Should (or must) the Ravens trade Lamar Jackson? Teams have almost universally rejected Jackson as a free agent. Many observers attribute this shunning to Lamar’s alleged fully guaranteed contract demand. But is it more than that? Yes. I’ve written numerous times regarding Lamar’s flaws as a pocket passer. He’s challenged reading defenses. Just getting to the line of scrimmage in a consistently timely manner has been difficult. His work habits are less than admirable. Then there’s the injuries and the obvious issue of how long he can retain his running skills. Add it all up and he’s nowhere near the “clean” quarterback that teams drool over. Combined with his contract demands, Lamar makes a poor case for a team to pay him a fortune and give up a lot of draft capital to do it. Continue reading “Should the Ravens Trade Lamar Jackson?”
The Ravens Non-Exclusive Tender to Lamar – Now What?
The non-exclusive tender to Lamar was perhaps a surprise to outsiders. But it tells us a great deal about Lamar’s likely future and how the Ravens have gauged that future. No doubt the Ravens had a very good sense that other owners have little taste for fully guaranteed contracts. There might be a legal issue brewing here (collusion is a tough case to make). But if Lamar has been unwilling to come off of his fully guaranteed negotiating position (which he must be at this point), there’s no better way for him to learn the illusion of such a contract then by talking to other teams. Which he is now free to do. Continue reading “The Ravens Non-Exclusive Tender to Lamar – Now What?”
The Ravens Lamar Salary Cap Quandary
I was originally intending this post as the “pro” case for keeping Lamar. But I’m changing things around a bit. It’s more pertinent to take a look at the basic question. From a salary cap perspective, can the Ravens afford to keep Lamar Jackson as a franchised player in 2023? Here, the Ravens really are in a salary cap quandary. Continue reading “The Ravens Lamar Salary Cap Quandary”
The Ravens’ Lamar Decision – Part 1, The Framework
This is the first piece addressing the Ravens’ Lamar decision. You can review some prior thoughts here. Below I outline the major considerations from the Ravens’ perspective that should govern their decision. Here’s how I would approach the Ravens Lamar decision.
The process starts with defining the overarching goal. A long-term and substantial financial commitment should be made only to a quarterback who has a reasonable probability of leading a team to the Super Bowl. How many current quarterbacks in the NFL meet this requirement? Continue reading “The Ravens’ Lamar Decision – Part 1, The Framework”
Ravens One and Done – Boy Was That Painful
Let me say it for everyone – so disappointing! One and done is hard to accept, especially because the Ravens were the better team last night. They had the Bengals. But the backup quarterback and the offensive coordinator had brain spasms, and the season is over. There’s plenty to talk about as the off-season is here. I’ll start here. Continue reading “Ravens One and Done – Boy Was That Painful”
The Ravens Can Beat The Bengals. . . If the Defense is Up to It
This is not a pollyannish pie-in-the-sky prediction that the Ravens can win their playoff matchup without Lamar Jackson. The odds of their offense putting up three touchdowns – without some short fields – are very low. My hope comes from watching the tape of last week’s Bengals matchup, and the extraordinary play of Roquan Smith. The Ravens can beat the Bengals. Let me explain. Continue reading “The Ravens Can Beat The Bengals. . . If the Defense is Up to It”
Trouble in Ravens’ Land
There’s a world of trouble in Ravens land. Let’s face it. The prospects for the 2022 Ravens have diminished to such a degree that it’s almost impossible to foresee a happy ending. And I don’t mean winning a Super Bowl championship. It’s hard to see how this group – such as it is – can win another game. I don’t think this dire forecast is a bridge too far.
There are so many problems heading into the season finale that it’s almost hard to pick a starting point. But pick I must so I’ll go with the obvious starting point. Continue reading “Trouble in Ravens’ Land”
Ravens Thoughts Going into the Steelers Game
The Ravens are in the playoffs. These last two regular season games are all about seeding. If I had my druthers, the Ravens best slot is probably fifth as the top wild card team. That’s right, not third as the AFC North division winner. I’d rather play the AFC South winner in round one (Jacksonville, or a decimated Tennessee) – even on the road – then play home against either the Chargers or the Dolphins. And if I win those games, I think the Ravens are better suited to play the Bills then either the Chiefs or the Bengals, given the issues with the Ravens corners. But it’s not up to me, after all.
Now, for some idle observations heading into the second Steelers game. Continue reading “Ravens Thoughts Going into the Steelers Game”
Ravens: A Few Idle Thoughts Before the Browns Game
Just a few quick idle thoughts this week.
First, let’s not kid ourselves about the Steelers game. Mitch Trubisky had his way against the Ravens’ secondary. But true to his form, he forced several throws that led to the interceptions. It was a poor effort by the Ravens’ corners. If George Pickens had his way with Marlon Humphrey, what will the Bengals game look like when the Ravens try to defend Chase, Higgins, and Boyd?
But for Calais Campbell’s field goal block, the Ravens likely lose the Steelers’ game. Continue reading “Ravens: A Few Idle Thoughts Before the Browns Game”
Ravens Before the Steelers Game: More on Lamar Jackson
This is a warm-up for a longer Lamar Jackson analysis that follows when the season ends. Today I offer a few comments on two inter-related Lamar considerations. First, his on-the-field strategic utilization. Second, his progress, and any additional upside potential, within the confines of Greg Roman’s “Lamar” offense. So let’s look at more on Lamar Jackson.
More on Lamar: The 2022 Handicaps
Let’s start with a brief review of how Lamar has been utilized this year. I caveat this discussion by noting that we really haven’t known Lamar’s physical status all season, current injury aside. To me, Lamar has not looked physically right since early in the year. He doesn’t look as quick, as evidenced by his reduced escapability on broken plays, and on occasions when he has been unable to turn the corner. The degree to which his condition has adversely impacted his on-field use is impossible to gauge. Continue reading “Ravens Before the Steelers Game: More on Lamar Jackson”