A couple of weeks ago I shared my thoughts on why the Ravens needed a new backup plan at quarterback.
Tyrod Taylor never made much sense. Keith Wenning isn’t ready to assume such responsibilities and I’m not so sure he ever will be.
Therefore I concluded that the Ravens needed a veteran to carry a clipboard while donning a baseball cap and watching Joe Flacco get it done.
Many believe that if a starter goes down a team’s chance to advance to the NFL playoffs is severely impaired and winning a Super Bowl is next to nil.
And that really brings into question the role of a backup signal caller.
For me the on-deck quarterback should be able to:
* Provide insight based upon live game experience
* Study the defense for tendencies and share observations with the starter
* Jump into a game in relief of an injured starter
Obviously injury hasn’t been an issue since Joe Flacco came along. He is the Ravens answer to the Orioles’ Cal Ripken. But if that good fortune were to end for a 3 or 4 game stretch, a backup capable of executing the offense, even if he lacks the skill set of the starter, is essential to keeping a club in the hunt.
What if Flacco misses games 9 through 13 (for example) in 2015 with the Ravens holding a (6-2) record? The Ravens SHOULD have a backup who could help the team win 2 or 3 of those games to keep pace in the race to the postseason.
Who would you rather have in such a situation, Wenning or newly acquired Matt Schaub?
We both know the answer.
Besides, Wenning could never be the clipboard guy that Schaub can and will be. Besides the experience he also has familiarity with the offensive system the Ravens employ.
I’m not here to say that Schaub should ever replace Flacco. That’s not his job in 2015. But his 89.5 career passer rating, 130 TD’s and 86 INT’s compare favorably to Joe’s 84.8/148/90.
That’s experience that could help the team.
It’s experience that could save a season.
