Russell Street Report’s Adam Bonaccorsi posted an interesting poll on Twitter this week. He asked if the Ravens lose and are eliminated from the playoff chase by the Los Angeles Chargers, should John Harbaugh start Joe Flacco so that Baltimore could say goodbye with their cheers, applause and appropriate pageantry.
The answer is an unequivocal, “NO!”
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If the Ravens are out of the playoff chase and Flacco’s time as Baltimore’s quarterback is truly over, why risk a miserable performance or even worse, an injury, which would obliterate Flacco’s trade value? If anything, the Ravens should send RGIII out on the field as the starter. That would eliminate the risk of injury to Lamar Jackson AND Flacco, AND give the Ravens another opportunity to see if Griffin should be looked upon as the backup in 2019.
Flacco has been the author of many great moments in Baltimore. One day he’ll be among those in the team’s Ring of Honor. One day Baltimore will get its opportunity to thank Joe for the memories and that amazing Super Bowl run. But “one day” is not on December 30 against the Cleveland Browns in front of 30,000 people.
For now, let’s save the sentimentality for the Holidays and the coming New Year.