Ravens Working Out RBs. Who's Out There?
Don't be surprised if the Ravens add a running back to their roster during the bye week.
The team worked out former Arizona Cardinals running back Beanie Wells Tuesday and former Cincinnati Bengals running back Bernard Scott last week, according to Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
Wells isn't expected to be signed, but Scott impressed and "remains a possibility."
"The Ravens are expected to continue to explore the free agent running back market and add depth between now and when they return to practice next week following their bye," Wilson wrote.
Not only are the Ravens ranked last in the NFL with an average of 2.8 yards per rush, but running back Bernard Pierce is dealing with a hamstring injury and didn't practice Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
That injury is apparently why the team had to turn to fullback Vonta Leach at the end of the Steelers game Sunday.
"While starting running back Ray Rice says he has fully recovered from a hip injury, the same cannot be said about backup Bernard Pierce," wrote ESPN's Jamison Hensley. "The Ravens didn't have Pierce toward the end of Sunday's game in Pittsburgh, which is why fullback Vonta Leach spelled Rice at times."
Baltimore already has an open roster spot after trading offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie to the Dolphins Monday. Head Coach John Harbaugh said Wednesday that the team hasn't yet decided what to do with that final spot.
"We're still working ourselves through that," he said. "It could be a practice-squad promotion. It could be somebody off a practice-squad roster or somebody who's available right now as a free agent."
If the Ravens continue to explore free agency, below are some of the highest-graded running backs available on the market, per ESPN, and the website's scouting report on each. To look at more available running backs, click here.
Michael Turner
*ESPN Grade: 76
Cut by Falcons in March after failing a physical
Nine-year career stats: 1,639 rushes, 7,338 yards, 66 touchdowns
*"He is a thick, powerful back with an aggressive running style that wears out a defense as the game progresses. But he's beginning to show signs of wear, as he's not as quick to the open lane as he used to be. Nor does he show the same explosive burst when he gets to the second level. He still runs with a strong base and does a good job of gaining yards after initial contact while maintaining excellent balance. He's a solid receiver on short swing passes or screens out of the backfield, but he's not as good trying to track the ball downfield."
Cedric Benson
ESPN Grade: 72
Unrestricted free agent after playing with Green Bay, where he was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury in 2012
Eight-year career stats: 1,600 rushes, 6,017 yards, 32 touchdowns
"Benson was acquired from the Bengals in 2012 to bolster the Packers' ground attack, but missed much of the season with a Lisfranc injury. He is a powerful athlete with great vision and inline running skills. He has quickness to and through the hole and lateral agility to hit a crease. He doesn't have outstanding speed to threaten the edges, but is deceptive and can pick up chunks of yards. He has natural strength and runs with good pad level to move the pile on contact. Benson is a solid blocker in pass protection and has improved in this phase of the game. He is a solid receiver out of the backfield, but isn't outstanding after the catch. When healthy, Benson can be a featured back."
Beanie Wells
*ESPN Grade: 72
Cut by Cardinals in March
Four-year career stats: 625 rushes, 2,471 yards, 24 touchdowns
*"Wells is a big, powerful, downhill runner with surprisingly quick feet and good burst. He does a good job of running behind his pads and has enough elusiveness to make the first man miss once he gets to the second level and into space. He lacks great top-end speed, but he can keep the chains moving and put up good numbers as long as he can stay healthy. He shows solid balance on contact and can break his share of tackles with strong legs and balance. He runs with authority and effort, but durability is a concern."
Ryan Grant
*ESPN Grade: 70
Unrestricted free agent after playing in Green Bay
Seven-year career stats: 956 rushes, 4,148 yards, 27 touchdowns
*"He has good size, strength and athleticism. He doesn't have explosive speed to press the edges but has good burst to and through the hole. He has lateral quickness and inline run skills to hit a crease. He runs with good pad level, showing power to move the pile on contact. Grant has shown improved toughness and attitude as a pass blocker. He has reliable hands as a receiver out of the backfield and good RAC ability to get the ball downfield."
Bernard Scott
ESPN grade: 59
Cut in September from the Bengals' physically unable to perform list with an anterior cruciate ligament tear once rookie Giovani Bernard came on strong Four-year career stats: 255 rushes, 1,035 yards, 4 touchdowns*
*"Scott is an undersized, quicker-than-fast back who was a solid complement to featured runner BenJarvus Green-Ellis. He has excellent vision and natural run skills with speed to press the edges. He is a reliable receiver out of the backfield who flashes burst in space. Scott had been a big contributor as a returner in the kicking game in 2010, but hasn't been involved in this phase of the game the past two seasons."
Ravens Lacking Deep Passing Game
Last season, nobody threw the deep ball more often than quarterback Joe Flacco. And he was successful at it too.
But he has thrown it less this season, and has been far less successful when he does.
Matt Vensel of The Sun dug up some stats on it:
Flacco attempted a pass of 20 yards or more on 17.3 percent of his dropbacks last season and led the league with 11 touchdowns and no interceptions on such throws (117.9 quarterback rating).
But he's down to throwing passes of 20 yards or more on 13.8 percent of his dropbacks this year, with zero touchdowns and two interceptions (47.7 quarterback rating).
Of course, Flacco has had to play with a myriad of receivers this year because of injuries, with two of his fastest targets – Jacoby Jones and Deonte Thompson – missing a majority of the season.
"Offensive Coordinator Jim] Caldwell said that the Ravens offense needs to [play more to its strengths, and among the biggest are Flacco's powerful right arm and the formidable speed of Smith, Jones and Thompson," Vensel wrote. "If the Ravens start utilizing them more to stretch the field vertically, it could free up more space for running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce and also the short passing game.
"To do that, though, Flacco and his wide-outs need to make the most of deep opportunities when they get them."
Goodwill Gridiron Halloween Party
The 14th annual Goodwill Gridiron Halloween Party will be hosted by Michael Oher, Dennis Pitta, Art Jones, Ed Dickson and Kelechi Osemele.
I'm always interested in seeing the costumes Ravens players come up with. Here's a little taste from years past (mobile users tap "View in Browser" at the top of the page) and if you're interested in joining the Ravens, tickets are available here.
Quick Hits
- Ravens receivers dropped zero passes Sunday against the Steelers. Per Vensel: "Dropped passes were an issue for the Ravens early in the season, and only 10 NFL quarterbacks have had more of their passes dropped than Flacco, according to Pro Football Focus. But on Sunday, Flacco's receivers were as sure-handed as they have been all season. Flacco threw 34 passes in the loss, and for the first time all season, not one was dropped." [The Baltimore Sun]
- Torrey Smith on how hard Dennis Pitta has been working to get back to the field this season: "He's working his tail off rehab-wise. It's always pretty cool to see him in there and really see his progression. Hopefully, he can get back. I don't know an exact date and if I did, I wouldn't give out any hints anyways, but he's definitely looking a lot better. I think just the fact that you can even see him walking — considering what he'd done — is awesome." [WNST]
- Former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis gave his take on the Ravens' offensive woes. "When you have a quarterback that's not built to throw the ball 50 times and you throw the ball 50 times or 40 times, there is going to be a problem," he said. "That team is not built to do that. When they go out and throw the ball 38 times or 40 times, they're going to lose, period. You can look at the numbers. They tell you if they throw for 300 yards, they lose. That's not an indictment on your quarterback. That's just how your team is built." Actually, when Flacco has passed for 300 yards in his career, the Ravens are 12-4. He is 0-3 this season when throwing for 300. [ESPN]
- @mattvensel: Torrey Smith on Terrell Suggs calling the 3-4 start a state of emergency: "Suggs watches too many movies." Funny line. #Ravens [Twitter]
- @RavensInsider: Dolphins list former Ravens tackle Bryant McKinnie as limited with a knee injury. He had his knee drained in weeks prior to trade [Twitter]
- @vleach44: To all my teammates and coaches don't call me or text me. If u need me I will call u #byeweek, #familytime. [Twitter]
- @ryanmink: Terrell Suggs just stopped by my office. He looked around, said about three words and then ate my final Reese's Cup. Nice visit. [Twitter]
- In case you missed it, the Ravens team photo day always produces some fun snapshots of players goofing around, or in Jacoby's case, looking miserable (pic below). Here's all the rest. [BaltimoreRavens.com]
