It’s difficult to recall a player in the 16-year history of the Ravens who’s earned such publicity for so little production as wide receiver Lee Evans. After being acquired for a fourth-round pick from Buffalo in mid-August, Evans has only four receptions for 74 yards this season.
Of course, Evans missed seven games earlier in the year with a left ankle injury, but he’s made just two catches since returning to action against the Bengals on Nov. 20. It’s a far cry from his preseason debut against the Kansas City Chiefs when the 30-year-old wideout made three catches for 68 yards, including a beautiful 43-yard pass from Flacco in the first half.
“We all got so excited that first preseason [game] when it just [was], ‘Hey, guys, this looks easy.'” Cameron said. “The guy walks in off the street. It’s not easy. Defenses make it hard on you, but I have a ton of confidence in both those guys that you will see things start to come together here down the stretch.”
The problem has now become magnified with the recent knee injury to top wide receiver Anquan Boldin, who won’t return until the playoffs. In his absence last Saturday, Flacco completed only two passes to wide receivers, both going to Torrey Smith.
Evans has lacked explosion despite being brought to Baltimore to be a vertical threat in the passing game and has yet to develop the necessary chemistry with Flacco on timing routes. Both players have taken accountability in expressing the need to improve their timing and overall production. Flacco’s fourth-quarter interception against the Browns came on a deep throw to the end zone intended for Evans.
“I’m going to say that it’s my job to get him the ball more on time and make things a little bit easier,” Flacco said. “So, we’re working towards it. He’s going to be someone that we need down the road in order to be successful.”
Visit the BuyAToyota.com Audio Vault to hear more from Cam Cameron, Chuck Pagano, and Jerry Rosburg right here.
