Former Ravens offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and the Ravens released a statement denying a report by Michael Lombardi of The Athletic claiming Mornhinweg wanted to move Lamar Jackson to wide receiver. Jackson, of course, was the subject of much debate as a draft prospect with many pundits, including ESPN’s Bill Polian, calling for a position change to wide receiver.
Jackson, however, remained adamant that he was a quarterback, was selected in the first round by Baltimore and has taken the NFL by storm over the past two seasons. Mornhinweg, who was replaced by Greg Roman as the team’s offensive coordinator entering this season, made clear in his statement that “My thoughts before the draft, and even more when we started working with Lamar, was that this young man was going to be a special quarterback.” Regardless of what his opinions were at the time, Jackson has proven he is an NFL signalcaller.
Here’s more notes from around the AFC:
- The Broncos were deflated after blowing a 20-0 lead in their 27-23 loss to the Vikings on Sunday. To try and help team moral, all-pro linebacker Von Miller organized a team dinner just a couple hours after landing back in Denver, according to Kyle Newman of the Denver Post. Per Newman’s report, the dinner was a resounding success. Players brought their family members and seemed to rebound from their loss and get ready for another week.
- Dolphins head coach Brian Flores told reporters that Ryan Fitzpatrick will remain Miami’s starting quarterback this week against the Browns, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Flores, however, would not rule out the possibility of backup quarterback Josh Rosen retaking the job from Fitzpatrick at some point this season.
I’m amused that so many people are shocked that the Ravens designed an offense that fits their QB! Why wouldn’t you build an offense suitable for your QB??? I know it happens all the time, but goodness talk about stupidity.
1st rounders college QB’s that play in the shotgun probably should start out in the shotgun once they go pro.
That makes your offense one dimensional. Rushing the football out of the shotgun is not nearly as successful in the NFL. Defenders are way too fast. It can work occasionally with an RPO or draw, but if you never line up under center the defense will be all over you.
Ever watch Peyton Manning or Brady play? Pretty much both of those top 5 QB’s play(ed) from the shotgun. Matt Ryan does it a ton, and plenty of other solid to great QB’s.
My point is if you draft a guy running 1 style of O, let him run that in the pro’s. After he’s had a year or two of playing, expand the playbook and formations. Exactly what the Ravens are doing.
Sorry, didn’t mean to strike a nerve. You are missing the point. While 2 of the top 5 QBs in history can play from the shotgun, they still line up under center. If you honestly think either of those offenses would be successful at running the football with those statues lined up in the shotgun all the time then you don’t understand basic offensive football. The point is, nfl caliber players are way better than college. A team would be ill advised to install a shotgun only offense for a rookie qb who has not earned defenses respect. You create a disadvantage for your team. That’s all I’m sayin. Ravens are a completely different animal because of what lamar brings with his legs.
I see your point. I remember Alex Smith playing almost exclusively from the gun while at Utah and when the 9’ers drafted him, put him right under center & it failed miserably.
Many coaches insist that the players fit into their system, rather than creating systems that work w/ the roster. Multiply that effect on 1st round QB’s who are told to play differently early on is a major reason why so many wash out or aren’t very successful.
Really, look no further than the Lamar draft. Top 3 QB’s aren’t in a system that they are familiar with and Lamar is. Credit to the Raven’s for doing that.