WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

October 04, 2018 at 1:09 am.

–Ravens running back Alex Collins has lost two fumbles this season.

He had an especially critical turnover on the 1-yard line that cost the Ravens points in a 26-14 win in Pittsburgh on Sunday night.

Normally, a player that commits those types of gaffes finds himself on the bench.

However, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh expressed confidence in Collins earlier this week and said that he will continue to get opportunities to make plays.

“Fumbling is always troublesome,” Harbaugh said. “You can’t have it. It’s not worth it. He’ll focus on that. One thing I know about Alex is he’ll make it his job one to hold onto the football. He knows that’s the expectation.”

Last season, Collins had a pair of fumbles in his first three games with the Ravens when he was promoted from the practice squad. However, he didn’t lose the ball again over the final 12 games.

“One thing about Alex is his style lends itself to that a little bit, and I think that’s been kind of an issue through his entire career, because he’s such an elusive guy,” Harbaugh said. “And, he tries so hard to make big plays all the time, and it’s why he gets yards. It’s one of the reasons. He runs very hard, but sometimes you expose the football when you do that.

“Yes, fumbling is always troublesome, and it’s just … You can’t have it, and it’s not worth it. So, he’ll focus on it. One thing I know about Alex is he’ll make it his job No. 1 to hold on to the football, and he knows that’s the expectation.”

–Jimmy Smith is eligible to return from a four-game suspension this week, which means the Ravens have to figure out the best way to rotate the cornerbacks, making sure each player gets enough reps.

That’s a good problem, according to head coach John Harbaugh.

Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr and Tavon Young have played well in Smith’s absence. Overall, the Ravens are ranked fifth in the NFL against the pass. Smith’s return should be a boost to this unit.

“It’ll be what gives us the best chance to put the best group of guys out there,” Harbaugh said. “It’s a really good problem to have. I thought Brandon Carr played just tremendously well, as did Marlon Humphrey, as did Tavon (Young). All the corners played exceptionally well.”

Still, Smith is one of the top cornerbacks in the league. He will get opportunities this week against Cleveland if he is fully ready to play.

“We’ll have to make sure he’s physically ready to go, meet with the trainers and all those kinds of things and make sure he’s ready physically,” Harbaugh said. “If he’s in shape, and if he practices well and looks like he can go, we’ll just have to evaluate that in practice.”

Brandon Carr has started 164 straight games, the longest active stretch of any defensive player in the NFL. That could end this week if Smith retains his starting spot opposite Marlon Humphrey.

“It’s a good situation to have a number of guys healthy that can play corner,” Harbaugh said. “We have a lot of confidence in all of our guys, all the way down the roster to the practice squad, so we’re excited about that, and it should help us.”

BY THE NUMBERS: 0 — Number of touchdowns the Ravens have allowed in the second half over four games this season.

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