Everything we heard this offseason about the Ravens offense indicated that quarterback Joe Flacco would be carrying a bigger load than in past years.
We saw it in action in the preseason when the Ravens used a no-huddle offense that put Flacco at the controls. It was an effective attack that met with Flacco’s approval to the point that he called the Ravens a “total no-huddle” team on offense. We’ll see if that’s the case, but running back Ray Rice left no doubt about who is the focal point of the offense this season.
“In pecking order, this is Joe’s offense, then everybody else. And he’s proven that this preseason with how he’s played, his tempo, how vocal he is, and the quiet Joe phase I think is pretty much over,” Rice said, via Edward Lee of the Baltimore Sun. “He’s been outspoken — and I guess you guys get to see it more going into Year 5 — but for me and him, we came in together, and I think he’s going to prove to everybody why he’s a top quarterback in the league. And going into this game, I’m confident, he’s confident. I just can’t wait to get out there with the guys so we can go out there and show guys what he’s really capable of doing.”
It’s certainly setting up to be a year-long referendum on Flacco. With his contract expiring, Flacco’s going to get a chance to prove that he’s worth a fat new one while running an offense that doesn’t look like it will have much resemblance to the ones we’ve grown accustomed to in Baltimore.
