Baltimore Ravens: Despite Trent Richardson Release, RB Competition Still Remains

The Baltimore Ravens released Trent Richardson, but the competition at running back remains fierce.

The T-Rich project was over in Baltimore before it ever started.

The Ravens have parted ways with the former No. 3 overall pick who struggled to stay healthy while with the Ravens. He was on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, but the team opted to re-sign wide receiver Chuck Jacobs in his place on the 90-man roster.

The decision to get rid of Trent Richardson tells us a variety of things about this team. The obvious is that the injuries never let the coaches see if he was good enough to make this team. It also means the Ravens feel confident about the other running backs on the roster.

And while that might seem like good news that one less back is in the mix, each of them are still battling for a spot on the team.

Justin Forsett still remains the lead back for the team. He did not put up the same numbers last season as he did in 2014, but you can make a case that the entire offense did not either. He is the most experienced and his skill set is exactly what Marc Trestman wants from his backs. Whether or not he maintains the job all season long remains to be seen.

That guys behind Forsett are young and know that the he is not the long-term answer for the Ravens. The biggest name in training camp is actually a player many did not expect to make the roster. The sensation throughout camp has been Towson product Terrance West. He looks explosive and as Kyle Andrews reported at the Ravens open practice, he looks to be the clear No. 2 back.

After that, it’s wide open. Javorius Allen took over for Forsett last season, but did not run away with the job. He has not done anything spectacular during camp, but no reports of him struggling either. He does have one advantage over the next two guys, he is on the field practicing.

Kenneth Dixon was the one we thought would be the star of camp. Most people around the league felt that the Ravens landed an absolute steal by getting him in the fourth round. That could still be the case, but he has missed time with a knee injury. I am not saying he does not make the team, but where he stands right now is a mystery.

And then there is Lorenzo Taliaferro is on the PUP list and that is really hurting his chances of making it. The rest of the guys have been impressive, but the one benefit he has going for him is that he is the only real bruising back of the group. It could come down to whether Marc Trestman feels that he really needs him on offense.

It is a possibility that four running backs make the squad, and West has been the biggest surprise to me. I did not have him making the team in our pre-training camp edition 53-man roster, choosing Taliaferro over him. However, based on the reports throughout camp, he has been the best at camp.

Everyone should feel as though their future depends on how they play this training camp and preseason. The Ravens want to find a lead back to take over the job for years to come and the youngsters have an opportunity to be the guy. There is still time for the injured guys to showcase themselves as well.

Next: Observations from Ravens Open Practice

Richardson was going to struggle to make this team and that made him expendable. The Baltimore Ravens cannot keep all these running backs so the rest of the group is in for a battle. Let the best men win.