Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson’s time to take over looking closer
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is on borrowed time as Lamar Jackson inches closer to the starting spot.
Training camp is underway for most NFL teams, including the Baltimore Ravens. They are set to take on the Chicago Bears Aug. 2 in the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame game.
As camp is underway, 10-year NFL veteran quarterback Joe Flacco is excepted to start come Week 1, with former first-round pick Robert Griffin III and 2018 first-round pick Lamar Jackson as his backups. At first glance, there doesn’t appear to be a significant battle at the position.
However, if you look closer at the Raven’s situation, Flacco may pass the torch to Jackson sooner rather than later — here’s why.
History isn’t Flacco’s friend
For starters, Flacco’s history is that of an above average quarterback who got hot at the right time. Over the last three seasons, Flacco only has one winning season as the starter. Additionally, the Ravens have failed to make the playoffs in each of those seasons. Of course, not all the blame belongs to Flacco, especially considering the lack of weapons he’s had around him.
Nevertheless, the writing is on the wall, and as he’s being paid like an “elite” quarterback, he’s expected to rise above it all. Unfortunately, the last three seasons haven’t been kind to Flacco. He’s thrown 52 touchdowns and 40 interceptions. He’s had just one season in the last five years where he’s thrown for more than 20 touchdowns (27 in 2014 when they last made the playoffs). To put it simply, the Ravens offense has looked stagnant, inefficient and boring with Flacco.
The Ravens constantly ranked in the bottom half of the league in yards per game. Flacco is a good enough athlete for his size, but he doesn’t have the athletic ability make up for the weaknesses that exist on offense. Quarterbacks that can run like Cam Newton, Deshaun Watson, Carson Wentz or Russell Wilson are able to escape and take off when things aren’t going right. They have the ability to help out and to the running game.
For whatever reason, Joe Flacco hasn’t been able to do that. Which is why the Ravens brought Lamar Jackson in.