As the buzz around Lamar Jackson balloons hourly, the Ravens continue to mold their plans for the rookie quarterback.
As of Tuesday, those plans include giving Jackson regular-season reps under center.
"One way or another, he's going to be out there, taking snaps," Ravens coach John Harbaugh told John Kryk of the Toronto Sun. "Lamar is also a weapon for us, who can play quarterback. And we're going to play Lamar at quarterback ... So we're going to play all of our good players. I don't see why we wouldn't. You've got this first."
Harbaugh reiterated to Kryk that Jackson, the 32nd overall pick of the draft, "may be out there with [starting quarterback] Joe [Flacco]," saying: "Situationally, whatever we can figure out. We're still figuring that out. I don't know how exactly, yet. So one way or another, [Jackson's] going to be out there, taking snaps. He's doing a lot of things."
Jackson has flashed juicy, rare athleticism all offseason, leading offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg to announce this week: "He's way ahead of the curve. This guy is a hard, hard worker, a tough-minded guy."
Still, this remains Flacco's job barring injury. The veteran is healthy after last year's back troubles and, to the naked eye, a refreshed signal-caller:
Has Jackson's presence had a positive effect on Flacco? "It's the pushing in that [it's his] presence," NFL Network's Mike Garafolo said during Tuesday's edition of Inside Training Camp Live. "He's here ... the future potentially is here."
Still, the rookie remains a work in progress, with Garafolo noting "[Tuesday] was particularly a rough day for Jackson."
"On the first play of team drills, he was intercepted. Marlon Humphrey picked off the ball that was heading toward the ground and nowhere near a wide receiver," Garafolo said. "Then, he underthrew a receiver on a wheel route shortly after that. And then all of the sudden he'll just drop a beautiful ball 40 yards up the sideline into the receiver's hands. But that ball is still coming out a little wobbly. It's got to be a little bit tighter. They're working with him on his mechanics, but I do not see a consistent, solid ball from Lamar Jackson."
Harbaugh said Jackson was "doing well once he gets it, but it's all new for him because he didn't call plays [in college]."
Still, the Ravens are obviously aglow with Jackson's physical gifts. They've unfurled plays during camp that pair Flacco and the rookie together -- and even Jackson with backup Robert Griffin III. Chalk up dual-QB formations as a challenge the team has embraced as a genuine possibility come September.
"I mean, [Jackson] could be quarterback and Joe could be a wide receiver," Harbaugh said. "We'll see how it goes. Throw Joe a fade -- he's tall."
Perhaps recalling Tom Brady's handiwork in February's ill-fated Super Bowl, Harbaugh quickly added: "I'm just kidding."
