Tag: Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh revealed on Monday that he is yet to finalize a decision regarding the starting lineup for the upcoming Saturday game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, a match that holds no significance for Baltimore. Following Sunday’s decisive 56-19 triumph over the Miami Dolphins, the Ravens secured both the AFC North title and the top seed in the AFC.

Harbaugh emphasized the need to assess the injury situation before reaching a conclusion, estimating that it would take approximately 24 to 48 hours to gain clarity. He assured transparency in the decision-making process, stating that the team would communicate its choices once practice commences on Wednesday.

In the event that Lamar Jackson, the frontrunner for the NFL MVP title, does not participate, he would enjoy a substantial 19-day break between games. Baltimore is set to host a divisional round game on either January 20 or 21.

The last instance of the Ravens resting starters occurred in 2019 when they held the AFC’s top seed. In that regular-season finale, Harbaugh opted to rest Jackson and six other key players. However, this strategy backfired in the subsequent divisional round, resulting in a 28-12 upset loss to the Tennessee Titans. Reflecting on this experience, Harbaugh acknowledged the differences in the current team’s composition and circumstances, emphasizing that past decisions were made for specific reasons.

Despite the setback in 2019, Harbaugh underscored the challenges of pinpointing the exact cause and effect leading to their subpar performance. He acknowledged the learning experience and highlighted the growth since then.

Nine players from the current 53-man roster were part of the 2019 playoff loss, serving as a reminder of the journey and lessons learned. Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley emphasized the significance of that experience in overcoming challenges and expressed awareness of the team’s ongoing aspirations.

Lamar Jackson, driving the Ravens to six consecutive victories and a league-best 13-3 record, is a strong contender for his second NFL MVP award. If Jackson is unable to start, backup Tyler Huntley is poised to step into the starting role.

Earlier this week, in light of renewed inquiries into the lack of efforts by other teams to secure quarterback Lamar Jackson with an offer sheet during the offseason, we asserted that collusion was at play. Some of you challenged us to provide evidence, and it appears the NFL Players Association (NFLPA) is attempting to do just that.

According to multiple sources, a collusion grievance filed in November 2022 is still pending. The NFLPA contends that teams reached an understanding to withhold fully guaranteed contracts from “certain quarterbacks” following the Cleveland Browns’ five-year, fully guaranteed deal with Deshaun Watson in March 2022.

We have learned that sworn testimony has been gathered through depositions. While the list of individuals questioned remains undisclosed, it is reasonable to assume that those familiar with the pursuit, or lack thereof, of Lamar Jackson, including Jackson himself, may have been called to provide insights.

Cases of this nature typically lack a definitive smoking gun, as individuals are cautious about admitting collusion or leaving a written evidence trail. Consequently, circumstantial evidence becomes crucial, such as public complaints by owners following Watson’s fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the Browns.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement establishes rules agreed upon by both the union and teams. While terms like the salary cap, franchise tag, and draft restrict player movement, players have consented to these provisions. Collusion arises if teams independently impose additional restrictions on free enterprise beyond what the CBA permits.

Despite Lamar eventually securing a favorable deal with the Ravens, there’s an argument that a more lucrative offer could have materialized had a team aggressively pursued him, similar to the Browns’ pursuit of Watson. Owners may publicly express a commitment to winning the Super Bowl, but an underlying, unspoken goal is often to curb players’ influence.

If the Watson contract had set a precedent rather than being an exception, it would have shifted the balance too much in favor of players for owners’ comfort. Even without direct evidence of owners explicitly agreeing to avoid offering fully guaranteed contracts to veteran franchise quarterbacks, the consistent failure to do so suggests a collective focus on what benefits the overall business, indicating collusion.

A reunion is on the horizon in Baltimore as the Ravens secure rookie quarterback Malik Cunningham from the Patriots’ practice squad, marking his return to the roster, as reported by Cunningham to ESPN on Tuesday. This move brings him back together with former Louisville teammate Lamar Jackson, rekindling their connection from their shared season in 2017.

Cunningham, who wrapped up his collegiate career at Louisville with impressive stats, ranking fourth in passing yards (9,664) and third in rushing yards (3,184) in school history, had an eventful journey with the Patriots. Initially signed as a rookie free agent in May, he experienced a release in August but later joined the practice squad.

Despite a brief stint on the active roster, he found himself back on the practice squad after being released. During his time with the Patriots, Cunningham showcased versatility by playing as a receiver and even earned praise from offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien as one of the most improved practice squad players.

Expressing gratitude to Mr. Kraft and Coach Belichick for his time with the Patriots, Cunningham emphasized his excitement about the new opportunity with the Baltimore Ravens. As he boarded his flight, he acknowledged the valuable lessons learned and friendships forged in New England.

Looking ahead, Cunningham’s addition to the Ravens could have significant implications for the team in the upcoming seasons. With Tyler Huntley set to become an unrestricted free agent at the season’s end, Cunningham has the potential to solidify his role as the long-term backup to Lamar Jackson. Huntley, who has served as Jackson’s primary backup for the past three seasons, faces competition from Cunningham and Josh Johnson as the Ravens reportedly plan to retain all four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster.

As the Ravens prepare for the future, the reunion of Cunningham and Jackson brings an exciting prospect to Baltimore, with the young quarterback aiming to make his mark in the team’s dynamic lineup.