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Scott Garceau: Ravens Seeking QB

You may have seen the reports linking free agent quarterback Josh McCown to the Ravens. It makes some sense; McCown did a nice job for new Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman when those two were with the Bears in 2013. That season, starting for the injured Jay Cutler, McCown threw 13 touchdown passes with only one interception. His solid play landed him a two-year $10 million dollar deal with Tampa Bay.

McCown makes sense because the Ravens are likely in the market for a quarterback with free agent Tyrod Taylor expected to move on. Here's what doesn't makes sense, If McCown is at or near the top of a very weak free agent quarterback class business would seem to take him to a lot of places not named Baltimore. With so many teams desperate for a quarterback don't you think a team or teams would offer McCown more than the Ravens are willing to spend for Joe Flacco's caddie?

Flacco hasn't missed a game in seven years and that's why the Ravens don't spend much for his backup. Tyrod Taylor's cap number last season was an affordable $671,000 and with the Ravens tight on cap space in 2015 it makes sense to go on the cheap for their number two QB. The Ravens paid for an experienced backup in 2010 and that season Marc Bulger threw exactly 0 passes.

In six of Flacco's seven seasons his backup has attempted 9 passes or less, last year and 3 others the backups didn't throw a single pass. If there's a soft market for Josh McCowan, the Ravens might be able to go "right player, right price" and sign him, but there should be more money and a better shot to play for McCown elsewhere.
 

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