Justin Forsett Playing the Waiting Game With Baltimore Ravens

Brett Foote

Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) carries the ball against the New England Patriots in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

What exactly do you do with a running back who is 29 years old and has spent his entire career (aside from one spectacular season) as a change of pace back, always on the fringe of an NFL roster? It’s a tough question the Baltimore Ravens are currently asking themselves as they try to bring back their unlikely star of 2014 – Justin Forsett.

There’s no doubt that Forsett was incredible last season as he defied all the odds in a Pro Bowl performance. The events that led to his emergence as an offensive weapon were equally as incredible, as the Ray Rice fiasco, the continued disappointing play of Bernard Pierce, and the slow development of Lorenzo Taliaferro created a huge opportunity for the diminutive back.

I also have little doubt that Justin Forsett has at least one more good year left in his legs. His light use over the years means that he has less wear than your typical 29 year old running back, and only various nagging injuries could slow him last season. Even with the departure of pal Gary Kubiak, the Ravens are expected to maintain the same offensive scheme that helped facilitate Forsett’s success last season.

There is obviously mutual interest between team and player on a reunion. Forsett expressed his desire to return in a recent interview with Aaron Wilson at The Baltimore Sun.

"“It’s a waiting game right now,” Forsett said. “I know both sides have interest. It’s crazy how things can turn out but hopefully, preferably everything can work out. “I would love to stay here. I want to be here in Baltimore. They gave me my shot, gave me my opportunity. But then again, there’s that business side we have to work out. I’m praying that everything works out.”"

General Manager Ozzie Newsome was similarly warm and fuzzy about bringing back Forsett in the team’s annual season ending press conference last week.

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"“He doesn’t have the wear and tear, and Justin did a very good job of coming in, competing and then being our bell cow,” Newsome said. “We would like to retain Justin, but I’ve learned something since the end of the season about Justin that I didn’t really know. He has mentored some very good, young backs, starting with Arian Foster, Marshawn Lynch, Maurice Jones-Drew when he was in Jacksonville. “Having Justin here, and with the opportunity also bringing in hopefully another young running back, to have Justin be around that guy would be an asset also. So, we will work to try to retain Justin.”"

So aside from his play, bringing back Justin Forsett makes a ton of sense as he would be a fantastic mentor for young running backs. Obviously the Ravens don’t have a ton of faith in the future of Lorenzo Taliaferro as a future lead back. It also makes sense because the free agent running back market is pretty uninspiring.

The Ravens are likely looking at a group of run down and injury prone players once free agency begins on March 10th. Among them are Steve Jackson, Reggie Bush, DeAngelo Williams, Peyton Hillis, and Frank Gore. Only C.J. Spiller, Mark Ingram, and perhaps Steven Ridley bring any kind of excitement, though all have some sort of baggage. But then again, the Ravens haven’t signed an unrestricted free agent running back in 13 years, aside from Ricky Williams.

So the best case scenario is a reunion for both Justin Forsett and the Ravens. While other teams like the Falcons are said to covet him, Forsett is unlikely to get big money offers on the market, no matter how good he was last year. Hopefully that reality will keep his price tag within the Ravens’ budget, and save them from having to fill yet another roster hole this offseason.

Next: Ozzie Says Roster Depth is Priority #1

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Brett Foote