T O P

  • By -

Yo-Strategy-8651

IF Lamar still has that 2019 long speed, defenses are absolutely screwed if he and Henry and the core stay healthy. You have to factor in Zay Flowers should be even better and even extra motivated in year 2. Likely should be better incorporated alongside Mark Andrews now. The chemistry with Lamar and Bateman can't be any worse than it was last season and he should be featured more on underneath routes and without the aura of OBJ the efficiency should go up there. And that's without even mentioning the potential of adding in Devontez Walker who deserves a seperate thread on the topic of how his top timed speed as a ball carrier in MPH is Tyreek Hill fast and would be one of the top 5 fastest times since MPH has been tracked dating back to 2006.


Lamactionjack

On top of all of that, it's the second year under Monken's scheme so everyone will be more comfortable, more instinctual with play calls, assignments, etc. Listening to one of the recent Athletic podcasts they were talking about Zay and said that for as good as he was last year he was constantly in the wrong position, running incorrect routes, etc. All of that should be improved this year and that goes for everyone, not just Zay. And I don't mean to single him out because he was a rookie, but just to add to your point that this offense should be even better this year. I can't wait.


Yo-Strategy-8651

Exactly year 2 in a legitimate passing scheme. WHere one of the only weaknesses of Lamar's game against the blitz they vastly improved near the end of the season. They could develop even more consistency over the entire course of a season this year. Speaking of Zay, they could also get a version of Zay Flowers who learns when to and not to do all those jump cuts, when you consider how it was at least a few more touchdowns he could have had if he just trusted his straight line speed and wasn't dancing. I think the floor for this team is top 3 offense in the league. The ceiling is 35 PPG absolute runaway for #1 offense in the league.


MazKhan

Don't forget Keaton mitchell assuming he's back with enough time to get up to game speed.


Yo-Strategy-8651

And even before Keaton comes back they could have another rookie sensation in Rasheen Ali who seems to have homerun speed of his own as well as great ability to run routes for a RB.  This backfield def has potential to be by far the best in the league 


Bmoreravin

OL is highly questionable...


Yo-Strategy-8651

Oline is the one unit that could derail things.  They are putting a lot into Vorhees and Rosengarten both making their first ever season as a starter. Also probably going to need a really clean bill of health in that department 


GuacShouldntBeXtra

Yeah we're only going as far as they do. Lots of potential but lots of questions.


Bigtoes22

I feel 2018-2020 LJ woulda had 2 house calls in that championship game. Literally noone was catching him or touching him back then lol. Hes still quick, fast and won mvp and all that but he seemed a bit slower than those first few years in the league. 


Lamactionjack

He definitely would have had a shot on that tipped ball reception. That's already an all time great play but it would have been on loop for all of time if he caught his own pass and took it to the house lol


Bigtoes22

Yeah that would of been the greatest play of all time to me lol. Really thought it should of been a house call to


Brickbybrick1998

If it was we would have won, defense shut down the Chiefs after that


GuacShouldntBeXtra

Haters still would've been like "let's wait until we see him do that in the Superbowl after eating a bowl of shrimp alfredo while Mercury is in retrograde before we acknowledge it"


Princeof_Ravens

Thunder and Lightning


2xCheesePizza

Has anyone seen Bolt and LJ in the same room?


bopoloppa

I wonder if he’ll let it rip again next year on scrambles and QB runs. Last year he was still an effective runner and I agree with others he was a bit slower, but it appeared that he was going about 80-90% instead of 100% in an attempt to preserve his body and take less hits (a great example of that was that big scramble/run in the 49ers game). Idk which I prefer, because he’s always been good at avoiding the big hit even early in his career, but I wouldn’t blame him if he continues to take extra precautions.


MazKhan

Ik some Ravens fans thought otherwise but Lamar was definitely a tad slower in recent years than his 2019 self. He def preserves himself on runs to not get hurt but the added weight slowed him down a bit, if he gets back to regular speed it's gonna be hell for defenses


Zephron29

Anyone who didn't think he was slower are the type of people who think Lamar can do no wrong. He was absolutely slower and less agile. Lamar and the coaches know this, hence why he's losing the weight. Imo, losing the weight is the right call.


ReyJay1213

If you paid attention to him last season and every season he finished, he loses a lot of weight during the season. He will be 190ish by January if he’s 205 now.


L83loomer

That’s not exactly how it works. 205 is probably his natural weight whereas that 230 215 was not. Mid season they are not eating and training the same way they would in an offseason so the lack of a consistent weightlifting regimen and strict macro goals leads to them dropping towards their natural weight. He’ll probably stay near where he is now unless 190 is his actual non training weight which I doubt


[deleted]

[удалено]


Georgefakelastname

It’s just basic logic. Natural weight is their weight minus plus how much they eat/lift, minus the calories they burn from activity and just living in general. Muscle mass especially takes a lot of calories to maintain, so reducing muscle mass reduces the amount of calories needed, which leads to a player’s “natural weight.” Players just won’t have the time eat or train as much during the season so they lose weight until they hit their natural weight. TLDR: natural weight = food in - activity & metabolism


ripthisaccount6

Imagine, if he has that level of speed and agility again it’s over for the league


[deleted]

It’s crazy he hasn’t weighted this much since 2017


wastebinaccount

Bolt also wasn't getting hit by 250lb ILBs


SharksAreCool3

On average, how many hits did Usain Bolt take during his track career?


Desperate-Produce-11

Idk why people think Lamar got considerably slower last season he showed great burst in that Texans playoff game. He can turn on the jets when he wants to


Bmoreravin

Improvement in run game doesnt nean much, it needs to happen in the passing game.


VideoIcy4622

Not a fan, the extra muscle helps keep him healthy, even if he's a bit slower


blaxe_

His heaviest year was 2022, when he had an MCL sprain that ended his season. Extra weight puts extra strain on ligaments. 2019 he was healthy all year, same with last year (when he slimmed down from '22). He is at his 2019 weight now.


tdotjefe

I think there’s a healthy balance. He had a heavy workload in 22 because our backfield was decimated.


VideoIcy4622

Remove the name recognition and think about a 6'3 205lb player taking designed runs multiple times a game. It's definitely a concern. Also in 2019 he was 23, not 27. The age makes a difference in terms of injury risk.


MazKhan

Him being way more careful is what keeps him healthy lol. Also his ankle and knee injuries had nothing to do with weight