What a carpet bombing of quotes in that article.
I dont want to speak for him and his situation and whatever hes going through with the contracts.
I dont know what world hes in.
But for me, you got a chance to do something special.
I dont think hes thinking about it that way.
But hes got an opportunity to win a Super Bowl.
I hope he hobbles back out there.
Put him out for the pass plays, and dont run him at all.
But you never know.
That could be wrong.
Im being very selfish right now, just to want him to be out on the field.
But, man, what a great thing it would be to see [No.]
8 touch the field this Sunday, and we go out there and blow them out.
But thats for Lamar and everybody else to figure out.
But thats a question if hes healthy or hes not.
I havent been watching him.
…. [later in the article] …. You know what I mean?
The world wants to see Lamar be a Baltimore Raven for the rest of his life.
….
Im blessed to play with him, Watkins said Wednesday.
But the world wants to watch Lamar Jackson.
Thats a phenom talent, a talent that you rarely come by.
I think that would change the whole trajectory of our season.
I mean…. what a monologue this is.
Especially from a guy who wasn’t even on the team until 24 days ago.
This is from the clouds and completely out of character from what is typically a tight-lipped locker room.
But it’s also telling, which I’ll get to.
It’s more or less a plea for Lamar to come save the day.
Which is totally the scenario at hand.
This team cannot go on a run without #8.
That’s factual and this team knows it.
Yet…. the fact that Sammy’s sentiment even existed at all is a problem in itself.
And I do believe it’s a sentiment shared by at least some in that room.
’s role in shutting down the speculation.
That’s because I believe the team has been largely left in the dark.
Now, it should be acknowledged that Mike Preston is the requisite clown in the media here in Baltimore.
He’s basically Skip Bayless without a mic or a camera.
Nobody takes him seriously.
So while the quote did raise a few eyebrows with some, it was largely ignored and written off.
Fucking pains me to say it but the dude had it right the first time.
Ok, “secondhand”… so what?
Why should you or I believe that, Banks?
Among many who cover the team, these transgressions aren’t exactly a well kept secret.
I’m not in that boat.
So why have I kept my mouth shut?
Because I love this team and there’s been zero benefit to me singing.
We all fell in love with Lamar, myself included.
Not just as a football player, but as a personality.
He didn’t just play football and play it well… he had a BLAST doing it.
And so did I. I championed this guy all over the internet.
It was so damn fun and I wanted that to continue forever.
Me spilling the beans would have endangered that.
Their relationship may not be contentious, but there’s absolutely a disconnect and a distrust.
Hint: that’s because he has been clueless!
It’s been this way for a while, and the fan base deserves to know the truth.
The organization has done an INCREDIBLE…
I mean INCREDIBLE job holding water for him, which is more than understandable.
We’re approaching a real crossroads here, and I have no idea what’s going to happen.
And I’m not sure they do either.
Lamar has always held the nuts.
Still does, clearly.
We’ve got teammates begging for him to get out on the football field.
And it’s totally possible it’s not and he’s choosing to protect his knee and his payday.
That’s his prerogative and I can respect that, even if I don’t like it.
Or at least sooner in the comeback process.
