Flacco by default
There's still a chance that Troy Smith will be healthy enough to start tonight's final preseason game against Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons, but the notion that Joe Flacco might start the regular season opener has gone from pipe dream to probability, at least in my book.
The apparently loss of Kyle Boller for at least a few weeks (and probably more) and the decision to sign San Diego Chargers castoff Casey Bramlet only increases the likelihood that Flacco ends up starting against the Bengals 10 days from now. Even if Smith plays tonight, he's not likely to play much, which means that Flacco will get another extended look.
It's still possible the Ravens make a run at Daunte Culpepper, but Flacco clearly is growing on the coaching staff...and it is largely a new coaching staff that isn't haunted by Boller's bad experience as a rookie.
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Comments
Well, people wanted to see him play...here's hoping he doesn't go Dan Cody behind our amorphous offensive line.
Posted by: Chris | August 28, 2008 10:14 AM
Wow, we finally have an MVP quarterback on the roster! It's just too bad it's a World Bowl MVP (Bramlet, 2007). They must think Smith will be ready for the Bengals or they would be taking a run at Culpepper. I would be shocked if they start Flacco the first week. These coaches may not have been the ones who rushed Boller, but they haven't been living under rocks since it happened. The other possibility is they think a better option than Culpepper will pop up after the last cuts (e.g. Chris Simms).
Posted by: terpfan | August 28, 2008 10:24 AM
I think you make Flacco watch for a couple of weeks. This season is a wash & the most important thing is getting him reps but you dont want to throw him out there too early. His footwork is not there & he has not yet adapted to the speed of the game. Troy Smith's illness really set us back but protecting Flacco is the most important thing. I think you play Flacco for all of tonights game, then go w/ Smith in the opener. We can only hope he will be ready. Keep popping those anti-biotics Troy !!!
Posted by: Cereal Blogger | August 28, 2008 10:34 AM
What's up with the Carrol County Times becoming THE place to get news on the Baltimore Ravens?
Two straight days scooping The Sun.
I know you aren't the beat reporter, but maybe you have a response.
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Pete's reply: Since I am nowhere near Carroll County, I don't know of what you speak, but I will say this. I'll take Jamison Hensley on the Ravens any time, over any one, and that's not meant with any disrespect to anybody else covering the team. They all do a fine job, but Jamison is The Man.
Posted by: ak | August 28, 2008 11:04 AM
I gotta say, at this point I am less optimistic about the Ravens chances this season than I was about the Orioles in March.
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Pete's reply: I totally understand. I don't think the Ravens are going to win 70 games either.
Posted by: Jack | August 28, 2008 12:15 PM
I wish Flacco luck but more than that hope he has some type of insurance policy from Lloyds of London ... considering the way the Raven's "O" line has been throwing no hitters I would further suggest track shoes and a coach yelling "watch out" into his helmet speaker.
Posted by: Dukehoopsfan | August 28, 2008 1:54 PM
Can't wait to see Smith and Flacco get sacked again, and again. We are just not ready and need a vet QB if we want to protect our younger QBs.
Bit the bullet and get Culpepper - He'll be the best QB we ever had - just watch and see!
Posted by: SB | August 28, 2008 2:10 PM
I say start Flacco. Kyle Boller would have been a bust even if he had had a couple years backing up a proven vet. The whole idea of starting a rookie being a bad idea might be overblown. Has anyone ever did a survey of success of QBs based on their tenure as backups? I'd like to see one.
Posted by: Anonymous | August 28, 2008 2:36 PM