John Harbaugh Wants Lamar Jackson To Improve On Deep Throws
I have news for you, John. That one isn’t going to happen. Ravens head coach recently spoke to the media about his quarterback, Lamar Jackson. The Ravens signal caller won the MVP and ranked 26th in passing attempts. It sounds like Harbs isn’t planning on Jackson throwing more but wants him to cash in on those deep throws.
“Those corners are going to be one-on-one and those safeties are going to be one-on-one against receivers, especially on some downfield throws, and we’ve got to make them pay for it. We absolutely have to make them pay,” Harbaugh said, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN. “The ability to make them pay for tilting their defense toward stopping our run game with a really, really efficient passing game, I do believe that’s the next step of this offense. I really do believe Lamar is going to take the next step.”
At the end of the day, Jackson is never going to be an elite thrower of the football. On throws that traveled 15 plus yards down the field, Jackson ranked 27th in completions (35) and 22nd in completion rate (43.8). He’s shit the bed in both playoff losses. Jackson was 6-17 on those throws against the Titans.
This is the last best chance the Ravens have to win with this group. Jackson is still on a rookie contract, is healthy, and teams won’t have as much time to prepare due to the virus. Add in that Baltimore has the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL and will travel the fewest miles of any team. Baltimore had an excellent offseason in free agency and in the draft. If Baltimore is going to cash in with this strategy, it has to be this year.
