RAVENS 2018 SEASON THREAD

There is something about LJ's attitude I both admire and dislike. He has an air of entitlement that I think the media is feeding. Yet I can appreciate the fact that he's pragmatic enough to forgo an agent and not even threaten to hold out in any way. But there is a fine line between swagger and arrogance that he's on right now. That said, my impressions are:

1) He IS all about himself. At training camp he didn't stay to sign kids autographs like the other rookies. He started one day, went down the line, then stopped after the first dozen or so. I heard him say "Alright. I'm done." The disappoint from the group of kids was audible and that had no affect on him. In his defense however, Joe stopped about the same time, but I given most kids where looking for LJ's signature AND Joe is already established having signed thousands by now I give him a more leeway.

2) He IS riding the 1st round pick status. RG3 is out working him in practice. Woodrum is about as good overall, but LJ knows he has the leg up on him and RG3 is not a long term solution. His progress must be minute because outside of his legs I don't see that his arm is anything special nor does it look improved from college.

3) The gadget plays with LJ passing to Joe could be a misdirect by the Ravens. Teams are paying attention and we haven't seen passes to LJ yet for a reason. It might be reversed in private practice sessions too with LJ the receiver. We saw Joe catch a TD pass (and other passes) earlier in his career on trick plays and teams would expect that. Tipping our hand on LJ in that package now would be a wasted surprise play. When both he and Joe are out there, they know it's coming but not knowing who the target is will make it harder to defend and LJ would be the guy I want carrying the all in space. But given LJ's assertions that he is "NOT A RECEIVER" might be the reason for Joe catching, or it might be part of the ruse.

 

The concern over his attitude is ultimately the reason why he wouldn't have even been on my board, were I a drafting GM (lofty thinking, I know). Remember, RG3's issues (as a teammate comparison) weren't his athleticism, his throwing ability, etc. - it was that he was distinctly immature, and refused to grow up to meet the demands of being an NFL QB. Jackson has a whole world of growing to do, and has the same demands. Unfortunately, he looks like he's not in a different position than many QB's are coming into the NFL - too immature, and unready to grow up quickly. We'll see if he does enough maturing by the time his rookie deal is up and / or Joe is done.

 

Well said. This is why I don't prefer running QBs. Sure they add another dimension to an offense, but Cs now know how to defend them and defensive players are more physical leading to QB injuries. If Jackson can temper himself to Russell Wilson's style of play then fine. I doubt he's as durable as him and would be hurt like Vick and RG were (both by Ravens I might add).

 

Hey bastards...almost the best time of the year! That last post made me think of Pat White getting broke by the Steelers

 

Honestly I've never got the "bad attitude" vibe from Jackson. I thought Cam Newton was going to be out of the league in a hot minute based on how he presented himself at the draft, but Jackson seemed ready to work. It's just the constant insistence on saying "I'm a QB" that irks me right now. I get it that leading up to be drafted, he had to say it to make his intentions abundantly clear. The Ravens are all in on it though, so just clam down.

 

Yeah, these comments on Jackson's attitude are new to me. Everything I've read about him has said how he's humble, a hard worker, very coachable, etc. Now he has attitude issues because.......he's insisted he is a QB and didn't sign autograph he could have signed?

 

No, no, no. First, go back and reread some of my post where I called his stance on that courageous and smart. That was never an issue for me.

Second, I watched him for two days. Remember, we're talking NFL 1st round pick QB who DID have an attitude about possibly falling to the 2nd round AND was not supper excited to have been saved in that by being drafted by the Ravens. He's not that humble otherwise that wouldn't be evident. Joe is still more humble entering his 12th season. He might be humble by NFL standards, but he's a kid, is not yet mature, has loads of talent, has been an underrated (by his and some standards) as a winning college QB and he gets more media coverage than any Ravens player even without playing a preseason game.

Third, the autograph thing is just one aspect and personal observation; not a fatal flaw, but very young Michael Vick-style, minus the off field thug shit. Rookies are obligated

My point to all of this is that LJ has a long way to go for people to even think he can challenge Joe as a QB. He may break ankles running the ball but who was the last running QB to win a SB? And who was the last running QB to string together more than 3 complete seasons? There is one - Russell Wilson and his accuracy was never a concern.

 

I lived and taught in South Florida while Jackson was in school - the attitude was evident and a rap on him then. It didn't change in college. I'm baffled that anyone who even watched the draft coverage from the first night or so wouldn't come away seeing his immaturity. If you haven't noticed it, you're either not watching enough, or are watching the wrong things. I'm not saying he won't grow up - I'm just saying that he has to. I'm also not saying he's a bad kid - RG3 wasn't a bad dude, but he sure as hell wasn't ready for the demands of the NFL. That's where Jackson is at, and he's got a long way to go (note: I also said he wasn't the only one).

 

RG3 was having an oustanding rookie season until Haloti Ngata fell on him 340 coming down on your knee doesn't feel real nice, then the Redskins made a huge error by letting him play in the playoffs when his knee was not healed which cost him dearly. If he had just rehabbed like he was supposed to, his career may have been totally different but what is done is done.

 

Actually Ngata actually dove at him as RG tried to juke him and took a shoulder to his leg. Ngata proved that even the big boys can take angles that catch the fastest running QBs. I'm not saying they aren't useful, but from what I've seen they tend dazzle for a bit until a real professional player/DC figures them out. Then, if they haven't learned to pass accurately, they get hurt at some point out of the pocket.

And as @dlinebass5 said, I don't think he';s a bad dude, but he has that same "hoop dreams" from rags to overnight riches thing working against him. He may very well not fall into the Vick/RG inflated ego running QB paradigm and I really hope he takes more of a path of Russell Wilson if he's ever to take over of Joe. But for the next couple years, I don't see him being anything close yet which is why this Joe vs LJ comparison and competition seems WAY over-hyped.

 

That first reception by Crabtree where he kept the play alive is precisely what every other Ravens receiver outside of Steve Smith never did.

 

Liking Janarion Grant. Tough kid, runs hard, runs good routes. If White can't stay healthy then Grant should be a shoo in.

 

Grant has been the surprise pick I've been trying to get on the team. He has big playmaking potential.

 

Both on PR/KR and as a slot receiver. Doesn't gt taken down easily. Great 2nd effort.

 

You do you refs!

 

Best bet of NFL season Ravens over 8 wins. Can't believe the number is that low. Put 6 months mortgage on it.

If they had a money line for Ravens over Steelers for wins I'd drop a nickel on it. That's how the AFC North works. I'm not looking forward to this season.

 

Not impressed with either Lasley or Scott.

 

I can't believe Perriman caught that. Really great TD catch, but it doesn't at all change my outlook on him.

I still think you have to keep Lasley and Scott on the roster this year. WR isn't exactly the easiest position out there, and I can't see the Ravens cutting mid round picks out of their first training camp in Ozzie's last draft.

 

Not fair. Evaluate him on this preseason. He's getting it done.

 

Honestly, I think it's a confidence issues for Perriman. He looked good in this game against the 3s and 4s. Bad in the last game against the 2s.

He's made great plays in the past, they just got coupled with horrible drops. Gotta see how the next 3 preseason games play out.

I don't think Scott makes the team. He'll get a hangnail and end up on IR