In April, the Ravens made a surprising transfer on the primary evening of the NFL draft once 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 Probably — within the fourth spherical, indicating that Baltimore would run a decent end-heavy offense in 2022.
Within 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.
Within 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 reduce by the Las Vegas Raiders throughout coaching camp final month.
“The blokes do have a chip on their shoulder, and so they wish to exit and show that they’re prepared for his or her alternative,” large receivers coach Tee Martin mentioned in June. “And once we don’t draft a large receiver, what the group is saying to you is, ‘We introduced you right here for a motive, and it’s your time.’”
The receivers’ time got here Sunday, and so they answered the decision. After the Jets’ protection saved Jackson and the Ravens out of sync for a lot of the first half, limiting tight ends Mark Andrews and Probably 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 lined by cornerback Bryce Corridor, for a 25-yard landing move within the nook of the top 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 provide Baltimore a 17-3 benefit with beneath 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 type of Kansas Metropolis Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes. “I’m not enjoying road ball; I’m wanting,” he joked. “I used to be going to throw it to [tight end] Mark [Andrews], however the security jumped Mark, and [Duvernay] simply ran his route, and he got here open.”
Final 12 months, Duvernay showcased what he can do on particular groups, being named to his first Professional 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 recreation.
“It felt good to get into recreation mode and present the work I’ve put on this offseason,” mentioned Duvernay, a third-round decide in 2020.
Harbaugh mentioned he was not shocked about Duvernay’s efficiency, including: “He works so laborious; he’s been doing it in camp each single day.”
However 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 sector as Bateman slipped previous the Jets’ secondary for a 55-yard landing reception that gave the Ravens a commanding 24-3 benefit.
“Lots of people mentioned [Jackson] couldn’t throw, however he dropped a dime for me,” mentioned Bateman, a 2021 first-round decide who totaled two catches for 59 yards.
Added Harbaugh: “[The Jets] had been bringing folks down [into the box] slightly bit, and so they had been doing job in opposition to the run, and we obtained them one time. He ran a fantastic route, and the safety held up.”
With questions surrounding the receivers through the offseason, Jackson mentioned Sunday’s win was a confidence enhance. Nonetheless, there’s extra to show.
“We simply need to maintain going,” Jackson mentioned. “That is the primary recreation; we now have 16 extra video 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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