National Football League

Slimmer Taliaferro wants to be more than a short-yardage back

Published Jun. 5, 2015 4:42 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Ravens running back Lorenzo Taliaferro doesn't want to be know exclusively as a short-yardage rusher.

The second-year back worked on his build this offseason to get trimmer and quicker, dropping eight pounds and four percent of his body fat. Now Taliaferro has his eyes set on becoming more of an all-around back. 

"I just felt like I was getting a label as just a short-yardage guy," Taliaferro told the Ravens' team site. "I thought that if I lost a little bit of weight and got a little quicker, things would start to pan out and I would be labeled as an all-around back."

Taliaferro showed flashes of potential in his rookie campaign on the way to 292 yards and four touchdowns on 68 carries. The highlight of his season came early when he rushed 18 times for 91 yards and a score against Cleveland in Week 3. He followed that up the next week with a strong performance against Carolina, but it was downhill from there. 

Taliaferro saw his touches decrease as Bernard Pierce secured more playing time, and a crucial fumble against Pittsburgh didn't help his cause. His season then ended a few weeks early due to a foot injury. 

With Justin Forsett as the clear cut No. 1 back, Taliaferro will compete with fourth-round rookie Buck Allen for snaps. Allen is likely to be utilized more in the passing game, likely leaving Taliaferro as, you guessed it, the bruiser who will be called upon in short-yardage situations.

Still, Taliaferro is bound to get significant playing time since the undersized Forsett is not your typical 25-carry per game runner.

h/t: Baltimore Ravens

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League