Lamar Jackson was shocked, to say the least.
It had been over a month because the 2022 NFL draft, throughout which the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player watched the Ravens commerce high extensive receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to Arizona and present up simply minutes later on the Cardinals’ draft get together. The two had entered the NFL only a 12 months aside and change into shut mates, just for Brown to change into annoyed together with his position within the offense and quietly ask for a commerce.
Jackson a minimum of had some kind of warning the commerce was coming, even when he didn’t fairly consider it.
Rashod Bateman didn’t.
The second-year receiver had labored out with Brown over the summer season and didn’t know he needed to go away. He’d solely discover out later. For Jackson, Brown’s departure meant the lack of a trusted goal. For Bateman, it meant alternative.
Now he’s the Ravens’ undisputed high receiver.
“That’s the role that I’ve always wanted to be in,” Bateman mentioned. “I’m excited to take that role.”
It’s occurred slightly rapidly. The 2021 first-round draft decide performed 12 video games and began simply 4 as a rookie, ending with 515 yards on 46 receptions and one landing. A groin harm that required surgical procedure saved Bateman out till Week 6, after which Jackson missed the ultimate 4 video games with an ankle harm. They solely performed seven video games collectively.
Yet this summer season, Bateman is transitioning from unproven rookie to dependable receiver. That will be arduous in a Ravens offense that leans a lot on the run. The receiving corps has lengthy been a weak spot on the roster, with failed first-round picks or growing old stars on the finish of their careers offering little manufacturing. But in buying and selling Brown, extensive receivers coach Tee Martin thinks the group made an announcement. Now, it’s Bateman’s flip.
“The guys do have a chip on their shoulder,” mentioned Martin, who oversees a gaggle that additionally contains younger wideouts Devin Duvernay, James Proche II and Tylan Wallace. “When we don’t draft a wide receiver, what the organization is saying to you is, ‘We brought you here for a reason, and it’s your time.’”
Bateman seems to be the a part of a No. 1 wideout, together with his 6-foot-1, 193-pound body in a flashy gold-tinted visor and white leggings standing out from the group. But taking that enhanced position comes with added scrutiny. Bateman had just a few drops in minicamp and Martin nonetheless sees areas through which the previous Minnesota star wants to enhance.
Of course, he additionally had flashes of brilliance as soon as Jackson returned to apply. On Wednesday, Bateman caught a 65-yard landing cross and confirmed off his velocity, maybe an underappreciated a part of his recreation.
“He’s getting open at the line super, super quick,” tight finish Mark Andrews mentioned of Bateman. “And then he’s got a burst of speed people don’t really talk about. Second year, he’s a guy that’s just gonna get better and better and better. The sky’s the limit for them.”
When requested if that’s going to be a much bigger a part of his recreation this season, Bateman’s response appeared joking, however assured.
“We’ll see,” he mentioned with a smirk.
Bateman is the face of this younger group of receivers, however Martin mentioned management doesn’t have an age. Bateman takes a quiet strategy, and it confirmed throughout his information convention Thursday.
“I don’t really talk much,” Bateman mentioned. “Hopefully I can show that by the way I work, by being the first one here every day.”
He and Proche stood on the microphone collectively — largely to hurry up the information convention for Proche to make his flight — and it was largely Proche on the entrance. He’s the vocal one. Bateman stood a bit farther away from the mic and talked about what he and Martin consider he can do on the sphere.
He talked about making an attempt to dam out what persons are saying about him, however he wonders about all the eye. Why him?
It’s as a result of he’s unproven. He didn’t have the identical quick impression because the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase or the Miami Dolphins’ Jaylen Waddle, who had been picked greater within the draft. They had been thrust into management roles instantly. Bateman wasn’t.
He and Proche will work out with Jackson in Florida earlier than coaching camp to proceed constructing their chemistry, having already frolicked coaching collectively in California earlier this offseason. Bateman and Jackson consider that can assist strengthen their connection forward of a vital season for every of them, as Jackson eyes a brand new contract and Bateman works towards solidifying his position.
“I told them I wanted to get some chemistry. They’re like, ‘Man, we’re gonna get that regardless,’” Jackson mentioned of speaking to his receivers when he missed voluntary organized group actions. “When the offseason first came, my ankle got better, we just had chemistry all back. It was like I never stopped playing. I just felt like when I got to camp, it was going to be the same way, and it has.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com