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Andy Richardson

Lorenzo Taliaferro

Baltimore's No. 2 back has value

Just watched my tape of the Ravens-Raiders game. Among the observations (including that Baltimore's defense will really miss Terrell Suggs) is that Lorenzo Taliaferro looks like a really good young running back.

Taliaferro carried only 7 times in the game, but those chances went for 34 yards and a touchdown. He also caught 3 passes for 12 yards. He's backing up Justin Forsett, who also looked good in that game, but he should continue to get work as the second running back. If Forsett gets hurt at some point, Taliaferro should play close to full-time.

This week, the Ravens host Cincinnati. In the game at Cincinnati a year ago (he was still behind Forsett and Bernard Pierce in the Week 1 home game), Taliaferro -- the No. 2 to Forsett -- rushed for 27 yards, caught 2 passes for 42 yards, and scored a pair of touchdowns.

Make sure Taliaferro is on a roster, and consider him in deeper leagues this week. He should continue to have a weekly role.

One more note on the Ravens. Steve Smith Sr. seemed to drop a touchdown that would have won the Week 1 game at Denver; maybe the defender tipped the ball. In Week 2, tied at 30, Smith got open in the corner of the end zone in the final minutes, but Joe Flacco either slightly missed him or Smith turned the wrong way, and he caught the ball out of bounds. Baltimore settled for a field goal and a three-point lead, and the Raiders won it on a last-minute touchdown.

That's how fine the line is between 0-2 and 2-0 in the NFL.

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