Joe Flacco isn't much of a route runner, and doesn't want to be either.
The Ravens quarterback was lined up wide in several instances Sunday as the Ravens used backup Tyrod Taylor under center four times against the Jets.
So what did Flacco think of it?
"It's good and fun for a little bit, but that's it," Flacco said. "I don't want to be lining up at [wide receiver positions] Z and X. I want to line up behind center."
When you've got a franchise quarterback like Flacco, you give him the ball.
However, the Ravens were looking to help their run game while facing the league's No. 1 run defense. It gave the Jets a different look instead of simply running at a brick wall constantly.
Sometimes it worked, as Taylor ran once for 17 yards. Two other times, however, he ran for losses of 6 and 7 yards.
When lined up outside, Flacco hardly moved off the line of scrimmage. Baltimore ran to the other side presumably to protect their starting quarterback.
Flacco had a 43-yard catch during his rookie season. He caught another ball (his own pass, off a deflection) for a loss of eight yards in 2011. That's the extent of his career as a receiver.
The Ravens sometimes show flashes of trickery, but haven't wanted to take the ball out of Flacco's hands too often.
Flacco fared well under center on Sunday despite the wind that made passing difficult. He was 17-for-26 for 273 yards, one touchdown and one interception (his 14th of the season). On the interception, a route wasn't run right. Head Coach John Harbaugh said it was more a miscommunication than poor throw.
"I thought Joe [Flacco] was sharp. Obviously, he threw the ball really well," Harbaugh said. "He was really sharp running the offense, getting us into plays. We did a really good job with where we ran, what part of the defense we ran at. We did a good job with that."
While the Ravens could look to continue to sprinkle in Taylor to help the run game and provide a different look, Flacco's play down the stretch will continue to be the key to making the playoffs. And the Ravens feel like he gives them an advantage in cold weather games like the one they were in Sunday.
"Joe is from this part of the country. He's a big, strong guy. He's got big hands. He's got a strong arm," Harbaugh said. "He can stand in there and make throws under duress. He scrambled around and made a bunch of throws. That's what you need in this kind of [weather]. You need it anytime, but in this kind of weather, a guy that can spin the ball through the wind is pretty important, and Joe can do that."
