Best running back scenario this offseason?

[ravenz2752]

In my opinion, I think we keep Forsett, Taliaferro, and draft a RB. But, then what do we do with Bernard Pierce?

 

 

Other scenarios?

[rmw10]

I believe that we'll bring back Forsett on a modest, but fair deal for 2-3 years.  Beyond that, I think we draft another guy in the mid to late rounds and let him, Pierce, and Toussaint battle it out for a roster spot.  Kubiak likes keeping 3 active RBs on game day, so it's not inconceivable to think we could carry 4 next year.

[Ravenslifer]

Pierce could be gone, and so could Forsett (for opposite reasons, dissapointment vs. earning a big contract).  But the key is Kubiak - he's ALWAYS found that next unheralded guy at RB.  If we let some of these guys go, it's because Gary has a plan.

[Tru11]

out of the box : sign rice.

 

ideal: sign marshawn lynch

 

most reasonable: resign forsett and hope a top RB drops to us in the draft hopefully not sooner then round 2/3

[Footman DCXLV]

I'm sure we'd all love to see Forsett back as the main guy after what he's done this year, and it could very well be that simple. But, if another team is willing to pay him more, maybe the Ravens make an unexpected move to try to draft a top RB. I don't follow college ball, so I don't know who the top guys will be this year or how plausible it is they would fall to us, wherever we draft. But, while running back might not seem like a huge need, especially if we have the chance to resign Forsett, think about Pittsburgh drafting a guy like Leveon Bell, or Cincinnati drafting Giovanni Bernard, both in the second round. Using a first or second round pick on a guy that could really be a feature back could add a dimension to our offense we've never really seen. I can't recall the Ravens ever really having a dangerous, speedy threat. We've had some great running backs, but even the most dynamic guys like Rice would make huge plays but rarely score on them. I'd love to see a young guy who can outrun a defense. We've had speed at receiver, which sometimes worked and sometimes didn't. But, never really at running back.

[Inqui]

Drafting Josh Robinson from Mississippi State.

 

[/homer]

[Inqui]

I hope we don't touch one of the expensive veterans, as they're almost always overpriced for a string of reasons.

 

I'd be happy with Forsett re-signed to a cheap deal, letting LT do his thing, and drafting someone to compete with Pierce and hopefully emerge as a longer-term dude. This year's draft is full of quality players, so I'd be upset if we don't grab at least one quality prospect at a really good spot.

[allblackraven]

I'd be happy keeping Forsett if not too expensive. Far as draft goes, I would take Gurley in 2nd if he gets that far.

[ravensnick]

Sign Ridley to a cheap contract, keep the guys we have (maybe cut pierce), and draft a guy like Duke Johnson. I feel like Ridley and Forsett would have similar prices and I feel Ridley could be the much better deal.

[ravensnick]

out of the box : sign rice.

 

ideal: sign marshawn lynch

 

most reasonable: resign forsett and hope a top RB drops to us in the draft hopefully not sooner then round 2/3

Too much money at RB for Lynch. Kubiak got Steve Slaton among others to 1,000 yds. The values just not there. I'm gonna thumbs down you for mentioning Rice. That's not out of the box. That;s just plain dumb.  That would be the worst decision in Franchise history.  We would never hear the end of it, and no way rice would want to sign a contract with us. We need to put Elevatorgate behind us. 

[rmcjacket23]

out of the box : sign rice.

 

ideal: sign marshawn lynch

 

most reasonable: resign forsett and hope a top RB drops to us in the draft hopefully not sooner then round 2/3

If we are going to be signing a veteran RB, Forsett is the only of those three that makes sense. He'd probably be the cheapest and the most effective of the three in this offense.

[ludy51]

If we want to draft a guy high then maybe Melvin gordan will fall to us. Is he expected to fall to that 32nd spot?

[rmcjacket23]

If we want to draft a guy high then maybe Melvin gordan will fall to us. Is he expected to fall to that 32nd spot?

Zero chance.

[Ozzsome]

I have a feeling one of those 3 great RBs(Gurley, Yeldon, Gordon) could fall to us and we pull the triger. I know it may be unlikely for them to end up at the bottom of the first, but never say never when it comes to RBs falling in the draft.

 

If that does not pan out I think Kubiak is a huge fan of Duke Johnson for his Zone Scheme and we could take a swing at him in Rounds 2/3

[allblackraven]

If we want to draft a guy high then maybe Melvin gordan will fall to us. Is he expected to fall to that 32nd spot?

 

Zero chance.

 

Of Gordon falling to 32nd or of 32nd?

[beanfigger]

I really don't think Forsett will cost that much, so I'm definitely expecting him back. I'm less certain that he repeats his 5.5 yds/carry or whatever it was next season. I think we should draft a RB on Day Two and bank on improvement by Talieferro, as well. I don't think Pierce makes the final cut.

[Tru11]

rmcjacket23, on 05 Jan 2015 - 01:12 AM, said:

If we are going to be signing a veteran RB, Forsett is the only of those three that makes sense. He'd probably be the cheapest and the most effective of the three in this offense.

 

yup why I said most reasonable.

[rmcjacket23]

Of Gordon falling to 32nd or of 32nd?

Of Gordon falling to 32nd.

[TDubbs]

I'd let Forsett go find a contract elsewhere, one that he deserves. I think we have too many other needs and other players we need to refrain. I'd like for us to find our 'Eddie Lacy'... A young stud RB would be exciting in this offseason. 

[rmw10]

Forsett won't be that expensive to retain.  I think he'll get something like a Jacoby Jones type of contract.  On the surface, the years and money will be much bigger than people are hoping.  However, when you break down the guaranteed money, the value will be more than fair.

[cobrajet]

Taliaferro is going to get better and I hope we don't give up on Toussaint. I wonder what the price for Forsett is going to be. I want to resign him but I hate big contracts for running backs. He had a good year, but his lack of production in the passing game will probably hurt his stock.

[GrimCoconut]

I think the plan at RB is the following: 

 

Keep: Taliaferro, Toussaint, Piece.

Re-Sign: Forsett (3-year deal for 9M with 4M guaranteed so he'll be on the team for 2015 & 2016 but have a low enough guaranteed money that you can cut him in 2015 if necessary). 

Draft: a RB to compete and eventually (possibly) replace. 

 

Make Taliaferro, Toussaint, Pierce, the draft-pick and Forsett compete for the job. Simple as that. Keep three of them, cut the other two, one goes to the PS if necessary or keep 4 RBs if necessary. 

[ravenz2752]

I think the plan at RB is the following: 

 

Keep: Taliaferro, Toussaint, Piece.

Re-Sign: Forsett (3-year deal for 9M with 4M guaranteed so he'll be on the team for 2015 & 2016 but have a low enough guaranteed money that you can cut him in 2015 if necessary). 

Draft: a RB to compete and eventually (possibly) replace. 

 

Make Taliaferro, Toussaint, Pierce, the draft-pick and Forsett compete for the job. Simple as that. Keep three of them, cut the other two, one goes to the PS if necessary or keep 4 RBs if necessary. 

If so, then in my opinion it would be Taliaferro, Forsett, and draft pick. No way we cut Forsett (just signed) or Taliaferro (drafted recently)

[redlobster]

Taliaferro is here next year

Pierce I believe is as well , simply because he is cheap and can at least be a 3rd stringer.

I do not want to re-sign forsett. He is a good guy and deserves a good deal from somebody but hopefully not Baltimore

[GrimCoconut]

If so, then in my opinion it would be Taliaferro, Forsett, and draft pick. No way we cut Forsett (just signed) or Taliaferro (drafted recently)

I agree, but I don't like to insert my own personal bias into a projection. I'm personally not impressed by Pierce but I do think he'll get every shot to make the team. I think Toussaint could be stashed again on the PS. 

[rmw10]

Taliaferro is here next year

Pierce I believe is as well , simply because he is cheap and can at least be a 3rd stringer.

I do not want to re-sign forsett. He is a good guy and deserves a good deal from somebody but hopefully not Baltimore

 

Why don't you want Forsett?  Dude ran for 1200+ yards this season and won't break the bank to re-sign him.

[redlobster]

Why don't you want Forsett? Dude ran for 1200+ yards this season and won't break the bank to re-sign him.

I think its more to do with kubiaks system vs him. Save the cash and get a rookie in that can compete , I also think this season is gonna be a one hit wonder for forsett.

[rmw10]

I think its more to do with kubiaks system vs him. Save the cash and get a rookie in that can compete , I also think this season is gonna be a one hit wonder for forsett.

 

And what if that rookie doesn't work out?  We know Pierce hasn't gone well.  Taliaferro has done well, but still runs too upright to be a full time back.  I'd rather take a chance on a 1200 yard back at a modest rate than Pierce, Taliaferro, or a rookie.

[redlobster]

And what if that rookie doesn't work out? We know Pierce hasn't gone well. Taliaferro has done well, but still runs too upright to be a full time back. I'd rather take a chance on a 1200 yard back at a modest rate than Pierce, Taliaferro, or a rookie.

That's why you have a quality front office, you hope/expect they continue to get quality running backs like pierce , taliaferro, rice , etc . would you rather sign forsett to 3 year 9-10 million dollar deal or a cb for 2 years $9-10 million ? I'd rather have that cash free for more needy positions .

I look at it as trade off, running backs can and have been undrafted and be very successful in kubiaks system.

[rmw10]

That's why you have a quality front office, you hope/expect they continue to get quality running backs like pierce , taliaferro, rice , etc . would you rather sign forsett to 3 year 9-10 million dollar deal or a cb for 2 years $9-10 million ? I'd rather have that cash free for more needy positions .

I look at it as trade off, running backs can and have been undrafted and be very successful in kubiaks system.

 

Give me Forsett, because that amount of money isn't going to stop us from signing someone else.  I don't think it's an either/or question there.  We'll be tight against the cap but we'll still have plenty to get what we need.

 

Plus, the FA decision will come before the draft.  What happens if we make it there and the guys we identified as fits don't make it to our picks?