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Ravens: 10 reasons they will win the Super Bowl in 2015, #2

By Carlos Avent

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During the off-season before the 2012-13 season, Joe Flacco turned down a contract extension worth $90 million dollars and gambled on himself in the last year of his rookie contract. The gamble was that he would show that he’s worth top quarterback dollar and perform as such.

That gamble paid off. Well actually, it paid Flacco $120.6 million over six years.

Three years later, Flacco finds himself in an abridged, short-film version of his 2012 contract story. For the first three years, Flacco’s contract was extremely financially friendly in Flacco’s favor. However, at the end of this season, Ozzie and Co. in the front office have the ball on their end of the financial court. Here’s a snapshot of what Flacco’s contract entails:

That means that as of 2016, it would be financially safe to release Joe Flacco from the Baltimore Ravens should he for whatever reason abysmally under perform, is injured and cannot perform, or if he does not want to agree to an extension to help free up salary cap space for additional free agent signings or contract extensions of key players.

In 2016, releasing Flacco would actually save the Baltimore Ravens $3.3 million, and they could save even more in 2017 and 2018.

So clearly that makes Flacco very expendable. I’m sure Flacco doesn’t want that type of turmoil and anxiety over the next three years. In fact, I’m sure neither side wants that. So with this type of situation looming, Flacco knows exactly what to do because he’s done it before. He has to perform and prove that he’s worth top dollar.

Aug 29, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws during the second quarter against the Washington Redskins at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Now this doesn’t mean Flacco is going to go out there this season and come out of the tunnel dancing, giving fiery speeches, and lead the Ravens to a 16-0 regular season and waltz right on to Super Bowl 50 with ease. It will be a road of challenges.

Aug 13, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) sits on the bench during the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints in a preseason NFL football game at M&T Bank Stadium. Baltimore Ravens defeated New Orleans Saints 30-27. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Remember, the 2012 season came with the passing of Art Modell, Terrell Suggs’ injury early in the season, Ray Lewis’ injury later in the season, Lardarius Webb’s season-ending injury, two blowout losses, a 3-game losing streak, Jameel McClain’s season ending injury, and some sporadic off-field issues. Imagine all of that while in the front of your mind you’re trying to stay focused on playing your best to deliver on your goal.

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But with something additional to play for, something more than a ring, it gives just that much more ‘gusto’ to get the job done. This puts Flacco in a “prove it” state of mind. The last time he was in a “prove it” state of mind, it concluded with a Super Bowl victory and a Lombardi trophy being delivered to the Baltimore Ravens’ front office at 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills, MD.

They say history repeats itself, right?

Feb 3, 2013; New Orleans, LA, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the San Francisco 49ers 34-31 in Super Bowl XLVII at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Counting down the 10 reasons the Ravens will win the 2015 Super Bowl:

Reason #3

Reason #4

Reason #5

Reason #6

Reason #7

Reason #8

Reason #9

Reason #10

Next: Ravens still without answers to key questions

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