New season, new Lamar?

[tsylvester]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46096171/baltimore-ravens-lamar-jackson-2025-game-another-level

It was midway through Baltimore Ravens training camp when quarterback Lamar Jackson rolled to his right and saw wide receiver Keith Kirkwood open along the sideline for a surefire big play. But Jackson's pass sailed wildly over Kirkwood.

Without hesitation, Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, dropped face-first to the ground and did 10 pushups. Coaches and teammates say this is a glimpse of how Jackson is constantly chasing perfection and how this underscores his bold statement on the first day of training camp.

When asked if there was another level to his game, Jackson replied, "Yes. I'm only 28. I'm really just getting started."

As the Ravens prepare to open the season Sunday night at the Buffalo Bills (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC), Jackson is at a point in his career where he's entering his prime while dealing with the same questions. He believes there is more to his game, but he's facing increasing pressure to follow a spectacular regular season with an equally remarkable postseason.

"We've had two back-to-back years of some really, really tough losses that ended the season in a way that we don't want to end the season," Ravens quarterbacks coach Tee Martin said. "If you know Lamar, like I know him competitively, he's probably thought about that every day [and] every minute during the offseason. So, that comes with a sense of urgency and a sense of purpose."

Jackson's latest playoff disappointment -- a 27-25 divisional round loss in Buffalo -- came after he produced one of the best seasons by a quarterback in NFL history. He became the first player to throw more than 40 touchdown passes and fewer than five interceptions in the same season.

Jackson proved again that he's the league's most explosive playmaker in the league, leading the NFL in yards per pass attempt (8.8) and yards per carry (6.6).

After watching Jackson deliver this impressive season, Ravens tight end Mark Andrews said jokingly that it might be 10 years until everyone sees Jackson at his peak.

"Every year, he finds a new way to get better and better," Andrews said. "It's almost like the game has just continually slowed down for him. And he's already such a fast, dynamic player and his playmaking, the way he reads the game, he's just getting more and more comfortable. I love the way that he's just going about his business and continues to move that bar higher and higher, which is already incredible."

When looking at the careers of the previous three multiple NFL MVP winners who are either retired or nearing the end of their careers, Jackson could be -- as he said -- just getting started.

All six of the seasons Peyton Manning totaled a passer rating over 100 came when he was 28 or older. All eight of Tom Brady's seasons with over 4,500 passing yards came when he was 30 or older. Aaron Rodgers' seven highest touchdown pass seasons came when he was 28 or older.

Jackson could be approaching that same cusp after reaching new heights as a passer last season. He produced a career-best 4,172 passing yards, which were 494 more than any of his previous six seasons. He also set personal marks for most touchdown passes (41) and fewest interceptions (four) in a season.

"I think Lamar kind of makes his own trajectory," left tackle Ronnie Stanley said. "He's going to do things week-in and week-out that we haven't seen before, so it's always surprising the new things he can do and accomplish. After playing with him for eight years, I'm not surprised by him always pushing the limits and breaking new boundaries."

WHEN ANALYZING HOW Jackson can further ratchet up his game, the knee-jerk reaction is to focus on his passing. For those close to Jackson, it's more about what is happening after he throws the ball.

On the practice field, Jackson talks to his wide receivers about what went right and wrong on the previous plays. He has even pulled wide receivers coach Greg Lewis and offensive line coach George Warhop to talk off to the side.

"He's more vocal than he ever has been about what he wants from us, even to the staff and the offensive linemen," wide receiver Rashod Bateman said. "He's definitely pushing the agenda of just staying hungry and being competitive."

Jackson has never been outspoken. He has never been the type of player to deliver a great motivational speech. His style has always been leading by example.

But coaches have pushed him to talk to teammates more one-on-one.

"Mentally, he's in a different place," Martin said. "It's his third year in the system. He's playing with a lot of the same players. Having the [good] communication of the guys who he has to communicate with the most, Bateman, Zay [Flowers], all the guys, Mark. It's time to take not only himself to the next level, but the whole unit."

[oldno82]

Ever since he was drafted, Lamar has been focused on getting the Ravens a Super Bowl win. He's more mature now but his desire is even more intense.  This could very well be the year he gets it done. He has a plethora of weapons, an outstanding OC, and a solid defense. 

[papasmurfbell]

Nothing can be evaluated until January.  The regular season has zero meaning now.