Has anyone ever, in a matter of minutes, been called “a unicorn” and “Gumby” and the descriptions were meant not only as colorful compliments but also as a warning?
The Giants receive their first field goal at Lamar Jackson on Sunday in Baltimore. “Look” is a good herald. The giants will definitely see Jackson. Whether or not I can put a glove on him remains to be seen.
While trying to stay alive in the NFC East playoff race, the task for the Giants (5-9) is to catch what cannot be caught.
“Playing against him last year in the playoffs, yes, is different,” said safety Logan Ryan, whose Titans upset the Ravens last year in an AFC divisional game. “He is a world-class athlete. He is a generational talent. Not many ball carriers run like him with the ball in hand, speed, change of direction. You really have to play the fundamental sound. I don’t think it’s an individual approach game with him. He makes a living from it. ”
He lived long enough for Jackson.
The first order of things for the Giants: Finding, for practical purposes, a reasonable facsimile of Jackson, one of the NFL’s best athletes.
“We have a bunch of guys we’ve actually talked about and we’re going to do our best to try to simulate it,” said head coach Joe Judge, “but there’s a difference between someone who imitates him and the real thing.” ‘
Teams usually use wide receivers to mimic Jackson, sometimes fast defensive back.
“Do we have anyone?” No, no, “Ryan said. “If we had a Lamar Jackson to simulate it, we should probably play it offensively. Because that guy would be great. I just don’t think I caught him and I don’t think a lot of people do. ”
In Week 12, the Giants faced Russell Wilson, as cunning as a magician. In Week 13, they faced Kyler Murray, a small darter. Wilson ran seven times for 45 yards in the Seattle Giants victory. Murray ran 13 times for 47 yards in a Giants loss to the Cardinals.
Jackson is different and not only because he is taller (6 feet-2, 212 pounds) than Wilson and Murray. He is the first defender in NFL history to rush at least 800 yards in back-to-back seasons. Jackson ran for an amazing 1,206 meters in 2019 and is up to 828 meters this season. Jackson and Michael Vick (2004 and 2006) are the only defenders to reach 800 yards in two separate seasons.
Two weeks ago, Jackson struggled with cramps and crushed Browns again, running nine times for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Last week, he threw three touchdown passes into a stray Jaguars. The most valuable player in the NFL in 2019 is not the best performer the league has ever seen and has gone through a tough problem this season while battling a coronavirus case.
Defenders must have a plan of attack for Jackson.
“You really get the air out of it by getting as close to it as you can, but also trying to get control of where you can cut left or right when you make the cut,” said corner James Bradberry .
Jackson looks like he’s in high gear for the stretch. The Ravens (9-5) need him because, despite their good results, they need help to qualify for a place in the AFC playoffs.
“I think this guy is a unicorn in terms of how he can play and how he really plays explosive foot games, along with the strength of his arms and the field games he is able to make right there,” he said. the judge.
Each week, Judge gives a description of the future opponent and it’s always free, but he hasn’t talked about a player this season, with all due respect to Jackson.
“When you see this guy running, he doesn’t want to slip, he doesn’t want to go out of bounds, this guy is looking to expand the plays,” the judge said. “When it starts, you can say that the ‘score’ is the only thing he has in mind. He has a movement at him at maximum speed, very rarely. It’s like trying to approach Gumby. This guy can change direction. It’s almost as if his body is moving in ways you can’t simulate in practice. This guy is extremely fast, he hits the top step in just a few steps and at the same time he can stop on a penny and change direction. ”
The giants have been warned.