“ still hungry, still ready to go out and fight. Nothing is given to me. So I just got to go out there and prove to this organization that they made the right decision in keeping me, and I’m ready to work.” – Justin Forsett
Jul 30, 2015; Owings Mills, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) carries the ball during drills on day one of training camp at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Meet Justin Forsett. The 233rd pick out of the 2008 NFL Draft. A former Seattle Seahawk, Indianapolis Colt, Seattle Seahawk (again), Houston Texan, Jacksonville Jaguar, and now a Baltimore Ravens running back.
Yup. Justin Forsett has been a journeyman in his NFL career, used on practices squads, preseason throw away games, as an insurance policy in case a star running back cannot make the lineup, on situational downs, in blowout games to give the star running back some rest, and simply as a backup option.
Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Team Carter running back Justin Forsett of the Baltimore Ravens (29) makes a catch in front od Team Irvin cornerback Vontae Davis of the Indianapolis Colts (21) in the 2015 Pro Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
That’s pretty much the life of a 7th rounder unless you’re that once in a while superstar that 31 NFL team owners kick themselves for passing over.
But fate would tell a different story for Justin Forsett.
After six years of mediocrity, Forsett found himself in Baltimore on a one year “prove yourself” type of deal. Originally he was set to compete to backup Ray Rice after a rather dismal season from both Rice and Bernard Pierce the season prior.
Fast forwarding to the season, Rice gets ousted for an off-field situation and Forsett runs circles around Pierce and rookies Lorenzo Taliaferro and Fitzgerald Toussiant to earn a starting job for the first time in his career.
Fast forward again to now, after he recorded 1,266 yards, averaged 5.4 yards per carry, and racked up 8 rushing touchdowns in 2014, and Forsett has received the one thing he had been searching for over the last 6 seasons – commitment.
And of course a suitcase full of cash to accommodate that commitment.
Nov 9, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) reacts after being introduced prior to the Ravens
Moral of the story here is that an opportunity presented itself in the face of opposition, and Justin Forsett seized the day. But this is not the end of the fairy tale. In fact, the fairy tale will now become an action-thriller sequel. I imagine that if this was made into a script, the theatrical trailer may go like this:
‘Justin Forsett returns to the field in 2015 with a new focus, a new strength, and a new number in his bank account. But within the man lies a hunger to prove a point that will leave an impression irreplaceable. Still fueled by the naysayers who have already declared him a one hit wonder, and still scarred by the ones who professed he was too small, too weak, and too slow before fate would deliver him the opportunity of a lifetime last season. This season, with a new offensive coordinator and pressure at an all-time high, the job must be finished. Justin Forsett stars in, “Vengeance is 29”. Coming to an NFL field near you on September 13th, 2015.’
Forsett’s contributions last season revived the Baltimore running game and warranted him 3 new career highs, a postseason appearance, a Pro Bowl appearance, a spot at #65 on the NFL’s top 100 players of 2014, and a ranking in the top 5 in rushing yards by an NFL running back in 2014.
“I want to be better. I want to be able to exceed all those things that I had last year. I want to be able to get to that championship, and that’s the main goal.” – Justin Forsett
I once heard a quote that said, “with great reward comes great responsibility.” Forsett is definitely a man who understands that, and he will deliver yet again in an offense poised to flourish this season and deliver a Super Bowl championship.
Counting down the 10 reasons the Ravens will win the Super Bowl in 2015:
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