1 00:00:04,480 --> 00:00:07,360 Speaker 1: Welcome into the Lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan Mink 2 00:00:07,360 --> 00:00:09,719 Speaker 1: here with Garrett Downing, and we are today going to 3 00:00:09,800 --> 00:00:14,440 Speaker 1: discuss Lamar Jackson and his impact and input on the 4 00:00:14,520 --> 00:00:17,479 Speaker 1: Ravens search for their next head coach, as well as 5 00:00:17,560 --> 00:00:19,880 Speaker 1: what the future looks like for Lamar Jackson on this team. 6 00:00:19,920 --> 00:00:22,240 Speaker 1: You know, a lot of things kind of are centered 7 00:00:22,280 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 1: on Lamar Jackson. He's kind of important player here, so 8 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:27,440 Speaker 1: we're going to discuss kind of his outlook today and 9 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:31,720 Speaker 1: Garrett I will say that Steve Bashatti and Eric Tacosta 10 00:00:32,280 --> 00:00:35,479 Speaker 1: both talked a fair amount about Lamar for obvious reasons, 11 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:38,720 Speaker 1: and they do want him involved in deciding who the 12 00:00:38,800 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: Ravens next head coach will be. 13 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, first of all, on Lamar Jackson. During the press 14 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,839 Speaker 2: conference last week with Steveashotty and Eric Tacosta, there was 15 00:00:47,040 --> 00:00:50,320 Speaker 2: plenty of conversation about him and talk about him and 16 00:00:50,560 --> 00:00:53,279 Speaker 2: his role both in the decision to fire John Harbaugh 17 00:00:53,400 --> 00:00:56,320 Speaker 2: and also in the next head coach. On the first piece, 18 00:00:56,320 --> 00:00:59,320 Speaker 2: Steve A. Shotti said, as most fans are aware by now, 19 00:00:59,360 --> 00:01:05,120 Speaker 2: but he talked with Lamar about John and the direction 20 00:01:05,240 --> 00:01:08,160 Speaker 2: of the team, but it was not Lamar's decision to 21 00:01:08,200 --> 00:01:10,640 Speaker 2: fire John Harriball. It was he described to have an 22 00:01:10,640 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 2: outside He did not have his did not have an 23 00:01:13,800 --> 00:01:17,600 Speaker 2: outsized opinion in that matter, and that did not was 24 00:01:17,640 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 2: not the biggest contributing factor. That was Steve's decision. And 25 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 2: so then the next piece is like, how much is 26 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:25,720 Speaker 2: he going to be involved in picking the next head coach? 27 00:01:26,520 --> 00:01:29,160 Speaker 2: And he will certainly have input in that. We'll just 28 00:01:29,200 --> 00:01:32,000 Speaker 2: go ahead and play two clips from Steve when asked 29 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:35,560 Speaker 2: questions about Lamar's involvement in this process and what kind 30 00:01:35,600 --> 00:01:38,280 Speaker 2: of factor he could play in deciding who is the 31 00:01:38,319 --> 00:01:40,160 Speaker 2: coach of this team. 32 00:01:39,680 --> 00:01:43,520 Speaker 1: And also how much input will guys like Lamar and 33 00:01:43,560 --> 00:01:45,600 Speaker 1: the veterans that you spoke to before moving on from Ja. 34 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 3: I talked to Lamar last night and I told him 35 00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:52,040 Speaker 3: that I think that Eric made it clear to Lamar 36 00:01:52,840 --> 00:01:55,280 Speaker 3: that when we get down here talking to him, I 37 00:01:55,320 --> 00:01:59,080 Speaker 3: think he's texting Lamar after after every interview, whether it's 38 00:01:59,160 --> 00:02:02,120 Speaker 3: zoom or in person, and I think he's getting some 39 00:02:02,240 --> 00:02:05,920 Speaker 3: opinions from Lamar. I said to Lamar last night, when 40 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:08,240 Speaker 3: they call me up from Florida, you better get your 41 00:02:08,280 --> 00:02:10,720 Speaker 3: ass up here too, because if you want to do 42 00:02:10,840 --> 00:02:14,760 Speaker 3: the interviewing. These are going to be full day meetings 43 00:02:14,800 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 3: like they were eighteen years ago, and they go from 44 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:21,359 Speaker 3: department to department to department. Right, So I said to Lamar, 45 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:24,200 Speaker 3: you can jump on my plane or find another way 46 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,880 Speaker 3: to get up there. But if you're that interested, then 47 00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:30,679 Speaker 3: then we're going to get a schedule. He's going to 48 00:02:30,720 --> 00:02:34,360 Speaker 3: call me up. He's going to offer you the same luxury. 49 00:02:34,600 --> 00:02:36,839 Speaker 3: And I said, I hope you take it, and he said, yes, Sir, 50 00:02:37,080 --> 00:02:39,320 Speaker 3: I think I will. So we'll find out. 51 00:02:39,760 --> 00:02:42,440 Speaker 1: When it's all said and done. How much of a 52 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:46,320 Speaker 1: say will Lamar have in the head coach selection. 53 00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 2: A lot of say, but it is no power. 54 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,200 Speaker 3: I have the power. They have opinions, and I want 55 00:02:56,240 --> 00:03:00,400 Speaker 3: them all. I care about my players very much, but 56 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:01,480 Speaker 3: I can't give them power. 57 00:03:02,360 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 2: So obviously the Ravens want Lamar involves here, as Steve 58 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:07,720 Speaker 2: made the point of, when we get to this next 59 00:03:07,720 --> 00:03:10,200 Speaker 2: phase of interviews, that the hope is that Lamar is 60 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:12,440 Speaker 2: one of the names on that interview list, getting a 61 00:03:12,520 --> 00:03:16,239 Speaker 2: chance to talk with these candidates and have input into 62 00:03:16,320 --> 00:03:19,280 Speaker 2: who this next head coach is. But ultimately the decision 63 00:03:19,400 --> 00:03:20,840 Speaker 2: rests with Steve b Ashati. 64 00:03:21,160 --> 00:03:25,360 Speaker 1: Yeah, but you want synergy across your organization, right. That's 65 00:03:25,400 --> 00:03:30,920 Speaker 1: why Steve Bashatti has empowered Eric Tacosta, Sashi Brown, Ozzie 66 00:03:31,000 --> 00:03:36,360 Speaker 1: Newsom with leading the hiring process and picking the guy. 67 00:03:37,440 --> 00:03:41,160 Speaker 1: Of course ultimately with him, you know, choose talking to 68 00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:43,720 Speaker 1: them about those filists and being a major voice and 69 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:48,440 Speaker 1: who ultimately gets a job. Lamar Jackson's right up there 70 00:03:48,480 --> 00:03:51,520 Speaker 1: with the main pillars of this organization, so you want 71 00:03:51,520 --> 00:03:55,120 Speaker 1: synergy with him as well. And the Ravens made it 72 00:03:55,160 --> 00:03:59,200 Speaker 1: clear they won another window with Lamar Jackson and they 73 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:02,200 Speaker 1: believe that they still will have that and that that 74 00:04:02,440 --> 00:04:06,080 Speaker 1: kind of maximizing him in this next stage of his 75 00:04:06,240 --> 00:04:09,760 Speaker 1: career will be paramount for getting this team over the top. 76 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:12,640 Speaker 1: And so you want, you always want your head coach 77 00:04:12,680 --> 00:04:16,200 Speaker 1: and your franchise quarterback to just be in lockstep. And uh, 78 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:19,560 Speaker 1: you know, as Lamar told Sebashati, he didn't have any 79 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,600 Speaker 1: problem with John Harball. You know, I always thought that 80 00:04:22,640 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 1: they had a very you know, they had a good relationship, 81 00:04:25,560 --> 00:04:30,040 Speaker 1: functional relationship, absolutely, And so you want that for your 82 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:31,720 Speaker 1: next head coach. You want it to be as good 83 00:04:31,720 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: as it can be and for Lamar to be part 84 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:36,279 Speaker 1: of it from the get go. Now he has buy in. 85 00:04:36,720 --> 00:04:39,200 Speaker 1: You know, he's a believer in that person because he helped 86 00:04:39,480 --> 00:04:42,640 Speaker 1: kind of pick him. And there's and there's just start 87 00:04:42,680 --> 00:04:44,880 Speaker 1: on the right foot. There's familiarity right there. I mean, 88 00:04:45,040 --> 00:04:48,320 Speaker 1: you look at Jackson Dart apparently met with John Harball 89 00:04:48,440 --> 00:04:51,320 Speaker 1: when Harb's got flown up to New York. You want 90 00:04:51,360 --> 00:04:52,919 Speaker 1: the same thing for Lamar Jackson. 91 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:56,600 Speaker 2: Well, something that we've talked about before with a quarterback, 92 00:04:56,600 --> 00:05:00,760 Speaker 2: a franchise quarterback, there's a partnership element that across the 93 00:05:00,800 --> 00:05:04,280 Speaker 2: board in terms of contract, in terms of what your 94 00:05:04,400 --> 00:05:07,760 Speaker 2: game plan looks like week to week, what your philosophy 95 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:10,600 Speaker 2: offensively looks like, the type of team you want to have, 96 00:05:10,880 --> 00:05:12,599 Speaker 2: and a huge piece of that as the coach, especially 97 00:05:12,600 --> 00:05:15,480 Speaker 2: when you're picking a new one. And so there is 98 00:05:15,520 --> 00:05:18,920 Speaker 2: this level of input and partnership aspect that is at 99 00:05:18,960 --> 00:05:22,000 Speaker 2: play here that you you want from your quarterback and 100 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:25,000 Speaker 2: having Lamar sit in on those interviews, get a chance 101 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:27,159 Speaker 2: to talk with these coaches, what what do you vision 102 00:05:27,200 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 2: for me? What do you a vision for this offense? 103 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:30,840 Speaker 2: What does it look like for you? And you want 104 00:05:30,839 --> 00:05:34,599 Speaker 2: them to be like you said in Lockstep, and I 105 00:05:34,640 --> 00:05:38,240 Speaker 2: think that I think it's a great thing. Obviously his voice, 106 00:05:38,440 --> 00:05:41,040 Speaker 2: like you want to know what he thinks about these 107 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:43,359 Speaker 2: guys who are coming in here, and he wants to 108 00:05:43,400 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 2: know too. He wants to know, like what is this 109 00:05:45,040 --> 00:05:46,720 Speaker 2: team in this offense it's going to look like? And 110 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 2: what what is your vision for help in this group? 111 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 1: Get over the hum I think I think the Ravens 112 00:05:51,000 --> 00:05:54,560 Speaker 1: are also empowering Lamar Jackson more as he continues to 113 00:05:55,000 --> 00:05:57,320 Speaker 1: get older in his and progress in his career, Like 114 00:05:58,000 --> 00:06:00,560 Speaker 1: he is a central figure in this franchise and like 115 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:04,479 Speaker 1: he's been empowered in it, you know, a numerous ways 116 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 1: in this team, including in the offense. I think he's 117 00:06:07,960 --> 00:06:11,719 Speaker 1: certainly under Tom Munkan gained more power at the line 118 00:06:11,760 --> 00:06:14,479 Speaker 1: of scrimmage and you know, he was deciding more things. 119 00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:16,680 Speaker 1: And to me, this is like the next step, Lamar. 120 00:06:16,800 --> 00:06:19,400 Speaker 1: You're a franchise guy. You're part of this group that's 121 00:06:19,400 --> 00:06:21,760 Speaker 1: going to decide the next head coach that's gonna at 122 00:06:21,839 --> 00:06:26,120 Speaker 1: least have a lot of input and uh. And it's 123 00:06:26,120 --> 00:06:29,280 Speaker 1: also like being a partner in other aspects. I thought 124 00:06:29,320 --> 00:06:31,080 Speaker 1: it was. I thought it was a really good sign 125 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:33,800 Speaker 1: that you know, Eric Taicassa is texting him after every 126 00:06:33,839 --> 00:06:37,040 Speaker 1: interview and all those things, Like, I just I really 127 00:06:37,120 --> 00:06:42,800 Speaker 1: like that indication that like the partnership is really growing still. Yeah, 128 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,680 Speaker 1: you know, and uh and StEB A Shoatti, you know, 129 00:06:46,720 --> 00:06:49,800 Speaker 1: he said we'll see if he comes up like that 130 00:06:50,000 --> 00:06:53,640 Speaker 1: was alive. The invitation has been made. Lamar Jackson has 131 00:06:53,640 --> 00:06:56,400 Speaker 1: to be the one to take the invitation. And uh, 132 00:06:56,560 --> 00:06:59,600 Speaker 1: I think that him taking that invitation and having more 133 00:06:59,640 --> 00:07:03,000 Speaker 1: say you know, that will show something about Lamar Jackson 134 00:07:03,120 --> 00:07:06,560 Speaker 1: as he matures in his career. And I think that, 135 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:12,600 Speaker 1: you know, as Steebashatti said, Lamar Jackson is a non 136 00:07:12,640 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 1: confrontational dude, and him speaking up more about what he 137 00:07:17,920 --> 00:07:20,080 Speaker 1: wants and what he doesn't want, I think he's a 138 00:07:20,120 --> 00:07:20,480 Speaker 1: good thing. 139 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, I think that his voice when Lamar talks, 140 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:29,280 Speaker 2: people listen on this team absolutely and like as silly 141 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,760 Speaker 2: as it as silly as it sounds, and became a 142 00:07:31,880 --> 00:07:35,239 Speaker 2: huge story last year when Lamar said get the games 143 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:36,600 Speaker 2: out of the locker room. The games were out of 144 00:07:36,600 --> 00:07:39,480 Speaker 2: the locker room, and everyone around that and on that 145 00:07:39,520 --> 00:07:42,560 Speaker 2: team took notice of that pim mal machine out of there, 146 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:45,120 Speaker 2: basketball hoop out of there, like we're done with this stuff, but. 147 00:07:45,040 --> 00:07:47,960 Speaker 1: Not focus's what's funny is that not everyone on the 148 00:07:48,000 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 1: team knew that it was Lamar that got rid of him. 149 00:07:50,000 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 1: I know, you know what I mean. So like Lamar 150 00:07:52,440 --> 00:07:56,240 Speaker 1: also didn't come in and say, hey, everybody, I threw 151 00:07:56,280 --> 00:07:58,640 Speaker 1: the games out. Yeah, because I'm tired of this stuff. 152 00:07:58,720 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 1: Like they didn't some of the players didn't know if 153 00:08:01,640 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 1: it was Harves, didn't know who it was who did it. 154 00:08:04,280 --> 00:08:07,679 Speaker 1: So like that's that's not Lamar Jackson's style. Like he's 155 00:08:07,760 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 1: not going to be kind of front of the room, 156 00:08:10,040 --> 00:08:13,360 Speaker 1: thumping his chest saying all that stuff. Maybe he becomes that. 157 00:08:13,720 --> 00:08:16,680 Speaker 1: Who knows. One thing I love about Lamar is he's 158 00:08:16,880 --> 00:08:21,120 Speaker 1: always Lamar. He's genuine, But like as he continues to mature, 159 00:08:21,640 --> 00:08:24,000 Speaker 1: you know, maybe that will change and he'll kind of 160 00:08:24,040 --> 00:08:26,400 Speaker 1: find his voice a little bit more. And I think 161 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:28,920 Speaker 1: that that's the point I was making, is the Ravens 162 00:08:28,960 --> 00:08:32,240 Speaker 1: are giving him every opportunity to have a voice, more 163 00:08:32,280 --> 00:08:35,240 Speaker 1: of a voice. Yeah, I think he already does, like 164 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:37,679 Speaker 1: you're saying, to an extent. I think just as he 165 00:08:37,720 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 1: becomes more entrenched as this team's franchise quarterback, hopefully for 166 00:08:42,600 --> 00:08:45,680 Speaker 1: his entire career. I hope he starts and finishes with 167 00:08:45,720 --> 00:08:48,640 Speaker 1: the Ravens and goes into his late thirties, man, I 168 00:08:48,720 --> 00:08:50,800 Speaker 1: hope he's still slinging it. Yeah, like Tom Brady going 169 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:52,719 Speaker 1: to your forties, Man, I hope he's still doing it, 170 00:08:52,920 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: you know. And like as your career progresses in that 171 00:08:55,600 --> 00:08:58,200 Speaker 1: way with the Ravens, like I think they want to 172 00:08:58,240 --> 00:09:00,960 Speaker 1: continue to grow and grow and grow that partnership. Yeah. 173 00:09:00,960 --> 00:09:04,120 Speaker 2: I think everyone that leads in their own different ways, 174 00:09:04,200 --> 00:09:07,120 Speaker 2: And Lamar's style has not been the guy that, as 175 00:09:07,160 --> 00:09:09,400 Speaker 2: he said this, like the most vocal leader that's going 176 00:09:09,440 --> 00:09:11,080 Speaker 2: to stand in the huddle before the game and give 177 00:09:11,120 --> 00:09:15,800 Speaker 2: the fiery speech like that's rokwand Smith. And however, like 178 00:09:15,880 --> 00:09:18,599 Speaker 2: Lamar has leaders leads in his own way, and I 179 00:09:18,679 --> 00:09:19,559 Speaker 2: think I've seen like. 180 00:09:19,520 --> 00:09:20,960 Speaker 1: That grow over the years. 181 00:09:21,000 --> 00:09:23,560 Speaker 2: I've seen that from the way that he's held players 182 00:09:23,559 --> 00:09:28,400 Speaker 2: accountable out in training camp, challenging players and then even 183 00:09:28,440 --> 00:09:31,800 Speaker 2: like again the games thing like that's that is a 184 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:35,240 Speaker 2: silly thing in some regards, but it's a sign of 185 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:41,199 Speaker 2: his expectation for the team as a whole and what's 186 00:09:41,240 --> 00:09:44,160 Speaker 2: acceptable in the locker room and what's not acceptable. And 187 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:47,280 Speaker 2: like as I said at the outset, his voice carries 188 00:09:47,320 --> 00:09:49,840 Speaker 2: weight when he says something everybody sits up in their 189 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:54,000 Speaker 2: chair and pays attention, and he's not like He's not 190 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:55,679 Speaker 2: always the one that's going to stand up in the 191 00:09:55,720 --> 00:09:58,199 Speaker 2: front of the room and call everybody's attention and say, hey, 192 00:09:58,200 --> 00:10:00,400 Speaker 2: I got something to say. That's not the way that 193 00:10:00,440 --> 00:10:03,640 Speaker 2: he has generally operated, but his voice matters, and it's 194 00:10:03,640 --> 00:10:06,719 Speaker 2: definitely gonna be interesting to see what he thinks as 195 00:10:06,720 --> 00:10:10,720 Speaker 2: the Ravens go through this search process, and it excites 196 00:10:10,760 --> 00:10:15,320 Speaker 2: me thinking about as he talks to these coaches potentially 197 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 2: and he hears from Eric Tacosta what the interview process 198 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,840 Speaker 2: has been like. It's gonna be interesting and exciting to 199 00:10:22,840 --> 00:10:25,120 Speaker 2: see how he thinks that he and this offense and 200 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:26,920 Speaker 2: this team can take the next step with whoever the 201 00:10:26,960 --> 00:10:30,719 Speaker 2: Ravens end up bringing in here. And I know I'm 202 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:31,440 Speaker 2: excited about that. 203 00:10:31,600 --> 00:10:35,480 Speaker 1: Certainly, if the Raves end up hiring an offensive minded 204 00:10:36,080 --> 00:10:42,520 Speaker 1: head coach, that whether Lamar Jackson likes his offense, what 205 00:10:42,600 --> 00:10:46,760 Speaker 1: he wants to bring schematically, how his vision for Lamar's 206 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:50,040 Speaker 1: growth in his next step. Yeah, you want Lamar to 207 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:52,080 Speaker 1: be like, Yeah, I like that, I like where you're 208 00:10:52,120 --> 00:10:55,040 Speaker 1: head with this. I like your ideas, even if it's 209 00:10:55,080 --> 00:10:59,319 Speaker 1: not offensive. Minded head coach the offensive coordinator job. Yeah, right, 210 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:02,720 Speaker 1: Like according to our port, the Ravens have some of 211 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:06,200 Speaker 1: these head coach interviews have also been offensive coordinator interviews 212 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:11,280 Speaker 1: Mike McDaniel, Cliff Kingsbury, according to ESPN's Peter Schriger, interview 213 00:11:11,360 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 1: from both positions. And so if you'd really ideally like 214 00:11:16,640 --> 00:11:20,040 Speaker 1: Lamar's input on that, you know what I mean, because 215 00:11:20,080 --> 00:11:23,959 Speaker 1: whoever the offensive coordinator hire is going to be paramount. 216 00:11:24,240 --> 00:11:26,960 Speaker 1: And even you know, if it's an eventive minded head 217 00:11:26,960 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 1: coach who sits down with Lamar, all right, well, who 218 00:11:31,559 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 1: do you envision your offensive coordinator to be? What do 219 00:11:33,640 --> 00:11:35,920 Speaker 1: you want your offensive philosophy to be? That head coach 220 00:11:35,960 --> 00:11:40,040 Speaker 1: will still dictate exactly, And so all of it matters 221 00:11:40,720 --> 00:11:43,520 Speaker 1: whoever it is that's sitting across from Lamar Jackson, what 222 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:46,200 Speaker 1: their vision is for Lamar's next step and for this 223 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:47,320 Speaker 1: offense's next step. 224 00:11:47,400 --> 00:11:48,440 Speaker 2: Yeah, no doubt about it. 225 00:11:48,480 --> 00:11:50,520 Speaker 1: So, yeah, this is going to be fun to watch. 226 00:11:50,559 --> 00:11:52,800 Speaker 2: Has the Ravens moved through this finalist phase here as 227 00:11:52,800 --> 00:11:54,320 Speaker 2: we kind of move into the next phase of the 228 00:11:54,360 --> 00:11:57,720 Speaker 2: interview process and ultimately deciding who this next head coach 229 00:11:57,800 --> 00:11:59,320 Speaker 2: is going to be. So we're taking a quick break 230 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:01,600 Speaker 2: when we come back. We'll also discuss Lamore's contract, which 231 00:12:01,640 --> 00:12:04,080 Speaker 2: is a huge topic this offseason, and get into your 232 00:12:04,120 --> 00:12:06,760 Speaker 2: fan emails you're listening to the Launch podcast. We're coming 233 00:12:06,800 --> 00:12:08,040 Speaker 2: to you from the Sea Geek Studio. We want to 234 00:12:08,040 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 2: mention our partners with Drafting Sportsbook. They are an official 235 00:12:10,400 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 2: sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Drafting sports Book. 236 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,360 Speaker 2: The Crown is yours. So in addition to finding the 237 00:12:16,400 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 2: next head coach, a big item on the off season 238 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,760 Speaker 2: business list is Lamar's contract. And he has two years 239 00:12:22,880 --> 00:12:25,720 Speaker 2: left on his contract, so it's not like he's a 240 00:12:25,720 --> 00:12:29,559 Speaker 2: free agent at this point. However, his cap hit jumps 241 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:31,920 Speaker 2: this year to seventy four million dollars, so there's an 242 00:12:32,080 --> 00:12:35,920 Speaker 2: urgency to lower that cap number, give the Ravens more 243 00:12:35,960 --> 00:12:39,360 Speaker 2: flexibility going into free agency, and also keep Lamar here 244 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:42,760 Speaker 2: in Baltimore for even longer. That's the ideal scenario and 245 00:12:43,400 --> 00:12:46,160 Speaker 2: both Erics Cosa and Stebashatti talked about it during the 246 00:12:46,160 --> 00:12:48,760 Speaker 2: press conference last week and they made it clear they 247 00:12:48,800 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 2: want to get it done and they want to get 248 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:50,760 Speaker 2: it done soon. 249 00:12:51,280 --> 00:12:54,960 Speaker 1: Yeah. Absolutely, I think that's it. Number one on the 250 00:12:55,080 --> 00:12:59,400 Speaker 1: off season roster improvement checklist is to get that deal 251 00:12:59,480 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 1: done before free agency open, so you know how much 252 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:05,480 Speaker 1: you have to work with Right now, the Ravens are 253 00:13:05,520 --> 00:13:09,800 Speaker 1: projected to have twenty point eight million dollars in salary 254 00:13:09,840 --> 00:13:12,320 Speaker 1: cap space. That's according to overthecap dot com, which is 255 00:13:12,360 --> 00:13:14,240 Speaker 1: eighteenth most in the NFL. So you're on the middle 256 00:13:14,280 --> 00:13:16,920 Speaker 1: of the pack, right and they're rolling over ten million 257 00:13:16,960 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 1: dollars from last year. According to Eric Tacosta, Lamar Jackson's 258 00:13:21,520 --> 00:13:24,240 Speaker 1: number jumps from forty three and a half million in 259 00:13:24,280 --> 00:13:26,360 Speaker 1: twenty twenty five to seventy four and a half million, 260 00:13:26,400 --> 00:13:29,840 Speaker 1: as you stated, So if you can clear up a 261 00:13:30,080 --> 00:13:32,920 Speaker 1: lot of space, if you're able to get that cat 262 00:13:33,040 --> 00:13:36,800 Speaker 1: number down, and it was intriguing to hear, Eric Costa, 263 00:13:36,840 --> 00:13:39,240 Speaker 1: you even mentioned like the possibility that they go over 264 00:13:39,320 --> 00:13:41,439 Speaker 1: after some big ticket items which has not been their 265 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:44,760 Speaker 1: MO and free agency. But if you're able to get 266 00:13:44,760 --> 00:13:47,640 Speaker 1: that number for Lamar down, not only a, are you able 267 00:13:47,679 --> 00:13:50,240 Speaker 1: to bring back more of your own free agents calf 268 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:55,200 Speaker 1: cough Tyle Linderbaum, you know tight ends whatever it is, right, 269 00:13:56,679 --> 00:13:58,520 Speaker 1: Raves have a bunch of them. Tyl Linbaum's at the 270 00:13:58,520 --> 00:14:01,280 Speaker 1: top of the list. He is which I would think 271 00:14:01,360 --> 00:14:04,240 Speaker 1: Lamar Jackson would be very much a favor of having 272 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 1: his Pro Bowl, multi time Pro Bowl center come back, right, 273 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:09,280 Speaker 1: especially when you want to upgrade the offensive line, you 274 00:14:09,280 --> 00:14:11,120 Speaker 1: don't want to take a step back by losing your 275 00:14:11,120 --> 00:14:15,800 Speaker 1: Pro Bowl, Pro Bowl center anyway, and then also being 276 00:14:15,800 --> 00:14:17,959 Speaker 1: able to go out and upgrade the roster in other ways, 277 00:14:18,040 --> 00:14:21,800 Speaker 1: whether that be a guard or pass rusher or defensive 278 00:14:21,920 --> 00:14:25,400 Speaker 1: end or defensive tackle or whatever it is. Right, So, 279 00:14:26,120 --> 00:14:30,240 Speaker 1: reaching that extension with Lamar is really important for the 280 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 1: Ravens this sofseason. One thing that I think was a 281 00:14:34,200 --> 00:14:37,560 Speaker 1: really good point from Steve Bashati is that I think 282 00:14:37,600 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 1: the Ravens feel like they're further ahead in reaching a 283 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,920 Speaker 1: contract extension with Lamar Jackson the second time around then 284 00:14:43,960 --> 00:14:47,360 Speaker 1: they were the first time around. You're not starting from 285 00:14:47,360 --> 00:14:51,280 Speaker 1: square one because you have the framework of a contract 286 00:14:51,480 --> 00:14:56,400 Speaker 1: that Lamar Jackson liked the first time around. And Steve baschaiyes, 287 00:14:57,080 --> 00:14:59,040 Speaker 1: of course, he's like, yeah, I mean he's gonna get 288 00:14:59,040 --> 00:15:02,560 Speaker 1: a race, right, so we're gonna make those numbers bigger. Yeah, right, 289 00:15:02,920 --> 00:15:06,800 Speaker 1: but like hopefully you have you can basically, you know, 290 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:09,400 Speaker 1: it's easier said than done, but basically hopefully you make 291 00:15:09,400 --> 00:15:12,200 Speaker 1: the numbers bigger across the board. You say, whatever, you 292 00:15:12,200 --> 00:15:14,840 Speaker 1: have a percentage, increase pay. You know, you're getting this 293 00:15:14,920 --> 00:15:17,760 Speaker 1: bumping salary, You're getting this much of a raise, and 294 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:20,600 Speaker 1: you increase numbers across the board, and it works for 295 00:15:20,680 --> 00:15:24,000 Speaker 1: both sides. Yeah, I expect Lamar Jackson to become the 296 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,000 Speaker 1: highest paid quarterback in the league. I think that's probably 297 00:15:27,000 --> 00:15:29,520 Speaker 1: what Lamar would want to That's just how it works, right, 298 00:15:29,560 --> 00:15:32,560 Speaker 1: And Lamar's in that tier, He's in that class of 299 00:15:32,560 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: guys where they just leapfrog each other. Yeah, you know 300 00:15:34,640 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 1: what I mean. And so that's what I would expect 301 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 1: to happen and hope happens this offseason for Lamar Jackson. 302 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:43,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, no doubt about. If you if you can work 303 00:15:43,920 --> 00:15:47,080 Speaker 2: out of that extension, I think it it obviously helps 304 00:15:47,120 --> 00:15:49,560 Speaker 2: you this year. Now, Stepashatti did make the point. The 305 00:15:49,600 --> 00:15:52,920 Speaker 2: other option is that you flatten out the cap number 306 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,440 Speaker 2: and add void years to the contract. But the preferred 307 00:15:56,480 --> 00:15:58,640 Speaker 2: method here is just to work out an extension. You 308 00:15:58,640 --> 00:16:02,040 Speaker 2: attack years and money on to the existing deal. Everybody 309 00:16:02,080 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 2: wins more guaranteed money for Lamar, more cap flexibility for 310 00:16:05,600 --> 00:16:09,440 Speaker 2: the Ravens, more stability in terms of knowing he's in 311 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,040 Speaker 2: place for the next five years or whatever the exact 312 00:16:12,080 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 2: number is. It's just a win across the board, and 313 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:16,440 Speaker 2: that's the preferred mode of operation. 314 00:16:16,200 --> 00:16:18,800 Speaker 1: That next window that I talked about earlier. And the 315 00:16:18,840 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 1: takeaway for me from Sepashetty's comments about, you know, the 316 00:16:21,840 --> 00:16:24,360 Speaker 1: void years and flattening out the cat number is my 317 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,000 Speaker 1: takeaway from that is the Ravens don't want Lamar Jackson 318 00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 1: going anywhere else. Yeah, you know, despite all this media 319 00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:32,760 Speaker 1: chatter about the possibility of a trade, could that happen? 320 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:36,840 Speaker 1: Just speculate speculation, of course, but the Ravens are not 321 00:16:36,920 --> 00:16:39,120 Speaker 1: in that world. Yeah, They're basically like, if we can't 322 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:41,800 Speaker 1: reach an extension, you know, seventy four and a half 323 00:16:41,880 --> 00:16:45,560 Speaker 1: is going to be prohibitive. That would be prohibitive. So 324 00:16:45,600 --> 00:16:47,800 Speaker 1: we need to get that number down somehow, and that's 325 00:16:47,840 --> 00:16:49,920 Speaker 1: a mechanism that we have to do it. They have 326 00:16:50,000 --> 00:16:53,280 Speaker 1: fewer mechanisms at their disposal this time around, as opposed 327 00:16:53,320 --> 00:16:55,960 Speaker 1: to last time when they still had the franchise tag 328 00:16:56,040 --> 00:16:58,200 Speaker 1: that they could use. It would be costly, would have 329 00:16:58,200 --> 00:17:00,240 Speaker 1: been caused to the first time around, but they had 330 00:17:00,280 --> 00:17:04,120 Speaker 1: more opportunities, more mechanims, than they could have pulled. They 331 00:17:04,160 --> 00:17:05,359 Speaker 1: still have some this time around. 332 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:09,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, and I'm with you. I think they squashed any 333 00:17:09,160 --> 00:17:11,480 Speaker 2: notion of could you be interested in moving on? Like, No, 334 00:17:11,560 --> 00:17:13,959 Speaker 2: they want Lamar's a quarterback. Steve said that I want 335 00:17:14,040 --> 00:17:17,119 Speaker 2: Lamar Jacksons my quarterback. Yep, that was very clear and 336 00:17:17,200 --> 00:17:21,400 Speaker 2: so could not be any more clear than that. All right, 337 00:17:21,480 --> 00:17:23,320 Speaker 2: so we I do want to read one email before 338 00:17:23,320 --> 00:17:25,080 Speaker 2: we wrap up today. As always, you can email us 339 00:17:25,080 --> 00:17:27,600 Speaker 2: at the Lounge at Ravens dot NFL at dot net. 340 00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:29,879 Speaker 2: This email says, we need a coach who knows how 341 00:17:29,920 --> 00:17:32,600 Speaker 2: to win. The best guy available who's deserving of a 342 00:17:32,680 --> 00:17:36,399 Speaker 2: second chance is John Gruden, friend of the lounge. We 343 00:17:36,520 --> 00:17:40,399 Speaker 2: had John Gruden on the Lounge last year. What do 344 00:17:40,440 --> 00:17:41,920 Speaker 2: you think of that possibility? 345 00:17:42,359 --> 00:17:45,359 Speaker 1: Well, one thing that I think is if he were hired, 346 00:17:45,480 --> 00:17:49,880 Speaker 1: then pat Ricard's coming back. Yeah, that's true that corner. Yeah, 347 00:17:50,000 --> 00:17:52,959 Speaker 1: no bigger pat Riccard fan than John Gruden. Yeah, I 348 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:55,440 Speaker 1: mean I don't see that one happening, you know. I mean, 349 00:17:55,560 --> 00:17:59,040 Speaker 1: John Gruden's been out of the game for a long time. 350 00:17:59,440 --> 00:18:04,159 Speaker 1: At this point point, I won't lie, Like there's at 351 00:18:04,200 --> 00:18:06,639 Speaker 1: one point that it crossed my mind, like could he 352 00:18:06,680 --> 00:18:10,720 Speaker 1: would be an interesting pick'd I mean John Gruden? Yeah, 353 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:14,440 Speaker 1: two time, winning Super Bowl one time one time, Yeah, 354 00:18:14,560 --> 00:18:20,080 Speaker 1: won a Super Bowl. And he's an engaging personality for sure. 355 00:18:20,880 --> 00:18:24,160 Speaker 1: But you know, there's been no reports of that. There's 356 00:18:24,560 --> 00:18:26,720 Speaker 1: been no reports of him interviewing anywhere. It seems like 357 00:18:26,760 --> 00:18:29,199 Speaker 1: John Grudin likes his life right now in kind of 358 00:18:29,200 --> 00:18:33,320 Speaker 1: the TV business, and uh so I don't see that 359 00:18:33,359 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: one happening. I think that there's other coaches who are 360 00:18:35,800 --> 00:18:40,280 Speaker 1: like in the game currently, whether they are in a 361 00:18:40,320 --> 00:18:43,280 Speaker 1: coordinator role or whatnot now and looking for their second shot, 362 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:46,800 Speaker 1: that it would be better to hire one of them. 363 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:50,240 Speaker 2: Another email here to us from Will again. You can 364 00:18:50,240 --> 00:18:52,600 Speaker 2: email us with the lounge at Ravens dot NFL dot net. 365 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,360 Speaker 2: Will says love the podcast is always It's a difficult 366 00:18:55,400 --> 00:18:59,480 Speaker 2: way to end the season, and somehow even more difficult 367 00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:02,640 Speaker 2: knowing that that's the coaching change that that unfolded as 368 00:19:02,640 --> 00:19:05,240 Speaker 2: a club looks for a new head coach. I'm curious 369 00:19:05,280 --> 00:19:08,000 Speaker 2: why Matt Burke's name has not come up at all. 370 00:19:08,080 --> 00:19:11,119 Speaker 2: The defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. His defense has 371 00:19:11,160 --> 00:19:13,600 Speaker 2: looked really good and from what I've read, it sounds 372 00:19:13,680 --> 00:19:17,240 Speaker 2: like he's the one calling the plays. So would love 373 00:19:17,280 --> 00:19:21,640 Speaker 2: your thoughts on Matt Burke as the candidate. 374 00:19:22,000 --> 00:19:26,200 Speaker 1: Will asks. I actually was wondered the same thing when 375 00:19:26,240 --> 00:19:28,840 Speaker 1: I was watching the Texans beat the snot out of 376 00:19:28,840 --> 00:19:32,400 Speaker 1: the Pittsburgh Steelers defensively, yeah, and I was like, why 377 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:37,440 Speaker 1: is this guy not getting any buzz? I'm not familiar 378 00:19:37,440 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 1: with the inner workings of the Texans and who calls 379 00:19:39,680 --> 00:19:42,800 Speaker 1: the plays there. I think certainly he's impacted by the 380 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:46,960 Speaker 1: fact that Tamiko ryans Is is a defensive guy. Yeah, 381 00:19:47,119 --> 00:19:50,440 Speaker 1: kind of the same way that all the Chiefs offensive 382 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,760 Speaker 1: coordinators have been impacted by Andy Reid an offensive guy, 383 00:19:53,840 --> 00:19:57,080 Speaker 1: and so kind of the whose defense is it really 384 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,639 Speaker 1: in Houston? Who deserves the credit? Is that Tamika ryans 385 00:19:59,760 --> 00:20:03,400 Speaker 1: or yeah, you know, is at the DC? And then 386 00:20:03,440 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 1: I think another aspect that could be impacting that And 387 00:20:06,640 --> 00:20:09,119 Speaker 1: they talked about this a lot on the broadcast during 388 00:20:09,640 --> 00:20:12,879 Speaker 1: the sections win over the Steelers is that it's a 389 00:20:12,920 --> 00:20:17,080 Speaker 1: pretty like simplified, like you get what you see defense 390 00:20:17,119 --> 00:20:18,960 Speaker 1: in terms of like we just line up and we 391 00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:21,920 Speaker 1: kick your butt, right, and there's not like all these 392 00:20:21,960 --> 00:20:24,760 Speaker 1: moving pieces and deception and all this stuff that like 393 00:20:25,320 --> 00:20:27,679 Speaker 1: has become the in vogue thing in the NFL, and 394 00:20:27,720 --> 00:20:33,919 Speaker 1: that seemingly people want rights, like they want deception and 395 00:20:34,040 --> 00:20:39,960 Speaker 1: disguise and you know, flexibility and this positionless football defensively 396 00:20:40,000 --> 00:20:42,040 Speaker 1: and all this stuff and these new innovative ideas for 397 00:20:42,080 --> 00:20:44,760 Speaker 1: how to scheme up pressure and all this stuff. And 398 00:20:44,880 --> 00:20:46,720 Speaker 1: Houston their line up and saying we got the best 399 00:20:46,720 --> 00:20:49,040 Speaker 1: guys and we're gonna beat you. You know were we 400 00:20:49,119 --> 00:20:51,840 Speaker 1: got Will Anderson Junior one side, the Neil Hunter on 401 00:20:51,880 --> 00:20:54,679 Speaker 1: the other, and they're gonna beat your tackles and we're 402 00:20:54,720 --> 00:20:56,640 Speaker 1: gonna get to your quarterback. And then we have these 403 00:20:56,640 --> 00:21:00,080 Speaker 1: great corners on the outside with Stingley and Lassiter, and 404 00:21:00,119 --> 00:21:03,240 Speaker 1: we have a great safety Impeachree, and like we're just 405 00:21:03,240 --> 00:21:06,080 Speaker 1: gonna beat you. We're our guys are better than your guys. Yeah, 406 00:21:06,119 --> 00:21:09,560 Speaker 1: And so I think that most people when they're hiring 407 00:21:09,560 --> 00:21:11,560 Speaker 1: one of these defensive guys as a head coach, they 408 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:12,280 Speaker 1: want innovation. 409 00:21:13,400 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 2: Well, and the other part I would say too, is 410 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:19,040 Speaker 2: is they keep having success. If his defenses keep looking 411 00:21:19,080 --> 00:21:19,919 Speaker 2: really good, then. 412 00:21:20,160 --> 00:21:21,800 Speaker 1: Maybe things changed, Maybe things change. 413 00:21:22,000 --> 00:21:25,760 Speaker 2: Yeah, So that's always something that to factor in as well. 414 00:21:25,840 --> 00:21:28,520 Speaker 1: So I mean, i I'm also intrigued by the way, 415 00:21:28,640 --> 00:21:30,320 Speaker 1: Like it's not just the Ravens news of who they're 416 00:21:30,359 --> 00:21:32,640 Speaker 1: interviewing for their head coach, but the Steelers. Yeah, right, 417 00:21:32,760 --> 00:21:35,640 Speaker 1: Like that's one I'm keeping a close eye on because 418 00:21:35,640 --> 00:21:38,359 Speaker 1: it's funny. We haven't talked much about it, but like 419 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:41,959 Speaker 1: it's competitions, but that too, Like you have two you 420 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:44,439 Speaker 1: have three AFC North teams looking for coaches, and you 421 00:21:44,520 --> 00:21:47,320 Speaker 1: have rivals who are battling against each other. Who makes 422 00:21:47,359 --> 00:21:51,400 Speaker 1: the best higher, right the Steelers, Steelers, These the Ravens 423 00:21:51,800 --> 00:21:53,639 Speaker 1: interview with some of the same guys. The Ravens and. 424 00:21:53,600 --> 00:21:55,920 Speaker 2: Steelers have been so closely linked over the last twenty 425 00:21:56,040 --> 00:21:59,720 Speaker 2: years of the Harbaugh Tomlin era, and who each team 426 00:21:59,800 --> 00:22:03,080 Speaker 2: high for this role this time around is going to 427 00:22:03,320 --> 00:22:06,600 Speaker 2: make a massive difference in the stories of each franchise 428 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:09,720 Speaker 2: and the connection between them. Like this is this is 429 00:22:09,840 --> 00:22:12,760 Speaker 2: obviously an inflection point, and that's putting it lightly for 430 00:22:12,840 --> 00:22:17,040 Speaker 2: both teams, and these hires are always going to be compared. 431 00:22:17,480 --> 00:22:19,720 Speaker 2: Now they could both be successful just like they were 432 00:22:19,760 --> 00:22:21,800 Speaker 2: when you for the Steelers hiring Tomlin and the Ravens 433 00:22:21,880 --> 00:22:24,680 Speaker 2: hiring Hardball. But these the hires are both of these 434 00:22:24,680 --> 00:22:27,320 Speaker 2: teams and the Browns as well for that matter, is 435 00:22:27,359 --> 00:22:29,840 Speaker 2: going to be taken into consideration and uh and just 436 00:22:29,920 --> 00:22:32,239 Speaker 2: always connected to one another a little bit like if 437 00:22:32,240 --> 00:22:35,480 Speaker 2: you remember, Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco were always compared 438 00:22:35,520 --> 00:22:37,959 Speaker 2: as quarterbacks that were drafted in the same class. Like 439 00:22:38,240 --> 00:22:41,000 Speaker 2: there's there. These guys are always going to be linked 440 00:22:41,040 --> 00:22:44,680 Speaker 2: to each other and compared to one another. So we'll 441 00:22:44,680 --> 00:22:47,200 Speaker 2: continue breaking down this coaching search as Ravens go through 442 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:49,280 Speaker 2: this process and moving into the next phase of things. 443 00:22:49,480 --> 00:22:52,040 Speaker 2: As always, you can email us at the lounge at 444 00:22:52,119 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 2: Ravens dot NFL dot net. Thank you so much for 445 00:22:55,200 --> 00:22:57,640 Speaker 2: listening and we will be back with you again later 446 00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:58,119 Speaker 2: this week.