The Ravens race to find a starting quarterback is nearing an end, yet the team has no idea which player will cross the finish line first.
Right now, Joe Flacco — a rookie who last week was out of the competition — has emerged as the front-runner because Troy Smith is sick and Kyle Boller can’t to throw a football because of an injured right shoulder.
It means Flacco is the team’s only man standing for tonight’s final preseason game against the Falcons at 7 at M&T Bank Stadium, which could be a prelude to the 18th overall pick starting the season opener against Cincinnati on Sept. 7.
“It’s a chance for me to get better and get to work with some of these guys and develop some chemistry,” Flacco said. “We’ve been in there together for a little while now and the last few days of practice have been great for me. It’s been a great opportunity for me.”
Flacco will be opposed tonight by Atlanta rookie Matt Ryan, the third overall pick who is expected to become the first quarterback to start the first game of his career since Boller in 2003.
Flacco hopes to use his first start at home as a learning experience after completing 18-of-37 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in a 24-10 loss at St. Louis this past Saturday at the St. Louis Rams. He has taken all of the reps in practice since finding out Saturday afternoon he was starting in place of Smith, whose condition has prevented him from eating for several days this week, according to Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
“The curve for Joe has been pretty dramatic,” Harbaugh said. “He’s operating the offense pretty effectively, and the offense is operating pretty effectively. Now, making plays, getting first downs, scoring points, doing all the things that you have to do to win games on offense in the NFL, that’s something that still has to be accomplished.”
If Flacco gets injured against the Falcons or is pulled from the game to prevent him from getting injured, the Ravens likely will turn to receiver Mark Clayton, who has taken some snaps during practice. If the Ravens’ quarterback sill is unsettled, they could trade for a player or sign a player who has been waived. Each of the league’s 32 teams must trim their rosters to 53 players by Saturday.
The Ravens, who have 75 players on their active roster, also need to answer questions in their secondary.
Injuries to cornerback Chris McAlister (knee) and safety Ed Reed (shoulder) has provided an opportunity for reserves like safety Jim Leonhard to prove they can contribute. Leonhard, who played his first three seasons with the Buffalo Bills, had a game-high nine tackles against the Rams.
“Coming in, I was mainly thinking of being a special teams guy and any little package I could get in on defense would be great,” Leonhard said. “Now with Ed’s status being unknown a little bit, I’ve picked up my role and played well this preseason.”
Ravens vs. Falcons
- When: Tonight, 7
- Where: M&T Bank Stadium
- TV/Radio: WBAL/MASN; 1090 AM/ 97.9 FM
