Ravens New Coach: Should Lamar Jackson Help Hire His Own Boss?
It is a very tricky balancing act, even when done properly.
The player, even the superstar player who has been an NFL MVP works for the team. ... and yet the team is wise to "work with'' the player.
"I did ask Lamar [Jackson] about it, and he will be involved in it," head coach John Harbaugh said recently about the Baltimore Ravens' search for a new coordinator. "I’ll keep him abreast of what’s going on, and I’m sure he’ll have some input along the way ...''
"Input.''
As in, Jackson literally gets a vote, because in a sense the Ravens and the QB are (going to be) in business together?
Or, as in, Jackson is invited to represent the locker room as a voice?
Or, as in, the club wants to make the guy feel involved ... whether he truly is or not?
The Ravens reached some heights with the now-ousted Greg Roman as the coordinator, in the minds of many working with Lamar to best-utilize his unusual skill set as a QB.
For some, including Ravens legend Ray Lewis, that wasn't enough. But in any event, the next coordinator (with interviews now being conducted) will obviously be charged with maximizing Jackson. ... and with working with Jackson.
But that's an easy concept to grasp for all involved following the hire. But "working with Jackson'' before the hire? Does he need to like the new guy? Or approve of the new guy? What if he doesn't?
This past season, the Ravens averaged just 13.6 points over their final six games without Jackson, who was sidelined with a knee injury. Jackson also missed the Wild Card playoff game to Cincinnati, with the Bengals prevailing, 24-17.
That can be improved upon, obviously. Or maybe even fixed with an "overhaul'' of sorts.
Which one of those does Harbaugh want? Which one of those does Jackson want? Maybe the best news of all comes with a suggestion that ultimately, all the fellas should sort of "stay in their lanes.''
Said Harbaugh of Jackson: "I know his focus – like he told me – is going to be on getting himself ready and getting his guys ready for next season.”
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