Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers offered up a little piece of advice for Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during a midfield meeting following Thursday night’s preseason game between the two teams.
The interaction was quick and complimentary, but the final part was important, especially with former Rookie of the Year Robert Griffin III in the background: “Slide a little bit,” Rodgers said, motioning down to the ground.
Jackson showed off his electric running ability against the Packers, juking between defenders and hurdling over Jaire Alexander’s diving tackle attempt on an 18-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. A penalty negated the score, but it was still an incredible, irresistible piece of athleticism from the Ravens starting quarterback.
No one, including Rodgers, wants to see Jackson’s limitless potential get derailed by injury.
The meeting with Rodgers certainly made an impression on the second-year quarterback:
As a rookie last season, Jackson rushed for 695 yards, five touchdowns and 45 first downs. He not only has world-class speed, but the elusiveness of a running back and the vision of a punt returner. It’s an intoxicating combination of abilities that haven’t been seen at the quarterback position since Michael Vick.
A few more slides could mean fewer hits absorbed and a greater chance Jackson avoids the kind of injury that once derailed Griffin’s budding career.
Sliding down isn’t fun, especially for an athlete like Jackson, but avoiding hits – the basis of Rodgers’ advice – could mean the difference between a supernova career of 3-4 years and a long, successful run as one of the most exciting quarterbacks in football.
