I think it's kinda funny the way they talk about Lamar Jackson over there. Like JesusinCleats.
I think this is a function of a few things, however, let me lead with this. Jackson has flaws. He isn't a CONSISTENT passer. Yet. He is approaching that much faster than I thought he would. He has gotten better every game this year since the Arizona game.
He still gets to anxious, and might take off to early for a 20 yard gain when he can hit the 40 yard wheel route that is ALMOST developed but would require a few extra seconds. In New England he could have hit Ingram twice for a TD because a LB was spying him instead of covering Ingram. He needs to work on that as well.
His arm angles. Sometimes he hits a throw from an angle maybe 3 QBs in the NFL could hit. Then he bounces one off his LTs helmet. It's maddening.
All that said when you watch Jackson you know you're watching something different. Everyone knows how fast he is, but what they don't tell you is this kids ability to control his body. He reminds me of Reggie Bush when he was at USC. Jackson is hard to get going laterally to long because he will be in a dead Sprint, so the defender has to be or he will beat you around the corner. Then when your guy is at full speed he will stop on a dime, cut inside and be at full speed again. It isn't natural. He is a better runner than Vick was, which is incredible.
His throwing is sooooo much better than people think. He is capable of throwing absolute dimes in or out of the pocket, or on the run. I also think he is a better passer than Vick. Vick had a CANNON arm. Jackson does not, but I think it helps honestly. Jackson can still rip it, but he also has some incredible touch on some throws.
His throwing has improved so much from him being a 21 year old rookie, to a 22 year old MVP candidate, it isn't recognizable. If he improves that same amount this coming off-season, he will be up there with the Brees of the world. Right now he is a borderline top 10 passer but it is over shadowed by his movement.
The problems he creates is unique. The spy thing always sounds like a good idea. Put our most athletic guy on him to help him stay in the pocket. Well then you have a non athlete covering our athletic TE'S. Or now we can run routes to clear out the middle and leave that athlete one on one with Lamar with a lineman in front. Load the box and he will throw it behind you. It's just different.
So people talk about him like he is infallible because he is the best Baltimore had ever had by a mile, at least this time around. We see it week in and week out and watch DC's pull their hair out figuring him out. He was probably annointed last week when Bill Belichek was losing his mind trying to figure out how to do it. He is beatable though but it is going to take immense talent, a Herculean effort, and supernatural discipline. It can be done though.
Or their just douchebag homers.