6:03 am | October 26, 2018 | Go to Source | Author:
OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Of the five quarterbacks drafted in the first round this year, Lamar Jackson is the only one who hasn’t made a start.
But that’s not a reflection of a lack of confidence in the No. 32 overall selection.
In fact, the Baltimore Ravens are showing an increased amount of trust in Jackson, putting him in some of the most critical situations. A backup to Joe Flacco, Jackson has been getting on the field on third downs and in the red zone, where he is beginning to thrive.
“I like it when the pressure is on me,” Jackson said. “For us to score points, it’s pretty cool that they’re relying on me to do it.”
In Sunday’s 24-23 loss to the New Orleans Saints, Jackson was on the field for five snaps, and all but one came on either third down or in the red zone. He scored his first career NFL touchdown with a 1-yard run, and he converted a third-and-2 with a 4-yard run up the middle.
Jackson is also showing poise early in his career. In a situation where he’s not getting many chances, there could be an urge to take risks to produce a big play. But, on third-and-8 at the Saints’ 19-yard line, Jackson didn’t force a throw into coverage to get the ball to his first read downfield and instead made a 5-yard checkdown pass to set up a field goal.
“I definitely think that we’re starting to grow, in terms of how successful we are at those kinds of things,” Flacco said. “Obviously, I don’t get to see him at quarterback, and doing those kinds of things in our offense, but in terms of how we’re progressing as an offense with him involved, I think we’re definitely starting to do some good things and make a real impact on games, for sure.”
Jackson has been the only consistent spark in Baltimore’s running game. He is the second-leading rusher with 103 yards, and he’s the only player who has double-digit carries and is averaging over 3.6 yards per carry (Jackson is averaging 5.2 yards per carry). Jackson’s 22-yard run two weeks ago in Tennessee was the Ravens’ only carry over 20-plus yards this season.
“I have a good sense of where I’m at,” Jackson said. “Everything has gone so well. We’re moving the ball whenever I’m in.”
The other four quarterbacks taken in the first round — Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Josh Allen and Josh Rosen — were all selected in the top 10. They’ve all gotten on the field quickly, and they’ve collectively struggled.
Mayfield, Darnold, Allen and Rosen have combined for a 7-13 record (.350). They’ve totaled 21 touchdowns and 25 interceptions for a 71.3 passer rating. All four rank in the bottom five in passer rating this season.
For Jackson, his days are split in terms of focus. During practice, he runs the specialty plays that the Ravens are considering using in that upcoming game. Afterward, Jackson spends 20 to 30 minutes with quarterbacks coach James Urban and quarterback Robert Griffin III to work on his long-term development as a quarterback.
“But really now, we’re just getting ready to try to win games,” coach John Harbaugh said.
Jackson said the post-practice sessions are designed to work on everything, specifically his accuracy and timing.
“Just getting better as much as I can,” Jackson said. “Staying ready because anything can happen.”
Jackson’s arrival can make for an awkward atmosphere in the quarterbacks room. Jackson is the potential quarterback of the future, and Flacco is the starting quarterback of the present.
But there have been no signs of friction between them. Jackson said he has definitely grown close with Flacco throughout the year, saying Flacco is funnier than many people make him out to be. When Jackson scored his first touchdown last Sunday, Flacco watched while being lined up at wide receiver and immediately threw his hands up in celebration.
Would there be an instance where Jackson throws a pass to Flacco?
“Throw him the ball? I don’t know,” Jackson said, giving a perplexed look. “I’m trying to throw to the receivers, not the quarterbacks.”
It’s uncertain how much they’ll expand the packages with Jackson. He has played a total of 57 snaps, or an average of eight per game. Jackson has been on the field as many as 29 snaps in a season-opening rout of the Buffalo Bills and as few as two in games against the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans.
What’s the biggest factor in determining how many times Baltimore uses Jackson?
“It’s really nothing written in stone,” Harbaugh said. “I think it’s just like anything else — it’s more art than science. I think as much as possible, within reason, if that makes sense — because we have a quarterback who’s playing at a high level … Joe is playing at a very high level. I don’t want to lose sight of that. We try to do the best we can to put both of those guys in there in ways that help us score points and move the ball.”
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