Brandon Staley isn’t letting anyone reduce Lamar Jackson to a one-dimensional threat.
Ahead of the New Orleans Saints’ matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, Staley pushed back hard on the familiar shorthand that paints Jackson as “just a runner.” That kind of label, he made clear, misses the real problem Baltimore creates.
“He’s one of the top throwers at the position. He’s just so spectacular doing some of the other stuff that people minimize his ability to beat you from the pocket," Staley told reporters.
Jackson’s legs are still the part of his game that jumps off the screen, and for good reason. But Staley pointed to the growth that has changed the conversation around him as a passer, including his arm strength, his ability to attack defenses at every level, and the experience he’s gained against every type of coverage.
That passing threat matters even more this week because Baltimore’s receiver group is shorthanded. Ja’Kobi Lane is on injured reserve, and Zay Flowers has been ruled out. That weakens the Ravens through the air, but it does not give New Orleans a free pass.
Jackson’s running ability changes the math for the Saints’ pass rush, too. Staley said the key is not to get timid.
"I think you have to rush more physical. You don’t want to rush more cautious.
You actually want to rush more physical, but you got to rush in a direct nature against the special players, because you don’t have much time to get there. You want to make sure he feels the pocket.
Where if he feels air in the pocket, whether that’s outside or inside, then his instincts take over and he runs to day light, and that’s bad for you. You want the pocket to be tight."
That’s the challenge in a nutshell: get there fast, stay disciplined, and don’t give Jackson any breathing room. If the pocket opens up, his instincts can take over in a hurry.
And if the rush doesn’t get home, the Saints’ cornerbacks can’t hold up forever.
New Orleans is getting Cam Jordan back, which helps. But Baltimore’s injuries at receiver won’t matter nearly as much if Jackson has time to operate. And even with the receiving corps limited, the Ravens still have Jackson’s legs waiting to punish any lapse.
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Saints Suddenly Have A Left Tackle Problem They Can't Yet Explain
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Kellen Moore did not offer much beyond the basic update after the game, saying Banks will need further evaluation before the team can map out a recovery timeline. For now, the Saints have backups in place to absorb the snaps, but the bigger concern is what this means for an offensive line that can ill afford uncertainty on the edge. [Read more 🡒]