Entering last season, the biggest question in the Baltimore Ravens backfield was just how many carries the emerging Thanksgiving Day touchdown against the Detroit Lions in 2012. He did play with Kubiak in Houston (as did Wood), but to me (and to the Ravens), the most intriguing name from the list is Taliaferro, not just because it's a slick name, but because the fourth-round back from Coastal Carolina is getting some attention during rookie camp.
Taliaferro's 1,729 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns (both of which were school records) earned him Offensive Player of the Year honors in his conference, but bigger things are in store for the big back (6'2" and 230 pounds) because he might be ready to be a three-down back if he can handle the workload.
He's shown the ability to run, evidenced by his production at Coastal Carolina. He's also shown athleticism. His 4.58-second 40-yard dash was only 19th best in the NFL Combine, but Taliaferro posted a top-five three-cone drill time (6.88 seconds) and a top-10 20-yard shuttle (4.22 seconds). If that still leaves anyone skeptical (and it understandably could), Taliaferro impressed the Ravens during the Senior Bowl as an all-around talent, focusing on not only his running but also his pass-catching and, most surprising for a young back, his pass protection ability.
The potential Taliaferro possesses along with Kubiak's track record for 1,000-yard rushers from unlikely sources makes for an exciting combination. Terrell Davis, a sixth-round pick in 1995 was a five-time 1000-yard rusher. Olandis Gary, a fourth-rounder, did it in 1999 in just 12 games. In 2000 and 2005, Mike Anderson did it. He was a sixth-round selection. Clinton Portis (AKA Sheriff Gonna Getcha, Southeast Jerome, Dolla Bill, Bro Sweets) did it twice in 2002 and 2003, the only second-rounder to do so for Kubiak. Lastly, Reuben Droughns eclipsed the mark in 2004.
Kubiak didn't have as much success as a head coach after inheriting Ron Dayne, but he did turn third-rounder Steve Slaton loose for 1,200 yards in 2008 and the undrafted Arian Foster for at least 1,200 rushing yards three consecutive seasons.
Kubiak kept a balanced approach in Houston, posting pass-to-run ratios of 1.22, 1.32, 1.36, 1.46, 1.43, 0.91, and 1.15 between 2006 and 2012 before injuries to Foster and Ben Tate forced the Texans to throw the ball 1.63 times for every rushing attempt this season, the seventh-highest mark in the league. Sticking to the run helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl just one year ago (when they posted a 1.35 pass-to-run ratio), so they should welcome the return to form.
Among Rice, Pierce, Taliaferro, and even Forsett, Kubiak should be able to find a 1,000-yard rusher behind the updated offensive line, allowing the Ravens to regain their status as one of the premiere ground games in the NFL. This will benefit Flacco, who can revert to a more balanced offense and fewer drop backs, and his replenished receiving corps.
Regardless of which back emerges through it all, the Ravens are primed for a successful rushing season, one that many expected to see in 2013. It may not be the hand-it-to-Ray-Rice theme Ravens fans have grown used to over the years, but all the elements are in place for the Ravens to go back to the Ravens of old and be a great rushing team again.