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Joe Flacco deserves future spot in Ravens Ring of Honor

By Chris Schisler

FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Head coach John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after defeating the New England Patriots in the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the New England Patriots 28-13. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)
FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 20: Head coach John Harbaugh and Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrate after defeating the New England Patriots in the 2013 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium on January 20, 2013 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Baltimore Ravens defeated the New England Patriots 28-13. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens need to one day pay tribute to the good times in the Joe Flacco era, with a spot for Flacco in the Ring of Honor:

Joe Flacco has been the only franchise quarterback the Baltimore Ravens have ever known. The Ravens shuffled through quarterbacks for a long time before Flacco. Yes, Lamar Jackson will take his job at some point. Yes, Ravens fans are tired of the Flacco era and Flacco has been fairly average since winning the Super Bowl. All of this is true, however there were more good times than there were bad and deep down, everyone knows that.

Joe Flacco was drafted 10 years ago and he has been the starting quarterback ever since. Flacco has given the franchise stability at the most important position and he has been the most recognizable face of the franchise. Flacco may not have the charisma that Ray Lewis did, but he has always put his best foot forward.

Number 5 gets a lot of criticism that simply isn’t fair. The idea that he cashed in and doesn’t care is a little ridiculous. To borrow a phrase from Ray Lewis “Effort is between you and you.” Fans aren’t in the locker room, but Flacco’s fellow players are. If Flacco was as nonchalant as advertised, his teammates would have thrown him under the bus. Over the years we have seen countless examples of players sticking up for Flacco and even praising him.

Many shining moments:

Must Read: Baltimore Ravens: Life before Joe Flacco

Flacco has won more road playoff games than any quarterback in NFL history. Flacco was a Super Bowl MVP who has always performed out of his mind in the NFL postseason. The Ravens went to the playoffs in each of his first five seasons. The Flacco era will be remembered as the best time in franchise history. The Ravens missing the playoffs three consecutive years puts a damper on this appreciation article for sure, however 2015 was the only losing season since Flacco got here.

The Bottom Line:

When Lamar Jackson is the Ravens quarterback, he should look up to the ring of honor and see his predecessor’s name. Flacco has been a good quarterback and a good man. The Ravens should be proud of what he has accomplished and grateful for the historic high points of his career.

It may seem like the ring of honor at M&T Bank Stadium is getting full. The Ravens first two draft picks got voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Ed Reed is going to be enshrined at some point and the Ravens have had some really good times in the 20+ years of football. The Ravens have a lot of names up there and they should. They also need to be a little more selective on who ends up in the ring moving forward. Joe Flacco belongs up there when his career with Baltimore is over.

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