Jeff Wolfson

Parmele has edge for kickoff return job

by Dan Kolko View Comments

When Lardarius Webb went down with a torn ACL last November, Jalen Parmele got the call to take over the kickoff return duties.

The reserve running back more than held his own, averaging 27.1 yards per return in four total games (two in the regular season, two in the postseason), including returns of 53 and 45 yards.

Going into preseason action this year, Parmele is the clear favorite to remain the Ravens' kick returner in 2010.

"I feel very good," Parmele said. "I'm getting more comfortable every time we practice it. I think the way we practice is helping everybody, not just me, but everybody on the kickoff return team get more comfortable and in sync. I definitely feel comfortable going into the preseason."

So far this camp, Parmele has been the one getting the reps with the first-team kickoff return unit. That's how he expects things to shake out in tomorrow's preseason opener against the Panthers as well.

"That's what it's looking like, yeah," Parmele said. "The biggest thing is just don't try to force anything to happen. Just go out there and play."

Parmele has three guys competing with him for kick returns at this point - wide receiver David Reed, cornerback Prince Miller and running back Curtis Steele.

All three are rookies, which leaves Parmele, who is entering his third NFL season, looking like the proven, reliable option.

Despite the inexperience behind him on the depth chart, however, Parmele doesn't have the job locked up yet. Reed, Miller and Steele all possess good speed, and have the opportunity to impress in the preseason.

"It's really still open," Parmele says of the return job. "I've still got to prove that I can be the man back there. That's the biggest thing for the preseason games is to show them that I can still do it and show them that I should be back there.

"I have all the confidence in my teammates that we can make things happen out there."

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