Jevon Holland is happy to provide evidence of Lamar Jackson making plays only elite quarterbacks can make.
The Baltimore Ravens star has faced criticism of his play style since even before he broke into the NFL. Jackson is one of the more mobile quarterbacks in the league, which in some circles has been conflated with him not being a gifted passer. Most numbers will make clear that’s not the case, yet the narrative has stuck.
Jackson has done just about everything he can to dispel said narrative this season. He’s a legitimate MVP candidate, and if he wins the honor it would be the second in his still relatively young career. He’s made great strides as a passer, with Holland, a Miami Dolphins safety, pointing out one particular example on “Hockman & Crowder” after facing Baltimore.
“He dropped back left handed, turned his shoulders and threw the ball right-handed," Holland said. "I’m seeing it because I've got my eyes on him. I'm in fire zone so we’re dropping down, and I’m like 'Why is he dropping back like he’s about to throw the ball with his left hand?' Then he flips his shoulders, throws a dime to Zay Flowers at the sideline. I was like ‘Mmm, that was pretty dope’
“Lamar is an elite player. On top of that, I’m seeing all the stuff on Twitter of people calling him not quarterback-y, the (radio host) was like he’s not quarterback-y and I’m just like, alright, he’s making crazy plays at quarterback and y’all are telling me he’s not a quarterback -- and been saying this his whole career? He’s already won an MVP at quarterback.”
The Ravens have nothing to play for in Week 18, so it’s to be determined if Jackson will play. Should the carving up of the Dolphins prove to be his last game, he’ll have finished his regular season with 3,678 yards and 24 touchdowns in the air with seven interceptions, plus 821 yards rushing with five scores.