'Project Pat' is no longer a novelty act for the Ravens backfield

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Rookie defensive lineman Patrick Ricard first heard the nickname in offseason workouts, when he became the Baltimore Ravens' latest experiment at fullback.

A defensive lineman referred to Ricard as "Project Pat."

"And it stuck," Ricard said.

Ricard is no longer a project, though. He has replaced Pro Bowl player Kyle Juszczyk as Baltimore's top fullback.

In the preseason, Ricard practiced with the defensive linemen and got a handful of snaps with the offense as a lead blocker. After Baltimore cut its top fullbacks on the roster (Lorenzo Taliaferro and Ricky Ortiz), Ricard got a new number -- the eligible receiver No. 42 -- and a new role.

Ricard primarily works with the…