‘He just doesn’t feel like a rookie’
Defense prepare for first matchup with Bengals QB who has thrown for over 1,000 yards so far
RAVENS
Joe Burrow was a quarterback that even a middle linebacker could appreciate.
He had not been handed his status as college football’s golden boy or anointed a certain No. 1 pick. He’d stand in against a blitz until the moment of contact and fire a strike.
Ravens rookie Patrick Queen recalled “hooting and hollering” at Burrow when they practiced against each other at LSU. “Joe was more the guy like, ‘I’m going to do this; I’m going to do that,’ and it’s over with,” he said admiringly. “And he’ll go into practice and do his thing — dot it up — and that will be it.”
Burrow has needed every ounce of his fortitude over the past four weeks, playing behind a porous offensive line for a Cincinnati Bengals team that won two games last year. Already, he’s brought new hope to one of the
NFL’s most tortured franchises.
The Ravens will get their first look at the unflappable rookie Sunday when the Bengals (1-2-1) come to town off their first win behind Burrow. His matchup with reigning Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson will give us another glimpse of the AFC North landscape for the decade to come. With Baker Mayfield leading the Cleveland Browns, the division now includes three former Heisman Trophywinning quarterbacks, all born within 21 months of one another. Not to mention 38-year-old Ben Roethlisberger with his two Super Bowl rings and Hall of Fame resume.
“We love it,” said CBS analyst and former NFL quarterback Rich Gannon, who will provide commentary on Ravens vs. Bengals. “I think it’s good for the league. When you had guys like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady, it was like, who’s next? And it was rough there
TV: Radio: Line: for a while. But now you’ve got all these guys at quarterback, and it’s an exciting time.”
Bengals coach Zac Taylor knew he was getting a potentially transformative player in Burrow, but he did not anticipate how quickly the 23-year-old would seize command after an unconventional preseason without any games.
“He just doesn’t feel like a rookie,” Taylor said. “You don’t get that indication at all. There’s no false confidence with him; it’s all earned. He’s done everything to put himself in this position, and you know when he walks on the field on Sunday afternoon that he’s ready to play and believes in his abilities. And the