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The question was inevitable. That was to come as soon as the Ravens got their first set of serious defeats of the season, and that moment arrived Sunday shortly after losing their third straight game, 23-16, against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Is it time Lamar Jackson, rookie and first-round pick, replaces veteran Joe Flacco as starting quarterback?
Coach John Harbaugh answered the question correctly on Monday.
"Joe played well, so I do not want to get into all that," Harbaugh said. "We are driving right now with what we have."
That's what should happen for the rest of the season, unless there are major injuries inflicted on Flacco or quarterback Robert Griffin III. There is always a demand for the quarterback when the best player is in trouble, but there are two main reasons why the Ravens must stay with Flacco.
First, at 4-5, they are still in contention for a playoff spot and it gives them the best chance of winning. Secondly, Jackson is not ready to make his entry yet. In fact, he may still be in a year.
"Of course, at one point, I mean, this guy is a quarterback," Harbaugh said of Jackson. "We've said it from the beginning, and whoever wants to challenge that, come practice or watch it play. It improves all the time. He is constantly improving as a quarterback, quarterback of the NFL. "
To put Flacco on the bench at the present time would be a serious mistake. He has not played well in recent weeks, but he started well the first month. It's a typical Flacco season. He is inconsistent in half in half not to mention match after match, but still completed 233 of 379 passes for 2,465 yards and 12 touchdowns.
If Harbaugh now drew him, it would be an act of capitulation almost as carefree as if the owner of the team, Steve Bisciotti, had dismissed Harbaugh at this point in the season. The Ravens (4-5) still have seven games to play and a chance to win a playoff spot.
In addition, Flacco is a leader. He may not be as charismatic or as flamboyant as former Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, but he still commands the respect of his teammates. It would be a challenge for this team, especially for veterans such as linebacker Terrell Suggs, security guard Eric Weddle and goaltender Marshal Yanda.
Harbaugh is smart to survive this storm. Flacco will play as he has done for most of his career. It is not big but good enough to win in any situation.
Jackson has not reached this level yet and he could never get there. But he has time on his side and does not need to be thrown on the field just for a match day experience. There is nothing wrong with a young quarterback being patient and waiting for his time to play.
According to two NFL coaches, one having spent a lot of time with him before the draft, Jackson may have played a sophisticated foul in Louisville but would need more time to read the NFL's defenses. This is one of the main reasons he moved to the Ravens as number 32 in the first round.
During the pre-season, he progressed, but there were problems with his mechanics, such as correctly grasp the ball and his footwork when he fell back and planted his back leg to throw.
There are benefits if the Ravens can correct the fundamentals. Jackson could be the fastest player on the list and is athletic. It fits more in the new NFL fashionable offenses with quarterbacks versatile enough to get out of the pocket and use pass options.
In terms of accuracy, the basics and learning how to grip the ball will help it improve, but maybe not enough to become the next star of the NFL.
The question, however, is why do you want to throw Jackson now? Ravens have no running and have an offensive line exhausted by injuries. Jackson is very competitive, but he is not as strong as Flacco in managing the highs and lows of a professional quarterback.
The Ravens have had time to play Jackson. It was understandable at the beginning of the season because his presence gave the defense coordinators another point to prepare for the day.
There does not seem to be any more advantage. Using it as an option as a quarterback for short-range games and 2-point conversion is perfect, especially when it's out, because it puts a lot of pressure on the perimeter.
But the Ravens use it at times when it makes no sense. They have inserted him as quarterback after long wins or passes, which can put an end to their momentum.
When Jackson comes into play, the Ravens usually separate Flacco from a fortune catcher and they usually expose themselves to the center or play on the opposite side of Flacco. They essentially neutralized one of their best offensive players, Flacco, for a very predictable player.
There is a motive, however. Getting Jackson on the field could be part of a Bisciotti warrant. But Harbaugh does not panic or make reckless decisions about appointing a new quarterback.
He is with Flacco, who always gives the Ravens their best chance of winning. Any questions about starting Jackson can be put on the shelf for a few weeks and probably for the rest of the season.
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