Rashod Bateman of the Baltimore Ravens appears to have turned a turnaround. After missing the most of training camp due to a foot ailment, he appears to be returning to his explosive best. Bateman made two catches for 34 yards against the Arizona Cardinals in a 31-24 win. He came up huge with an early catch to keep the Ravens’ drive alive and then a jet sweep that displayed his speed.
Bateman’s performance against the Cardinals was attributed to his trust in his physical fitness, according to Ravens coach John Harbaugh. “It’s not really confidence in [Rashod Bateman’s] ability,” Harbaugh stated in a statement. “He’s always been very self-assured.” It’s faith in his health. It’s the fact that he can now stack practices and get a feel for the offense, catch balls, run routes, and compete for balls.
“The more you practice, the better you get, and the better feel you get for the game, and all of that.” I’d say it’s just starting to come together for him in that way. I’m hopeful. “I believe Rashod’s second half of the season will be significant [and] very successful.”
Bateman hasn’t been a significant player in the Ravens offense, which is coming together under new coach Todd Monken, but he has shown flashes. Lamar Jackson’s attack is stacked with weapons everywhere you look. Jackson has relied heavily on rookie Zay Flowers and tight end Mark Andrews, but with Bateman starting to string together excellent outings, he could be the Ravens’ offensive wildcard.
Baltimore is still looking for offensive consistency, and with Bateman, who is now in his third NFL season, continuing to produce in big times, the Ravens offense, which many classified as one of the most explosive groups in the league in the preseason, could be set to take off. We witnessed it against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Detroit Lions, and Bateman’s “confidence” in his health means the war is already won. Now all he needs to do is perform on the field, and he is already shown how deadly he can be under Monken’s strategy.
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