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Baltimore Ravens: 3 big things from owners meetings

By Joe Schiller

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens runs off the field after the Baltimore Ravens 23-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 23: Head Coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens runs off the field after the Baltimore Ravens 23-16 win over the Indianapolis Colts at M&T Bank Stadium on December 23, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 17: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens is seen in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – DECEMBER 17: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens is seen in the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh spoke to media at the NFL’s Annual League Meetings. Here are three big things we learned.

The NFL Annual Leauge Meetings take place this week as owners, coaches and league officials met to discuss rule changes and other parameters for the upcoming season. While new additions including the catch rule and targeting rule came to fruition, it also provided the opportunity for head coaches like John Harbaugh to be available for questions.

After hearing from owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Ozzie Newsome, this was the first time Harbaugh spoke to the media since his end of the season press conference. As you can expect, there was a lot to catch up on.

In the limited time he spoke, here are three big things we learned from Harbaugh:

3. Leaning towards youth at backup quarterback

The Ravens are still financially tied to Joe Flacco for at least two more seasons but there’s a hole to fill at backup quarterback. Ryan Mallett is an unrestricted free agent and the chances of a return are unclear at this point.

Harbaugh doesn’t envision the Ravens signing a veteran backup and indicated that a rookie or Josh Woodrum could fill the void.

Besides Flacco, Woodrum is the only other quarterback under contract. He inked a reserve/futures contract with the Ravens back in early January. The Liberty product became a staple last preseason after he saw significant starting time in the absence of Flacco.

Coupled with the struggles of Mallett, fans clamored for Woodrum to make the 53-man roster as the backup. Mallett won the job and Woodrum was waived before re-signing on the practice squad in September.

Sooner or later the Ravens will have to find Flacco’s successor. Whether the Ravens believe it’s Woodrum or a rookie quarterback in the draft, their current franchise quarterback isn’t getting any younger now at the age of 33. Having stability at quarterback has allowed the Ravens to focus their efforts on improving other positions but at some point, a youth movement is needed under center.

I don’t believe Woodrum is the answer but only time will tell with the team’s decision.

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