Marlon Humphrey praises Joe Burrow ahead of Bengals-Ravens

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is off to a strong start in the 2021 NFL season, solidifying a spot in NFL history with his multi-touchdown performances, and opposing cornerbacks are starting to take note.

Ahead of hosting Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marlon Humphrey sang Burrow’s praise, labeling him as both a tough and talented quarterback.

“He’s not one of those quarterbacks that are really scared to get hit,” Humphrey said. “Another thing is, when he throws the football deep, he really lets it fly. He really puts the ball in a position where his guy can make a play, and he’s very confident.”

It’s not difficult to see Humphrey’s point. Burrow has thrown for multiple touchdowns in all six of the Bengals’ games, despite taking routine hits behind a subpar offensive line, and in the process made NFL history: Burrow is just the second rookie or sophomore quarterback in NFL history to do that. The first to accomplish the feat? Dan Marino.

Burrow has completed 70.7 percent of his passes this season. He has thrown for 1,540 yards, 14 touchdowns, and seven interceptions.

Burrow moves from the Bayou to the Bengals

Last season, Burrow started 10 games at quarterback for the Bengals before suffering a torn ACL against Washington. As a rookie, Burrow completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He also had three rushing touchdowns.

The Bengals selected Burrow first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft after he was LSU’s starting quarterback on its undefeated, national championship winning team in 2019. That season, Burrow threw for 5,671 yards, 60 touchdowns, and six interceptions. His performance resulted in Burrow winning the 2019 Heisman Trophy.

Burrow originally started his collegiate career at Ohio State, but he found himself at the bottom of a crowded quarterback depth chart. He then transferred to LSU ahead of the 2018 season. Burrow threw for 2,894 yards, 16 touchdowns, and five interceptions in his first year with the Tigers.

With LSU and head coach Ed Orgeron announcing they are parting ways after the season, Burrow spoke about Orgeron’s impact on him, where the Bengals quarterback said he is forever indebted.

“That’s disappointing to me because he’s really a man that gave me an opportunity when nobody else really was,” Burrow said of the Orgeron news. “I wasn’t here without Coach O.”

“I’m forever indebted to him as a person and as a player and our relationship will continue for the rest of our lives,” said Burrow. “I love the man, I love the coach. They haven’t been winning as many games as I know they’d like but we did just win a national championship two years ago. So that’s disappointing. And I love Coach O and everyone over there, so I hope he’s able to find a place where he feels like he’s welcome.”