The message was to all Baltimore Ravens running backs, but for Ray Rice, it was a reminder that he is held at a higher standard because of his role on the team.
NFL.com reported Friday that the Ravens used free-agent acquisition Justin Forsett for the majority of the first-team reps during their first week of organized team activities. That report was taken from an ESPN blog on the observations during offseason practice.
Coach John Harbaugh said earlier in the week that he was very concerned with the recent rash of off-the-field incidents at the running back position. Rice was charged with domestic violence against his then-fiancée and now wife in February, a video recording capturing a portion of the event that TMZ Sports publicized going viral.
Ray Rice ignores John Harbaugh's request to be present at Rice's news conference with the media
Rookie running back Lorenzo Taliaferro, a fourth-round draft choice, is facing two misdemeanor charges after an arrest last weekend outside a restaurant in his hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia.
According to NFL.com, an incident report stated that Taliaferro broke a taxicab window following a dispute with the vehicle's driver early Saturday morning. He was charged with destruction of property and being drunk in public.
Both cases occurred as a result of alcohol.
"I'm disappointed in some of the silliness that's going on," Harbaugh stated at a news conference Thursday, as reported by NFL.com. "Guys are young. But a couple of things we told them yesterday was ... while you may be 22, 23, 25, 26, it's not like your 22- and 23-year-old buddies. You're not in the same position they're in.
"You gotta grow up faster than your pals," Harbaugh added. "So you can't go home and run around with your pals and think you're in the same place that they're in."
Backup running back Bernard Pierce is sidelined with a shoulder injury, giving Forsett a shot with the first team. ESPN noted that Forsett showed tremendous speed, even though Rice looked slimmer and had a good burst.
The end of May seems like the perfect time to send a message - more than three months before team's 2014 opener.
NFL.com also suggested that the team could be bracing itself for a possible multi-game suspension for Rice from the league as a result of his incident.
Do you think the Ravens need to give any further punishment to Ray Rice? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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