Sometimes, Marlon Humphrey has to remind Lamar Jackson he isn’t regular.
The Ravens cornerback remembers seeing the star quarterback strive strolling into an IHOP in Owings Mills, solely to be escorted out after 5 minutes when followers began to acknowledge the 2019 NFL Most Valuable Player.
“I thought to myself, ‘He’s a pretty famous guy, I don’t know how this is going to work,’” Humphrey mentioned. “You can’t just do normal things. He thinks he’s very normal. Inside of the building he is, but outside he’s such a superstar.”
As the Ravens held their first apply of coaching camp Wednesday — with followers again in full attendance after two years of coronavirus restrictions — Jackson is something however a distraction. Humphrey, proper guard Kevin Zeitler and broad receiver Rashod Bateman all echoed the identical level: Jackson’s contract shouldn’t be a degree of dialogue amongst gamers within the constructing.
As Jackson enters the ultimate yr of his rookie deal, a $23 million fifth-year choice the Ravens picked up final offseason, there isn’t a anxiousness about his future in Baltimore. Humphrey mentioned Jackson advised him, “I’ll get it done when it gets done.”
“For some reason, people can’t really believe that, but everyone on the team knows it’s true,” Humphrey mentioned.
Unlike different stars, Jackson isn’t holding out of coaching camp in pursuit of that new deal. He needs to be regular, and play soccer.
Zeitler mentioned he loves seeing Jackson, whom he calls the “heart and soul of the team,” take the sphere. Bateman mentioned it’s thrilling catching passes from Jackson, realizing that he’s the one enjoying on Sundays. They’re enjoying soccer, not worrying in regards to the contract. It’s not one thing Jackson talks about.
“For a guy who’s negotiating, he hasn’t said a word and his value just keeps going up,” mentioned Zeitler, who’s getting into his second season in Baltimore. “For anyone who gives him crap about it, he’s in charge of his own destiny right now and I think that’s the way he likes it.”
On Wednesday, Jackson accomplished 5 of eight passes in 11-on-11 drills and three of six in 7-on-7, though there have been a number of drops. Bateman mentioned Jackson seems to be bulked up and is best “all-around.” The greatest throw of the day was a exact back-shoulder cross to receiver Devin Duvernay on the fitting sideline.
As Jackson represents himself in negotiations with the Ravens, he stays centered on training. In February, basic supervisor Eric DeCosta mentioned the crew was transferring at “Lamar’s pace,” and there’s no indication that has modified.
“If Lamar’s not concerned about the contract, nobody should be concerned about the contract,” Bateman mentioned.
Injury report
Along with the six gamers on the physically-unable-to-perform record and injured outdoors linebacker David Ojabo, who’s holding out for his rookie deal, guard Ben Cleveland (nonfootball damage record), rookie tight finish Charlie Kolar (hernia) and undrafted broad receiver Devon Williams (nonfootball damage record) didn’t apply Wednesday.
In the previous, the Ravens have positioned gamers who failed the conditioning take a look at on the nonfootball damage record simply earlier than coaching camp. Ravens coach John Harbaugh didn’t verify if Cleveland failed the take a look at, however did say most gamers handed.
Outside linebacker Odafe Oweh, who had offseason shoulder surgical procedure, was a full participant in crew drills after being restricted in organized crew actions and minicamp in June. Defensive lineman Michael Pierce additionally practiced after lacking OTAs and minicamp for private causes.
Running again J.Okay. Dobbins (knee), left deal with Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and cornerback Marcus Peters (knee), who had been positioned on the PUP record final week, appeared on from the sidelines throughout apply. Dobbins even had his uniform on and appeared desirous to get on the sphere.
“J.K. definitely wants to go,” mentioned Harbaugh, who famous Dobbins participated in particular person drills with trainers after apply. “He’s made it very clear.”
Harbaugh additionally mentioned Stanley’s “body composition was really good” because the All-Pro deal with works to return to the sphere for the primary time since final season’s opener towards the Las Vegas Raiders.
“He’s really close to where he’s been in the past when he’s been at his best,” Harbaugh mentioned. “I give him a lot of credit for the training that he’s done.”
Extra factors
>> Harbaugh mentioned the Ravens will honor outdoors linebacker Jaylon Ferguson, who died in June from the mixed results of fentanyl and cocaine, with one thing on their uniform that the gamers will resolve.
>> Former Ravens proprietor Art Modell, who moved the Cleveland Browns to Baltimore in 1996, was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame within the coach/contributor class. He is one in every of 12 finalists, one in every of which can transfer on to the complete choice committee to be thought of for enshrinement. Modell was beforehand a finalist in 2020, however not was not chosen.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com