Last season, the Baltimore Ravens showcased one of the NFL's most formidable offenses. The team racked up the sixth-most yards and the fourth-most points in the league. Their offensive efficiency was highlighted by their fourth-place ranking in FTN's DVOA. Additionally, the Ravens finished tied for eighth in Tru Media's version of EPA per play.
Lamar Jackson's Standout Season
Lamar Jackson had a standout season last year, earning the second MVP award of his career. In his 16 starts, Jackson led the Ravens to an impressive 13-3 record. His stellar performance included completing 67.2% of his passes, averaging 8.0 yards per attempt, and throwing for 24 touchdowns against just 7 interceptions. On the ground, Jackson rushed 148 times for 821 yards and 5 touchdowns. With such impressive statistics, it's no surprise that the Ravens are poised to place even more responsibility on Jackson's shoulders this coming season.
Increased Responsibilities for Jackson
Jackson has expressed his desire to take on more duties, particularly in audibling at the line of scrimmage. Quarterbacks coach Tee Martin sees this as a natural progression in Jackson's development. Martin believes that giving Jackson more autonomy will enhance the Ravens' offensive dynamism. This increased role will not only test Jackson's adaptability but also his ability to thrive under heightened responsibilities.
New Cadence Strategies
One area where the Ravens see room for improvement is in drawing offsides penalties from opponents. Last season, the Ravens' offense only managed to induce an opponent offsides once. Martin aims to change that this season by having Jackson vary his cadence more often. This tactic is expected to keep defenses on their toes and potentially draw more offsides penalties, providing the Ravens with strategic advantages.
"From us watching film and getting into games, teams changing things up on us, we just want to add extra layers to all of our calls," said Jackson, via ESPN.
Pushing for Super Bowl Glory
The Ravens hope to make the leap to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Their success hinges on Lamar Jackson’s ability to adapt and thrive with his expanded role. The combination of Jackson's individual talent and increased responsibility could make the Ravens a formidable team in the coming seasons. By tweaking their approach and giving Jackson more control, the Ravens position themselves as strong AFC contenders.
Quotes from the Coaching Staff
"It's like that smart kid in the classroom, you can't allow them to get bored, right?" Martin said. "You have to constantly add things, tweaks and things of that nature and responsibilities," Martin added. "It has been a tool in the past, and we're just going to continue to take it to the next level."
Martin also had high praise for Jackson's ability to adapt to different in-game environments. "Lamar is outstanding at it, whether we're going non-verbal on the road or whether we're going verbal at home," Martin said. "We have a lot of different ones that give us an advantage so that people don't know when we're snapping the ball and slowing them down a little bit."
Looking Ahead
As the Ravens gear up for the new season, anticipation is high. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how Jackson's expanded role will unfold. With a more dynamic offense and a focus on strategic enhancements like varied cadences, the Ravens are well-positioned to be strong contenders for the AFC championship. Lamar Jackson's leadership and adaptability will be crucial in determining just how far the team can go.
The Ravens hope to finally break through to the Super Bowl, and all eyes will be on Lamar Jackson as he takes on the challenge of leading his team to new heights. By empowering Jackson with more control and strategic responsibilities, the Ravens are setting the stage for what could be a historic season.