“Not bad for a running back“joked Lamar Jackson after the first game of the season against the Miami Dolphinswhen he won 324 in the 59:10 win Yards and five Touchdowns threw. When he ventured into the NFL in 2018, only a few experts believed that he could gain a foothold in the league. He could only run, his passport skills were too limited, some even seriously advised him to Wide Receiver to retrain. Even if Miami is one of the worst teams this year, this achievement caused a sensation – and it should only be the beginning.
The 22-year-old today Quarterback won the 2016 Heisman-Trophy, the annual award for the best college player. Now he’s in the running for the title of Most Valuable NFL Player of the Season (MVP) very far in front. He not only confirms his mostly solid performances from his first games in the pre-season, he is also clearly improved in all areas.
“He is definitely a problem “
Before playing against them New England Patriots their trainer Bill Belichick, who otherwise seems to have a solution to all difficult challenges, was concerned: “Getting him is hard. He often runs past the defensive ends, which are just not quick enough. They put him, but don’t get him. He is definitely a problem“. A problem that the Patriots did not get a grip and went swimming in Maryland 20:37. In the past three games, Jackson outperformed Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks), Tom Brady (New England Patriots) and Deshaun Watson (Houston Texans) three significant ones Quarterback-Mates in direct duels – and that clearly. His movements are lightning-fast, he is extremely fast and is very mature on and off the field.
Behind his Offensive-Line Jackson finds prominent support for the running game. With the massive Running Back Mark Ingram is supported by another Heisman Trophy winner (2009) who has the physique to stand up to a good one Defensive Linie to refuel. Of the Rookie-Wide-Receiver Marquise Brown is fast, agile, a dangerous target for deep passes and thus extends the defending play zone. The three pillars provide the greatest support for Jackson Tight Ends Mark Andrews, Hayden Hurst and Nick Boyle. All three are strong blockers and passport recipients – this increases the variability.
Tailor-made offensive scheme
The permanent “risk of breakout” from the Quarterback-Pocket, which exists at Jackson, directs the focus of the opposing defensive on the powerful playmaker. If he does not keep the ball himself and hands it over to Mark Ingram, many opponents are often already on the wrong foot. His Tight Ends either clear the way or are available as passport receivers over short distances. Turns with three Tight Ends at the same time in the field are not a novelty, but due to Jackson’s abilities a whole new danger. The opponent knows in principle what will happen that Ravens are currently only doing it so well that it can hardly be defended.
By focusing on the running game, the Baltimore-Offensive also a lot of time from the clock, which basically continues to run after running moves, as long as they don’t end in the side. No team currently has more offensive playing time. They are also Ravens the only team in the league that can convert more than half of their series of attacks into countable. With an average of 34 points per game Baltimore lonely top, behind them Kansas City Chiefs (28 points / game). If the opposing offensive is allowed to enter the field and finally gets the ball, the “horror” is not over yet. Because then comes the next strong part of the team Ravens on the lawn.
Defensive finds its tact
Saw it especially in the beginning of the season Secondary, so mainly the passport defense, still very agile, the defense has around Defensive Coordinator Don Martindale caught strong. The one committed in October Cornerback Marcus Peters came from the Los Angeles Rams, covers its opponents reliably and uncompromisingly and therefore already has two Interceptions in own Touchdowns can transform. With Safety Earl Thomas in the back and CornerbackColleague Marlon Humphrey at his side has found Peters to be old strength. The defensive has already regained possession 16 times. A strong value.
The team was able to catch the departures of their strongest linebackers somehow. The new contracts for Terrell Suggs (on the Arizona Cardinals), Za’Darius Smith (Green Bay Packers) und C. J. Mosley (New York Jets) would have become expensive and so they let them go. Their footsteps initially seemed too great for Matthew Judon, Patrick Onwuasor and Co., but they grew in faster than expected. The only defeats against the Cleveland Browns and Chiefs were because of the Defense made mistakes in these games, from which she quickly drew the right conclusions.
Continuity next to the square
To be able to compensate for waste of this magnitude so well is not a coincidence anyway, but the result of long-term planning. Head coach John Harbaugh has been with the Ravens. After the Super Bowl victory in 2013, there were also major stretches, such as the three seasons between 2015 and 2017 without participation in the Playoffs. Harbaugh was only counted by the media, while the people around him enjoyed the fullest trust. In his twelfth year, he now successfully launched the experiment with exceptional talent Lamar Jackson and implemented a completely new game scheme.
Of the General Manager Eric DeCosta has been serving in various functions for the team since the team was founded in 1996 Franchise from Maryland. His predecessor, Ozzie Newsome, had been in office since 2002 and not only trained DeCosta for years, but with the last one Draft brought Lamar Jackson to Baltimore under his responsibility. The owner Steve Bisciotti shies the spotlight, leaves his managers and trainers to work in peace without getting involved. This is not a matter of course in American professional leagues.
The Ravens had only three in their history Headcoaches and three General Manager. The continuity in Maryland leads to solid personnel structures, a deeply rooted one Team-Identity and the basis for a homogeneous and functioning team. There’s a lot going on this year with the Baltimore Ravens. Even if the way to the Super Bowl is still a long way off, a tried and tested remedy has yet to be found against Lamar Jackson. Immediately after his draft in 2018, he announced: “You will get everything I have to offer. You will get a Super Bowl from me, believe that!” – maybe earlier than that Ravens have thought it possible themselves.
Stand: 25.11.2019, 09:35
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