Instead, everyone's sights have already moved to the next game. No one's talking about Flacco as if he's fragile and breakable. No one seems concerned that a trial by fire might singe or scar. And no one seems too worried about whether the Ravens are repeating history. In fact, Boller, injured and out for the year, seems all but forgotten.
The circumstances were not ideal. It would have been nice if there had been a veteran quarterback to show Flacco the ropes. In fact, it would have been nice if Boller were around. But he has made few locker-room appearances this year. The Ravens haven't really needed his services. In fact, Boller has already sold his Maryland home.
It's as if he has moved on. And it's as if the Ravens have moved on, as well.
It's now Flacco's throwing arm that represents the future, which doesn't seem like such a scary prospect. No, he isn't great. And certainly Sunday he wasn't great. But you do sense he's packing some of those intangible qualities that good quarterbacks possess - a steely demeanor, an unflappable focus, an ability to lead a huddle and maybe someday also inspire it.
The reviews in Owings Mills have been cautious and a bit reserved - "If you watch him play, he's made a lot of progress," Harbaugh said Sunday - but you bet they're feeling pretty good about their first-round draft pick right now.
And with good reason. It seems as if Flacco will be a good fit. And the Ravens, who have never been able to develop a young quarterback, seem capable of bringing Flacco along at a good pace, accelerated as it has been.
"I think Joe's approach is sound. It's solid. In his mind, it's football," first-year offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said last week.
Cameron and Harbaugh will prove to be crucial to Flacco's development, but quarterbacks coach Hue Jackson was as important a hire as Harbaugh made during the offseason. Credit, too, goes to offensive line coach John Matsko, a veteran coach who has his line providing better protection than Boller usually saw.
For Flacco, when it comes to television production meetings the night before a game or midweek news conferences, the rookie will always have to wait his turn. And he does it without complaints.
But everything else about Flacco tells you that he's not especially interested in waiting.
EAGLES (5-4-1) @RAVENS (6-4)
Sunday, 1 p.m. TV: Ch. 45
Radio: 97.9 FM, 1090 AM
Line: Ravens 1 1/2
