Ravens rookie quarterback Joe Flacco will make his NFL debut on Thursday night at 7:30 in Foxborough, Mass., at Gillette Stadium against the New England Patriots.
Flacco, the 18th pick in April’s NFL Draft, is competing with Kyle Boller and 2006 Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith to be the starting quarterback.
What is your mind-set heading into Thursday’s game? I’m anxious. I think most people would be. It’s the first time you get a chance to step on the field at an NFL level. That’s a pretty big step and it’s a pretty big accomplishment. I’m anxious to get it going and just see what it’s like. My strategy is to go out there and play football the way I know how to and try to become as comfortable as possible.
How comfortable are you learning the offense? I’m getting more and more comfortable each day, but I wouldn’t say that I’m comfortable with everything we do. But that’s what practices are for and that’s why we come out here and do this every day.
What are your thoughts about getting hit for the first time in the NFL? The last thing I want to do is think about that. You want to be quick but you don’t want to hurt yourself. If you’re thinking about that, that’s what you’re going to do and you’re going to get yourself into trouble.
How is your mind-set in your first NFL training camp? I think I’m getting happier and happier, but like I said, I wish I’d be more comfortable. It’s my first time in the offense and my first time out here with an NFL team in an NFL training camp. Each day I’m getting more comfortable, but it’s going to take the rest of camp.
