It’s hard to think how media narratives originate sometimes.
Perhaps a respected journalist has a hot take on a subject or maybe a former player makes a random tweet, either way once a particular point of view has gone public it can be difficult to change it.
Take Lamar Jackson for example.
Better yet let’s not examine number Eight. His story has been debated and rehashed countless times for clicks and views over his entire pro career and to be honest Ravens fans know that story already. Instead let’s switch to the newest tale from the media mosh pit.
Jamison Hensley, longtime Ravens’ reporter and staff writer at ESPN just wrote this piece today.
Hensley starts off by saying that the Ravens biggest adversary during the Bye week is history.
What absolute nonsense!
One of the laziest takes I’ve read for years is about how the history between teams or the history of a franchise matters. Recent history is a different story but even four years can feel like a lifetime ago.
There are nine players on the current roster that were with the team in 2019. The piece quotes three of those players – Ronnie Stanley, Michael Pierce, and Lamar Jackson.
Jackson’s quote is really what sums up my attitude the best about the subject.
“[The] 2019 [season] is over with,” Jackson said. “We’re always talking about it. I always find myself talking about it, but it’s different. That was just my first full season [starting] in the NFL and my second year in the league.
“It’s a different mindset. [It’s] a different group of guys. I just feel like all around, we’re different.”
This team is so different from the one that was the #1 seed four years ago. The first major difference is Jackson, the former MVP is a much more poised and mature player as well as a more vocal leader. His production has been efficient and deadly as a passer hitting on seven touchdowns against zero interceptions against two the league’s best defenses.
One thing that stands out is his comfort level in the pocket. He waits longer for plays to develop and then uses his evasive speed to contort the defense give his receivers a chance to find open space. He’s been more patient and accurate while still using his legs to run when he needs to – that threat to run keeps defenses on their heels but they can’t just stack the box on him now.
The offense is much more varied in its attack and approach than with Greg Roman at the controls. The 2019 group led the league with a record setting running attack and while the Ravens lead the league again in rushing the football (159 yards per game) they have a host of pass catchers that they didn’t have before. Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agohlor, and Zay Flowers are a huge step up from Willie Snead, Seth Roberts, and Marquise Brown. The team has already show several times against good teams that they can get behind and then come back through the air.
The defense is the biggest difference though. Mike MacDonald’s group led the league in sacks (57) and takeaways (29) and there isn’t just one player to really key on or attempt to isolate. Madubuike, Clowney, Van Noy and Oweh can get to the quarterback whereas the 2019 version was a bit more challenge with only Matthew Judon and Tyus Bowser as threats.
They are led by All Pro Roquan Smith in the middle and he’s paired with Patrick Queen to form an unstoppable duo. The trade for Smith a season ago may be one of the best in Eric DeCosta’s career. Smith brings a nasty streak as well as much needed leadership for this group on the field.
The back end is full of talent too as second year man Kyle Hamilton does something special every week. Geno Stone has had a career year and Marlon Humphrey has been a steady contributor to the secondary most of the campaign. Add in the emergence of Brandon Stephens and that’s a tough group to throw on.
The problem for us is that we have to wait ow and we won’t find out until sometime late Sunday afternoon who the Ravens opponent will be and when it will happen. This has a different feel to it than 2019 – it’s a matured, experienced group that’s shown they can beat good competition, of course anything can happen in one game but the 2023 Ravens look to make some history of their own starting in two weeks.
Matt has lived in Maryland his entire life and is a graduate of Calvert Hall and Towson University. has always been an avid Baltimore sports fan. Since 2007, he has been writing and talking about Baltimore sports, especially the Ravens. His work has appeared on Ravens Gab, Russell Street Report, and he currently co-hosts a podcast “The Blitz- A Ravens podcast” with Brent Harris.