Ravens expect QB Flacco to be leader

By Tony Grossi

The Cleveland Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND

The Baltimore Ravens made a major decision this year in putting their Super Bowl hopes in the hands of their quarterback. The shift in their philosophy occurred in February when owner Steve Bisciotti publicly challenged Joe Flacco to step up his game in Year 3.

The Ravens proceeded to support Flacco by acquiring accomplished receiving targets Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. They’re no longer built like the 2000 Super Bowl team, which pounded teams into submission with suffocating defense and a physical running game.

The risk of the commitment to the passing game was realized last week in Cincinnati. The Bengals blanketed Flacco’s receivers and forced four interceptions. Meanwhile, running back Ray Rice ‘” a 2,000-plus-yard all-purpose dynamo last year ‘” carried the ball only 16 times in the Ravens’ 15-10 loss.

It was the second road game in a row against a tough, physical defense. The Ravens opened the season on a Monday night with a 10-9 win against the Jets. So they’re 1-1 and still standing after back-to-back slugfests on the road.

“Two tough games to start. Hopefully it’ll pay dividends down the stretch,” said Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. “I’ve tried to build the team for the long haul.”

Flacco was scathed from the defensive pounding. He checks in as the lowest-ranked starting QB in the NFL through two weeks (41.2 rating), completing 48.1 percent of his 77 throws. He’s accounted for six of Baltimore’s seven offensive turnovers.

“Joe played well after getting banged around early by the Jets,” Newsome said. “He made some great throws and helped us win that game. Then he had a bad game.

“You don’t get too hyped up with the good games and too low with the bad ones. Between Cam [Cameron, offensive coordinator] and Jim Zorn [quarterbacks coach], they’ll be able to help him to be more consistent.”

Flacco won three playoff games in his first two seasons, which is way ahead of the normal curve for NFL quarterbacks. But in five postseason games, he’s completed 47.5 percent of his passes with one touchdown and six interceptions. His postseason rating is 46.5.

The Ravens know Flacco has to reverse those numbers for them to get to where they expect to be in February.