Baltimore Ravens: 3 reasons for optimism not named Lamar Jackson
By Jake Lippman
2. Veteran Nucleus
The Ravens have a young team built around Lamar Jackson, who is still surprisingly only 23 years old. This can function because the Ravens have a core of veteran leaders who know what to do. Veterans like Pernell McPhee, Sam Koch, Justin Tucker, Morgan Cox, and Anthony Levine Sr. were all a part of the 2012 Super Bowl Team. Vets like Earl Thomas, Brandon Williams, D.J Fluker, Willie Snead and Robert Griffin III have all played in big time games. And new additions Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe bring big game and sack pedigrees. These players should help allow the young players on this team to succeed. Each of these players play a specific role for this team and that will help show the rookies the way.
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On the defense, the revamped front seven got a boost with Patrick Queen, Malik Harrison and Justin Maubuike, and sixth round pick Broderick Washington Jr. These players will be relied on heavily, especially the linebackers Queen and Harrison. With vets in front, behind, and beside them they should have all the tools to succeed. In the secondary, the Ravens have the majority of their unit intact. Losing Walter Payton man of the year Brandon Carr, but returning Tavon Young. This unit again will be versatile and the backbone of the defense led by Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Earl Thomas, and Chuck Clark.
On offense the impact that leaders like Marshal Yanda had in the past, should rub off. Early rumblings are that Ronnie Stanley has picked up that leadership role and that is important because he is going into a contract year and could demand a huge deal, he has something to play for and could continue to improve. At receiver Hollywood Brown looks bigger, Miles Boykin will be relied upon heavily, and rookies Devin Duvernay and James Proche will each be asked to play a large role. Snead is the glue to that group and brings intensity that helps feed from the inside, all the way to the outside on every play.
Quite possibly the most important leader is Robert Griffin III. Lamar Jackson, is the present and the future of this team. With a veteran like RGIII behind him the team has a leader, but can also be confident if COVID-19 hits. Last year RGIII led the Ravens to a week 17 win against a good Steelers defense. Griffin was a promising dual threat prospect, until the injury bug hit. His experiences have been showing on Lamar as he often goes out of bounds and avoids hard contact. The lessons of the former second overall pick should go a long way for the Quarterback of the team.
As seen on many teams before, having a veteran stable of leaders, with an established culture go a long way. The Ravens are one of the few teams that can filter out two old leaders (Marshal Yanda and Brandon Carr) and replace them without missing a beat. They have done this for years, and with a shortened offseason, the Ravens have an advantage in this aspect that they know how to get it done, and they have the leadership necessary.