Truth & Rumors > NFL

Promo_BaseballChallenge_638x30

Why Ravens will start Flacco

Views
705
Comments
0

Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco was officially named the Ravens' season-opening starter yesterday, an announcement that seemed implausible just 10 days ago. Medical issues involving the Ravens' other quarterbacks - Troy Smith (tonsil infection) and Kyle Boller (shoulder) - vaulted Flacco from last in the quarterback race to the uncontested winner. Harbaugh, the Ravens' rookie head coach, had no other option than to go with his highly touted rookie quarterback. Smith, who seemed like the front-runner heading into the third preseason game, has lost 20pounds since coming down with an illness Aug.22. Boller, the team's most experienced quarterback, suffered a serious shoulder injury in the second preseason game and has not thrown a pass in two weeks. That forced the Ravens to scrap any plans to bring their first-round pick along slowly.

Baltimore Sun

Joe Flacco, AP Joe Flacco, AP
September 2, 2008  05:13 AM ET

Probably a bad move, based on the kid is likely to suffer a knee injury or seperated shoulder.

September 2, 2008  05:37 AM ET

I wish nothing but the best, but rookies starting the first game? I do not think he is ready. He will get crushed, "just like grape".

September 2, 2008  07:31 AM ET

UH OH!!!!

September 2, 2008  07:32 AM ET

This bodes well for all BenGals....It's always fun to watch a rookie in "Game 1". Hopefully the home field works for him and not against him.....

September 2, 2008  07:46 AM ET

Did anyone else see yesterday that the Ravens had signed Joey Harrington?! Now, THAT is a bad move.

September 2, 2008  08:18 AM ET

can't blame the ravens for trying this against the bengals, lots of players have had a great coming out game against the bengals. priest holmes, brett favre, etc. although, can't recall any rookie to ever hurt the bengals, although it probably happened sometime in the 90s and i'm forgetting it.

September 2, 2008  08:28 AM ET

Lol how does Joey Harrington stay employed? I guess he always stays just good enuf to be a backup. The ravens are dumb for letting Trent Dilfer go, if he won you guys a super bowl with his mediocre talent then obviously he's a good fit. The qb position is the most critical position in the nfl phew dumb ravens.

September 2, 2008  09:25 AM ET

What in the world does Trent Dilfer have to do with this particular situation?? In hindsight it was not the best move to go after Grbac (who made the pro bowl the season before), but the organization knew their defense could not match what they did in their super bowl run, and our offense needed to score more. We lost Priest Holmes to free agency, and Jamal Lewis tore his ACL in training camp ending his season. There was no way we would have won with Trent Dilfer as the qb w/no running game, hate to break it to you Scappy_AK.

As far as Flacco, how can anyone critisize this move?? He is the ONLY healthy qb on the roster that has been there for more than a week. Troy Smith lost 20 lbs when he was sick, so he's a few weeks away from playing and Boller might be out for the season. The coaching staff was forced into this move, it was just really bad luck. The person I'm a lot more concerned about at this point is Ed Reed. He has a nerve issue in his neck and shoulder and there are rumors that his career could be over

September 2, 2008  09:32 AM ET

Have fun, kid...nothing like trial by fire in the NFL. Although, he hould do very well against the Bungles...I mean Bengals...sorry.

September 2, 2008  09:45 AM ET

I just knew something would happen to keep Troy Smith from starting - but hopefully he'll get better and be able to play. Flacco is not the answer for the Ravens.

September 2, 2008  10:04 AM ET

It should be criminal to start a rookie QB for a team where he will spend most of his time laying on his back wondering what happened.
(See...Dave Klingler, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, etc etc etc)
A rookie can only be succesful if the team has a good offensive line that can keep his brain from rattling around in his cranium.

September 2, 2008  10:19 AM ET

The ravens are dumb for letting Trent Dilfer go, if he won you guys a super bowl with his mediocre talent then obviously he's a good fit. The qb position is the most critical position in the nfl phew dumb ravens.
Scrappy_AK | 09/02/08, 08:28 AM

You are aware that hindsight is 20/20, right ?

September 2, 2008  11:04 AM ET

Flacco is not the answer for the Ravens.

C-Smith | 09/02/08, 09:45 AM

We'll never know until he has a few seasons under his belt. It'd be better for him to sit a year or two, but the Ravens don't have that luxury, unless they'd like to sign Culpepper to a deal. <snicker>

September 2, 2008  11:25 AM ET

i dont see why they haven't signed culpepper. he's a versatile qb, which is needed for this sour offense.

on a side note, anyone know if ed reed and/or willis mcgahee are going to play? that is huge as wel

September 2, 2008  11:28 AM ET

The Ravens will start Flacco becuase they are a garbadge franchise

September 2, 2008  11:42 AM ET

Ed Reed's health should be of more concern for Ravens fans then any of their mediocre QB's. Ogden retiring will definetely hurt their offensive performance (which has never been that much to begin with)

September 2, 2008  11:44 AM ET

We look forward to pounding any QB that takes the field for the Ravens.

September 2, 2008  12:53 PM ET

Why Ravens will start Flacco


Easy answer... they have no other choice.

September 2, 2008  02:57 PM ET

^^^

Agreed.

 
September 2, 2008  04:13 PM ET

<i>Medical issues involving the Ravens' other quarterbacks - Troy Smith (tonsil infection) and Kyle Boller (shoulder) - vaulted Flacco from last in the quarterback race to the uncontested winner.</i>

The two sweetest words in the English language: De Fault Deeee Fault!

Comment

Remember to keep your posts clean. Profanity will get filtered, and offensive comments will be removed.


The Si.com Cover Hub Go to the Cover Hub

Stub Hub

The 2009 schedule has been released. Search for tickets!

Truth & Rumors

MOST POPULAR

  1. 1
    Meeting with fans backfires on Browns owner
    Views
    28043
    Comments
    852
  2. 2
    Ex-Eagle: Cowboys everything wrong about NFL
    Views
    17161
    Comments
    516
  3. 3
    Canseco wants to fight A-Rod
    Views
    39666
    Comments
    205
  4. 4
    Mangini scaring off GM candidates?
    Views
    8614
    Comments
    135
  5. 5
    Gator Bowl eyeing Notre Dame
    Views
    2802
    Comments
    94

Most Active Users

Comments + Blog Posts + Throwdowns

  1. 1
    Porkins: F U to Hell, BCS
  2. 2
    RobertMenn: You stole my rake
  3. 3
    Perfectpats
  4. 4
    sign here
  5. 5
    Oso: Yankees win again?

Message Boards

  1. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Rivalries/hated teams
    Views
    423
    Replies
    41
  2. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    CFB Game Day 11/7/2009
    Views
    371
    Replies
    117
  3. NCAAF > General NCAAF

    Sports Illustrated says Pac 10…
    Views
    237
    Replies
    66

Blogs