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Ravens Fans To Get Big Dose Of Reality For Remainder Of Season

By Samuel Njoku

The Ravens have began preparations for their Monday Night Football contest against the Cleveland Browns. With their roster in a constant state of flux due to injury, it's hard to predict what to expect when these two teams meet.

Ravens Fans Will Remember How Spoiled They Are

When Joe Flacco tore his ACL and MCL, it should have been an injury that shook the very fabric of the AFC. But because of how much the Ravens have struggled this season, the injury has had little impact in the playoff race. That doesn't mean this injury isn't devastating for the city of Baltimore. Joe Flacco has never missed a game due to injury. Since 2008, all Ravens fans have ever known was the QB wearing number 5. That's a luxury that many fans seem to take for granted.

The last six games should serve as a reminder of what Baltimore has at their disposal. Prior to his injury, Flacco was the only thing holding this team together. With virtually no viable weapons to speak of, the former Delaware product did his best to make the Ravens competitive every Sunday. Now, fans will Matt Schaub and newly acquired QB Jimmy Clausen to cheer for. That's a huge drop off in talent at the most important position in football.

Some fans have been critical of Flacco during his tenure in Baltimore. He doesn't have the stats to measure up to that of Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck, but he is a very good quarterback; a commodity that few teams have on their roster. Without him, it's hard to imagine how this team would look on the football field. Luckily, we'll get some form of that reality on Monday. A much needed dose of reality for some of Flacco's harshest critics.

Terrance West's last chance

With Justin Forsett done for the season with a broken arm, the Ravens will be looking for someone to pick up the slack. The logical choice is Buck Allen,who has served as Forsett's backup for the majority of the season. However, Terrance West, a former Towson Tiger, is someone to pay close attention to. During his short time in the NFL, West has bounced from one team to another in search of stability. With a promising skill-set, many teams hoped that the dynamic running back could make an impact. So far that hasn't been the case for him and time is running out.

West has been with three teams over the past two seasons. That's not how you want to start an NFL career, but fans are always willing to root for the hometown boy and he'll get no shortage of that in the city of Baltimore. The Ravens have already gone on record saying he'll get some playing time against Cleveland.

"[West] will definitely get an opportunity," stated Ravens Coach John Harbaugh. "He's practiced well for us since he's been here."

He has the support of his coaching staff as well as the players in the locker room. What he does with this opportunity will be completely up to him.

Samuel Njoku was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and is a graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. Samuel has covered the Ravens for Examiner.com since 2010. Prior to 2010, Samuel was an avid blogger and radio personality in Salisbury, MD. Samuel Njoku is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com. You can also follow him on Twitter @Ravens_Examiner.

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