Flacco to start season opener; Ravens reportedly sign Harrington
Rookie Joe Flacco, who just a few weeks ago was ruled out of the Ravens' quarterback competition, has been named the starter under center in this Sunday's season opener against the Cincinnati Bengals.
With Troy Smith and Kyle Boller still sidelined, the Ravens were also in need of a backup quarterback for the immediate future. ESPN.com is reporting that Baltimore filled that void today by signing Joey Harrington, who was released this weekend by the Falcons.
The Ravens were hoping to have Smith or Boller start the season at quarterback so they could ease Flacco into the job, but Smith's tonsil infection and Boller's shoulder injury have limited their playing time the past couple weeks.
The situation is a bit bizarre, and even Flacco didn't see things working out the way they have.
"[It happened] faster than I expected," Flacco said, "but this is what I wanted all along. Things happen funny. I've gotten my opportunity. It's up to me to go out there and play, and it's up to our offense."
Flacco was left standing as the only legitimate option late in the preseason. He played all of the Ravens' third preseason game, and almost two quarters last Thursday against the Falcons. The rookie went 35-for-67 for 284 yards and a TD in the preseason, and head coach John Harbaugh seemed pleased with his progress each time out.
"You couldn't envision this scenario," Harbaugh said. "It wasn't what we planned. We didn't plan on him taking this many reps, or really any one quarterback taking this many reps throughout the preseason, probably. But he's certainly benefited from it. And you can see the improvement from the first game to the fourth game."
Smith was back with the team today after spending part of last week in the hospital with a tonsil infection, but he will not practice for a while as he tries to get his strength back.
"I'm feelng a little better," Smith said, "but the process hasn't been easy because you work so hard to achieve certain things, and then something comes that you don't have any control over. You've just got to battle through it."
With Boller still out as well, the Ravens were left with little insurance behind Flacco heading into the regular season opener. Baltimore brought in Harrington, Chris Simms (cut by the Buccaneers this weekend), and Todd Bouman (released by the Jaguars) to audition for Harbaugh and the coaching staff today.
Apparently Harrington has won that battle, and the Lions' first-round pick in the 2002 NFL Draft will back up the Ravens' first selection this year.
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