For most of the last six seasons, the Ravens? offensive philosophy has followed one simple mantra: Give Jamal the ball.
Running back Jamal Lewis developed into one of the best at his position from the time he came into the league during Baltimore?s run toward Super Bowl XXXV in 2000. He eventually put himself into an even greater class in 2003 whenhe rushed for 2,066 yards ? the second-highest total in NFL history.
But injuries, legal troubles and contract concerns hampered him during the following two years. All of this culminated last year when he missed the first week of camp due to legal hang-ups after spending four months in federal prison and two months in a halfway house following a plea bargain in connection with drug charges. That, combined with the effects of ankle surgery, led to a career-worst 906 yards.
To combat concerns over the running game, the Ravens, who let backup Chester Taylor sign with the Minnesota Vikings, acquired Mike Anderson as a free agent from the Denver Broncos. The former Marine rushed for 1,014 yards in 2005. However, the team then re-signed Lewis with hopes that a quiet, healthy offseason would allow him to regain his form.
“Last season was probably one of my worst seasons ever, but at the same time, that?s why I worked hard this offseason to get ready, do much better and get back on track,” Lewis said early in training camp.
Although the Ravens do have high expectations for Lewis, there are also plans of dividing the carries to make sure he doesn?t wear down as the season progresses. Anderson was brought in to provide Baltimore that one-two punch in the backfield.
Anderson “is a classy guy,” Ravens head coach Brian Billick said. “You add that to your team, and you?re a better team. It doesn?t matter what shows up on the field. What he?s able to pass on to the young guys is huge.”
One of those youngsters is Musa Smith, one of the most pleasant stories of the preseason. He might make it tougher for the Ravens to find enough carries for all of their talented running backs.
Smith came into the league in 2003 after the Ravens drafted him in the third round. He saw limited action in the backfield in his first two seasons before suffering a severely broken leg against the Dallas Cowboys in2004. The injury then forced him to miss all but one game in 2005. Prior to surgery, doctors gave him a 50-50 shot of ever playing football again.
Smith not only returned to the field this preseason, but has thrived for the most part. He was the team?s leading rusher in the preseason with 134 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. This compares to 62 yards on 24 carries for Anderson and 41 yards on 15 carries for Lewis.
“They watched me go through my progress and saw my struggles, and to come out here and perform at the levels that they know I can perform at, it?s just an inspiration for them and it?s an inspiration for myself,” Smith said last month following the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
One person excited about the Ravens? backfield depth is new starting quarterback Steve McNair.
“Well, they can worry about me [but] the other 10 guys are still accountable, too, and I think that?s the thing that other people don?t understand,” McNair said.
