J.K. Dobbins Addresses Absence, Future, & Retiring as a Raven
Best-laid plans are no match for the beast that is the NFL. That's still not stopping J.K. Dobbins. The embattled Baltimore Ravens rusher reiterated his desire for a perpetually purple career this week as he returned to the field after spending most of training camp on the physically unable to perform list. His return to the facility in Owings Mills allowed him to reflect and look ahead as his fourth NFL season gets underway.
"I love it here. I want to finish my career here," Dobbins said, per Brian Wacker of the Baltimore Sun. “With the whole running back thing, each organization knows who they have. As far as me, I love it here. I want to finish my career here.”
But "the whole running back thing" certainly complicates matters: Dobbins is at the end of the line in the consequence-free portion of the modern rusher's career, as his standard four-year deal expires come winter. Dobbins has made the case for a long-term deal if he's been on the field to the tune of an average carry of just under six yards (1,232 on 209 carries).
Alas, that's been a big if: since a standout rookie season, Dobbins has partaken in only seven games due to injuries. Some feel that Dobbins is destined to join the alarmingly long list of renowned rushers forced into exile ... or at least a long wait (look no further than names like Dalvin Cook and Ezekiel Elliott signing mere weeks before kickoff weekend).
Some assumed that Dobbins' PUP list entry was partly done out of dissatisfaction with a lack of a long-term deal. Dobbins claimed caution when asked about the possibility.
“That’s a tough question,” Dobbins said. “I was just being cautious. My teammates need me, so I want to be there for my teammates. That’s all it was. My teammates understood what was going on.”
Dobbins' focus remains purely on the future. The Ravens have prepared for more medical emergencies (currently staging a four-way battle for the role of Dobbins understudy featuring returnees Justice Hill and Gus Edwards alongside newcomers Melvin Gordon and Keaton Mitchell) but Dobbins wants to prove that he's worthy of an expensive long-term deal and then some when he takes the field this season.
“I do think that healthy, I can be one of the top backs in the league,” Dobbins declared. “I've just got to prove it and I am going to prove it. One day, one day it will happen."
Dobbins likely won't play but the Ravens end their three-game preseason slate on Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 7 p.m. ET.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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