Former Towson University star Terrance West continues to be one of the standout players in training camp for the Ravens.
After losing about 15 pounds, the 5-10, 225-pound running back appears to be in the hunt for more carries _ and perhaps a starting role _ when the season begins.
Having flamed out in both Cleveland and Tennessee during his first two years in the NFL, West is showing flashes of what he did in college, where he broke the Football Championship Subdivision record with 41 touchdowns as a senior in leading the Tigers to the national title game.
"I don't think Terrance is looking around, evaluating the situation," Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman said Friday. "He's just out there working hard, trying to get better. He's running aggressively. He's much improved in terms of his understanding of pass protection, which is critical to getting on the field. He's got a tremendous attitude, in the classroom, on the field."
Towson coach Rob Ambrose, who attended practice Friday with his son, said his former star's performance is reminiscent of what he showed as a freshman when he was relatively unknown after spending a post-graduate year at the Fork Union Military Academy.
"I don't think I've seen him as focused, and as less distracted from the goal as he is right now," Ambrose said. "It reminds me of when he finally got a chance to play in college and he was extremely focused and hungry. It looks like the same guy, just better shape."
Ambrose isn't quite buying that it's simply a byproduct of losing weight.
"He told me he shaved 10 or so pounds off, I said, 'No, you just shaved off the distractions,' " Ambrose said with a smile.
