Ranking Tyrod Among All NFL Backup QBs
There's still plenty of debate about where Joe Flacco ranks among starting quarterbacks and whether he is "elite."
But what about his understudy Tyrod Taylor? Where does the athletic third-year veteran out of Virginia Tech rank among the league’s backups?
Smack-dab in the middle of the pack, says NFL.com's Marc Sessler.
Sessler put all quarterback replacements in one of nine categories: Pair of aces, strong support, strong support, the wild card, game managers, future potential, backup bros., ugliness and not enough data.
Taylor was ranked in the "strong support" category at No. 16.
"Taylor would see more snaps in another system, but Joe Flacco's durability has him on lockdown," Sessler wrote.
That is certainly true. Flacco has never missed a start since being drafted five years ago. As such, Taylor has mainly only seen snaps in mop-up duty after games were already out of reach.
He's played in 10 regular-season games over the last two seasons, throwing the ball 30 times for 18 completions, 197 yards, one interception and zero touchdowns.
Taylor's most extensive work came in Week 17 against the Bengals last season when Baltimore already had its playoff path set. In that game, Taylor got mixed reviews against the then sixth-ranked defense. He finished 15-of-25 for 149 yards passing. He rushed for one touchdown, but also threw a game-deciding pick six that led to a 23-17 loss.
Without more game film, it's tough to rank Taylor higher or lower on the list.
Below are Sessler's rankings. What do you think?
Pair of aces
- Kirk Cousins, Redskins
- Kyle Orton, Cowboys
Strong support
- Chad Henne, Jaguars
- Chase Daniel, Chiefs
- Kevin Kolb, Bills
- Nick Foles, Eagles
- Matt Moore, Dolphins
- Matt Hasselbeck, Colts
Strong support
- Matt Cassel, Vikings
- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Titans
- Ryan Mallett, Patriots
- Shaun Hill, Lions
- Colt McCoy, 49ers
- T.J. Yates, Texans
- Jason Campbell, Browns
- Tyrod Taylor, Ravens
The wild card
- Tim Tebow, Patriots
Game managers
- Drew Stanton, Cardinals
- Brady Quinn, Seahawks
- Bruce Gradkowski, Steelers
- David Carr, Giants
Future potential
- Dominique Davis, Falcons
- Austin Davis, Rams
- Brock Osweiler, Broncos
- Terrelle Pryor, Raiders
- Josh Johnson, Bengals
Backup bros.
- Josh McCown, Bears
- Luke McCown, Saints
Ugliness
- Derek Anderson, Panthers
- Charlie Whitehurst, Chargers
- Graham Harrell, Packers
Not enough data
- Geno Smith, Jets
- Mike Glennon, Buccaneers
- Tyler Wilson, Raiders
McNabb: Ravens To Win Less Than 10 Games, Finish Third
Former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb is paid to give his opinions, and so he shouldn't hesitate to give his two cents when asked.
But it just so happens that McNabb didn't get off to a good start with many Ravens fans when he said running back Ray Rice fumbles “way too much."
And he won't win any Baltimore fans over with his latest Ravens prediction.
When asked if the Ravens will make it to 10 wins this year – a number that usually earns a playoff spot – McNabb responded:
"I don't think so. I don't think so. I look at this division and I start with Cincinnati. I like what Cincinnati is able to do on the defensive side and I like what they are going to be able to do on the offensive side. I think Pittsburgh will be the team in second place in this division.
"I think Baltimore will finish third."
Ray Lewis Challenges Men To Be Active In Families
Retired Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis knows what it's like to grow up without a father.
His father left him as a newborn with a 15-year-old mother stranded at the hospital with bills to pay. Lewis had a stepfather, whom he called the "most abusive man" he had ever lived with.
"I started to learn the story, and it baffled me," Lewis told the No More Excuses men's conference at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship Church Saturday in Texas, per the Dallas Morning News. "The world is too crazy to leave a man by himself."
Understanding the challenges that come in that type of environment, Lewis is now urging men to be active in their families and communities.
Lewis was first Ray Jenkins when he was born, but changed his name to Ray Lewis after a man by that name began dating his mother and took care of hospital bills. Lewis talked about the pain he felt while living in his* *mother and stepfather's garage in Florida.
As good as his mother was to him, Lewis said nothing can replace the critical role of a father.
"I don't care how good a mom is, how awesome she is, how spiritual she is. She can never teach a man to be a man," he said.
Quick Hits
- @RayRice27: I was Not in a car accidentand whoever is behind these false rumors I will say a prayer for you. Good night workouts in the am [Twitter]
- Torrey Smith was praised for his thoughtful tweets after jurors acquitted George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case, while other NFL players have had to issue apologies for their controversial tweets. Said Smith, "Also as mad as a lot of people are over the verdict…trying to take out Zimmerman isn’t the answer neither." [ProFootballTalk.com | Twitter]
- Are the Ravens vulnerable at inside linebacker? Jameel McClain's health, Arthur Brown's inexperience, and Daryl Smith's age remain question marks, says Clifton Brown. [CSNBaltimore.com]
- @Artj97: konkretejungletat2 who said getting tattoos didn't hurt!!! Lol : ( [Twitter |Instagram]
- @jtuck9: Got to meet and talk to the man himself, Garth Brooks, and his lovely lady, Trisha Yearwood! [Twitter]
- @A_Mellette3: Me and Doc Rivers [Twitter]
- @BPierce_30: Just got done my cardio in the rain. #Noday'soff [Twitter]
- Jamison Hensley looked at one move each AFC North team needed to make this offseason, but didn’t. Any guesses to the move Hensley believes the Ravens missed on? No surprise – signing a veteran wide receiver in free agency. "Even though Boldin was never a 1,000-yard receiver for the Ravens, Joe Flacco depended on him in clutch situations," Hensley wrote. "According to ESPN Stats & Information, Boldin led the Ravens with 43 targets on third down this season (including the playoffs) and ranked seventh among wide receivers with 29 catches on third down." [ESPN]
- There's still plenty of hype for the upcoming "epic" Fox Sports promo with Flacco and 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis. Here's a behind-the-scenes video from the set. [Fox Sports YouTube]
