Ravens
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has been under center the least of any quarterback in the past few seasons with just 127 total snaps since taking over as the starter in 2018. That will change in 2021, according to OC Greg Roman.
“That is definitely going to be a part of what we do this year — the percentage of which I cannot state at this point,” Roman said via ESPN’s Jamison Hensley. “I don’t know the extent of it. But we are working on it and evaluating it every day.”
Moving Jackson under center could open up new dimensions and angles in the running and play-action game, especially because Jackson is adept at ball fakes.
“It’s something we will certainly use from time to time, some games more than others,” Roman said. “I believe it’s a very important part in the development of a quarterback from a forward standpoint.”
Steelers
Steelers WR Chase Claypool points out that teams started double-teaming him more often last season and feels it will open up the field for Diontae Johnson, J.J. Smith-Schuster, James Washington, Ray-Ray McCloud.
“They started doing that towards the second half of the year,” said Claypool, via Teresa Varley of the team’s official site. “I think it’s good because guys like Diontae, JuJu, James, Ray-Ray can really go off. Now that we have Najee (Harris) in the mix, it will be fine. If they put two on me, I’m fine with that as long as the other guys are eating.”
Claypool doesn’t feel like he hit a “rookie wall” and feels his limited snaps toward the end of 2020 was HC Mike Tomlin preparing for the playoffs.
“I didn’t really feel a rookie wall, I think it was more Coach getting ahead of it if he knew it was going to come near the end of the season,” said Claypool. “Knowing we were probably going to be in the playoffs at that point, I think he was just trying to keep some guys up.”
Claypool added that he’s “definitely happy” to see Ben Roethlisberger return for his 18th season in the NFL.
“I am definitely happy he came back. There are very few quarterbacks in the league that can come in and bring that savviness and football knowledge. He might be one of two that can bring that knowledge and make the transition into the league easier. And then make everyone else’s job easier.”
Texans
- Texans’ rookie QB Davis Mills on being drafted by Houston and what type of experience it has been: “I feel like I’ve done pretty well so far. Obviously, it’s a new experience. Being in Houston meeting all the new teammates and coaches, I’ve definitely learned a lot so far. I’ve had to pick it up fast.” (Aaron Wilson)
- Mills says he learned a lot during his time at Stanford from HC David Shaw: “It was tremendously helpful. What I did at Stanford, a lot of pro-style systems. A lot of the base concepts we did at Stanford really allowed me to come in with a little bit of a head start.” (Wilson)
- As for his rookie season, Mills has no on-field goals and is just hoping to learn the playbook for the time being: “I mean, I wouldn’t say any goals on the field. I have a lot to prove and a lot to prove to myself, too. Learn the offense is the No. 1 goal right now.” (Wilson)
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