The Baltimore Ravens and star quarterback Lamar Jackson couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension prior to the beginning of the 2022 NFL season. But that hasn’t stopped the 2019 unanimous MVP from showing up and showing out weekly. Jackson has led the Ravens to a 2-1 start this season, but it’s how he’s doing it with his arm and legs.
In fact, thus far this season Jackson has 10 passing touchdowns and just two interceptions. He’s also rushed for 253 yards and two more touchdowns in the first three games. In last week’s 42-38 loss to the Dolphins, Jackson became the first player in NFL history to have a touchdown pass and run of at least 75 yards in the same game.
Jackson’s professionalism and leadership have been on full display despite him and the Ravens not agreeing on that lucrative long-term extension prior to the season. Following Sunday’s 37-26 road win over the Patriots, head coach John Harbaugh raved about his star signal-caller.
“I just think it’s a natural next step in terms of finding his rhythm during the week, what he’s looking at, how he studies defenses, how he breaks defenses down. It’s not a lightbulb thing, it’s an evolution of studying the game that you see quarterbacks go through. He’s still a young quarterback. You watch him play, does it look like he understands what he’s going up against and what he’s dealing with out there? Right, and that’s the result of that process and that work effort that he’s putting in. It’s really impressive.”
"No one has to tell me about Lamar Jackson." pic.twitter.com/s4nf2jSiKG
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
After three weeks of football Jackson is arguably the leading candidate to take home the MVP award at season’s end.
Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman Seems To Have Adjusted His Passing Schemes To Fit LJ
After years of having one of the best run offenses in the NFL and struggling to get the passing game off the ground, the Ravens seem to have the passing game going as the running game minus Lamar’s dynamic playmaking is struggling.
Offensive coordinator Greg Roman, passing game coordinator Chris Hewitt and wide receivers coach Tee Martin, have created a scheme that fits Jackson’s strengths; multiple combo routes and taking deep shots while also occupying the middle of the field with All-Pro tight end Mark Andrews.
The maturation of Jackson as a passer and information processor has allowed more attacking downfield. Receivers Devin Duvernay and Rashod Bateman are showing signs, and the aforementioned Andrews is “Mr. Reliable.”
Those three have been on the receiving end of eight of LJ8’s 10 touchdown tosses. With other weaponry like rookie hybrid tight end Isaiah Likely and veteran DeMarcus Robinson still adjusting to the scheme, the sky is the limit for this passing game, especially if Jackson is going to keep developing in his mental approach to understanding defenses, pre- and post-snap.
"We build more off adversity." @Lj_era8 pic.twitter.com/G8DqHQBRd4
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
Ravens Have To Lean Heavily On Lamar And Offense: Defense Is Atrocious
In the past, the Ravens had the luxury of having Jackson doing what he does, but that was always accompanied by a strong, stout defense and rugged running game. That is no more, as the Ravens can’t stop a nosebleed. And the run game seems to be stuck in quicksand. That means more Jackson and more big plays, and the way he’s playing, that might not be a bad thing.
“It feels very good after that bounceback from last week… We just have to keep building.” @Lj_era8 discusses the win over the Patriots and what it means for this team. pic.twitter.com/2FzS3ZH0vH
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) September 25, 2022
At season’s end Baltimore might regret not paying Jackson. Yesterday’s price is not tomorrow’s price.
Read More TSL Stories:
