Ravens starting talks with Flacco

[BlitzburghRockCity]

The Ravens will start talks on a long-term contract extension with Joe Flacco's agent at the NFL combine next week, according to NFL Network.

This doesn't come as a surprise because Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti anticipated a year ago that negotiations would begin this offseason. But this could be the start of a long process in determining Flacco's value as a starting quarterback. Flacco, 27, is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

Baltimore Ravens

2011 STATS

• Att542
• Comp312
• Yds3610
• TD20
• Int12
• Rat80.9

His contract should be at the top of the second-tier quarterbacks. That market was set by the Cardinals' Kevin Kolb (six years, $65 million with $$21.5 million guaranteed) and the Bills' Ryan Fitzpatrick (six years, $59 million with $24 million guaranteed).

But Flacco shouldn't come close to the top-tier ones. That's reserved for the likes of the Steelers' Ben Roethlisberger (eight years, $102 million) and the Giants' Eli Manning (seven years, $106.9 million).

That's a big gap between those two levels of quarterbacks, so it will be interesting to see at what number the sides agree to meet. By my estimation, Flacco will get between $30 million and $35 million guaranteed.

http://espn.go.com/blog/afcnorth

[BlitzburghRockCity]

I love those 2 highlighted paragraphs..LOL

[Black@Gold Forever32]

He still squats to pee....I don't care if he did make some strides this year.......Give Ben his OL and Ray Rice.....lol

[LarryNJ]

I'd guess he'll be closer to 100 than 60. They love him in Baltimore and his last game against the Pats didn't hurt him at all.