AFC North blog
ESPN.com's James Walker writes about all things AFC North in his division blog.
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Bouman worked out Monday in Baltimore against Chris Simms and Joey Harrington. On Tuesday morning, he was offered a one-year deal at $830,000.
The 36-year-old Bouman will be joining his sixth team. He was an undrafted quarterback when he signed with the Vikings in 1997. He's been in Minnesota, New Orleans, Green Bay, Jacksonville and St. Louis.
The Ravens named Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback Monday but have injury concerns with Troy Smith and Kyle Boller. Smith has infected tonsils and Boller has a torn labrum in his shoulder and might need surgery.
"This is what I wanted all along," Flacco said Monday. "Things happen funny. I've gotten my opportunity, and now it's up to me to go out there and play."
After two preseason games, Harbaugh essentially eliminated Flacco in what began as a three-way competition to be Baltimore's starting quarterback. The plan was to start Smith in the third game, against the St. Louis Rams, then take a look at Boller.
But neither Smith nor Boller was available to play against the Rams or in the preseason finale against Atlanta. Flacco started both games and played well enough to maintain the role in the opener.
"If one of you guys wrote this in a movie script, no one would believe it," Harbaugh said.
Flacco went 35-for-67 for 284 yards and no interceptions during the preseason. His quarterback rating was better than that of Boller or Smith, and he threw Baltimore's lone touchdown pass.
For NFL season, real Ravens on field … in the air?
Lightning sign goalie Smith to extension
