The Baltimore Ravens began taking more extensive looks at their younger players in Sunday's loss to Jacksonville.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh cautioned reading too much into it.
"I wouldn’t tie it together with the record or anything like that," Harbaugh said. "Those guys were out there, and we’ve always done it this way. Basically, it builds on practice. So, the better you practice, the more consistently you practice, the more the opportunities come in games, along with an opening."
RB Javorius Allen is showing flashes in his handful of carries per game. If the Ravens believe Allen has the potential to be a featured back, they should see if he can handle that job right now. Justin Forsett is a 30-year-old back, and Baltimore doesn't need to give him 100-plus more carries to know what he can do. Those touches would be more valuable if given to Allen, who is 11th among rookies with 182 yards rushing. The Ravens like his vision and how fluid he runs. Allen's biggest challenge is pass protection and breaking tackles after getting through the line.
The Ravens don't want to send the message that they're already looking to the future because they don't want their players to give up on this season. But, with Baltimore floundering at 2-7, one way to make the final seven games more meaningful is to see what the younger players can do in game situations, the story said. It's something for Forsett owners need to be aware of going forward, because if they do decide to give Allen more of a look, it will obviously cut into Forsett's fantasy production.
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