Ravens Game Day: 3 Things to Watch vs. New Orleans Saints
By Joe Serpico
Backup Quarterback Battle
Heading into training camp, it seemed like Ryan Mallett had the inside track at being the backup to Flacco. However, Josh Johnson has made things interesting with his play in the preseason.
Mallett had two unspectacular starts to begin the preseason, but a strong third preseason game likely has him ahead of the journeyman from the University of San Diego. He led the Ravens to three straight scoring drives in the second quarter after taking over for Flacco, including a beautiful 25-yard touchdown pass to Butler and a quarterback keeper for another touchdown.
Johnson earned praise from Harbaugh prior to the third preseason game and has a chance to win someone over in the preseason finale. Baltimore waived Jerrod Johnson, the only other quarterback on the roster, as a part of the moves to get to 75 players, so Josh should get to plenty of playing time on Thursday.
We speculated earlier in the week that the Ravens should give the Dallas Cowboys a phone call about a potential trade for Mallett. Baltimore has two quarterbacks that they like, and they should get something in return instead of letting one walk at the end of the preseason.
Next: Ravens News: Taliaferro to PUP, Kaufusi on IR
Of course, the top goal of the game is to escape with everyone healthy. We are just days away from knowing which 53 players will be in uniform when the Ravens host the Buffalo Bills for the regular season opener.