BAL QB Flacco needs to take 'the next step'

Is Joe Flacco ready to take the next step?

If the Ravens are going to go deep into the playoffs, their third-year quarterback needs to grow beyond relying on short passes to Derrick Mason and dump-offs to Ray Rice.

He is healthy, strong-armed, and reportedly becoming more vocal and authoritative. He should have enough weaponry between newcomers Anquan Boldin, Donte' Stallworth, Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta and holdovers Todd Heap, Mark Clayton, Mason and Rice.

Flacco was great early on last year before stalling out, at least from a fantasy standpoint. His WR weapons are improved thanks to the addition of Boldin, and Ray Rice is a stud at RB. All the pieces are there, and this could be the year you find some real nice value in Flacco, who will most likely be drafted as a backup.