In April, the Ravens made a stunning transfer on the primary night time of the NFL draft after they traded receiver Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Arizona Cardinals. And as an alternative of drafting one other wideout, the Ravens chosen two tight ends — Charlie Kolar and Isaiah Likely — within the fourth spherical, indicating that Baltimore would run a decent end-heavy offense in 2022.
In the Ravens’ 24-9 season-opening win over the New York Jets on Sunday, it didn’t take lengthy for the large receivers to point out they’re greater than able to delivering for star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Devin Duvernay had a profession afternoon, catching 4 passes for a career-high 54 yards and two touchdowns, whereas second-year wideout Rashod Bateman corralled a 55-yard landing move within the third quarter which may have been thrown to Brown a 12 months in the past.
In the months main as much as Baltimore’s dominant victory at MetLife Stadium, the Ravens expressed confidence of their large receivers. They didn’t make a splashy transfer within the commerce market or free company apart from signing veteran Demarcus Robinson, who was surprisingly lower by the Las Vegas Raiders throughout coaching camp final month.
“The guys do have a chip on their shoulder, and they want to go out and prove that they’re ready for their opportunity,” large receivers coach Tee Martin mentioned in June. “And 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.’”
The receivers’ time got here Sunday, they usually answered the decision. After the Jets’ protection stored Jackson and the Ravens out of sync for many of the first half, limiting tight ends Mark Andrews and Likely and holding Baltimore to only 11 dashing yards, Duvernay helped jump-start the offense. With Baltimore going through a third-and-5 with 3:51 remaining within the second quarter, Jackson threw an ideal spiral to Duvernay, who was tightly coated by cornerback Bryce Hall, for a 25-yard landing move within the nook of the tip zone.
As Jackson went on an offensive tear within the second half, throwing for 130 of his 213 yards, he as soon as once more discovered Duvernay for a rating. On third down, Jackson stepped up within the pocket earlier than finishing a 17-yard landing move to Duvernay to offer Baltimore a 17-3 benefit with underneath eight minutes left within the third quarter.
Jackson appeared to finish a no-look move for the landing, however the quarterback mentioned after the sport he wasn’t making an attempt to make a highlight-reel play within the fashion of Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. “I’m not playing street ball; I’m looking,” he joked. “I was going to throw it to [tight end] Mark [Andrews], but the safety jumped Mark, and [Duvernay] just ran his route, and he came open.”
Last 12 months, Duvernay showcased what he can do on particular groups, being named to his first Pro Bowl as a returner. On Sunday, Duvernay, who totaled 272 receiving yards and two touchdowns final season, showcased what he might do within the passing sport.
“It felt good to get into game mode and show the work I’ve put in this offseason,” mentioned Duvernay, a third-round decide in 2020.
Harbaugh mentioned he was not stunned about Duvernay’s efficiency, including: “He works so hard; he’s been doing it in camp every single day.”
But no play was extra spectacular than Jackson’s landing move to Bateman within the third quarter that solidified Baltimore’s first win of the season. With 2:15 to go, Jackson launched the ball deep down the center of the sphere as Bateman slipped previous the Jets’ secondary for a 55-yard landing reception that gave the Ravens a commanding 24-3 benefit.
“A lot of people said [Jackson] couldn’t throw, but he dropped a dime for me,” mentioned Bateman, a 2021 first-round decide who totaled two catches for 59 yards.
Added Harbaugh: “[The Jets] were bringing people down [into the box] a little bit, and they were doing a good job against the run, and we got them one time. He ran a great route, and the protection held up.”
With questions surrounding the receivers throughout the offseason, Jackson mentioned Sunday’s win was a confidence increase. Still, there’s extra to show.
“We just have to keep going,” Jackson mentioned. “This is the first game; we have 16 more games to go, and [the] playoffs.”
Week 2
DOLPHINS@RAVENS
Sunday, 1 p.m.
TV: Chs. 13, 9
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com