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Here’s what rookie free agent running back Curtis Steele saw when he looked around him during the Ravens’ mandatory minicamp.
Pro Bowler Ray Rice was on one side, Pro Bowl fullback Le’Ron McClain was in front of him and former Pro Bowler Willis McGahee was on the other side. That’s not to mention two returning backups in Jalen Parmele and Matt Lawrence.
Despite being the newcomer, Steele has emerged as a player to watch this summer. With more reps during Rookie Camp this week, Steele has displayed quickness bursting through holes and a very good set of hands catching the ball out of the backfield.
Steele dreams of being a scat back in Baltimore’s rotation. But he’s clearly got a battle ahead of him.
“It’s real packed,” Parmele said with a laugh. “I’m just trying to make the least mistakes as possible and the most plays.”
The 6-foot, 190-pound tailback had two consistent years at Memphis, averaging 208 rushes, 1,231 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns. Steele expected to get drafted but pulled his hamstring while running the 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, which hurt his stock.
Head Coach John Harbaugh sent him an email before the draft expressing interest and Running Backs Coach Wilbert Montgomery called him three times on the final day of the draft. Steele was pursued by the Arizona Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles and Houston Texans.
“It meant a lot to me for Coach Harbaugh to just take the time to write me an email,” Steele said. “And I felt like I had a relationship with Coach Montgomery already.”
Steele wants to help on special teams but doesn’t have much experience. He returned two kickoffs as a junior. Parmele has a leg up in that area as he emerged as a more than capable kick returner at the end of last season.
Lawrence, who would seem to be Steele’s chief competition, is trying to recover from a knee injury suffered midway through last year. He was effective in special teams coverage, totaling 16 tackles in eight games.
“You’ve got to make special teams first,” Steele said. “But on the other side you’ve got to make plays and do your job.”