OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Ravens are in the midst of a pretty special season. Marlon Humphrey has a theory as to why.
“The biggest thing is probably the unity in the locker room,” said the Ravens cornerback. “We sit around after practice and different things, just sitting here. We were supposed to go home like an hour ago and people are here still talking to guys. So, I’ve always felt like the biggest thing you can do with a team is have that family approach because I think it shows on the field.”
That player-to-player chemistry among the majority of the team is rare.
“In the past I’ve seen a lot of different confrontations and different things with coaches and players and players and players. I haven’t really seen much of that this year. It’s never no bad blood or feelings or egos in between. It’s always just I want to do whatever you can to win,” said Humphrey.
Credit the NFL MVP front-runner for that.
“The biggest thing for me has been Lamar,” added Humphrey. “In the training room yesterday Lamar comes in and shakes everybody’s hand - trainers, guys in the middle of rehab. You look at it like dang our starting quarterback, everyone’s talking about, he’s coming in here not to get treatment but just to say hey to everybody.
Lamar Jackson has clearly made a difference. He’ll look to once again on the field Monday against the Rams (6-4). L.A. owns the fifth-ranked run defense and employs the back-to-back reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Aaron Donald.
The Rams also have former Raven Eric Weddle at safety. Weddle has said he won’t share any inside info about Baltimore with this current team, out of respect for the Ravens organization.
As for the Ravens defense, it has Marcus Peters. The cornerback was acquired from the Rams earlier this season.
Does Jackson plan to pick Peters’ brain about his former team?
“Nah, I don’t. I haven’t thought about it,” said the Ravens quarterback. “But I just watched film on those guys. Go from there. But, since you said, I will now. I wasn’t thinking about it. But yeah, I need to.”
Defensive tackle Michael Pierce was back on the practice field on Thursday. He could play Monday after missing last week with an ankle injury.
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