In a now-deleted tweet, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown was seemingly upset at the lack of targets sent his way in Week 8 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown was targeted just twice in that game, catching one three-yard pass for a touchdown.
Coach John Harbaugh might have downplayed the incident on Monday but quarterback Lamar Jackson acknowledged Brown’s complaint. Jackson said Brown is a big part of the Ravens’ offense and they have to do a better job getting him the ball.
“That’s one of our key players to our offense,” Jackson said Wednesday. “We want to get him the ball the easiest way, the fastest way, that we can. We just have to do a better job of getting it to him. He’s a big part of our offense and we need him. So, we just have to do better at that, and we’ll be fine.”
However, it’s worth wondering what getting Brown the ball more often would actually look like.
Brown is the most well-fed target in Baltimore’s offense right now, leading the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. While Brown is coming off a particularly down game, Jackson’s focus on him and tight end Mark Andrews have been the cause of some of Baltimore’s offensive woes this season. Throwing him the ball even more would mean having to force targets his way at the loss of other receivers who might be performing better in a given game.
This could also be Jackson placating his top target’s fears and frustrations. While not the most glamorous part of the job, it wouldn’t be the first time a franchise quarterback had to publicly support a top target after an outburst at the perceived lack of targets. In fact, it almost seems like an inevitable job responsibility for many successful quarterbacks over the years.
We’ll truly find out come Sunday if Jackson’s talk turns into action. If Jackson sends the ball Brown’s way more often against the Indianapolis Colts, his initial tweet would have worked. At the same time, if Jackson and Brown can finally hit on the deep throws, you won’t see Baltimore’s coaching staff complaining any.
