Ravens make OTA stance for Lamar Jackson perfectly clear

We might be a little way away from OTAs, but that doesn't mean teams aren't thinking about in and the Baltimore Ravens certainly are.

With a new head coach and coordinators, the importance of having players present for the voluntary portion of the program is huge for understanding the new scheme. 

And one player who will be a fascinating watch is Lamar Jackson. Not one to usually show up to OTAs, Jackson will have a choice to make as he has a new head coach and coordinator. So, making a good impression is key.

But for new head coach Jesse Minter, he knows how he can make sure Lamar is at OTAs when they begin.

“First of all, I do have total respect for the rules that it is voluntary,” Minter said via Pro Football Talk. “Totally understand that. And Lamar has had unbelievable success doing it both ways. And so there’s certainly a balance there. But I think it’s our job to create an environment and a learning opportunity where they feel like it’s really important to them to want to be there.

"It just needs to be an environment that they really feel the importance of it.”

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Ravens need Lamar at OTAs

Well, that's a given, but even more so because Lamar, under Declan Doyle, will likely be learning a new scheme.

Plus, the different verbiage as well, it will be new. So, getting as much practice in the new system with your teammates will ensure you hit the ground running in Week 1.

If Lamar isn't present and shows up at the beginning of training camp, that could be viewed as time wasted when he could have been at OTAs, drilling down on what Doyle wants to do.

So, what Jackson does will be an interesting watch, and we are about to see how involved Lamar will want to be in this new regime.

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