This "Lamar Jackson is in the same league as Mahomes" nonsense on every football related show I see needs to stop.
Lamar Jackson, on the biggest stage, has now shit down his leg in both opportunities. Lamar is a player who has to have everything around him working perfectly to have success. Put him down 2 scores and ask him to carry the team, he cannot answer the bell.
There's a big difference between a running quarterback, and a quarterback who can run. Lamar Jackson and The Ravens ran 88 plays and put up 12 points.
Jackson attempted 59 passes, only threw one touchdown, but also threw two picks and lost a fumble. 12 points on 59 pass attempts should tell you all you need to know about Lamar as a QB when the lights are the brightest.
Nobody would bat an eye if before the game, soneone told us Pat would put the ball up 59 times. Matter of fact, id be pretty excited to see how many points and yards he would put up in that span of plays.
When things got bad for both QBs, you saw the odds on favorite to win the MVP this year get visible frustrated, press, and ultimately fold. He was nowhere to be seen trying to work out what was happening, rallying his team, he simply pouted on the sideline as his team fell further behind.
The reigning MVP had literally no quit. Its one thing to say after the fact, that we had faith all along, its quite another for that to be true.
Down 24, think about that for a moment. 24. Mahomes is captured, in that moment on the sideline saying we have everything we want. Everyones already counted us the **** out, so go do something special.
Then, to walk the walk after talking the talk, leading the team to 7 straight touchdowns and 8 scoring drives, throwing 5 touchdown passes, and displaying a fiery emotion that if you dont feel anything when you see this kid going nuts after a huge play, call the coroner, because youre already dead.
The two qbs could not be further apart. Jackson cannot hold Mahomes jock when it comes to putting the team on his back.
Lamar should consider signing with KC as a running back. Its the only way barring injury to Mahomes, that hes ever getting a ring.
Mahomes is the MVP. Its not even close. Lamar is a running back executing the halfback pass play about 20-25 times a game.
Jacksons first two years have ended with dud playoff performances.
Mahomes first two years as a starter sees his team hosting back to back AFC title games for a frachise that in its entire history never hosted a single one before he arrived. [Reply]
Jackson has earned a big deal. I agree with Ravens not to fully guarantee 4 years.
If Jackson is unwilling to accept something like Mahomes rolling next 2 years guaranteed, Ravens should just tag for 2 years and see what happens next.
I love that Jackson keeps working on his skills and makes the dumbasses that hate on him look like genuine fucking bozos that do not know shit about tackle football as it is played in the National Football League. [Reply]
Jackson is pretty good but he's still not close to Mahomes. Honestly the Chiefs will win 11+ games every year for the next 10 years no matter who is on the team as long as 15 is the QB. Can't say that for anyone else. [Reply]
Why the Ravens' Lamar Jackson is playing better than during his MVP season
Spoiler!
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- Some might say Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who leads the NFL in passer rating and TD passes, looks the same as he did during his 2019 MVP season.
But Ravens coaches and teammates know differently. Jackson is actually playing at a much higher level this season.
He’s showing more patience in the pocket. He’s delivering the ball with more accuracy. He’s commanding the offense with more authority.
Three years ago, Ravens coach John Harbaugh called it a “revolution” when Jackson and Baltimore’s unconventional offense ripped through defenses. Now, the Ravens are once again the NFL’s most electric attack because of Jackson’s “evolution.”
“It’s a front row seat; you’re watching greatness,” Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell said.
When Jackson became the second unanimous NFL MVP selection, he played behind one of the best offensive lines, and he handed the ball off to Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram. Through three games this year, it hasn’t mattered that Jackson has had his blindside protected by three different left tackles and Baltimore’s running backs have struggled.
Jackson has produced 87% of the total yards for the league’s No. 1 scoring offense, which has put him ahead of his 2019 pace in nearly every major statistical category. Aside from the league-leading 10 TD passes and 119.0 passer rating, Jackson ranks fifth in the league in rushing (243 yards) and first in rushing average (9.35).
Jackson’s odds to win NFL MVP have gone from 22-to-1 in February (eighth-best odds) to 7-to-1 (tied for third-best with Jalen Hurts while Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes are first and second).
“He’s kind of determined to play his way,” Harbaugh said. “His way is winning football.”
Some wondered whether Jackson would regret playing his fifth-year option with no guaranteed money beyond this season. Others thought he would get distracted or play a more conservative style with the lack of a contract extension.
Jackson has responded with a focus and ferocity that could ultimately reset the quarterback market as well as rewrite the record books. He is the first player in NFL history to deliver back-to-back games with at least three touchdown passes and 100 yards rushing.
His 12 total touchdowns (two rushing) are more than 30 of the other 31 teams (the Detroit Lions have as many as him).
Asked if he takes pride in these performances that have never been seen before, Jackson said, “I just want to win. By doing that, I just got to do what I do — play Lamar football.”
Hitting the bull's-eye
Earlier in his career, Jackson would bolt the pocket if no receivers were open or if he felt immediate pressure. These days, he’s hitting his targets in the end zone through the smallest of windows.
His 16-yard touchdown pass Sunday to tight end Mark Andrews, who leapt over Patriots safety Devin McCourty, had a 13% completion probability, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. That’s the lowest of any completion in Jackson’s career and the lowest on any touchdown pass in the NFL this season.
Jackson later connected with wide receiver Devin Duvernay on a 4-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone. Duvernay had 0.7 yards of separation.
“He’s one of a kind,” Andrews said of Jackson. “There’s no one who’s really able to do what he can do for a team.”
Jackson has thrown a league-best three touchdown passes and no interceptions when throwing into tight windows this season. This is a major improvement from last season, when he had no touchdowns and four interceptions when passing with less than one yard of separation.
“I’m just getting them the ball, that’s all,” Jackson said. “I feel like I’ve got 100% comfort in my guys that they’re going to make that play. Just give them a chance. That’s all we talk about."
'Engine is bigger'
No one really knew the effect of Jackson adding over 10 pounds of lean muscle and bulking up to 230 pounds. Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman suggested Jackson could be faster because “his engine is bigger.”
Whatever the reason, Jackson has been able to reverse a concerning trend. Over the previous couple of seasons, Jackson’s rushing average has declined from 6.9 yards per carry (2019) to 6.3 (2020) to 5.8 (2021).
Last season, only five of Jackson’s 133 runs went for 20-plus yards (3.7%). This year, he has been more selective when he runs, but he’s been much more explosive. Jackson has totaled three runs of 20 or more plus yards on 26 carries (11.5%), breaking free for gains of 79, 38 and 20 yards.
“I told you guys plenty of times I was going to be good,” Jackson said of the additional pounds Sunday, “and I feel like I’m showing it.”
Two weeks ago, Jackson recorded the longest run of his career, zipping past the Dolphins for a 79-yard touchdown. His previous best was 50 yards.
On that run option, Jackson reached a maximum speed of 20.48 mph, which ranked among the 15 fastest times of any ball carrier in the first two weeks of the season.
"What the guy does day in and day out, I think nobody can duplicate it in the league,” Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said.
'Not a lightbulb thing'
In each of the past two offseasons, the talk has been that the league has finally figured out Jackson.
Last November, Jackson’s season spiraled downward after he struggled against the Dolphins’ Cover-Zero scheme. The Ravens were held to 10 points, their fewest ever with Jackson as their starter, in Week 10 in Miami. Teams blitzed Jackson heavily after that, which led to six interceptions and 13 sacks in his last three full games of 2021.
In watching how Jackson dissects defenses this year, it looks like the game has slowed down for him.
"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,” Harbaugh said. "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 (25). You watch him play, does it look like he understands what he's going up against and what he's dealing with out there? That's the result of that process and that work effort that he's putting in. It's really impressive.”
In Sunday’s 37-26 victory in New England, Jackson excelled under pressure. He was 9-of-10 for 110 yards and four touchdowns against the Patriots’ blitz. He has six touchdowns against the blitz, which is already one more than what he had all of last season.
Harbaugh raved about how Jackson is running the show offensively. He’s making the checks and managing the clock.
Asked whether Jackson gets enough credit for commanding the huddle, Harbaugh essentially shrugged his shoulders.
"I'm trying to answer that question for four years now,” he said. "I answer it here every time we have a press conference. I basically say the same thing because it's true every week. Yes, if there's people out there that doubt that at this point in time, I don't know what to say to them. I don't think we can help them at this point.”
I've only been watching football seriously since 35 years but here is my take on Lamar
Besides Barry Sanders he is the best RB I have ever seen with my own eyes. Forget the QB aspect and just talk about being a RB, second best I've seen in my life.
So if I had to rate him as a RB he is a A or A+
As a passer he is a B, people are sooooooo freaked out because of his RB ability they give him so much room to throw he makes quite a few of them. but he has lots of time because of the defense just trying to keep him in the pocket.
He has a strong arm, hits some nice deep shots and puts up some good numbers as a passer.
You put them together he is a very good QB, but comparing him to Mahomes or Montana etc from a Passer perspective etc is not even a level or two below. You would probably rate him as the 8-10 best QB for passing in the league BUT because is probably a top 10 Best RB all time in football its what makes him different.
Will it last? probably not, he will get nicked up more and more and in the next 2-5 years will be washed up but for now he is fun to watch.
Originally Posted by jettio:
Jackson has earned a big deal. I agree with Ravens not to fully guarantee 4 years.
If Jackson is unwilling to accept something like Mahomes rolling next 2 years guaranteed, Ravens should just tag for 2 years and see what happens next.
I love that Jackson keeps working on his skills and makes the dumbasses that hate on him look like genuine fucking bozos that do not know shit about tackle football as it is played in the National Football League.
If Jackson is concerned with setting records and/or earning the most he can in what is very possibly going to be a shorter career than your usual superstar QB, he'd be nuts to even consider a deal like what Mahomes signed.
If he went to FA he'd probably be the top FA target in NFL history. The bidding war would be spectacular. And remember what a mediocre guy like Cousins was able to do when he hit the market unencumbered. Cousins has made $150 million in 5 years since he hit FA. And he just keep cashin' them checks.
Jackson has no business not demanding 4 fully guaranteed years. Hell, he should probably insist on 6.
Because SOMEONE will pay it. is he worth that? Is it a risk I'd take? No and No. But that's going to be the reality of the QB market. [Reply]
Lamar is a great player but I've seen this movie before. He'll dominate the whole season and then in the playoffs he'll run into a defense that's good enough to take away what he does well, forces him to do things he doesn't do well, and he'll lose. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut:
If Jackson is concerned with setting records and/or earning the most he can in what is very possibly going to be a shorter career than your usual superstar QB, he'd be nuts to even consider a deal like what Mahomes signed.
If he went to FA he'd probably be the top FA target in NFL history. The bidding war would be spectacular. And remember what a mediocre guy like Cousins was able to do when he hit the market unencumbered. Cousins has made $150 million in 5 years since he hit FA. And he just keep cashin' them checks.
Jackson has no business not demanding 4 fully guaranteed years. Hell, he should probably insist on 6.
Because SOMEONE will pay it. is he worth that? Is it a risk I'd take? No and No. But that's going to be the reality of the QB market.
Originally Posted by jettio:
Jackson has earned a big deal. I agree with Ravens not to fully guarantee 4 years.
If Jackson is unwilling to accept something like Mahomes rolling next 2 years guaranteed, Ravens should just tag for 2 years and see what happens next.
I love that Jackson keeps working on his skills and makes the dumbasses that hate on him look like genuine fucking bozos that do not know shit about tackle football as it is played in the National Football League.
I'm still going to call him a RB. Because it's funny. [Reply]
Originally Posted by DJ's left nut:
If Jackson is concerned with setting records and/or earning the most he can in what is very possibly going to be a shorter career than your usual superstar QB, he'd be nuts to even consider a deal like what Mahomes signed.
If he went to FA he'd probably be the top FA target in NFL history. The bidding war would be spectacular. And remember what a mediocre guy like Cousins was able to do when he hit the market unencumbered. Cousins has made $150 million in 5 years since he hit FA. And he just keep cashin' them checks.
Jackson has no business not demanding 4 fully guaranteed years. Hell, he should probably insist on 6.
Because SOMEONE will pay it. is he worth that? Is it a risk I'd take? No and No. But that's going to be the reality of the QB market.
I agree that he should demand as much guaranteed cash as possible. Will the Ravens cave or does he end up somewhere else? Will be interesting to see how it plays out. [Reply]
