On a day that left much to be desired for rookie quarterback Joe Flacco, perennial Pro Bowler Peyton Manning ran a clinic in a 31-3 Indianapolis Colts win.
When the two signal-callers met at midfield after the Ravens dropped to 2-3 at the brand-new Lucas Oil Stadium, Flacco would be wise to take heed of Manning's advice.
Manning told his counterpart to be patient after Flacco's second-career road contest.
The Colts leader would know. After Indianapolis selected him first overall in the 1998 draft, Manning was immediately thrust into the starter's role. That year, the Colts finished 3-13 with Manning at the helm, losing many close games.
The next season, however, Manning grew into his game, and he guided Indianapolis to a 13-3 record and the AFC East title.
In that same vein, Flacco has always been a proponent of starting from Day 1. Even though he tossed three interceptions in a 28-of-38, 241-yard showing, Flacco considers his day a learning experience.
"It is a combination of bad throws and bad decisions,"' Flacco said. "I threw two of them high and missed the guys, for some reason. I've just got to make better decisions. "
Throughout an 11-year career, Manning has since become a Super Bowl champion and set numerous passing records.
Manning showed how far he's come by completing 19 of 28 passes for 271 yards and three touchdowns.
With similar lofty aspirations, Flacco is eager to move on the Ravens' next opponent, the Miami Dolphins, in order to continue his development.
"We've got to go back to work and get better in order to compete," Flacco stated. "We each have to get better and as a team. It all starts with me on the offensive side of the ball. We've got to come out in practice and make sure we get better."
Yanda Hurt
The Ravens' offensive line took a hit when right guard Marshal Yanda went down on the game's final drive with a knee injury.
Initially classified as a sprained right knee, Yanda will have a magnetic resonance imaging exam Monday to determine the severity.
Yanda hobbled through the post-game locker room on crutches with his right leg wrapped in a sleeve.
The play was a simple 4-yard pass to fullback Le'Ron McClain that was actually nullified by an illegal contact penalty on the Colts. Right tackle Willie Anderson was also hurt on the play, but he was not on the injury report.
If Yanda cannot suit up in Miami, Chris Chester would likely take his spot.
Chester had recently switched numbers and positions from a center/guard wearing No. 65 to a tight end in 48.
But, Chester has been sticking with the offensive linemen during practice.
"We'll have to see how Marshal is, but I'm ready to go in if I have to," Chester said. "I'm prepared if the team needs me."
Notable
Baltimore had an average starting spot of its own 18-yard line, while the Colts began their drives on their 37. Indianapolis also owned the time of possession battle by keeping the ball for 32:04 to the Ravens' 27:56…The Ravens kept cornerback Samari Rolle (neck/shoulder), safety Dawan Landry (neck), cornerback Fabian Washington (shoulder), offensive lineman David Hale, offensive tackle Adam Terry (knee), wideout Marcus Smith and defensive tackle Lamar Divens inactive…Indy was without safety Bob Sanders, (knee), Kelvin Hayden (knee) and Nick Graham, linebacker Buster Davis, offensive tackle Dan Federkeil, wide receiver Roy Hall (knee), defensive tackle Daniel Muir and defensive end Marcus Howard.
