Lamar Jackson is 'loving' the Ravens' revamped offense

Lamar Jackson has a lot of new to digest on his plate. There’s the new found millions. Plus, the Ravens quarterback needs to learn a new offense.

But the new playbook probably is his first priority, although getting used to a $52 million annual salary would be a nice item on the to-do list.

Lamar Jackson showed up for his first OTAs this week as Baltimore begins the third phase of the voluntary workouts. And there were lots of questions about Todd Monken‘s new playbook. Ravens coach John Harbaugh hired Monken away from two-time defending Georgia Bulldogs back in February.

“Coach is basically giving us keys to the offense. Like I said, I’m loving it,” Lamar Jackson told reporters during a press availability.

“New offense. Had to get that down pat before the season rolls in. Cause the season is getting near. Even though we’ve got a couple of months left, but still. Just wanted to learn the new offense and get with my guys.”

The Ravens announced Monken’s hiring on Valentine’s Day. He replaced Greg Roman, who left the team after Baltimore lost to the Bengals in the first-round of the NFL playoffs.

Here’s how Monken explained his offense once he was hired. Lamar Jackson probably took note of it all back then.

“The game has become more of a space game,” Monken said. It uses “all 53-and-a-third yards and using the width and depth of the field, using space players and your skill players. The game has changed. It’s changing. At one time, it was taller pocket passers, and now you’re seeing more shorter, athletic players. The game has changed in terms of using their athleticism, using players’ athleticisms, what they bring to the table because the game is about space. It’s about being explosive. Well, how do you create explosives? Well, part of it is creating space.”

In prep for a more wide open passing attack, the Ravens added Odell Beckham Jr and they drafted receiver Zay Flowers in the first round. They already have a strong running game. And Lamar Jackson should play with less stress. After all, he no longer has acrimonious contract negotiations hovering over head. He and the Ravens made the deal in the hours before the start of the April draft.

And Jackson is looking for a lot more deep balls, “Just being able to throw the ball down the field. Running can only take you so far. I feel like with this new era of teams and offenses in the league, I feel like we need that, and coach Todd Monken, what I’m seeing in this offense so far, it’s tremendous.”