OWINGS MILLS, Maryland – Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh offered a challenging rebuttal on Wednesday to criticism of his attack, saying he “is not apologizing” for Lamar Jackson’s style of play or the game plan aimed at the race.
Harbaugh’s strong support came four days after the Ravens tied a franchise post-season record with the fewest points scored in the 17-3 division loss to Buffalo Bills. Ravens’ offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, received heavy criticism for what many saw as a simplistic passing attack.
“The reason I’m strong at this is because it goes back to the same criticisms we’ve heard over the past three years about not being the kind of offensive or the type of defender that some people want to see,” Harbaugh said during his end-of-season press conference. 45 minutes. “They are going to have to live with that because Lamar Jackson won many soccer games here and our attack won us many soccer games here and we will not apologize for that for a second.”
The Ravens finished last in the NFL on passes for the first time since 2003. Harbaugh explained that the lack of passing yards is the result of building “the best offensive attack in football history in the past two years” and the fact that Baltimore have tried an NFL-low 406 passes.
Baltimore has all of the route concepts in its manual, but it won’t have such a complex passing game because the Ravens don’t play the ball 40 to 50 times a game like the Pittsburgh Steelers, said Harbaugh.
“We are going to improve that, no doubt,” said Harbaugh. “We are going to work to be more accurate, more efficient and better at what we do. We will leave criticism to the critics. When they are ready to coordinate their offense and put their product on the field, I look forward to competing against it. “
Harbaugh pointed out that the Ravens finished seventh in the scoring this season, averaging 29.3 points per game. “We can talk about the other 25 teams and what they are not doing to suit someone’s eyes,” he said.
Harbaugh was equally strong in his comments on Jackson’s future in Baltimore. The current NFL MVP, Jackson ended his third season in the NFL, which was the time when Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson received their long-term contracts.
Based on market value, Jackson is likely to average more than $ 40 million per season in a new deal. With the expectation that Baltimore will exercise his fifth year option this offseason, Jackson is under contract until the 2022 season, although most agree that he has outgrown his rookie contract.
“Of course, for sure, we want Lamar to sign a long-term contract and be with us,” said Harbaugh. “I am terribly sure it will happen. When it does, it will be the details. That is what we have to find out.”
The Ravens also need to find out if they have enough space to improve Jackson’s pass game goals. For the second season in a row, Baltimore’s wide receivers ranked last in the league in receptions and reception yards.
Except for the franchise brand, the biggest recipients of free shares this year are: Allen Robinson from Chicago, Kenny Golladay from Detroit and Chris Godwin from Tampa Bay.
“If we could bring an Anquan Boldin here, we will do it,” said Harbaugh. “Can we pay? These are the details we have to find out. I think a big physical receiver would be incredible for us.”