Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has special leadership qualities that will benefit the team and city, according to legendary former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, who adds that Jackson has to do a better job of avoiding contact in an effort to stay on the field long term.
Jackson took over for an injured Joe Flacco (hip) in Week 10 last year and kept the starting job once Flacco was cleared to play. Jackson, whom the Ravens traded back into the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft to take No. 32 overall, helped lead the Ravens to a 6-1 record to close out the regular season and the AFC North title.
Flacco was traded to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round pick in February, the deal was made official the following month and the Ravens opened offseason workouts with Jackson as the unquestioned starter. The Ravens will enter the 2019 season with an offense centered around Jackson, an electric athlete who paved the way for a highly productive running game during the second half of 2018.
