Quarterbacks Coach Tee Martin has loved what he's seen from Lamar Jackson.
Even before Jackson returned to practice Monday, Martin saw the fire in Jackson's eyes with the regular season rapidly approaching.
"About two weeks ago, I just got the sense he was ready to play the first game," Martin said. "The way he came out for pre-practice, the way he was working in individual, I was like, 'This is mid-season Lamar.'
"At that moment for me, it's about keeping him sharp in the meetings, keeping him interested in the meetings, when he knows he's not going to play in the preseason. I have to do some magic tricks sometimes in meetings to keep his attention. But he supports the guys. He's always watching every snap of the preseason games when he doesn't really have to."
Entering his eighth season, Jackson has focused on the process during training camp, [using each day to find ways he can improve](https://www.baltimoreravens.com/news/lamar-jackson-ravens-minicamp-vengeance-on-mind-playoffs). Jackson is a two-time MVP coming off his most complete season. Yet, Jackson's still only 28 years old, very much in his prime.
"It's about maturity and the progression of his career," Martin said. "He's a point where he's seen a lot. He's experienced a lot.
"He started training camp that way speaking with the team, in a private meeting where he spoke from his heart. And he's been leading that way every day. ... He has upped his game in a lot of areas. I'm really proud of that maturation. I give him all the credit. He is growing at his own pace and it's beautiful to see."