INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 08: Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson 8 runs with the football in action during a NFL, American Football Herren, USA game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens on November 08, 2020 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire NFL: NOV 08 Ravens at Colts Icon201108360
If there is one player who has often carried the Baltimore Ravens on his back single handedly – it is 2019 MVP, Lamar Jackson. Having taunted the New York Jets defense with three TouchDowns throws in the inaugural showdown, Stephen A Smith goes berserk in defending the former QB when his panelist wanted to mention him in the same breath as Kirk Cousins.
Although Kirk Cousins is a supreme talent, yet there is no denying that he has a lot to achieve to fill into or to be on the same level as former MVP – Lamar Jackson. Just to mention Lamar’s heroics in Week 1 itself – he rushed for 17 yards while the Baltimore Raves had their fewest rushing yards (63) in a game since Jackson became the starting QB. Even then the charismatic Quarterback three for three TouchDowns and finished with a staggering 98.3 passer rating.
Stephen A Smith stated, “What big moments has Kirk Cousins have? A PLAYOFF GAME? That’s unacceptable for you (Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo), you can’t give me playoff game, not you.”
Many believed that Lamar Jackson is not an elite passer and even with the tailor-made offensive line, he would find it difficult in the 2022-23 season to break away. However, the TouchDown passes that came on 3-of-4 full drives, one in particular being impressive 55-yard toss to Rashad Bateman that sealed the ‘W’ in the third quarter.
Smith continued to vouch for Lamar Jackson by quoting, “Excuse me, Lamar Jackson is an electrifying talent who has carried the Ravens often on his back. He’s one twice as many games as he has lost. He’s gotten up to the postseason – we all know how electrifying of an athlete he is. And how many times have we pointed out the lack of weapons he has had over time?
“I did not Lamar Jackson is flawless – what I said is he’s better than Kirk Cousins! And you don’t need to be mentioning that in the same breath. In a where my life is on the line – I’m going to pick Lamar Jackson all day-every day.”
Also Read: “He’s a home run hitter”: Shannon Sharpe has high expectations from Saquon Barkley this season