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Talk about your Christmas bonuses. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco has earned a cool $3 million in extra cash because he participated in 80% of his team’s snaps this season. A total of $750,000 will be added to his base salary for the remaining four years of his contract as a result. Nice.
Joe doesn’t just have this bonus coming to him because he took some snaps. He really earned it. I know the Ravens planned to start Kyle Boller or Troy Smith at quarterback this season and kind of work Joe into the system slowly …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
I knew the Baltimore Ravens would find a way to get both of their quarterbacks into the game. I credit offensive coordinator Cam Cameron and his creativity. Really, I think it’s too close to call either Joe Flacco or Troy Smith the starting quarterback for the Ravens, so why not just play them both at the same time? On this particular play, Joe handed to Troy and Troy hit Joe with this 43-yard pass. It was pure playground and might have been the play of the day if Joe had kept his feet and scored. …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Kyle Boller was placed on injured reserve today with a shoulder tear that will force him to miss the entire 2008 season. Head coach John Harbaugh didn’t paint a pretty picture:
“He has got either one of two injuries, either the torn labrum or he’s got, I don’t know the medical term, but there’s a connection in the biceps to the shoulder that might be a problem. The torn labrum has not responded to the medication, and the other injury is a season ender. He’s done.”
Done as in most likely he’s thrown his …read more

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast
The Baltimore Ravens have an identity crisis at the quarterback position. At the start of training camp, there was a three-way race between veteran Kyle Boller, second-year QB Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco. When the dust settled, Joe won the starting job by default — he’s the only one left that’s healthy enough to play. Troy is still feeling the ill effects of infected tonsils. And Kyle has a sore shoulder that might require surgery. That being said, some might argue that Joe earned the starting job on the field. He was 35-of-67 for …read more

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Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL
Baltimore Ravens first round Draft choice, quarterback Joe Flacco, signed a five-year contract worth up to $30 million with the team today. The deal includes $8.75 million in guaranteed money and ensures a heated QB battle when Ravens training camp begins July 21. Along with Troy Smith and Kyle Boller, Joe should have an equal opportunity to make his case for the starting quarterback position this season (remember, he missed some OTA time this offseason because of an NFL-NCAA rule). I’m leaning toward Troy Smith winning the job initially, but it probably …read more

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Baltimore Ravens all-world offensive lineman Jonathan Ogden will announce his retirement tomorrow, ending a brilliant career with the Ravens in which he earned 11 Pro Bowl invitations (he was named to the Pro Bowl in every season after his rookie year) and a Super Bowl ring. Jonathan is one of the best left tackles of all-time but he’s been bothered by a hyperextended toe since late in 2006 and was expected to walk away from the game rather than try to get through a 13th NFL season. He’s 34-years-old.
Jonathan played in a …read more

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There might be a lot of hype in Baltimore about first round Draft choice quarterback Joe Flacco, but Troy Smith could be the Ravens’ answer at QB this season. Troy worked with the first-team offense for the majority of snaps in yesterday’s passing camp, prompting this from head coach John Harbaugh:
“Troy had a good practice. He was sharp. He competed. He had a good time. Troy is a leader. Anytime you’ve won the Heisman Trophy, anytime you’ve been in a national championship game, you obviously know how to lead an offense and lead …read more