A day after Joe Flacco's worst game of his rookie season, Ravens coach John Harbaugh reaffirmed his commitment to him, saying again that he will stick with his first-round pick as the starting quarterback for the rest of the season.
"We believe he's our starter. Joe's our guy," Harbaugh said yesterday. "I'm never a guy that's going to sit up here and say, 'Never ever.' But I don't envision a scenario today where Joe is not going to be our starter this year, save an injury."
Last week, Harbaugh named Flacco the starter for the final three-quarters of the season when he said Troy Smith would have a chance to compete only for the backup job.
But Flacco followed up that vote of confidence by throwing a season-high three interceptions in a 31-3 loss at Indianapolis, the third-largest margin of defeat in the Ravens' 13-year history.
Flacco has now thrown one touchdown pass and seven interceptions, the worst ratio in the NFL.
"[Quarterback] is a very complicated position to play," Harbaugh said. "It's not so basic as speed of the game. There are a number of elements within a play or within a defense that can confuse a quarterback. But I would not categorize him as being confused. I think he's learning."
Flacco's struggles are magnified by the performance of the other quarterback taken in this year's first round, the Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan, who is flourishing.
Ryan, who was selected third overall, has completed 57.8 percent of his passes and has averaged 194 passing yards. He is the 17th-rated quarterback in the league (82.9), throwing five touchdown passes and three interceptions.
Flacco, the 18th overall pick, has completed 62.5 percent of his attempts and has averaged 168.8 passing yards. He is the 29th-rated passer in the NFL (60.6).
"Obviously, Joe will be harder on himself than anybody else," wide receiver Derrick Mason said. "As players, we have to be behind him and support him through the good and the bad. He understands what he has to do. I don't want this situation to be a hindrance."
Here are the three biggest challenges facing Flacco:
* Reduce turnovers. : Only the San Francisco 49ers' J.T. O'Sullivan has thrown more interceptions this season (eight) than Flacco. In his past two games, Flacco has thrown five picks, averaging one every 11 passes in that rut.
His first interception Sunday was the result of indecisiveness. Flacco threw off balance and after double-clutching.
