During the offseason, Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco declared that he wanted to be in control of the Ravens offense. “If we lose football games, I want you to be able to look directly at me and say, ‘Why did we lose this game?’ and I should have a pretty good answer for you,” Flacco said just a month ago. “You have to have trust in me, and I think we’re there.”
Reports from Owings Mills are indicating that Flacco has taken more control of the Ravens offense this season. Mike Duffy of BaltimoreRavens.com reports that Flacco has been given the keys to the Ravens offense and he’s taken advantage of the new opportunity.
“I haven’t done a count, but I’ll bet you it’s at least half of the plays where he’s had a choice to make the decision,” Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh said according to Duffy. “He changes the run to a different direction, he changes a run to a pass, changes a pass to a maximum protection and back to a run.”
As Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward pointed out this week, the weight will be on Flacco’s shoulders this offseason. The Ravens will go as far as their fourth year quarterback can carry them. Flacco has accepted the challenge. In July he told NFL Network’s Dhani Jones that he wants to be the best quarterback in the world. “I don’t play this game to be average. I play this game to be the best and it doesn’t matter what other people say.”
