All Rise!!!
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The First Ravens Court of Media Judgment is now in session. The Right Honorable Judge, Joshua, presiding.
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Hi all, you may stand, just take your seats.
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The NFL is a hotbed of critics, media disdain, and so on, but it seems that Lamar Jackson is just taking TOO MUCH criticism for... I don't know what.
I'm trying to figure out what Lamar did to the NFL that makes the critics hate him so much. Is it because he's a quickfire quarterback? Is it because he can extend plays and drives? Is it because he can win on his feet? Is it because he can shorten games and sustain drives? What is it that drives these critics bonkers?
Now, a lot of us remember the great Redskin quarterback Doug Williams. Doug Williams was probably one of the better quarterbacks when it was just a "running era" in the NFL where running backs got the majority of the yards. Williams was a tireless worker, first to practice, big guy (6' 4", 225lb), big arm, and very selfless. In fact, when Mark Rypien was acquired... Doug and Mark had a great working relationship together.
Lamar Jackson and Joe Flacco actually had a great working relationship as well. Jackson was a rookie and learned very well and picked up the game mightily quick once Flacco was benched (6-1 stretch run).
But what is the NFL and the media's problem with Lamar Jackson?
I don't understand everyone's bs with Lamar Jackson because it does not make sense.
Their criticisms:
1. He runs too much. Ok, so far in 3 total seasons? 3673 yards, 6.0 yards per rush, 21 TD. He would've had another 1,000+ yard season had he not got hurt.
2. He's not accurate. 64.7% career mark. Would be higher if receivers caught a lot of easy passes. I'd say 60% or better is a good mark, that's the benchmark, unlike in past times, it was 52-56% or higher to be considered accurate.
3. He's selfish. What do you mean he's selfish? He does best under pressure and out of the shotgun. If there's no one to throw to, he runs for it!!!!!!!
4. He hasn't won a lot of big games. Ok? That's a lie. But every time he wins a BIG GAME (I.E. vs. Indianapolis with a 16 point come back). They'll always say: the Defense bailed him out or... the tired old "Well, why don't you do it against a real team. You know, a playoff contender!"
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These are the same critics that give Joe Flacco a lot of flak in 2012 when he confidently: "I feel like I am the best quarterback in the NFL. I wouldn't be successful if I didn't feel that way." Everyone laughed but he backed it up with the most historic performance in playoff history to which even Brady applauded.
Well that's a very bold truth. He backed it up with a Super Bowl Championship outgunning both Manning, Brady, and then an up and comer in Andrew Luck and Colin Kaepernick.
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Basically, what's going to happen here is that Lamar Jackson is probably going to have to earn his way to a new contract. Eric DeCosta plays it very smart with his team because while he wants his players to get top dollar, he does want them to perform at the best of their abilities.
Yes, Lamar's mother will be a tough customer because to be frank, she is making sure her son doesn't end up like a lot of these athletes that get a BIG money contract only to end up broke in the end because they didn't invest well or fritter away their money.
Lamar Jackson isn't going to do the whole "hometown discount thing" and personally, I don't want him to be greedy... But he's going to command at least $40M-$45M a season.
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Remember back in 2010 when the Ravens played the Steelers and a fan was heckling T.J. Houshmandzadeh? He boldly said to the Steelers fan: "You just watch! I'm going to catch the game winning touchdown." Sure enough, he caught the ball and he went back to the heckling fan who proceeded to hand him a ball, asking him to autograph it, T.J. happily obliged and probably told the Steelers fan: "Don't your face feel tight."
I wanted to know who said what they said about Lamar: "even if he wins 12 MVPs, he's not a QB1. "Who was that? Inquiring minds would like to know because that'll set the team off and if Lamar were to win, trust me, I am sure that NFL Defensive Coordinator who said that will probably get the game ball and say: Now do you think I am a good quarterback?
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This is the stuff that angers me. Our team has never been given a fair handshake in this league.
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Joe Flacco was very successful as starting quarterback (106-72-0. Incl. Playoffs) for the Ravens. Bringing home a championship for us in the 2012-13 NFL season (XLVII) and has the most road playoff wins of any QB in NFL history.
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Lamar Jackson has work to do but he has been a very successful quarterback (37-12-0)... So the criticisms are unfounded and he's young (25), so he's got plenty of time to back his talk up. He can do it and we know he can.
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I therefore find the media guilty of being too judgmental. Their sentence, improve upon their praise of Lamar Jackson rather than discount him.
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Leave the court quietly.
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