Ravens RBs are not worried about the distribution of carries

The Baltimore Ravens talked all offseason about how excited they were about having a four-headed monster in their backfield because of the tremendous depth they have at the running back position.

It is actually a five-headed monster if you include starting quarterback and reigning league MVP, Lamar Jackson, who is leading the team in rushing yards (793), attempts (125), yards per carry (6.3), and touchdowns (tied with six) for the second year in a row.

The Ravens shattered NFL records with their revolutionary run-based offense last season with a talented trio of backs and Jackson and added another dynamic ball carrier in the draft when they selected J.K. Dobbins in the second round out of Ohio State.

Despite joining a crowded backfield that already featured a pair of proven players in veteran Mark Ingram fresh off his third Pro Bowl season and the unheralded Gus Edwards, Dobbins has gotten more involved as the season has progressed and now the rookie appears to have seized the role of the lead back.

After not recording more than nine carries in his first six games despite consistently showing flashes of elite explosiveness, Dobbins has carried the ball at least 11 times in five of his last six games and is also the team’s primary pass-catching back as well.

Whether he gets force-fed the ball on every play, is sparingly used, or regularly rotates in with Ingram, Edwards, and second-year pro Justice Hill, the mature rookie is dedicated to helping the team achieve their ultimate goal of winning and leaves the distribution of carries and touches to his coaches.

“It’s the coach’s decision to give me the ball, and it’s my job whenever I get the ball, I do what I need to do with it,” Dobbins said. “Of course I would like to have more carries and all, but that’s normal. I want to win the game. One carry, two carries, 80 carries, 50 carries, let’s win this game. I don’t care about all that other stuff. That’s what I’m here for.”

He is coming off another strong outing in the Ravens’ thrilling Monday Night win over the Cleveland Browns where he ran 13 times for 53 yards, scored a one-yard touchdown, and bulldozed his way across the goal line for a crucial two-point conversion that left Browns safety Andrew Sendejo concussed.

Dobbins has been getting stronger as the season has gone along and at a part of the season where many first-year players tend to plateau in their performance because they aren’t accustomed to having to play this late in the year, he is still ascending and hitting his stride.

It shouldn’t be surprising considering that he played for one of the best college programs in the nation that made it to the final four just about every year and he hails from the state of Texas where high school football season can last as long as NFL regular seasons if a team goes that the way to the championship game.

“At Ohio State, I at least played 14 games a year,” Dobbins said. “In high school (in) Texas, we have 16 weeks to go to the state championship. I’ve always played long seasons. I don’t feel like I’m hitting the rookie wall. My body feels fine. I take care of my body. It hasn’t hit me yet, I don’t think. Does it look like it in my play? I don’t know what the rookie wall is, so y’all have to let me know.”

Edwards has shined in his rotational role no matter who began or ended the year as the starter during his three seasons with the team since coming into the league as an undrafted free agent out of Rutgers and is on pace to eclipse 130 carries, 700 yards rushing and average five or more yards per carry for a third straight year to start his career.

His six rushing touchdowns this season have already surpassed his career total from his first two seasons combined so Gus “The Bus” continues to roll and produce no matter what.

However, the same can not be said for Ingram who rushed for over 1,000 yards, eclipsed 1,200 yards from, and recorded a franchise record-tying 15 touchdowns from scrimmage in his first season with the Ravens after signing a three-year deal worth $15 million last offseason.

He only has 260 yards rushing in 10 games this season and ever since he returned from a high ankle sprain injury that sidelined him for two weeks, he has been sparingly and, in some games, barely used on offense.

Ingram is on pace for the worst statistical season of his career since his third year when he recorded just 386 yards and one touchdown rushing in six fewer starts than he’s had this year.

While most players in his situation, veteran or otherwise, would be unhappy with his involvement or lack thereof on their respective side of the ball, Ingram has been the personification of class and a true leader who is focused on winning no matter what part he has to play to achieve the ultimate goal.

He hasn’t played more than 42 percent of the offensive snaps in a single game this season and against the Brown on Monday, he was on the sidelines for all but one play as the team leaned heavily on Dobbins and Edwards who combined for 102 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.

“I did talk to him afterwards – just briefly,” Head Coach John Harbaugh said. “And he’s telling me, ‘Don’t worry about.’ He’s like, ‘I get it, Coach. Don’t worry about it. I’ll be there when called upon.’ And he’s in great spirits, and he supports the guys, so you appreciate that about a guy like him. Mark is a great running back, and he’s going to be a huge part of what we’re doing going down the stretch here, and I think he’s a real pro.”

Harbaugh admitted that limiting Ingram’s involvement to that extreme extent this past week wasn’t part of the plan heading into the game but they just decided to roll with the hot-hands, or legs, of their other two backs who were in a rhythm early and often in that game.

Some pundits believe that that the writing is on the wall for this being Ingram’s last season with the team with pending free agent on both sides of the ball who player larger roles that need to be locked up and with the backfield already producing well without him for the most part.

However, the energy, juice, and leadership that Ingram brings whether he’s on the field carrying the ball or going up and down the sideline making sure his teammates and even coaches are dialed in and highly motivated can’t be understated or take for granted.

“Mark [Ingram II] is an extremely valuable leader on our team,” said Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman. “And just because he didn’t get a lot of snaps, doesn’t mean he won’t get a lot of snaps. He’s a very productive player in this league. At certain things he does, he’s right at the top of the league, so he’s very valuable to us.

Baltimore’s running back depth chart and the attitudes of the players that it consists of are a reflection of who the Ravens are as a team and that’s an unselfish group of individuals who are willing to put personal goals and aspirations in order to help make a run at a Vince Lombardi Trophy at all costs.