Baltimore Ravens Quarterback Carousel Continues

The Baltimore Ravens could start their third different quarterback since starter Joe Flacco was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.

The Baltimore Ravens are missing Joe Flacco. It has become apparent each week that this team performs at its best when he is under center. The Ravens have started two different quarterbacks since Flacco tore his ACL and MCL against the St. Louis Rams, and there are rumblings that a third option could be thrusted into the starting gig.

The team signed former Houston Texans starter Ryan Mallett to a contract this week after Matt Schaub and Jimmy Clausen have started the past two games. Neither has been impressive when taking the field and coach John Harbaugh said there is “absolutely a chance” that Mallett gets a chance to play before the end of the season.

Schaub missed the matchup against the Seattle Seahawks due to injury and that thrusted Clausen into the starting role after being with the team for just a couple weeks. It wasn’t a performance worth raving about for Clausen and that leaves a cloud over who plays this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.

All three quarterbacks got some work in during Wednesday’s practice. Schaub practiced in a limited capacity, but it was Clausen that received the majority of the snaps. Mallett, who is still learning the playbook at this time, worked with the scout team.

It is hard to imagine the Ravens handing the offense over to Mallett after just reaching an agreement, but it is possible that the former Texans starter takes over for the final two games. Many still feel that Mallett has the tools to be a capable NFL option, something that cannot be said about Schaub and Clausen. Schaub is a backup at this point of his career and Clausen still looks timid in the pocket despite being in the league for six seasons.

The problem with Mallett is his constant struggles off the field. After losing his starting spot in training camp, he was late for practice, and then missed a team flight later in the season. The Texans had enough and decided to part ways with the former third-round pick of the New England Patriots.

The opportunity with the Ravens could be the last for all three quarterbacks. Schaub is getting up there in age, and has shown major signs of regression over the past five seasons. Clausen has never become the talent that many expected when he was drafted in the second round by the Carolina Panthers. Mallett could be getting his last chance to show that he has what it takes on and off the football field to be a NFL caliber quarterback.

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The Ravens do need a reliable option behind Flacco. That became very apparent this season. Could any of the current quarterbacks be the backup to Flacco next season? They all have a lot to prove in the next three weeks or Harbaugh and his staff will start looking for other alternatives once the season comes to an end.