NFL MVP Jackson insists he's 'got to do better' in 2020

Baltimore Ravens quarterback and reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson is er to get started at training camp following an offseason in which he h a perilous encounter with a jet ski, tossed footballs to Antonio Brown and diligently avoided coronavirus.

Jackson guided Ravens to a 14-2 regular-season record in 2019, setting a league record for yards rushing by a quarterback and serving as focal point of an attack that amassed an unprecedented 3,296 yards on ground.

Following an unsightly playoff-opening loss to Tennessee, multi-faceted quarterback collected his MVP trophy and embarked on an offseason that took a sharp turn toward uncharted waters when COVID-19 pandemic struck in March.

Speaking of water, Jackson me a splash on Twitter with a post that showed him on one of his standard impromptu runs during a pickup game on beach. After dodging a would-be tackler, Jackson veered to his left into path of a jet ski parked in shallow surf.

“I did t run into a jet ski. I jumped over jet ski and fell in water," Jackson said with a grin during a Zoom call Wednesday from Ravens training complex.

In an effort to make up for time lost due to cancellation of minicamp, Jackson got toger on a practice field in Florida with teammate Marquise Brown and young receiver's cousin, former NFL wideout Antonio Brown.

Antonio Brown recently anunced his retirement following a rocky stretch in which he was cut by New England in September and later accused of sexual assault by his former trainer. Regardless, Jackson insists seven-time Pro Bowl star would be a good fit with Ravens.

“It was nice throwing to Antonio Brown," Jackson said. “I was hoping we would get him. Still hoping, a little bit."

Despite Antonio Brown's issues, Jackson mired veteran's work ethic during offseason sessions.

“That's of guy we need in our locker room," Jackson declared. “We want to win, and I can tell he wants to win. He wants to play ball."

w on verge of starting his third NFL season, Jackson expects to ramp up his game quickly this summer after spending past four months practicing social distancing inste of drills with team.

“I wish I was with my guys in OTAs in April like usual, but COVID-19 h a better idea," Jackson said.

Jackson ran for 1,206 yards and threw 36 touchdown passes last year, so it would appear as if re's little room for improvement. But Jackson, who won 2016 Heisman Trophy Award with Louisville, insists that he's t even close to being satisfied with his game.

“Last year is in past," he said. “I've just got to do better, keep grinding. I'm working on everything — passing, running ability. I feel like sky's limit, t just for me but organization."

Jackson replaced Joe Flacco as starter during 2018 season and helped Ravens to a 6-1 finish for a berth in postseason. Last year, Baltimore took a 12-game winning streak and league's best record into a home game against Titans.

Unfortunately, Ravens came up flat against Tennessee, just as y did in Jackson's postseason debut one year earlier, a 23-17 loss to Chargers.

Jackson can't wait to do something about that 0-2 postseason record, but his immediate target is winning opener on Sept. 13.

“Our job is to focus on Cleveland Browns," he said. “We want to get back to playoffs and go from re."

Jackson understands that his running ability separates him from most or quarterbacks in league. But he will be happy to let guys behind him handle brunt of that chore, and Ravens have four players fully capable of doing so.

“We've got Mark Ingram, Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and J.K. Dobbins," Jackson said. “I feel like we're going to be pretty good with running part. But if I have to, I'll do my thing."

Jackson still has two years left on his rookie contract, so it's a bit early to ask him about his chances of getting a deal like whopping $503 million pack provided to Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes, a versatile quarterback whose skills are similar to Jackson's. big difference is that Mahomes has a Super Bowl ring, and Jackson is still looking for his first postseason win.

“I've just got to win a Super Bowl. I can't really focus on what (Mahomes) has going on because I still have to prove myself," Jackson said. “When that time comes, we can negotiate after Super Bowl. Until n, we're focusing on winning right w."

Im credits: AP