Meet Ravens Rookie RB Curtis Steele

by Bruce Raffel on Jul 29, 2010 7:00 AM EDT Comment 10 comments

Rookie RB Curtis Steele highsteps the rope course

Baltimore Ravens rookie running back Curtis Steele may be taking all the reps in practice right now, but when the veterans report to Training Camp on Friday, he realizes he will drop way down the depth chart but isn't afraid of the switch.

Steele, undrafted out of Memphis, was signed by the team and has impressed many coaches and media with his determination, not to mention his quickness and moves on the field. At 6'0" and 200 pounds, he has good hands out of the backfield, is dangerous in open space and willing to take the hit or block in pass protection.

During the lull in the time between the team's final OTA in June and the start of Training Camp this week, Steele didn't take it easy at all. He said he continued to absorb the playbook and worked out to stay in shape for what he knew would be a grueling Training Camp. Playing behind his offensive line in Memphis, Steele gained 2,462 yards, including 1,239 and 15 TD's in his final 2009 season. However, he now says the offensive linemen he is playing behind on the Ravens are so much bigger, stronger, faster and he is learning to follow his coach's message of trusting them to make their blocks and find the open holes.

He also doesn't discount the benefit of the OTA's in preparing him for Training Camp and while thankful for all the reps he's now getting, he screamed in agony of pure exhaustion just prior to beginning his interview with me. I asked him if the scream was directed towards me for the interview and he assured me it was all the reps and the amount of times he had just finished signing his name for the kids in the autograph area.

Curtis is a good kid and has a ton of talent, but he is fighting a huge uphill challenge in finding a roster spot with the likes of Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, LeRon McClain, not to mention both Jalen Parmele and Matt Lawrence currently ahead of him on the depth chart. His kickoff return abilities can help him, but right now he also sits behind both Parmele and fellow rookie David Reed on the return depth chart. Good luck to Curtis from Baltimore Beatdown!

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Notice how I paraphrased all of his "comments?"

I spent about five minutes talking w/ him after the morning practice with my digital recorder. Unfortunately, once the interview was over, I noticed I had the recorder on “pause” the entire time. I guess even us rookies in the media makes stupid mistakes too (although technically, I’m a second year “pro!”).

aka 'Rexx'

by Bruce Raffel on Jul 29, 2010 9:00 AM EDT reply actions

Better to make a mistake early than late

We forgive you. Speaking of Interviews, can we look forward to veterans interviews as camp moves forward.

by Ravens One on Jul 29, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

I have a really good feeling about this guy. He’s going to need to be a great returner to make the active roster and has some stiff competition with Parmele and Reed. I really liked what I saw from Parmele last season, but Parmele wasn’t really a threat to take it the distance. It sounds like Steele could be that threat, but it will be hard for him to edge Parmele.

by BAL_Hawk on Jul 29, 2010 9:16 AM EDT reply actions

Don’t know much about Steele. I believe MaLor had some good thing to say about the rookie too. I do know he’ll have to get reps inorder to win the coaches confidence.

by Ravens One on Jul 29, 2010 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions

My opinions on Steele are pure speculation at this point. I knew a little bit about him prior to the draft and liked the numbers and reviews that I got a chance to look at during that time. Anyone can look good in shorts, so it will be nice to see how Steele reacts when people are actually going to be coming after him for the next few weeks.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 29, 2010 11:59 AM EDT up reply actions

I really liked what I saw from Parmele last season, but Parmele wasn’t really a threat to take it the distance.

Agree with this. Paramle is more of a security blanket on returns because as a RB, he knows how to secure the ball and find the lane, but does not have the speed to take it all the way IMO. I will get a much better look at Steele tomorrow with the pads on in the first full squad practice, but from what I have seen so far this guy is fassssttttttttt.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 29, 2010 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

Paramle is more of a security blanket on returns because as a RB, he knows how to secure the ball and find the lane, but does not have the speed to take it all the way IMO.

If our offense is as effective as we hope, then this doesn’t sound like such a bad thing. He can protect the ball, get us into decent position, and let the offense take care of the rest.

Water covers 2/3 of the Earth's surface. Ed Reed covers the rest.

by Ampallang on Jul 29, 2010 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Right

I’m all for seeing what Steele can do, but I am very comfortable with Parmele as the return man, given the offense we should have.

by DT711 on Jul 29, 2010 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I would love to see the return man be a consistent home run threat! We haven’t had one since… Jermaine? Figurs couldn’t run inside; we can’t risk Webb or Reed anymore. Am I missing anybody special?

by BmoreBlitz on Jul 29, 2010 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Reed is a prime candidate for the return spot. 5th/6th WR and is a rookie, he is going to have to prove himself on special teams. I think return man would be a great way to do that. Should be a fun battle to watch.

by Mr MaLoR on Jul 29, 2010 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions