Baltimore Ravens roster spotlight: A look at the quarterback position

Joe Flacco needs to step up

There really is no need to look at projected starters because we already know. Joe Flacco is the starting quarterback. It’s been this way since the Ravens took him in the first round of the 2008 draft. Ryan Mallet signed a one year deal and will work as the back-up.

I’ve made excuses for Flacco in the past and I think he is a better quarterback than people give him credit for. With that being said, it’s time for him to step up this season. Now more than a year off of knee surgery, he should be back to 100%. He’s also had a year to play with the brace on, so there should be no problems. There is finally consistency at offensive coordinator now that Marty Morhinweg is back. The Ravens have spent time trying to upgrade the offensive line and put the right pieces together. There needs to be more help at wide receiver, but the Ravens should be able to address that with undrafted free agents and in free agency. It looks like the emphasis this season is getting back to “Ravens” football. That is having a run first offense that sets up the pass. This is the kind of offense that Joe Flacco thrives on.

Flacco isn’t going to be a guy that wows you with the stats, but we know that. Only once in his career has he thrown above 25 touchdowns. He’s also never thrown above 4,000 yards. That does not matter to the Ravens. They do not need Joe Flacco not be that kind of quarterback. He’s the kind of quarterback that is going to put the Ravens in a place to win games. The Ravens are going to need that kind of play this season.