But No One is Answering
The talent is there. On occasion we’ve been treated to glimpses of what could be. Yet time and again, when the name of Rashod Bateman is mentioned, it triggers emotions, most of which aren’t flattering. That’s what happens when reality falls far short of expectations.
For those not in Bateman’s corner, the label of “bust” is bantered about. It stems from years of frustration – years of drafting first-day and second-day receivers that never quite perform at a level that their ability or draft status suggests. Fans have grown weary of the Ravens wide receiver boulevard of broken dreams and consequently, they’ll add Bateman to the list and summarily dismiss the team’s ability to find competent talent at the position.
Unfortunately, the Ravens have earned the reputation, and much like Lamar Jackson and his reputation for not being a playoff winning quarterback, it’s up to Bateman to prove the naysayers wrong. It’s up to Bateman to change the narrative. But the hopeful change is off to a lousy start.
Bateman wasn’t a regular at OTA’s this past spring. Yes, the practice time he missed was voluntary, but when a player is trying to change the narrative, trying to produce like a first-round talent, trying to avoid that dreaded label, you’d think there would be a greater commitment on the practice field, a greater sense of urgency, voluntary or not.
There has been speculation that Bateman’s injuries have been more severe than the team has let on; speculation about personal issues that have been distractions. And then there’s the topic of Bateman’s rapport with Lamar.
Chemistry between a quarterback and a receiver isn’t a rite of passage. It takes time. It takes work. It takes commitment. And when both the passer and the pass catcher are fully invested in elevating their rapport, the fruits of labor come to the surface and with it, success.
Remember the TD toss from Patrick Mahomes to Travis Kelce in the AFC Championship Game here in Baltimore? Of course you do. It was poetry in motion, the culmination of hours upon hours devoted to refining a craft. In the end, it helps Mahomes-to-Kelce achieve success even when a play is well-defended.
The #Chiefs Strike First
Patrick Mahomes completes a 19-Yard Touchdown Pass to TE Travis Kelce
#3 #Chiefs– 7
1Q
#1 #Ravens– 0#AFCChampionship #SuperBowl #SuperBowlLVIII #NFL
— SportsCastProductions (@SportsCastProd) January 28, 2024
There’s a reason why Lamar has a connection with Mark Andrews. There’s a reason why Lamar and Zay Flowers can produce explosive plays when seemingly a play has broken down. There’s a reason why Lamar and Bateman don’t. The sweat equity isn’t there.
Lamar Jackson just doing Lamar Jackson things. Are we even surprised anymore?
Escapes the sack, buys more time and connects with a wide open Zay Flowers for the TD. MVP play.
Q1: Ravens 7, Chiefs 7 #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/op3YwxJndM
— Rocco DiSangro (@RoccoDiSangro) January 28, 2024
Lamar has made it clear that he’d welcome a Bateman visit to Florida where Flowers and Nelson Agholor have put in the reps. And those visits are about more than just the reps. They’re about developing camaraderie. They’re about understanding. They’re about seeing the game through each other’s eyes. Add it all up and the result is an uncommon outcome.
Just ask Mahomes and Kelce.
Now I’m not naïve enough to suggest that Lamar and Bateman can become Mahomes-Kelce. But is it fair to expect that Jackson-Bateman can be on par with Jackson-Flowers?
Even that seems like a pipedream at this point unless there’s more of a commitment to excellence. And at this point a commitment to above average would be a step in the right direction.
The clock is ticking.
But I have to wonder if Bateman hears it.
9 Responses
Excellent piece!
Well said Tony and I have to agree. We are all born equal but are different in our makeup.
We all have different gifts. Athletes like Lamar and Bateman are gifted in their athletic abilities.
Few of us know what it’s like to be them because we weren’t blessed with their abilities.
They made it to the pros. It must be nice to be in the NFL but not all can be great players.
To be great players have to have that hunger. There’s a lot of hard work that isn’t seen by us.
While some players want and desire to be great, they will put in that extra work and effort.
Others are satisfied just to play in the league. It’s their choice. Let’s accept it.
Tired of reporters having a heart attack Everytime a sports player doesn’t show up for a “voluntary” workout. Even the players say nothing is really accomplished furing this time. Tell me- if your boss told you to come to a voluntary meeting on a Sunday morning and you don’t show up, does that mean your heart’s not in the job and you should explain to Fox sports why you weren’t there? Athletes have personal lives too
Don’t look now Nathaniel, but the thing that just flew over your head was the point.
Happy 4th to you and yours…
I usually agree with you Tony but I think you reached on this. When Bateman was healthy last year he had reportedly the best separation rate of any WR in the NFL. To quote Spencer Schultz: “How can they not get him the football? Every. Single. Game. Every. Single. Game.” The Baltimore Banner said Bateman turned L’Jarius Sneed into a “pretzel” in the AFC title game, but he didn’t get a look. I think with OBJ gone he’ll get more looks this year. And he needs to attack the ball when it does come his way. Getting open is not enough. But to suggest he doesn’t make the effort or throwing with Lamar in Florida will make it right is just not right.
The reps pay dividends long-term. The bonding on their own time paves the way to unspoken communication which manifests itself during plays that go awry and are extended when a QB breaks containment. I’m a Bateman fan but at some point to get over the hump, he needs to work harder and with Lamar. That’s how I see it anyway. Your points are solid and to a large extent, those things are why I have faith in Bate. We’ll see how it shakes out but I see no downside, only upside, in those Florida sessions that apparently won’t happen.
It certainly can’t hurt. And I’ll be disappointed in him if he doesn’t go down. That would certainly say something about him.
By sitting out of the voluntaries, Bateman is thinking of the team. Isn’t it better to get hurt in a game that counts – maybe he will make a few plays that count. And, doesn’t he have to be the first look in the OC’s play call?
As for Mahomes + Kelce, who else is Mahomes simpatico with – surely not the guy who walked away from the wreck in Dallas that he caused.
As for TB, wasn’t it Gronk, Edelman and … who?
It’s hard to have an abundance of riches.
Richard
As for Bateman, so far it looks like the only good thing about his extension is that it’s cheap. Therefore if the ravens want to dump him this year or next year, another team might be tempted to give us a 5th or 6th round pick for him.