Lamar Jackson does not want his accomplishments to protect him from hard coaching.
The Baltimore Ravens quarterback has won two NFL Most Valuable Player awards and established himself as one of the league’s most dangerous offensive players. Jackson still expects new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle to correct him, question him and demand more from him.
That is exactly what Doyle has done during their first offseason together.
“He’s challenging us, and that’s pretty much what I want,” Jackson said on “The Lounge” podcast. “I feel like every player should want that. You want the coach to bring the best out of you.”
Doyle’s challenges can arrive without warning. Jackson said the coordinator will enter a quarterback meeting and begin asking him to identify
similar plays or explain different elements of the offense. That approach requires Jackson to remain prepared throughout the installation process.
“You’ve got to be on your A-game at all times,” Jackson said. “I love that. It’s challenging in a good way.”
Jackson said Doyle has pushed him on his footwork, command at the line of scrimmage and ability to execute the offense at a faster tempo. Classroom knowledge is only the beginning. Doyle wants Jackson to process and apply that information immediately on the field.
Their shared age has received attention because Jackson and Doyle are both 29, but the quarterback does not believe it changes their professional relationship.
“Respect is respect,” Jackson said. “His title is coach, so I’m going to treat him like a coach. I don’t care if he’s 50, 29, 28. I don’t care if he was younger than me.” “I don’t feel like I know it all,” Jackson said. “Even if I feel like I know something, teach me. I want to see your point of view.”
Jackson has previously joked about Doyle correcting him forcefully during practice. His comments made clear that he does not object to the approach when it is intended to help him improve.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Lamar Jackson welcomes Declan Doyle’s demanding coaching style
