Ravens 'optimistic' Lamar Jackson stays, have contingency plans

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are less than a week from the deadline to use the franchise tag.

But Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine he met with Jackson recently and left optimistic there's still time to iron out a long-term deal and keep Jackson in Baltimore.

"Lamar and I are talking," DeCosta said. "We met recently. It's an ongoing discussion. Both understand the u