https://www.espn.com/blog/baltimore...kson-and-ravens-revolutionize-the-nfl-offense
"Standing in front of the team, Harbaugh said the Ravens weren't going to chase the long-standing model of the drop-back passer. Baltimore is going to break the mold of NFL offenses, the head coach told his players.
"He was getting me pumped up talking about the new revolution," Jackson said. "I was thinking we were about to play today. I was like, 'OK, Coach. I’m all-in!'"
...
"We’re probably doing iPhone 1 now. We have a whole new idea," Harbaugh said. "It’s not that there is anything new in there, concept-wise, that has never been done in football before. But the way we put it together, to me, is unique and different."
On any given play, the Ravens will run a bootleg, screen, misdirection play, run-pass option, speed option, double option or even the favorite play of Harbaugh's father: the mid-line dive option. Jackson will line up under center, in the pistol or in shotgun.
The Ravens will ask Jackson to take three-, five- and seven-step drops, read coverages and deliver passes downfield. More often than not, Baltimore wants Jackson to read the defensive end or outside linebacker and take off for 25 yards if he spots a running lane.
"The way we have this offense going is going to give teams fits because -- I’m not going to say it’s college-ish -- but it’s definitely something that’s new that people haven’t seen," cornerback
Jimmy Smith said. "They’re going to have to really practice to even understand what we’re doing."
...
"Lamar changes the game because he makes you have to cover him," Smith said. "If, for one second, a pass-rusher gives him a crease, Lamar will go for 40. The fact that he has that Michael Vick ability to run changes the game completely."
Jackson bulked up this offseason, adding seven-to-10 pounds of muscle to help him withstand the pounding a running quarterback absorbs. The narrative, though, is that Baltimore can't have long-term success with this style of play.
"Do I think it’s sustainable over 16 games? I think the quarterback runs are," said Matt Bowen, a former NFL defensive back who is now an ESPN analyst. "I would not limit my quarterback. You can say, you can have injuries. Well, you can get injured throwing the ball out of the pocket. I’ve seen that happen quite a bit."
...
Short passing game
The Ravens love Jackson's vision. He sees the field better than Flacco.
This is critical to the Ravens' short passing game, which works off their running game. If Jackson sees the defense being light in the box, he's going to hand off the ball in the RPO (run-pass option) or keep it himself. If the other team stacks the line, he will hit his receiver on a quick slant or shallow crossing route.
"We’re so dynamic, and we’re able do so many things, and we have so many pieces," tight end
Mark Andrews said. "You’re going to have to pick your poison with us. Whatever you pick to stop us, we can hurt you with other things."
The assumption was that the Ravens added deep threats in drafting two wide receivers with their first three picks. First-round pick
Marquise Brown and third-rounder
Miles Boykin are two of the fastest rookies coming out of the draft.
------------------------
Lamar is
ALREADY better than Flacco ever was at passing/reading defenses.
I'm not as happy about this, but whatever, maybe they know something I don't (likely, lol).
