Dire conditions require determined actions, and the Ravens made one Sunday in asserting they agreed to a one-year contract reportedly price as much as $18 million with veteran vast receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
It will not be recognized if the Ravens made the transfer to placate or additional distance themselves in negotiations with star quarterback Lamar Jackson — although since he and Beckham had been on FaceTime with one another minutes after the announcement, it’s most likely the previous — however the addition of Beckham has to make them higher.
Right?
Let’s simply name it one other gamble by the Ravens in signing one other receiver previous his prime. Beckham apparently acquired the blessing of recent offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who coached the vast receiver in 2019 when each had been with the Cleveland Browns.
Unlike the Browns, the Ravens have been thought-about one of many NFL’s mannequin franchises ever since they received the primary of two Super Bowl titles in 2000. But if this Beckham deal doesn’t work out and the Ravens fall rapidly within the postseason (once more), there will likely be lots of doubt in regards to the management of basic supervisor Eric DeCosta.
In eight NFL seasons, Beckham has a formidable resume. He was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2014, has been named an All-Pro twice and to the Pro Bowl thrice, and has 531 profession receptions for 7,369 yards and 56 touchdowns.
But he additionally has extra baggage than BWI Marshall Airport.
He has been fined by the league quite a few instances for his landing celebrations, improper gameday apparel and numerous unsportsmanlike conduct penalties, together with an incident in 2019 when, whereas with the Browns, he threw a punch at Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who responded by choking him.
More just lately, bodycam footage in November confirmed Beckham being requested to go away an American Airlines aircraft in Miami as a result of he they thought he was unwell. He refused and finally was escorted off the flight to Los Angeles after getting right into a verbal argument with one man.
Ravens coach John Harbaugh has struggled to take care of high-maintenance gamers, and on some days, Beckham could make former Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters appear like Mr. Sunshine.
And then there are the accidents.
There are the standard ones like quads and hamstrings, however Beckham has had three main surgical procedures. He fractured an ankle in 2017, tore his ACL in 2020 after which tore it once more in Super Bowl 56 whereas with the Los Angeles Rams.
He hasn’t performed a recreation since that February 2022 victory, however that didn’t cease the Ravens from making a preemptive strike on Beckham, who was anticipated to go to the New York Jets beginning late Sunday evening.
If he can keep wholesome, and that’s an enormous if, he ought to be capable of assist the Ravens. After signing a one-year take care of the Rams on November 11, 2021, Beckham caught 51 passes for 593 yards and 7 touchdowns. He has by no means had nice pace, which makes him an ideal match alongside the opposite Ravens wideouts who’ve good fingers however can’t get open.
Maybe the addition of Beckham and former New England Patriot Nelson Agholor assist change the dynamic of a receiving corps that was one of many worst within the NFL final season and has been for a number of years now.
You acquired Rashod Bateman on one aspect and possibly Agholor or Beckham on the opposite, relying on which one Monken as soon as used within the slot. The Ravens have two gifted tight ends who can work the deep center of the sphere in Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely, and in addition one other burner on the skin in Devin Duvernay.
The Ravens operating again scenario ought to be extra steady with each J.Okay. Dobbins and Gus Edwards one other 12 months faraway from main knee surgical procedure. The actual query is who’s going to be throwing the ball? Did the Ravens signal Beckham as a result of Jackson is not within the image and this group desperately wanted some star energy, or is Beckham a part of a plan to ditch the run-oriented scheme and go to a extra commonplace drop-back offense?
Or was Beckham a part of the plot to deliver Jackson again to the negotiating desk and get him to not less than signal the nonexclusive franchise tag that can pay him $32.4 million for the 2023 season?
Regardless, Monken has to place this offense collectively. Even although he spent the final two seasons at Georgia because the Bulldogs’ coordinator, there’s extra perception in him growing an attacking scheme than his predecessor, Greg Roman.
Beckham has higher credentials than former receivers Demarcus Robinson and Sammy Watkins mixed, however at age 30 and along with his damage historical past, he definitely isn’t the Beckham of outdated who as soon as lit up the NFL.
Jackson? He might be wherever within the photo voltaic system however one factor is for certain: He is a greater runner than thrower.
As for DeCosta, this deal higher work out. He has already drawn nationwide criticism — undeserved, nevertheless — for the delay in signing Jackson, and the Ravens can’t get away from that decades-old downside of not having a very good No. 1 receiver.
Even with Beckham, they nonetheless don’t have one, however they wanted to gamble with a former star who nonetheless has one thing to show.
They had been determined.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com