Will Ravens' Lamar Jackson start 'letting it rip' as a passer in 2021?
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- As Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman puts it, the offensive players have gone from drinking from a firehose to breaking out the paint brushes. Strange actually describes how the NFLs highest-scoring offense felt last year because of the unusual season, which included no offseason practices, an abbreviated training camp and the cancellation of all preseason games. With decreased reps in the spring and summer of 2020, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were flooded with information and were forced to try new wrinkles on game days. Now, with the return of organized training activities (OTAs) in May and June, Baltimore can experiment, especially in the passing game, and see how much its offense can grow in Jacksons third full season as a starting quarterback. Roman compared this much-needed trial-and-error period to painting a wall. "You put one coat of paint on it and it doesnt look very good, Roman said in a conference call with Ravens season-ticket holders. "But you put that second and third coat, youre like wow that looks spectacular. Thats how I look at it this time of year. Were putting on the first coat of paint. The Ravens may not be as run-centric as the past two seasons, when Baltimore called a run play on a league-high 51% of plays (the next closest was the Minnesota Vikings at 46%), according to ESPN Stats & Information. This style of offense has led Baltimore to average an NFL-best 31.2 points over the last two years. But it hasnt translated in the playoffs, where the Ravens have scored a total of 32 points in Jacksons three playoff losses. I really think the way things are structured this year, were going to have a chance to get our preparation done this time of year and this summer to where we can have a more balanced attack, Roman said. Scott Taetsch-USA TODAY Sports  Here are other takeaways from Romans hour-long, question-and-answer session with fans:  More deep shots  The Ravens havent made defenses pay for stacking the box to stop their rushing attack. Last season, Jackson ranked 19th in attempted throws 20 yards or longer downfield (45) and 24th in completion rate on those passes (37.8%). 2021 Offseason | Ravens What you need to know about the Baltimore Ravens:  Ravens' free-agent signings    Free-agency coverage  | More NFL    Analysis for every Ravens draft pick    Kiper's draft grades for every team   McShay's favorite pick for all 32 teams    Ravens' 2021 schedule  | All games   Youre talking to the person that was once accused of trying to run it, run it and then throw it over their heads, Roman said. Our goal is to win, and if teams are giving us opportunities to throw the ball deep, its upon us to work hard and figure that out and really take advantage of that because those are game-changing plays.  The Ravens two biggest additions at wide receiver  Rashod Bateman and Sammy Watkins  could help stretch the field. Bateman averaged 20.3 yards per catch in 2019 (his last full season in college), and Watkins produced 18 catches of 20-plus yards in 2015 (his one season with Roman as his offensive coordinator in Buffalo). Marquise Hollywood Brown, Baltimores fastest receiver, is also participating in his first full offseason after being limited in 2019 (recovering from foot surgery) and catching passes in his driveway in 2020 (NFL canceled in-person offseason activities due to COVID-19). Increasing J.K. Dobbins' involvement in passing game  One way Baltimore can convert carries into receptions is to ramp up the impact of its top running back in the passing game. In the last two seasons, Jacksons 89 completions to running backs ranks 28th in the NFL. Hes been more apt to scramble than dump the ball off in the flat. Roman said the team is working diligently every day to expand Dobbins role in the passing attack. "Wed love to really have a threat out of the backfield. J.K. is a very talented athlete, Roman said. "He didnt do much route running in high school or college, really. He was just toting the rock, getting handoffs. I think he has got the skill set and the talent to really include him as a viable weapon in the passing game. Thats a big focus of what were doing right now.  More passes to Dobbins could result in fewer runs (and hits) for Jackson. Jackson will get more snaps under center  No one in the NFL has worked more exclusively in the pistol and shotgun formations than Jackson. Last season, Jackson started under center only 4% of the time (36 of 889 snaps). Get your popcorn ready  But Jackson has been taking snaps under center more in this years offseason practices than at any other time. Its something we will certainly used from time to time, some games more than others, Roman said. I believe its a very important part in the development of a quarterback.  Jackson will likely continue to take most of his snaps out of the pistol formation, but starting under center can add more deception to Baltimores offense because Jackson will have his back turned to defenses. Moving Jackson under center can also become a valuable option in bad-weather games. In last seasons playoff loss in Buffalo, the Ravens struggled with the pistol snaps because of windy conditions. Identity will remain running the ball  The expectation is Jackson will throw the ball more than he did in 2019 and 2020. But no one should project Baltimore to suddenly jump into the top half of the league in pass attempts. The Ravens take a lot of pride in their ability to dominate in smash-mouth football. Roman pointed out that Baltimore has had the most dominant, productive running game in the history of football the past two seasons. Anybody that would deviate from tapping into that should be put in a rubber room, Roman said. I say that in jest.  What hasnt been a joking matter is how the Ravens' offense has taken plenty of criticism this offseason. Former NFL MVP Kurt Warner and former Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. both called Baltimores passing attack too simplistic. Talk shows trump up the narrative that top free-agent wide receivers dont want to play for the Ravens. Were going to do what we do, Roman said. Nobody is going to Jedi mind trick us or guilt us or shame us into doing things that arent us."