Baltimore Ravens: Top 5 All-Time Ravens

4) Joe Flacco

Sep 7, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws prior to the game Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Cincinnati Bengals defeated Baltimore Ravens 23-16. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

From the obscurity of the University of Delaware to Super Bowl MVP, Joe Flacco makes this list for a number of reasons.

In their short history as a ball club, the Ravens have earned a reputation as one of the most defensive-oriented teams in the NFL. One area that has lacked, however, has been the QB position. The Ravens have notoriously had bad QB after bad QB (one exception the late Steve McNair RIP). And as Ray Lewis and Ed Reed began to shows signs of age, an emphasis on improving the offense needed addressing.

Enter Joe Flacco, starting in 2008.

Flacco looked special from the beginning. Tall, gifted, smart, athletic and with a cannon arm, Joe led the Ravens to within one game of a Super Bowl appearance in his rookie year. In fact, minus their Super Bowl hangover season, Joe Flacco has led the Ravens to the playoffs every year he’s been under center.

He’s not only by far the best QB the team has ever had, but has also posted one of the greatest postseason performances in recent memory. Defeating Indianapolis at home was difficult enough, but to then go on the road and beat the vaunted Denver Broncos and New England Patriots throwing 12 touchdowns and zero interceptions is nothing short of brilliant.

Joe Flacco is special. He’s given this team a broader image. The Baltimore Ravens are are now viewed as a team that is also highly offensive minded. And that, Joe Flacco, lands you on my list.