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Theismann Predicts A Ravens Super Bowl
Despite all the uncertainly looming over Ravens right now – the Rice/Flacco contract negotiations, Ed Reeds’ flirtations with holding out and Terrell Suggs’ Achilles tendon injury – former Washington Redskins and Super Bowl-winning quarterback Joe Theismann believes the Ravens will make it to the Super Bowl.

“You can be the first to write it: I believe the Ravens will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl,” Theismann told Wilson. He then reminded people that he correctly predicted the Ravens would defeat the Giants in Super Bowl XXXV: “I did this in 2000, you know?”

The Ravens were one stripped touchdown catch away from advancing to the Super Bowl last year. It would be a major coup to return to the AFC championship again, but Theissman sees the right personnel on the roster to get the job done.

“I like the Ravens,” Theismann said. “They’re getting better with Torrey Smith. Joe Flacco has played in a tough division for four seasons and is used to facing great defenses like the Pittsburgh Steelers twice a year.

“They’ve put together a darn good offensive line that got old and got better again. They’ve got one of the best running backs in football in Ray Rice. They’ve got a wide receiving corps that can threaten down the field. With a defense like the Ravens, they’ll make somebody pay the price.”

Simms: Defense, Run-First Offense Hurts Flacco’s Numbers
Many analysts have used Joe Flacco’s dip in stats last year as a reason to say he took an overall step back as quarterback.

His QB rating and passing yardage were the lowest they’ve been since his rookie season, according to Wilson, and his completion percentage was the lowest of his four-year career.

But Super Bowl XXI’s MVP Phil Simms, who also called the Ravens-Pats AFC championship game for CBS, says too much emphasis is put on Flacco’s numbers, which are more of a reflection of inserting new receiving weapons (Torrey Smith, Ed Dickson, Dennis Pitta) last year and a defense/run-first mentality.

“It’s really amazing. Put Joe Flacco on a football team where it’s all about the quarterback and the offense and he will put up staggering numbers,” Simms told Wilson.

“He plays for a coach that’s not worried about the glorification of his quarterback. Joe Flacco is a big part of them winning, but personal success and glory might elude him. He may only get it through victories. Even then, he might not get the credit that he deserves. I don’t think he’s good, I think he’s awesome. I know I’m right. I don’t need your stamp of approval.”

http://blogs.baltimoreravens.com/2012/07/16/late-for-work-716-ray-rice-hasnt-lost-hope-on-new-deal/