I was, and still am, all in for Lamar Jackson as the starting quarterback for the Ravens. I was all in for replacing Flacco before he was injured. I argued with someone on Twitter recently who was complaining about the “snotty nosed kid” they were playing over Flacco. That “snotty nosed kid” was 6-1 at the time as a starter. It made no sense to put Flacco back in as the starter while Jackson was hot. The team did the right thing sticking with him when Flacco returned.
That being said, I completely disagreed with the team not going to Flacco in the game on Sunday. I have read some things since the game that suggests the OC did not make any adjustments at all when going in to play a team they just played two weeks before. I believe that is coaching malpractice and should result in his termination. There is no denying that whatever they were doing with Jackson in the game was not working. If you are the coach of a team in the playoffs it is your job to do what it takes to win a game. If that means bringing in a backup quarterback when the starter is having a bad game, then do it. Starting pitchers are replaced in baseball all the time. Teams use two running backs in the game and sometimes then stick with whoever is playing best. Why not try it at quarterback? It doesn’t mean Jackson doesn’t start the next game. It just means he was having a bad day and you decided to try something different. Will it hurt his ego? Maybe, but if your ego is so fragile that this would cause problems moving forward perhaps professional sports isn’t for you. I also think refusing to play Flacco was coaching malpractice and I think maybe Harbaugh should head out the door with Ozzie and Flacco. A fresh start all around might be what the franchise needs.
I do think there is a bright future with Jackson at QB. He needs a coach that will help him develop his passing game and will make adjustments when Jackson’s running game isn’t working. The offensive line needs to get better at protecting him on pass plays to give him time to throw the ball. I think he will develop to be a good NFL QB and I’m all in for him to start next year. It was a great run with Harbaugh and Flacco, but the team has grown stagnant. Changes are necessary.
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