Copyright Yardbarker
After a 1-5 start, Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson reminded the team that there was no time for fun and games. During their bye in Week 7, the Ravens removed a basketball hoop, ping-pong table, video game consoles and other items from their locker room. There were conflicting reports over whether head coach John Harbaugh or players initiated the change. On a Tuesday episode of his podcast, Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey said Jackson told the team to scrap the locker-room entertainment. The QB confirmed that. Lamar Jackson explains why he ordered removal of locker-room entertainment Jackson has been sidelined for three straight games because of a hamstring injury. However, the QB has kept a keen eye on teammates and believed they were losing focus amid the disappointing start. "I told Kenico, our head equipment guy, I told him to take all the games and ping pong ... turn the TVs off. If we could've taken the TVs out, they'd have been out too," Jackson told the media Tuesday. "I appreciate owner Steve [Bisciotti] for putting that in for us, but we had to focus. I don't want to say people don't take their jobs seriously, don't get me wrong, but I don't feel like it was time for that. We've got a lot of work to do." The strategy worked. The Ravens improved to 2-5 after a 30-16 Week 8 win over the Chicago Bears. Baltimore QB Tyler Huntley was a dependable backup against Chicago, completing 17-of-22 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown. The Ravens won't need Huntley to step up again in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins (2-6) on "Thursday Night Football." Jackson is expected to start in Miami and isn't worried about any rust. "Nah, that's what practice is for," Jackson said. "I felt like we had a great day today. We'll execute tomorrow, and then come Thursday night and just fly." Two-time MVP Jackson may pull off some video-game-like moves against Miami's 28th-ranked rushing defense (145 YPG). But he'd better not catch any of his teammates hopping on a PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo before the pivotal road game.
