Latest news with #OzzieNewsome
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lamar Jackson's response to viral post reignites heated debate about his value
Disrespect is never acceptable, but we have exceeded tolerable limits. It is increasingly difficult to understand how Lamar Jackson maintains his composure. Selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the last pick of Round 1 in the 2018 NFL Draft, he was the final selection made by Ozzie Newsome during his tenure as general manager. Since then, he has accomplished significant milestones, earning two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards, three First-Team All-Pro honors, and four Pro Bowl selections in his first seven seasons. He led all professional passers in touchdown passes during the 2019 season and topped the league in passer rating during the 2024 season. Advertisement Jackson's selection has proven to be incredibly beneficial for Baltimore. During the Fourth of July holiday, he used social media to advise anyone interested in handling fireworks to do so carefully. As anticipated, the post gained significant traction. However, one overly enthusiastic fan responded with a comment that was unnecessary. Lamar Jackson answers the backhanded compliment of a fan. "Don't play with fireworks, Lamar! You're the best RB we have.' It's always hard to tell the intent of one's message when we only read the words. It's impossible sometimes to gauge one's intent or tone. If we were to use past data as a measuring stick, however, one might be tempted to believe that the words of this response slight Jackson. This reads like it's less about tipping the cap to Jackson for his dual-threat ability and more of an attempt to ride the coattails of a seemingly derogatory take. Baltimore's gunslinger has proven time and time again that he can sling it with the best of them. See his aforementioned league-leading passer rating last season, but so many still offer the opposite opinion that he's more valuable as a rusher than a passer. Advertisement Regardless of where you stand on any of that, Lamar went the route of taking the high road: Classy and the typical Lamar Jackson panache there. Pat him on the back. Please keep your fingers crossed for the rest of us. We mentioned we're annoyed with the disrespect, right? We mentioned we're confused about how Jackson keeps taking the high road, correct? How does he stay so calm when the rest of us get so bothered by this? Maybe it's the professionalism. Perhaps it is his knowledge that, when you're a starting quarterback for an NFL team, this is just part of the arrangement. Most of us probably would have answered a 'clap' by 'clapping back'—credit Jackson for avoiding turning some holiday 'cheer' into a media circus. Advertisement We all understand where the jabs come from. Jackson knows that to continue validating himself, he must win playoff games and eventually a Super Bowl, but as strange as it sounds, it seems that probably wouldn't be enough to change some people's minds. No one wants to win more than Jackson. "They're going to get a Super Bowl out of me." That was the promise he made to everyone when drafted. Whether fair or unfair, postseason success and title count are the most commonly used factors in grading how well NFL quarterbacks are performing. Jackson needs to deliver on his promise. To distance himself from his peers, he needs that ring, that Vince Lombardi Trophy. Then again, the same thing can be said about Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Justin Herbert. How come no one disrespects them as often as the guy in Baltimore? Jackson is on the track, and attempts to discredit him as a passer are foolish. He tossed 41 touchdowns last season vs. just four interceptions. Only five quarterbacks eclipsed his 4,172 yards passing, and he lit it up through the air despite being part of the game's top rushing attack. Advertisement Lamar ranks among the elite. He destroys defenses with his legs AND his arm. Now, all that's needed is that elusive Super Bowl win. This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Lamar Jackson's viral reaction fuels fresh talk about his value
USA Today
10-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ravens' AFC North rivals have trouble brewing with their star pass rushers
Ravens' AFC North rivals have trouble brewing with their star pass rushers Ravens' AFC North rivals have trouble brewing with their star pass rushers One of the final gifts that Ozzie Newsome gave the Baltimore Ravens organization was the selection of Lamar Jackson. Let that sink in for a second. After serving his organization admirably for more than two decades, there wasn't anything more that he needed to prove. Still, he added the most talented quarterback this franchise has seen and then handed the keys to new GM Eric DeCosta. Ozzie has since settled into the role of Executive Vice President, a position he has held since 2019. Lamar has won two MVP trophies. DeCosta's approval rating is soaring. Things aren't going so well across the rest of the AFC North's landscape. No one is complaining. It just seems interesting. Nothing the Cleveland Browns or Cincinnati Bengals do surprises us anymore, but what the heck is going on in the Steel City? More bad news comes for the Steelers as the AFC North crumbles around the mighty Ravens Never will you ever hear The Flock toss sympathy in the Pittsburgh Steelers' direction, but what is happening over there? A once-pristine organization is beginning to remind everyone of... well... the Bengals and Browns. Pittsburgh is no longer the elite organization it once was. The fans want a new coach, and even though Mike Tomlin has never endured a losing season, people are tired of hearing that. The Steelers haven't won a postseason game since January 15, 2017, and Aaron Rodgers' addition doesn't seem to be evoking confidence. They've lost six straight in the playoffs, and now, to make matters worse, their best defender isn't happy. T.J. Watt reportedly won't be attending mandatory minicamp. No progress has been made on a possible extension. Do you see it now? News like this is expected from the Bengals and Browns. Cincinnati has ticked off Trey Hendrickson, and Germaine Pratt, finally released on June 9, has been asking to be traded since February. The Bengals still have yet to sign two of their draftees, Shemar Stewart and Demetrius Knight Jr. The Browns... Sheesh... What can be said about Cleveland that we haven't already said 200 times? Discussing the mess they've created for themselves would require another story and 700 more words. Here's where we'll end this. Life has been kind to Ravens fans and the Baltimore media. Just take a look at the culture they have established, and while you're at it, thank your lucky stars when you lie down tonight that you aren't a fan of one of their rivals.
CBS News
30-05-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Harbaugh says cutting ties with Justin Tucker was a 'complex' decision for the Ravens
Before Baltimore cut ties with Justin Tucker early this month, coach John Harbaugh said whatever the Ravens decided to do would be a football decision. That doesn't mean it was simple. Harbaugh was available to local reporters Wednesday for the first time since the Ravens announced May 5 they were releasing Tucker. The five-time All-Pro kicker had been accused by over a dozen massage therapists of inappropriate sexual behavior, according to reporting by the Baltimore Banner. The NFL said it would investigate, but it's not clear when that process will conclude. "It was a complex decision-making process, and I'm a part of it," Harbaugh said, adding that owner Steve Bisciotti, president Sashi Brown and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome were involved in the move, along with general manager Eric DeCosta. "You're talking about arguably the best kicker in the history of the game, and like we said, it's multilayered. It's complicated, but in the end, it all comes back to what you have to do to get ready for your team to play the first game," Harbaugh added. "I think if you step back and take a look at all the issues and all the ramifications, you can understand that we've got to get our football team ready, and we've got to have a kicker ready to go. That was the move that we decided to make, so in that sense, it's a football decision." The Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop out of Arizona this offseason, and they also signed undrafted rookie kicker John Hoyland of Wyoming. When the team moved on from Tucker, DeCosta released a statement citing "current roster" considerations as being part of the decision. Harbaugh is now suggesting that Tucker's uncertain availability may have played a bigger role than his performance, which slipped noticeably for much of last season. "If it was just a black and white, simple thing, then it would be easy to understand, but I think anybody can look at the whole thing in perspective and say, 'OK, we've got to have a kicker ready to go, and there's a whole lot of moving parts of that deal,'" Harbaugh said. "It's just the reality of it, and you're faced with that." Harbaugh also addressed another big issue from the past month — the loss of safety Ar'Darius Washington to a torn Achilles tendon. "It was a clean tear, if you want to call it that, so it's one of those ones that heals ... it's the more quick-healing version," Harbaugh said. "Ar'Darius tells me he'll be back in November. He's always been a quick healer. I'm looking at November, December in my mind, so yes, we're counting on him being back."
Associated Press
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Harbaugh says cutting ties with Justin Tucker was a 'complex' decision for the Ravens
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Before Baltimore cut ties with Justin Tucker early this month, coach John Harbaugh said whatever the Ravens decided to do would be a football decision. That doesn't mean it was simple. Harbaugh was available to local reporters Wednesday for the first time since the Ravens announced May 5 they were releasing Tucker. The five-time All-Pro kicker had been accused by over a dozen massage therapists of inappropriate sexual behavior, according to reporting by the Baltimore Banner. The NFL said it would investigate, but it's not clear when that process will conclude. 'It was a complex decision-making process, and I'm a part of it,' Harbaugh said, adding that owner Steve Bisciotti, president Sashi Brown and executive vice president Ozzie Newsome were involved in the move, along with general manager Eric DeCosta. 'You're talking about arguably the best kicker in the history of the game, and like we said, it's multilayered. It's complicated, but in the end, it all comes back to what you have to do to get ready for your team to play the first game,' Harbaugh added. 'I think if you step back and take a look at all the issues and all the ramifications, you can understand that we've got to get our football team ready, and we've got to have a kicker ready to go. That was the move that we decided to make, so in that sense, it's a football decision.' The Ravens drafted kicker Tyler Loop out of Arizona this offseason, and they also signed undrafted rookie kicker John Hoyland of Wyoming. When the team moved on from Tucker, DeCosta released a statement citing 'current roster' considerations as being part of the decision. Harbaugh is now suggesting that Tucker's uncertain availability may have played a bigger role than his performance, which slipped noticeably for much of last season. 'If it was just a black and white, simple thing, then it would be easy to understand, but I think anybody can look at the whole thing in perspective and say, 'OK, we've got to have a kicker ready to go, and there's a whole lot of moving parts of that deal,'' Harbaugh said. 'It's just the reality of it, and you're faced with that.' Harbaugh also addressed another big issue from the past month — the loss of safety Ar'Darius Washington to a torn Achilles tendon. 'It was a clean tear, if you want to call it that, so it's one of those ones that heals ... it's the more quick-healing version,' Harbaugh said. 'Ar'Darius tells me he'll be back in November. He's always been a quick healer. I'm looking at November, December in my mind, so yes, we're counting on him being back.' ___ AP NFL:
