After much pondering, I feel the Ravens should swallow the salary-cap bullet, re-sign Lamar, and ensure he finishes his career as a Raven.
I’ve carefully read and heard everything my media colleagues have had to say. I’ve read the many comments from the fan base. I’ve tried to parse the words from the Ravens’ organization, reading between the lines when I can.
No doubt, since I’ve been covering the team since it was born, the Jackson negotiation saga has been THE biggest offseason football-related story in team history, the second-biggest when you factor in Ray Lewis’ double-murder trial.
Photo courtesy Baltimore Beatdown)
It’s truly fascinating, for it’s a story that, upon its conclusion, could go either way. Will Jackson remain a Raven? After all, Lamar is one of the faces of the league and one that the team has gone out of its way to build around. Will he leave? While that move would free up cap space and bring back multiple picks, it would also mean Baltimore would enter a period of QB wilderness.
I’ve had a hard time expressing an opinion, but here goes…
LAMAR SHOULD STAY.
Why? It’s an old saying that “the body will follow when you cut off the head.” More so than ever, it’s a quarterback-driven league, and a singular, dominant presence under center (or in shotgun) is the top requirement for any team thinking they’re on Lombardi’s doorstep. Unfortunately, the Trent Dilfers of the world (and a dominant defense) are exceptions to the rule.
Besides, remember the QB carousel the Ravens were on from 2000-08? Dilfer’s MO wasn’t sustainable, Grbac didn’t seem to have Ravenesque guts, Boller underachieved, and everybody else was filler.
GM Eric DeCosta is on the clock (photo courtesy WBAL)
Secondly, there’s NO guarantee that the additional cap space and/or draft picks will be used on players that will continue the Ravens’ history of contention. Let’s not forget they’ve had more playoff seasons (14) than non-playoff years (13). Teams like the Browns and Jaguars have had cap space forever, but neither has appeared in a Super Bowl. The Jets have drafted rather well for years (thanks to ex-Ravens in the front office). Yet, without a QB, NYJ is just another average team, and I don’t think Aaron Rodgers would help them, even if he goes there.
Third, locker-room chemistry, to me, is very important. As far as I know, the guys love Lamar and want him to stay. You’ve heard the saying, “Happy wife, happy life,” right? How about “Happy teams, title dreams.” I believe in that; the ’77 Yankees are the exception.
After much pondering this, I feel the Ravens should swallow the salary-cap bullet, re-sign Lamar, and ensure he finishes his career in Baltimore. The benefits that could be reaped in the meantime, to me, far outweigh the drawbacks.
