Baltimore Ravens Positional Breakdown: Quarterbacks

Dec 29, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens will be looking to make moves as the March 11th deadline draws near, Ebony Bird will be looking at the current roster by position. The first position and the most important one is the quarterback. They are just as important than any other on the field. As quarterback Joe Flacco showed the world last season, you don’t have to be “elite” to win a title. However, a quarterback must execute a game plan and Flacco has shown he can.

Looking forward is the quarterback a position that the Ravens should look to improve this offseason? Flacco will be in his second year of the six year $120 million deal that he signed after winning the Super Bowl but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t explore a contingency plan. While Flacco is only 29 years old, there is always the possibility that he could go down with an injury at any time. Much like what happened to Tom Brady  when Matt Cassel was thrust into the starting role for the New England Patriots back in 2008.

Beyond Flacco their depth chart lists Tyrod Taylor and Nick Stephens as the backups for the upcoming season. Taylor has thrown for a total of 199 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions since being drafted by the Ravens in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Is Taylor someone that head coach John Harbaugh would feel comfortable with leading this team should something happen to Flacco? What about Nick Stephens?

Stephens will be in his third year when the 2014 season begins in September. Stephens who played at the University of Tennesee until he transferred to Tarleton State University in his home state of Texas. Stephens signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2012 but he would end up being waived before the season. Then again last year he was signed by a team, this time the team he grew up watching the Dallas Cowboys. Prior to the season he was waived once again. Then in October he was signed by the Ravens to their practice squad.

Neither quarterback seem to be the guy you could count on based on what they have shown at this point. Obviously they could bring in another quarterback during training camp to compete with the two young quarterbacks on the roster. Another option would be to draft one come May. This is more unlikely than signing one via free agency. The Ravens have more pressing needs to be addressed in the upcoming draft.