Ravens new Offensive Coordinator Gary Kubiak has been busy installing his offensive system since arriving in Baltimore two weeks ago.
He's also started getting to know some of his new players, including quarterback Joe Flacco, wide receiver Torrey Smith and running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. Kubiak has talked with Flacco over the phone on numerous occasions and he also got a visit from Rice when the running back was in town recently.
"I've spent some great time with Ray," Kubiak said during an interview with BaltimoreRavens.com. "He was passing through the office the other day and I had a chance to talk to him. I know what type of player he is and what he's done in the past."
[NOTE: The full Gary Kubiak interview will be published Thursday on BaltimoreRavens.com]
During his initial meeting with Rice, the running back stressed his focus on getting back on track after the worst season of his six-year career. Rice finished the season with 214 carries for 660 yards and four touchdowns.
"He's excited to get going again, put last year behind him, that's all he talked to me about," Kubiak said.
Kubiak talked with Pierce Wednesday and has also met with Smith since getting hired.
While Flacco and Kubiak haven't sat down together to discuss the Ravens' new offense, Kubiak has a familiarity with his quarterback dating back several years. He studied Flacco coming out of college ahead of the 2008 draft, and then he prepared for Flacco as the head coach of the Houston Texans five times in the last six years.
"I know a lot about Joe because I studied him so much coming out and I played him many times, so I know he's a great player and a great person," Kubiak said.
Flacco has been out of town during the offseason months, but Kubiak and Quarterbacks Coach Rick Dennison have both made it a priority to connect with the franchise quarterback.
"That relationship has gotten started, along with Coach [Rick] Dennison, and [Flacco's] the most important guy that we catch up right now," Kubiak said.
Most players are not in Baltimore at this time of the year, as they use the offseason to take vacation and go back to their hometowns. Kubiak will have a chance to meet with more players in the future months once the Ravens begin voluntary workouts mid-April.
