How did we get here?
Just four short years ago, the Flock was as electric as I’d ever seen it. The Ravens were putting on an absolute show every Sunday, and winning 40-15 seemed almost guaranteed. Of course, that season saw the rise of Lamar Jackson, jaw-dropping highlights and all, to a level that fans were not accustomed to seeing. More importantly, the entire city seemingly rallied behind this young man, this promising team, in hopes of bringing home a title.
It’s not easy to unite Baltimore, but somehow the 2019 Ravens did it.
Then, the wheels fell off. A divisional-round loss at the hands of Ryan Tannehill and the Tennessee Titans absolutely deflated arguably the entire state of Maryland. The game was as jarring as Billy Cundiff’s infamous last-second miss in the 2011 AFC Championship that sent the Patriots to the Super Bowl. A collective shock descended over Ravens fans. We were so close, but yet so far, from bringing the Lombardi Trophy back to the Charm City for a third time. With a seemingly unstoppable unanimous MVP at quarterback, over 10 Pro Bowlers, and the league Coach of the Year, a title almost felt guaranteed. Instead, the image of Derrick Henry stiff-arming Earl Thomas into oblivion is permanently ingrained in the minds of all Ravens fans, as well as the feeling of increasing disappointment as that atrocity of a football game went on.
It’s safe to say that nothing’s been the same since.
The Ravens tried to run it back in the COVID-affected 2020 season, but it was clear that something was just off. Things began to click towards the end of the season, culminating in revenge via a Marcus Peters logo-stomp in Nashville, but everything fell apart in a blink in that year’s Divisional in Buffalo. With a chance to take the lead and secure momentum, Lamar threw a costly pick-6 inside the Bills’ 10-yard line and moments later sustained a game-ending concussion.
In 2021, the season was over before it even started. JK Dobbins, Peters, Ronnie Stanley, Gus Edwards, Rashod Bateman, and others all sustained significant injuries before the season even began. Even so, Jackson somehow lead the Ravens to the #1 seed in the AFC through eight weeks before injuring his ankle, ending his season. The team proceeded to lose six consecutive gut-wrenching games (most by margins of a point or two) and found themselves out of the playoffs.
2022 was more of the same. Jackson again was injured late in the year, but backup Tyler Huntley was able to punch a ticket to the postseason… only to be defeated by a 99-yard fumble recovery for a TD by Bengals defensive lineman Sam Hubbard. There’s certainly been a common theme over the past few years:
Heartbreak.
Heartbreak.
Heartbreak.
The Lamar Jackson contract drama has sent fans into disarray, truly dividing us into multiple opposing factions. It’s certainly not fun for anyone.
But, somewhere in my memory, one united Flock lives on…
What Happened to “Flock Together”?
Ironically, the man that has the power to unite an entire city possesses the same ability to completely drive it apart. Not too long ago, wearing a purple #8 jersey was quite favorably looked upon. It resembled a given fan’s excitement for a new era of football, one centered around eye-catching and explosive plays. A new era of football where the Ravens reigned supreme. A new era of football where Lamar Jackson was king of the league.
It’s a whole lot different now. That same jersey will likely draw a few questioning looks from Flockers: “You support this guy? Huntley’s just as good… and a real team player!” Few players in recent Ravens history have been so controversial or so polarizing… which is not necessarily a good thing. One singular person has divided a previously unified fanbase. Indeed, Ravens fans were recently rated as the third-most negative in the entire NFL.
Certainly not good, but definitely true!
Start Over
Oftentimes, the best way to move on from something is to rip the proverbial Band-Aid off and forget it. And that may be what the Ravens need to do with Lamar Jackson. If the reports of his rejected offers are true, the Ravens just need to get it over with. Sure, it would hurt to cut out a hugely productive asset… but it would be the right move- one to heal and unite the Flock going forward.
For many though, that 2019 season will remain unforgettable. It certainly is for me.
The splendor of that year still lives on…
Somewhere in my memory.
6 Responses
I don’t live in the past. I feel for the writer because he does. If I was going to offer advice it would be this; every member of this club not named Biscotti is replaceable and WILL BE replaced at some point because father time is undefeated. Players that flash today are gone tomorrow. Never get attached.
Yeah,Yeah 2019 regular season was great but I am one who judges PLayoff performance and the Ravens have disappointed every year since then. Time to move on. We have and will win without LJ. It may take time but it will happen.
I wish it were so simple. It’s a no win. If Lamar goes half the fans will be furious and half will say finally, and I hate to say it but some of that will divide along racial lines. Then there are the members of the team, who love playing with Lamar. The vets will probably understand the business side but many will feel deeply hurt. It will be painful, even if it’s the right thing to do.
Look no further than a HC who is stuck way in the past and who refuses to acknowledge it or do anything about it! He’s stated repeatedly that he’s committed to his version of “3 yards and a cloud of dust” on offense and that’s not likely to change until he’s…..gone! Frankly, that appears to be the reason for Lamar’s recalcitrance as well as player defections and quality free agents opting not to play here!
Aren’t you sometimes reminded of the old excruciating Woody Hayes vs Bo Schembechler slogs when you watch Harbaugh’s offense? For years it’s been let’s kick a field goal and hold on for dear life, luckily we’ve had the best kicker in history
Short but simple. IMO it all falls back on management. Bisciotti had the opportunity to move on from Harbaugh years ago but didn’t make that change. Yes we will more than likely move on from Lamar and then Harbaugh has nowhere to hide. Maybe Bisciotti will finally make that change?