year. Following his breakout season, Justin Forsett is a free agent, Bernard Pierce has disappointed again after a promising rookie year, and Lorenzo Taliaferro is still an unknown that has plenty to prove.

Forsett has publicly stated that he is looking for a commitment from any team he signs with. Although I’d like him to be back, I don’t think it would be wise to commit too much to him at the age of 29. Forsett, after all, has had just one good year and there is no guarantee the Ravens will be running the same system next season. Which was of course a large contributor to his success. If he does leave, running back has to become our number one need going into free agency and the draft.

In free agency, there are only 2 running backs (other than Forsett) that I would like to see playing in Baltimore next year: Steven Ridley of the Patriots and the Saints’ Mark Ingram.

Steven Ridley

Sep 21, 2014; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots running back Steven Ridley (22) is tackled by Oakland Raiders safety Tyvon Branch (33) at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

You can’t help but like Ridley’s physical running style. Across 4 seasons in New England, he has run for 2,817 yards with 22 touchdowns while averaging a respectable 4.3 yards per carry. Ridley’s best season came in 2012, when he ran for 1,263 yards and 12 touchdowns. Since then, he hasn’t played an entire season and is coming of a torn ACL. While Ridley comes with some risk, he’s only 26 and I think he’s shown plenty of promise.

Mark Ingram

Dec 28, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Mark Ingram (22) runs with the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers strong safety Bradley McDougald (30) defends during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New Orleans Saints defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Ingram, though shorter than Ridley (5’9″ vs. 5’11”), is also a physical runner. He weighs 215 lbs and runs like it. Coming from the same draft class as Ridley, Ingram has run for 2,426 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 4.2 yards per carry in his career with the Saints.

In 2014, his best season, Ingram ran for 964 yards and 9 touchdowns and averaged 4.3 yards per carry over 13 games (9 starts). He started the year strong, but injuries certainly slowed his production down the stretch. Ingram has also been hampered by the Saints’ tendency to use a three headed backfield that rarely features the same back from week to week.

I’d prefer to see a more physical runner in the Ravens’ backfield, like Ridley or Ingram, rather than the faster, scat-like backs the Ravens have deployed recently. If the Ravens can’t get Ridley or Ingram, the answer may lie in the draft. Melvin Gordon, Todd Gurley and Ameer Abdullah fit the profile, and I actually prefer them to Ridley, Ingram, and any of our current options.

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Melvin Gordon

Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) scores a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the second half in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin Badgers defeated the Auburn Tigers 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Melvin Gordon had an unbelievable year in 2014, running for 2,587 yards and 29 TD’s while averaging a stout 7.5 yards per carry. Last year’s production wasn’t exactly meager either as Gordon ran for 1,609 yards and averaged 7.8 yards per carry.

Melvin Gordon is a big play waiting to happen, and while he isn’t a burner, he excels at making guys miss and can run inside the tackles with success. I also think that, given the chance, he can be a good pass catcher and he has shown he can grow in pass protection. Gordon’s performance against Nebraska last season was the point wen I really started to like the look of Gordon in the purple and black.

Todd Gurley

Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Joshua Holsey (15) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Gurley, perhaps the most talented back in the draft, tore his ACL last season, forcing him to miss the combine and bringing about legitimate concerns regarding his ability to have an immediate impact. Injury aside, the guy is a once in a generation type player. He’s big at 6’1″ and 222 lbs but is much faster than his body type would suggest.

In just 6 games last season, Gurley ran for 911 yards and 9 touchdowns while averaging 7.3 yards per carry and had at least one run of 20+ yards in each game. He was also a special teams maven at Georgia, returning 11 kicks for 422 yards (38.4 avg) and 2 touchdowns over his career.

The prognosis for Gurley’s return to full health is good. The fact that his quad “is way ahead of what you would expect, even at this stage” according to Dr James Andrews, is promising. If Gurley can make a full recovery, then he is the best running back in this draft.

Ameer Abdullah

Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers player Ameer Abdullah (8) jumps over Southern California Trojans cornerback Josh Shaw (6) in the fourth quarter in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. USC won 45-42. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Ameer Abdullah

Abdullah is also coming off a great season after running for 1,611 yards and 19 TD’s while averaging 6.1 yards per carry. He wasn’t as prolific or consistent as Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon, but his ability to make people miss is pretty exceptional. As a smaller back at 5’9″ and 205 lbs, he isn’t as physical a runner either, but he is a more consistent pass catcher.

Abdullah does need to work on his pass protection to become a true three down back like the others, although he’ll offer the most help in the return game. He kinda reminds me of Ray Rice coming out, and we know how good he was for a while…

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Remy Cabache