Ravens flock, stop complaining about JuJu Smith-Schuster
Ozzie Newsome and the Ravens front office can’t seem to get it right at the wide receiver position, but how much help is it to continue complaining about passing on JuJu Smith-Schuster?
Ravens Flock, hear me out. I am a die-hard Ravens fan, and I know how much of a struggle it has been watching the Ravens continually swing and miss on wide receivers. Names like Travis Taylor, Mark Clayton, and most recently Breshad Perriman have haunted the Ravens in round one. But it doesn’t stop there. Guys like David Reed, Tandon Doss, Tommy Streeter, and Aaron Mellette have also burned the Ravens recently in the mid-rounds.
Going into the 2017 draft, the Ravens had Mike Wallace, Breshad Perriman, and Chris Moore. That is extremely underwhelming. So, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that Ozzie Newsome would address the position, right? Apparently not, as Newsome spent all but two picks on defense, and those two picks went to the offensive line.
Something that has fans up in arms, however, was passing on USC’s JuJu Smith-Schuster in the second round. The Ravens, instead, opted to take linebacker Tyus Bowser. Watching Smith-Schuster’s success has been a bummer for Ravens fans. Worse yet, Smith-Schuster is having major success with the arch-rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
Obviously, Ravens fans have been salty over this and rightfully so. But it’s starting to get excessive. Every day when I log onto Facebook, Twitter, Ravens forums, etc. all I see is fans complaining about passing on JuJu Smith-Schuster. It is seemingly endless.
Ravens Flock, you have to stop:
We are obsessing over such a young player’s early success in an offense that features a Hall of Fame quarterback and All-Pro talent’s at running back and wide receiver. I want you to look me in the eyes and tell me that you honestly believe that JuJu Smith-Schuster would be having the kind of success he’s having in Pittsburgh, in Baltimore. If you believe that, you’re lying to yourself.
Take a moment to assess how great of a situation JuJu Smith-Schuster is in. The Steelers are coordinated by Todd Haley, an extremely creative offensive mind. His first two years in Pittsburgh were off to a rocky start, finishing 14th and 12th in passing yards per game in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Since 2014, the “worst” the Steelers have ranked was 5th in passing yards per game. So far this season, the Steelers are still 10th in the league in passing yards per game.
Next to Smith-Schuster is All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown. Brown has had 100+ receptions and 8+ touchdowns every year since 2013. Behind Smith-Schuster is All-Pro running back Le’Veon Bell. Bell is a scrimmage yards monster and forces defenses to attempt to stop him. And then, of course, the Steelers have a future Hall of Fame quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger.
JuJu Smith-Schuster is in a near perfect situation.
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Bottom line:
JuJu Smith-Schuster is averaging 18.0 YPR this season and has set the NFL record for touchdown receptions before turning 21-years old with five. I understand how frustrating that is to watch, especially since he’s doing it and black and yellow.
But take JuJu out of Pittsburgh and throw him in Baltimore and he wouldn’t put up even remotely the same production. The Ravens are dead last in passing yards per game at just 165.7. Compared to the Steelers 251.9, that’s nearly a 100-yard difference!
The Ravens also lack the weapons Pittsburgh has that allows JuJu to have all his opportunities. That doesn’t mean Smith-Schuster is only benefiting because of his surroundings. In fact, Smith-Schuster has proved he is a very capable threat for Pittsburgh.
Just take a moment, Ravens fans, and realize that very few receivers would benefit from this offense. If you honestly think a rookie wide receiver would come in and dominate in the Ravens current scheme, you’re delusional.
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One last thing: Tyus Bowser has looked brilliant at times this season in a limited role. For all we know, he could emerge as a big-time factor within the next year-or-so for Baltimore. Would that get you to calm down about passing on JuJu Smith-Schuster?
Give it time, Ravens fans. Smith-Schuster could simply be a flash in the pan. You have to give draft classes a minimum of three years before you can decide if someone is a bust. It hasn’t even been a full season yet. So, relax and just let Ozzie and the Ravens brass do their thing.