The Ravens’ offense has been a work in progress from the start of the season. First there were questions about the offensive line. Adding to the uncertainty of offensive coordinator Cam Cameron’s new project was Joe Flacco, a rookie starting quarterback. Many wondered if the Ravens learned anything from the first year trials and tribulations that arguably ruined Kyle Boller.
Such worries are now nothing more than a distant and fading image in Cameron’s rearview mirror. Flacco just looks like he was built to play the position not just physically but mentally as well. Each week he seems to make positive strides and yesterday in the Meadowlands was no exception.
Many might suggest that Flacco and the Ravens received a royal butt kicking and clearly the scoreboard and the stats would support such an opinion. Yet this game was winnable, despite the long odds after the break when the Ravens found themselves down 20-3.
The Ravens pulled to within 10 after Flacco found FB Le’Ron McClain on a 10 yard scoring strike with 4:26 left in the third quarter. After stopping the Giants on the ensuing possession the Ravens took over at their own 30 at the 2:13 mark of the quarter. Following a first down and a 5 yard run from Ray Rice, Flacco and the Ravens faced a second and five from their own 47. Then that fateful carom changed the Ravens’ building momentum when Aaron Ross picked off a pass that ricocheted off the helmet of Derrick Mason.
Make it 27-10 Giants.
The rest as they say is history.
Yet even while losing rather convincingly (particularly if you paid even the slightest bit of attention to the wind bag named Dan Dierdorf), Flacco continued his steady progression through his inaugural NFL season. Despite the team’s inability to run or stop the run, despite the fact that they were beaten where it usually counts the most – in the trenches and despite being down by 17 at the break against the world champions in Giants Stadium while playing their third consecutive road game and fifth of the last six, the Ravens actually had a chance to win largely because of their unflappable quarterback.
When is the last time you could say that about the Ravens?
Have the Ravens ever in their 13 season history been able to count on their quarterback for a comeback win on the road when the defense wasn’t getting it done?
Only 5 of a possible ninety teams prior to yesterday’s game have successfully won three straight games playing away from home. And although this is just a guess, I bet none of those five faced the defending champs with a rookie at quarterback and sixteen players on injured reserve.
Regardless of the score, a loss only counts once in the standings. No more, no less. Yet in losing a team can learn a little about themselves. Yesterday the 2008 Baltimore Ravens learned that they still have a fighting chance to win despite nearly insurmountable odds because of a not so ordinary Joe at quarterback.
The Ravens offense still may be a work in progress but make no mistake about it, despite yesterday’s loss, it is progressing.
