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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 but surely. But because of injuries, Joe was thrust into the starting role and has steadily improved as the season has progressed. The most recent proof — in the national spotlight against the Dallas Cowboys in the final game at Texas Stadium — was one of Joe’s finer moments to date. He easily outplayed overrated Tony Romo. We quite possibly could be witnessing the development of one of the NFL’s future elite quarterbacks. Joe Flacco is that good.

Source: ESPN.com, Photo: Newscom

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Merry Christmas, Joe Flacco

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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. Nevertheless, the Ravens had their way with the Oakland Raiders this afternoon, 29-10.

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Troy Smith to Joe Flacco?

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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 last pass for the Ravens. Kyle was in the mix to challenge Troy Smith and rookie Joe Flacco for the starting QB spot, but this injury ends that debate. The Ravens officially added veteran QB Todd Bouman to the mix today, but I’m still having a hard time seeing how that’s going to do much more than give the team some experienced depth.

I don’t know if the Ravens have their answer at quarterback. At least not for this season. Troy isn’t healthy enough to play yet and Joe has zero experience. I think Troy can eventually take over this team and win some ball games, but there are too many veterans (especially on defense) who don’t have time to be part of a rebuilding program. Not adding a quality veteran quarterback before OTAs and minicamps may prove to be a big mistake.

Source: BaltimoreRavens.com, Photo: Newscom

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Season Over for Kyle Boller

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 284 yards and no interceptions during the preseason. His quarterback rating was better than that of Kyle or Troy. And he threw Baltimore’s only touchdown pass. Still, he’s an unproven rookie.

Enter free agents Joey Harrington and Todd Bouman. It has been reported (in separate reports) that both quarterbacks signed with the Ravens, but both of those reports turned out to be false. Way to go ESPN. It is believed, however, that one of these QBs (or former Tampa Bay Buc Chris Simms) will, in fact, sign with Baltimore very soon. But with no familiarity with the Ravens offensive system, they would only be called upon to play as a last resort until they had some grasp of the playbook. Seems like the same old quarterback quandary for the Ravens. Ray Lewis and his defensive mates can’t be enthused.

Source: BaltimoreRavens.com

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Rookie Joe Flacco Will Start for Ravens

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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 won’t take much in the way of adversity for the Ravens to make the switch. They typically finish near the bottom of the league in passing yards/game, so it’s safe to say the position needs a jump-start.

With Joe’s deal being finalized today, there are still only five first round Draft choices who have agreed to a contract with the team that signed them — Joe, Jake Long (Dolphins), Matt Ryan (Falcons), Darren McFadden (Raiders), and Dustin Keller (Jets). Expect a lot more contract action in the coming weeks as training camps open across the NFL.

Source: ESPN.com

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Joe Flacco Agrees to Contract With Ravens

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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 career-low 11 games last year and did not participate in the Pro Bowl because of the foot injury. To say he will be sorely missed by the Ravens is a severe understatement. He’s been the foundation of their O-line since 1996. Who will miss Jonathan Ogden the most? Ask the current Ravens QBs who played with him — Kyle Boller and Troy Smith.

Photo: Newscom

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Ravens Tackle Jonathan Ogden to Retire

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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 a team.”

Coach Harbaugh more than has a point there, but one good practice does not guarantee a starting spot. With Kyle Boller appearing shaky in workouts (big surprise) and the aforementioned Joe Flacco absent due to an NFL-NCAA rule, though, the Baltimore Ravens starting QB job might just be Troy’s to lose.

Source: Carroll County Times, Photo: Newscom

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Troy Smith Looks Sharp at Ravens Camp