Lamar Jackson the New Vick?
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has gained the entire attention of the league right now. His explosive playmaking conjured up memories of another mobile signal caller, which was Michael Vick. This comparison started to hit Twitter on Sunday when Jackson ran for a 47 yard touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. It was reminiscent of when Vick had a similar run against the Carolina Panthers in 2003. But the conversation took turns that were deeper than a QB benefitting from poor tackling. One Twitter user wished that Jackson would have the career that Vick would have; an interesting take when considering the difference in perceptions of black quarterbacks back then compared to this present time. Still, even with all the “progressive” attitudes about black quarterbacks, or mobile QB’s for the All Lives Matter folks, could Lamar Jackson be the next Michael Vick, or even surpass that?
When questions like these come up, you must begin with the numbers. As of right now, the numbers show an impressive start so far for Jackson compared to Vick. After both QB’s, went through 16 games as starters, Jackson has thrown for 3237 yards, 21 touchdowns and 8 picks; Vick has put up similar numbers with 3721 yards, 18 touchdowns and 11 picks. What’s even more polished on Jackson’s resume, is the 13 wins over his first 16 starts, compared to just 9.
The hard truth of the matter is that Lamar Jackson will be better than Michael Vick because of the era he plays in. Vick is a pioneer with the talent he had of being a dual threat QB, but Jackson plays in an era where mobile QB’s are welcome with open arms from offensive coordinators. Black quarterbacks in this day have been afforded more opportunity to develop their passing skillset, which gives them the advantage of becoming a dual threat. Right now, Baltimore is using Jackson’s mobility as a basis of this offense, but he can also throw the ball just as good. It’s only a matter of time before this question of who was better, is answered with certainty rather than opinion.
Los Angeles Rams Lost Their Glitz and Glamour
It seemed like just a year ago I was writing about the 2018 Los Angeles Rams being a reboot of the The Greatest Show on Turf, better known as the 1999 St. Louis Rams; well that reboot is not doing so well as a sequel. The Rams are now 5-4, sitting outside of the playoff, in a a tough NFC West, with blame to go around for everybody. Running back Todd Gurley has been placed into a Running Back by Committee system and it has adverse affected his play. Despite trading for cornerback Jalen Ramsey, the defense has had their own missteps throughout the season. However, most of the blame today seems to be pointed at the franchise’ leading star, quarterback Jared Goff. Goff has not been the same person who has led this team to two straight division titles. Last year’s 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions are a far cry from this season’s 11 touchdowns and 9 picks. There’s a lot of articles circling around suggesting that the Rams move on Goff, despite giving him a 4 year $134 million extension in the offseason. If your QB isn’t cutting it at his position, then yes, your team may suffer, but he isn’t the only one playing a part.
Despite the blame being heaped on the quarterback, you have to question his supporting cast. Is this team playing consistent enough to win games? In their 3-game losing streak earlier this year, they were outscored 105-76, including one game where they gave up 55 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; but in the 2 game win streak to follow they outscored opponents 61-20. That is something you could throw up on head coach Sean McVay to answer, who has been heralded as an offensive genius, since his arrival in 2017. The reason he has been able to elude criticism so quietly is because the team is still scoring above 20 points in every game except 2. It just does not look like the same Rams team that people can get excited about anymore. And that’s sad, considering the division is experiencing the rise of the San Francisco 49ers as well as the competitiveness of the Seattle Seahawks. Los Angeles must find a way to rework their script before their playoff hopes are sent to the cutting room floor.
Is Dak Winning the Bet?
Ever since sports betting was made legal, everyone has been getting in on the action, including Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. However, Prescott’s bets are more aligned with his future as opposed to the current point spread. According to the Fort Worth Telegram, Prescott hinted that the reason he has not signed a deal is because he is betting on himself. It’s a good, cliché line for a lot of professional athletes who are in their contract years or looking for bigger pay in their careers. There are those who hit the jackpot while others crap out. For Prescott, he has been dealt the type of hand that, depending on how he plays it, can either help or hurt him.
For some reason. The cards that are held in Dak’s hands can make or break him. This season he has led the league in BR while still only 2nd in passing yards. On 3 separate times this season, he brought the Cowboys back from huge deficits in the 2nd half of games to almost victory. The most recent example was Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings, in which he drove his team from their own 6 yard line to the Vikings’ 11. Despite all of that, there is still the fact that the Cowboys have only won against soft teams, which has also, obviously, showcased some of Prescott’s best stat lines.
When it comes down to it, Prescott could win this hand, but he might need a higher suit when it comes to winning. Going back to the comeback drives, it’s not so much the fact that he was able to engineer such a thing in these games, but what is going to be looked at is he isn’t closing the deal and winning. He has won against winning teams in the regular season before and has a playoff win under his belt. His stats in most of the games this year, especially those first 3, add some extra luck on his side. He’s thrown for 400 yards twice and has 4 games in which he’s thrown for at least 3 touchdowns, in which the Cowboys are 3-1 in those games. It just shows that Prescott should be in the Cowboys’ cards if they want to hit championship jackpot.
Shoutouts/Shutouts
Shout out to the LSU Tigers for their recruiting efforts. In Saturday’s win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, some of the LSU players were seen trying to recruit the Alabama commits. It wasn’t like it wasn’t the perfect time to get that underway.
Shutout to the New Orleans Saints for their loss to the 1-7 Atlanta Falcons, just so we could keep it Louisiana-themed.
Shout out to Ravens QB Lamar Jackson for his 47 yard touchdown run against the Bengals on Sunday. I know I mentioned it in the first segment of this article, but it’s truly a great sight to watch:
Shut out to the Cincinnati Bengals for letting a quarterback run right through you for 47 yards.
There’s only one game worth watching this weekend with some heavy playoff implications and potentially great quarterback play. The Houston Texans are going to be on the road to battle the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens sit at the number 2 spot of the AFC playoff picture, while the Texans are 3. This game is also going to feature Ravens QB Lamar Jackson going against Texans QB Deshaun Watson, in which both signal callers have similarities in their playing style but slightly different. While both quarterbacks are mobile, Watson is more prone to throwing the ball and can put up some astonishing numbers doing so. It’s going to be a game everyone should be tuned into but until then…I’ll holla.