Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco earned his money

Watching the Baltimore Ravens for years, I have seen my fair share of horrible QB play. It was all defense, it was all special teams at times. The running game with Jamal Lewis came through more times than not.

If 31 other teams were put in that position, they would have struggled sustaining success without their QB without question. Baltimore did it.

Which is why in my opinion, Baltimore has been the best pure run organization in the league since 1999. They have made the playoffs countless times without legit help from the quarterback position. That is up until the 2010 season with Joe Flacco at the helm.

In 2010, Flacco put up his best statistical numbers to date with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 93.6 passer rating. Flacco has very well done his part carrying the team from time to time.

These days, people like to say that Flacco has been carried by his defense. Some like to take credit away from him while also putting all of the blame on him when the team loses. I guess it is a crime these days to play on a good team that has solid parts all around.

Last time I checked, Tom Brady was very successful early in his career with a good defense. Ben Roethlisberger has played with a good one his entire career and everyone knows what Eli Manning’s defense has done for him in the playoffs with their pass rush. So why is Flacco singled out? Is he the only QB in the league that has that has to play with limited parts to prove his worth?

Lately, some in the media and fans have said how Flacco is being selfish and he is taking up cap space for players the Ravens could sign. Yet the Ravens just signed Elvis Dumervil.

I can’t wait to hear what people have to say about Aaron Rodgers up and coming new record breaking deal.

Since Flacco entered the league in 2008, no player has thrown for more touchdowns in the playoffs with 19 touchdowns leading the way.

Since 2010, Flacco has developed a clutch trait regardless of the outcome. Everyone likes to question how much Flacco has benefited from being on a good team. How about people start asking where the Ravens would be without him?

I’m sure others thought the same of Donovan McNabb on how he may have been the reason the Philadelphia Eagles always came up short and replaced him with Michael Vick. You see how that went.

People need to gain a greater appreciation for winning regardless of who it is with. If you are rolling in wins, you keep players who you are rolling in wins with until their physical skills say otherwise. Flacco is only entering his sixth season so far and is only getting better.

Wola Odeniran is a Baltimore Ravens writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolaOdeniran and add him to your network on Google+