You Make the Call: Runningbacks
by Christopher Atwood on Aug 20, 2011 9:52 PM EDT
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With the end of Training Camp for this abbreviated Off-Season the coaches and Front Office guys of the Ravens are going to have to make the tough calls for who they keep and who they cut as they begin reducing the roster to the required 53 men that will be the Baltimore Ravens Football Team of 2011.
Today we’re going to look at the Runningback position and see who you think will be on the team on September 11th when the Ravens host the Steelers for Week 1.
Currently the Ravens have 8 Backs on the roster, including Fullbacks. When looking at who is one the roster we can make a few assumptions as to who is going to make the team so I won’t be looking to close at them for this article.
Ray Rice, Ricky Williams, and Vonta Leach are all going to be a part of this team for the upcoming season. Last season the Ravens carried four Runningbacks and one Fullback for five Backs total, so that means that with Rice, Williams, and Leach taking three of those five spots the remaining five Backs on the roster are competing for two spots.
But enough of laying the ground work, let’s take a look at the players.
Anthony Allen, RB (Rookie) - 2011 7th Round Draft Pick out of Georgia Tech
Allen has a good upside as runner if he can adapt to an NFL-style offense. He showed some flashes in the second preseason game with 5 carries for 34 yards (6.8 YPC) and a TD. Running Backs Coach Wilbert Montgomery has high hopes for Allen’s potential and the Ravens FO has been high on him as well.
Quote on Allen:
"He’s a tough kid; he will block when he does those fakes [in the wishbone offense], so he’s pretty versatile in that sense - square up and when they give him the belly..." - Joe Hortiz, Ravens Player Personal and College Scouting Director (Source)
Damien Berry, RB (Rookie) - 2011 URFA from Miami
Berry was a successful college Running Back and seems to fit the prototypical NFL-style Runningback in terms of size, weight, and other measurables. He showed some brief flashes of potential in the first Preseason game, but unfortunately an injury kept him from playing in the second game. If he gets healthy he will need to make more of an impact in the next two preseason games if he wants to make the roster; if he can’t get healthy he may be a candidate to be "stashed" on IR for the coming season.
Quote on Berry:
"Damien played at, we all know, the ‘U’ [University of Miami] and the ‘U’ has a good program there, and Damien [...] has to come in and earn his spot. He came in and he took Willis McGahee’s number [23], so I told him, ‘Those are tough shoes and big shoes you’ve got to fill if you’re going to wear that number.’ So he’s trying [...] to walk that talk. But Damien is a tough kid, hard-nosed kid, and that’s the way he was in college. And so far he has shown some of that toughness here, so I’m looking forward to what he really do once we start going at it." - Ravens Runningbacks Coach Wilbert Montgomery (Source)
Matt Lawrence, RB (3rd Year) - 2008 URFA from Massachusetts
Lawrence has been working his way back into getting a shot at carrying the ball after an injury derailed his season last year. Prior to that in 2009 he was a solid special teams guy with 16 ST Tackles. This year could be a make or break year for Lawrence as the Ravens seemingly are deeper at Runningback than in years past and he could be on the cutting block if he doesn’t show that his injury is past him and he can be a solid contributor.
Quote on Lawrence:
"Matt Lawrence is basically... Everything that Matt does from here on - because he missed a lot of football - he’s learning football all over again. But he’s doing really well. He’s still going to make mistakes, but he’s testing it. It’s training for him all over again. But Matt is on pace." - Ravens Runningbacks Coach Wilbert Montgomery (Source)
Ryan Mahaffey, FB (Rookie) - URFA from Northern Iowa
Mahaffey was most likely signed as a Training Camp body to give Leach breaks and to save the wear and tear on Vonta (and the team’s Linebackers). However, Mahaffey was considered one of the better blockers in the Football Championship Subdivision, where he played primarily at TE and was a redzone target for his team with 6 Touchdowns in his final season at Northern Iowa. A solid athlete overall, Mahaffey also lettered in basketball and trackas well. (Side note the info on the Ravens website may be incorrect, several site list him at 6’4" rather than 6’2" which would make him better suited for Tight End position.)
Quote on Mahaffey:
"A standout athlete at Grinnell High School, he also was a standout athlete at the University of Northern Iowa. That’s sports. He was also a standout at both schools academically." - D.Hayes, Your Weekly Paper Blog (Source)
Jalen Parmele, RB (4th Year) - 2008 URFA from Toledo
Parmele has been a steady contributor for the Ravens since he signed with the team in 2008, making his impact as a special teams player and Kickoff Return, where he has made 33 returns for 845 yards (25.6 avg.) Where Jalen has failed to make any growth when given the opportunity is in the running game as he has only accrued 7 carries for 44 yards. Unfortunately for Jalen he lost the primary KOR job last season to David Reed and only reclaimed it when Reed was injured. His biggest hope this season was trying to get the back-up job to Rice this year after McGahee was cut, but the signing of Ricky Williams made that a much harder goal to achieve for the 4th-year player. In addition, now that Reed is back and the Ravens seem to have a wealth at the KOR position this year if he can’t show more in the running game to prove he deserves a chance to stick around he may be out of job.
Quote on Parmele:
"They’re constantly trying to make the team better, and if they feel like they need to bring in a running back to come and compete, that’s what they did... I can’t take that as them saying, ‘Oh, they don’t trust me." I’ve just got to do what I do, and I’ve just got to prove that I can be the guy..." - Jalen Parmele, Ravens Runningback (Source)
So there you have it, five players, two spots, NFL hopes and dreams riding on the decision.
So loyal Baltimore Ravens fan the question is, if you had a say, who out of these five players would you pick to make the team for the coming season?
The opinions posted here are those of the administrator of this blog and his loyal readers. They are in no way official comments from the team, and should not be misconstued as such, even though he thinks he could do just as well or even a better job!
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I say keep Allen, at least for now as he put in a good performance last night.
I think Parmele has just as much upside but Allen is younger and has the benefit of being a different kind of back to Ray. Reed is clearly the best returner on our team so Parmele can’t rely on that.
Ray Rice
Ricky Williams
Jalen Parmale
Anthony Allen.
Those will be our 4 RB this year. We kept 4 last year, I bet we keep 4 again this year.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
I like Parmele, but I’d almost rather let him walk and keep Allen. Or keep Allen and Berry.
"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."
yeah, I think there's no need to keep Allen and Parmele
Parmele is probably gone, unless they keep him for special teams, which they don’t really need him for. We’ve seen what Parmele can do, and it’s not much. I’d much rather give Berry a shot, and seeing how it’s only 4th string, might as well have a project with upside over a career below average player like Parmele.
I don’t know man, Parmale has had two solid preseason games so far. Not sure where all the hate on Parmale is coming from, the guys has always been a good player for us. I would definitely rather have Parmale than Berry. It seems people are just getting caught up in what school he is from and his youtube high lights.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
I haven’t see enough from Parmale to warrant a roster spot. With the new KO rule, he would never make an impact on an actual game. We should keep Divens, a WR, CB, or LB over him.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
Parmale has been a special teams guy for a while now, and my guess is that Harbaugh wants to really keep him there.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
he makes a good point about kickoffs though
With the kickoff line being moved up, coverage is much less of an issue now (worst rule change ever)
"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."
I agree with this, but let’s not forget that Parmele is a strong runner in his own right.
That being said, I think the playing field is more equal that it normally would be for a rookie since they’re installing a new zone-blocking scheme on the OL. Therefore, any advantage that Parmele would have had as a veteran is basically negated. Now, it simply boils down to who’s the more talented player.
I’m not “hating” on Parmele. But the sad truth is that while I would love to keep Allen, Berry, and Parmele, we can’t. We might keep two of those three. We might keep only one. If I had to pick one, it would be Allen. If I could have two, I’d throw Parmele in there too. But I think Allen has more upside and as a bruiser I think it would be easier for him to be productive if he was thrust into a game situation since all we would be asking him to do would be to execute the play and try to get 4 yards.
"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."
I don't hate Parmele
I just don’t think he’s that good. He’s easily replaceable and Allen and Berry are probably cheaper, although I doubt Parmele makes much anyway. It’s only 3rd/4th string, I’d rather see what we have in those guys that go with someone we already know who has little upside.
I think Pamele has played better than Allen and Berry so far but I guess we will see how they perform in the next preseason game.
What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes
yeah I agree with Jimmy and Cary shutting down the other teams WR’s, they’ll make anybody rushing the QB look good - Jaz
I Believe
It is due to observations that we may have seen all that Parmele has to offer vs. the perceived potential of an Allen or a Berry. It is assumed that Parmele has topped out, which while fair to midland, ain’t exactly setting the world on fire. It is also equally assumed that Allen and/or Berry have the potential to be much better than Parmele currently is.
Personally, I believe Parmele makes the team, with some combination of the rookie RB’s being IR’d/taxi squad’d and praying they clear waivers. Maybe one of the rookies actually makes the team: Rice, Williams, Leech are a given, then two of Parmele/Lawrence/Allen/Berry. I do not believe the Ravens would keep both Lawrence and Parmele, so assuming they keep one of those two, that opens up a spot for one of the rookies.
This is of course predicated on the Ravens keeping five RB’s/FB’s, which I think they will.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
Berry better return soon to practice (he’s been injured the last week) because he’s shown flashes when he’s gotten touches. I think he’s a prime candidate for the practice squad. I say we keep Allen over Parmele because of Alllen’s power, plus we have other guys who can do a better job at kick returning than Parmele. I will say, though, it’s rare for a seventh rounder to make the team, but I think Allen will be given a lot of carries during the next two games.
I understand
when people say that Parmele is very similar to what Rice brings to the table. What I don’t understand is how that’s viewed as a negative in this particular situation. I could see it if we hadn’t brought in Williams to be #2. Then Parmele (et. al) would be vying for the backup role and there would be no reason for a Ray Rice clone in that situation.
But with Williams at #2 – and assuming he stays healthy and problem free – Parmele makes a great choice for a backup running back. BECAUSE he shares so much style with Rice, should Ray go down mid-game, Cam could pretty much plug Parmele into the same game plan/plays he’d drawn up for Ray, and while we might not get the same results (or we might – he has show flashes when given the chance), it wouldn’t be because the RB’s style was too different for him to execute the plays as written.
"Cam Cameron…even his parents where obvious and repetitive." - raven
Ravens will keep
Rice and R. Williams, plus Leach. Then it’s a tossup but I could see Allen and even Parmele on the roster, with Berry signed to the Practice Squad. Last year, little-known RB Curtis Steele was on the PS all season so no reason at least one of these guys get put there.
aka 'Rexx'
Someone give me 3 reasons they have saw that that makes them think Parmale won’t make this team. His contract isn’t crazy, he has been nothing but a solid backup for us (the coaches think so also, as he is active for basically every game the last 2 years.
If anyone really thinks Berry is better, what have you seen? I haven’t seen anything but one good run and dropped pass so far.
Parmale is the 3rd best RB on this team.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
Parmale is the 3rd best RB on this team.
He has 7 career carries, that’s not much to base an opinion from, either for or against him. As a 3rd stringer, he won’t get much action, unless someone gets hurt. I’d rather go with a guy like Allen who seems to have more upside. I just haven’t seen much from Parmele that makes me say we have to keep that guy.
And weirdly, I’ve been impressed by what I have seen of Parmele during every pre-season that he’s been here and by his very infrequent appearances in regular season games, while, on the other hand, I don’t think I was even aware of Berry’s name until I got to watch the game rebroadcast last night.
"Cam Cameron…even his parents where obvious and repetitive." - raven
by GrumpyOldBird on Aug 21, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Berry is Practice Squad at best
Parmele makes the team along w/ Allen, is my guess. Word from the media is that the team is keeping an extra WR, so that means not good news for LB’s and other positions.
aka 'Rexx'
like perhaps RB?
i’m not saying you’re wrong, but I think it’s far from a given that we keep 4 RBs.
"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."
I think they keep 3 RB plus Leach
Rice, Williams, Allen, Leach. They’ll put either one of or both Parmele and Berry on the Practice Squad. A 4th string RB in completely unnecessary to keep active, so might as well use that roster spot for someone who actually can contribute. If someone gets hurt, promote whoever is on the PS and they’ll take over 3rd string and probably still won’t play.
Except
That those 3rd and 4th stringers form a major component of the special teams, so they do contribute.
I think they will keep 4 RB’s plus Leech.
"A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring."
"The difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference between lightning and a lightning bug."
"God's whiskers! Your face is as hideous as the demon's in my storybook!"
"I never expected to see the day when girls would get sunburned in the places they do today."
"It's big for a reason."
For Pittsburgh fans, that's Pope, Twain, Rostand, Rogers and Megamind
Honestly, who would be better to keep to play Special Teams?
a 4th string RB or an extra CB/WR/LB. RB would probably be my last choice, so it all depends on how much they value certain players, I guess.
With the change in KO rules, Special Teams is immediately 50% (or more) less relevant than in the past. So the question really becomes, who better to keep as a special team player – someone who can sprint down the field during the now mandatory touchback and maybe be a replacement for positions that are the less injured or or someone who can contribute when/if players who are most prone to injury go down?
"Cam Cameron…even his parents where obvious and repetitive." - raven
by GrumpyOldBird on Aug 21, 2011 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
That was my thinking as well
I think it’s more important to have depth at WR/LB/CB because you rotate those guys in more than RBs, especially on the defense. Backup RBs are a dime a dozen, we could easily just promote someone from our practice squad, on the other hand a 5th WR or CB or LB might actually contribute during games.
Backup RBs are a dime a dozen
I completely disagree on this. An effective backup RB (or one who has the potential to be one) is a much larger value to any team than a fill in CB/WR/LB. If you lose a CB, or a WR or a LB, you already have more than one on the field at one time and any fill-in gives you someone who can probably go out there and either catch the ball or hit someone as necessary. They might not be as good as the person they replace, but they can be adequate. If you have no depth at RB, or only one really good #1 and a bunch of scrubs to follow, when injuries come (and they seem to usually come in batches to RBs), your offense might as well just punt on first down. Give me a good bench of RBs over your three positions any day.
"Cam Cameron…even his parents where obvious and repetitive." - raven
by GrumpyOldBird on Aug 21, 2011 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I could agree with you if we were talking about 2nd string
but this is 3rd/4th string we’re talking about. Parmele got what, 2 carries last year? Allen looks pretty good so far, I’m just saying I’d rather see him get a shot, his upside just seems higher to me than Parmele.
As far as the other positions, 3rd string LBs and CBs get considerably more playing time than RBs, at least as far as the Ravens are concerned. They are also a position that generally contribute more on special teams.
Yup Yup
RBs like Pamele are always a phone call away. We should keep guys that have more potential in the future to contribute. ie Chykie Brown, Laquan Williams, Josh Byrnes, Divens
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
parmale deserves it. ricky williams is just a stallworth type aquisition who will only take time from the young players.
He’s a mcgahee type acquisition that will score touchdowns.
Some of the crap we say on this blog is accurate, you should read it.
"Airborne, do not look at the ground. I promise you, it will be there. Unless the tectonic plates shift, and a chasm opens up on the drop zone, in which case we will surely let you know."
by jackmca on Aug 22, 2011 8:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions 4 recs
i’ll root for ricky but let the guys who’ve been here have a shot at some decent playing time. today, ricky is the best next to rice. it can’t be good (see skins) to not reward your own guys and bring in older well traveled vets).
Why would we want to reward Parmale, a 4 year vet with basically no game action at all, and Allen who is a rookie? Why would you not want to bring in one of the most dominant rushers of the last 10 years and still has fresh legs.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
If it comes down to Allen or Parmele, I would prefer Allen. It’s nothing against Parmele, but I don’t think he offers anything we don’t already have. Reed is a better kick returner and from the RB position he’s kind of similar to Rice, but a little bigger and we already have a power back in Ricky and I think Allen has more power than him. I would prefer that Allen gets to learn behind Ricky then can take over power duties later on. Like I said it’s nothing against Parmele, but I just don’t think he offers anything different. Obviously the coaching staff likes him for keeping him here this long though, so who knows.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
I don't think we keep 4 RBs
From the looks of things, a 4th RB is taking a spot away from a guy like Prescott Burgess, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Laquan Williams, Chykie Brown, Kris Jenkins, or Davon Drew. I already have a few of those players not making the team as is, and keeping another RB just pushes someone else off the roster.
Personally, I’d lean toward Anthony Allen for the same reasons everyone else is saying: youth, upside, and differentiated talent. Nothing against Jalen Parmele, but I think everything he brings to the team already exists in other players. If he’s still eligible for the practice squad he’s one of the first names I’d put on that list.
Don't be shocked that people die
Be surprised you're still alive
Kris Jenkins
Not sure who you meant he, but Kris Jenkins is retired.
As for Parmele, I wouldn’t be surprised if he made the team with Allen. RBs, LBs, TEs, and DBs tend to make up ST for the most part as they have a good blend of size and speed and Parmele has shown he can be a solid player and he knows the system; if we went with say Berry and Allen as back ups and Rice went down we be left with three RBs who are just learning the offense, plus are still learning pass protection schemes.
A Ravens fan on the wrong side of the country!!
by Christopher Atwood on Aug 22, 2011 12:13 AM EDT reply actions
Not sure who you meant he, but Kris Jenkins is retired
Kris Wilson, sorry. The TE.
Don't be shocked that people die
Be surprised you're still alive
by onethingiknow on Aug 22, 2011 12:39 AM EDT up reply actions
I like that guy so far. He’s made some nice plays catching the ball, and he has the body type of a good blocking TE. He should make the team over Davon Drew.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
If for no other reason
Then it gives us a more blocking-type TE to go with Dickson and Pitta while they continue to learn more about that aspect of the game.
A Ravens fan on the wrong side of the country!!
by Christopher Atwood on Aug 22, 2011 11:28 AM EDT up reply actions
8 year veteran I believe. Good to have that on your team full of young guys at TE.
"'If there isn't a bone sticking out of my leg, I'm playing" - Marshall Yanda
I did not know that. I thought he was a rookie. Great pick up then. He has a great feel for sitting down in the zone, and I’m guessing can block well. I hope he makes the team.
The writer formerly known as This White Man Can Jump; Powah Stached; Bear Killer; Da Dude; The Other Bambino; TJ Dropped The Season; Harbaugh Is My Co-Pilot; Billick's Alter Ego; Mr. Poopy Pants.
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