After years of not surrounding MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson with enough skill position talent to be successful, the Baltimore Ravens can feel confident in their ability to compete for a championship this season thanks to a fairly deep set of playmakers on offense.
On top of the fact that Derrick Henry’s splashdown in the Baltimore backfield will change how their offense fundamentally operates, Jackson’s array of pass-catchers is as deep and talented as it has ever been. Lamar also has the best tight end group in football at his disposal, led by the consistent Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely.
In an attempt to get the word out about how skilled this offense is, Likely went on “Up and Adams” with Kay Adams to show how it will be impossible for defenses to focus on one specific player next season.
“Not only do you have Lamar [Jackson] in the backfield, you have Derrick Henry in the backfield, where you also have to worry about our run game,” Likely said. ”Then you have All-Pro Mark Andrews, where you obviously have to give credit where credit is due. Then you also have great receivers like Zay [Flowers] and [Rashod] Bateman and then also you have me. You have to worry about anybody at any point in time in the offense going the distance.
"It's electric… you have to worry about anybody at any point in time in the offense going the distance."
Ravens TE Isaiah Likely on all the offensive weapons Baltimore has 🗣️#RavensFlock @DaGorilla4 @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/8ehVS5fD5N
— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) May 9, 2024
Isaiah Likely hypes up new Baltimore Ravens offense
If Flowers continues to evolve into the No. 1 receiver Baltimore drafted him to be, and fourth-round pick Devontez Walker eventually joins him and Bateman in the base offense, the Ravens might have the best receiving corps in the Jackson era. Can you get a better tight-end combination than Andrews and Likely?
While some may have had trepadation when it came time to give a sizeable contract to an older running back like Henry, watching his games last year is likely all it would take to quell those desires. His historically effective combination of power and speed will help him lead the charge in the Baltimore backfield.
The big question Baltimore needs to answer stems from their new-look offensive line. Three starters from last year’s team are playing elsewhere. The Ravens will need to keep a slimmer Jackson upright if he is to unleash his full spectrum of talents on a league that has already had difficulties slowing him down.
Likely has every right to be extremely excited about the damage his team can deal if the offense starts clicking at peak efficiency. Only time will tell, however, if this group is talented enough to finally unseat the mighty Kansas City Chiefs atop the AFC and get to the Super Bowl.