Ravens running back Justin Forsett became a late bloomer in NFL circles two years ago, when he rushed for 1,266 yards during his first season in Baltimore. Now approaching 31 and coming back from a broken arm that shortened his 2015 campaign, Forsett is ready to build on what he did in 2014.
Appearing Wednesday on PFT Live on NBC Sports Radio and NBCSN, Forsett said he’s 100 percent again. He also said that he’s feeling great and fresh because, for most of his early years, he didn’t have the same wear and tear that other running backs experience. He also has noticed something positive about being an experience (i.e., older) player in the NFL.
“The game is just so much slower than it was when I was 24,” Forsett said. “Coming into the league, your head’s kinda spinning and things are happening fast on and off the field. Now I kind of got a little more wisdom underneath me and the game has slowed down and I can anticipate things before they happen.”
He said that he noticed the change in his third or fourth year, “where you really start to understand not only what you do as a professional, as a running back, but you start understanding schemes [and] you start understanding what the guys around you are doing and it kind of makes your job easier.”
Forsett pays plenty of attention to what one guy around him (his quarterback) does, and Forsett thinks Joe Flacco looks the same following a torn ACL suffered last season.
“I haven’t noticed any difference as of late,” Forsett said. “I mean he’s been in the pocket, standing strong, getting the ball out, he’s been leading the same way. Joe is Joe, man, I mean there’s no high or low he’s even keeled in all situations. So even after the injury Joe’s remained the same.”
Steve Smith is still the same guy he’s always been. For a story from Justin Forsett about the intensity and competitive nature of Smith, check out the video accompanying this blurb.