I keep in mind when the In-N-Out craze was a giant factor on the app previously referred to as Twitter. Everybody on the West Coast hyped that place up prefer it was five-star wonderful eating served on a tray that you just use to eat in your automobile like an animal. After which an increasing number of folks tried In-N-Out and had been like “Really, that is fairly mid, I don’t see the hype.”
Effectively, that’s how I really feel in regards to the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens — and their quarterback — have grow to be the overrated burger chain of the NFL that has misplaced its luster.
Now, I do know everyone seems to be choosing up their metaphorical pitchforks and aiming them in my path as a result of I dared to take the title of Lamar Jackson in useless, so let me make just a few issues clear: Lamar Jackson is an extremely gifted soccer participant. An elite soccer participant. He’s not an elite thrower of the soccer, neither is he clutch. The Ravens have additionally misplaced a ton of items this offseason after what could also be their finest alternative to get to the Tremendous Bowl for the foreseeable future.
So in the present day, let’s discuss in regards to the Ravens; who they’ve misplaced, what they lack, and why this infatuation with Lamar Jackson is a bit overdone.
Baltimore Ravens’ misplaced items
Whereas everybody has appeared to place the Buffalo Payments beneath a microscope for the items they’ve misplaced, it baffles me that just about nobody has introduced up the unbelievable losses for the Ravens over the offseason. Star linebacker Patrick Queen signed with the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Security Geno Stone additionally stayed within the division by signing with the Cincinnati Bengals. Along with that, the Ravens misplaced Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson up entrance and may by no means depend on Ronnie Stanley to stay wholesome. Different notable losses embody move rusher Jadeveon Clowney, cornerback Ronald Darby, working again Gus Edwards, and receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
The largest lack of all, although, is defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald leaving to grow to be the pinnacle coach of the Seattle Seahawks. The Ravens shedding the mastermind of their unbelievable protection from a yr in the past, mixed with the lack of a number of stars and function gamers on that facet of the ball, will nearly definitely result in a decline for Baltimore defensively.
Offensively, who on that roster scares you exterior of Zay Flowers at receiver? Rashod Bateman? Respectfully, no. Mark Andrews is terrific, however we noticed accidents start to take a toll on him a yr in the past which precipitated him to overlook seven video games. And even with Flowers, he isn’t a high 20 receiver within the league. He could not even be a high 32 receiver within the league and the Ravens don’t have a confirmed No. 2 to enhance him.
Now, let’s discuss Mr. Jackson.
Lamar Jackson’s shortcomings
I can really feel a disturbance within the Drive, which may solely imply an ungodly massive variety of of us in Maryland speeding to kind “TWO-TIME MVP.” And positive, good for him. The MVP he gained in 2019 was completely deserved. The one he gained this previous season? [Insert Tony Romo voice] I don’t know, Jim.
Jackson put up pedestrian numbers. His 24 landing passes had been fewer than Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson, and he threw for much less yards than Derek Carr and Sam Howell. And I do know that field scores don’t inform the complete story, however his superior stats had been additionally simply… Meh.
Of all quarterbacks to play at the very least 200 snaps in 2023, Jackson completed eleventh in adjusted EPA per play, tenth in CPOE, and eleventh in Massive Time Throws. Jackson wasn’t unhealthy by any means, however he wasn’t MVP ranges of nice both.
And with Lamar, we’ve got to debate his lack of massive wins. He’s 2-4 within the playoffs for his profession, and 0-4 when his opponent scores greater than 13 factors within the postseason. Up to now, his greatest win is a divisional spherical playoff recreation in opposition to a rookie quarterback who had one viable receiver on the sector and was enjoying in his first playoff recreation. His second-biggest win was in opposition to Ryan Tannehill and the Titans, who beat the tar out of Baltimore the yr prior within the playoffs.
In his two greatest video games – in opposition to the Payments within the 2020-21 divisional spherical and the Chiefs within the 2023-24 AFC Championship Recreation, Lamar threw two of the worst interceptions you’ll ever see. Trailing 10-3 with an opportunity to tie the sport, he threw a decide to Taron Johnson of the Payments in the long run zone and it was returned 101 yards for a landing. The Payments gained and superior to the AFC Championship Recreation. And in opposition to Kansas Metropolis this previous January with an opportunity to make it a one-score recreation with just below seven minutes to play, Jackson threw a move into triple protection in the long run zone that was intercepted by Deon Bush. And if he didn’t decide it off, a number of different Chiefs would have had an opportunity to take action. In each playoff video games mixed, Jackson went 34-of-61 for 434 yards, one landing, two interceptions, and a passer ranking of 68.5. On high of that, Jackson leads all quarterbacks in turnovers within the fourth quarter and additional time in a single possession video games during the last three seasons, per ESPN.
There’s no denying that Jackson is a superb expertise – he completely is. However we will additionally acknowledge that he’s grow to be overrated and isn’t on the identical stage as Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, or Joe Burrow.
