Ravens TE Isaiah Likely - 'Definitely Improving!'
Much of the offseason for the Baltimore Ravens has been dominated by the offense with the additions of Odell Beckham Jr. and Zay Flowers. While naturally, many gravitate to the pair, there is a second-year tight end who is quietly going about his business...and could be a key component in Todd Monken's offense - Isaiah Likely.
Likely had a reasonably productive rookie season as he played all 16 games (started two) and finished with 36 receptions for 373 yards and three touchdowns. But how does he go about improving on his efforts last season and make himself stand out amid the embarrassment of riches on offense?
“Just watched film, the little details, the major details,” Likely said. “Just really watch games where I felt like I didn’t play my best to help the team and then stack those days in the offseason and just really preparing. Just finding my comfortability in OTAs and training camp. I feel like I’m definitely improving.”
Looking at Likely's numbers last season, when compared to other rookie tight ends, he did better than most.
Likely ranked fourth for yards (373), second for receptions (36), second for targets (60), fifth for yards per game (23.3), and joint-first for touchdowns (3). But could that possibly chance this season? With the likes of Flowers, Beckham Jr., Rashod Bateman, Devin Duverney, Mark Andrews, and Nelson Agholor all vying for targets and there being just one football, Likely might not get many chances.
However, with a true team-first attitude, that is just fine with him. “At the end of the day, everybody on this team trying to win the Super Bowl,” Likely said. “So whether I get eight targets a game or one, as long as the main focal point on this team is winning, I’ll be happy with any outcome.”
With Likely seen as the TE2, he will get chances to impress the coaching staff this season. And after an offseason of soaking in all the teachings from his rookie year, the second-year tight end might just be about to announce himself as yet another star weapon at Lamar Jackson's disposal.
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