Former Ravens defensive lineman and current ESPN Radio host Chris Canty believes the Ravens’ early success can primarily be attributed to No. 8, Lamar Jackson.
The Ravens’ signal caller has started this season in MVP form, throwing for 749 yards, 10 touchdowns and two interceptions on 63.6 percent throwing. Jackson has also rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns.
Jackson’s start to the 2022 season is reminiscent of the start to his 2019 MVP campaign, when he threw for 863 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions on 63 percent throwing and rushed for 172 yards in his first three games.
If Jackson is able to keep this up, it is not outside of the realm of possibility that he could win MVP for a second time. After calling the Ravens’ 37-26 win against the Patriots for ESPN Radio, Canty went as far to say it is hard to argue against Jackson being the best quarterback in the NFL right now.
“The thing that I like about what I’m seeing from Lamar now is just his evolution as a quarterback being able to win from the pocket,” Canty said on Glenn Clark Radio Sept. 27. “He was dominant against the New England Patriots against the blitz. He was [9-for-14 for 111 yards and three touchdowns]. In the red area, he was just as deadly … so I think that when you start talking about the understanding of the game and being able to throw your football accurately. You clearly see that in Lamar Jackson.”
Canty, a Super Bowl XLVI champion with the New York Giants, commented on some of the touch passes Jackson made against the Patriots. He was especially impressed by Jackson’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Mark Andrews and his 4-yard touchdown pass to Devin Duvernay in the corner of the end zone.
“I think [those passes] just show how much he’s evolved at the position,” Canty said. “When we start having the conversations about the best quarterbacks in the game, I don’t know if you can make a strong argument against Lamar Jackson being the best quarterback right now in the NFL.”
Canty, who played for the Ravens from 2013-2015, had more praise for Jackson, though. Canty sees Jackson’s explosive ability as one of a kind, despite other dynamic talents around the league such as Josh Allen.
“What makes him even more difficult to defend, even more so than a guy like Josh Allen, is his suddenness,” Canty explained. “The explosion in his game — I mean, Lamar Jackson on those zone reads, he’ll put the ball in the belly of one of the running backs, he’ll pull it and crease the defense right down the middle. It’s just something we haven’t seen at the quarterback position in the National Football League. We just haven’t.”
Jackson is averaging 8.5 yards per attempt this season, 0.9 yards higher than his career average.
“We all knew [Jackson] was one of the most dynamic runners in all of football, but now I think he’s one of the most dynamic passers as well,” Canty added. “People question whether he can throw the ball down the field outside of the numbers in the well, and he’s doing that. Overwhelmingly, that’s where he’s winning in the passing game, from the pocket.”
The Ravens’ running game seems to be trending in the right direction with the return of J.K. Dobbins. An effective running game gives Jackson something to play off of and confuse opposing defenses. However, Canty has not seen enough from the Ravens to believe the running game is back to its former 2019 self.
Outside of Jackson, no rushers have left a significant mark. Justice Hill currently leads running backs with 80 rushing yards, 163 yards behind Jackson. The gradual reintroduction of Dobbins will hopefully help the Ravens turn the corner on the ground.
“I have full confidence that they have the guys in the room that can get it done,” Canty said. “J.K. Dobbins, that was his first action in over a year, just give him some time to settle in. I think he’ll be huge. … I think they’ll be fine, you’re just hoping that it comes around sooner rather than later just to take more pressure off of Lamar.”
Despite the inconsistent offensive line and ineffective running game thus far, the fact that Jackson is running the offense gives the Ravens a chance every game, against any opponent. Jackson is in MVP form once again and is one of the most dangerous weapons in the NFL.
Jackson will be further tested as he faces Allen and the Bills on Sunday, Oct. 2.
“I’m encouraged overall by what I saw from the Ravens and I think offensive line is one of those things we have to watch along with the run game,” Canty said. “But they’ll be OK as long as No. 8 is under center.”
For more from Canty, listen to the full interview here:
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