Updated: July 17, 2008, 12:06 AM ET

Agent: First-round pick Flacco agrees to contract with Baltimore

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By James Walker
ESPN.com
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Passing Not-So-Fancy

Since the last expansion of the NFL (Houston Texans joined league in 2002), the Ravens have not finished in the top 10 in terms of passing yards per game. In fact, they are regularly near the bottom.

Baltimore Ravens
Pass YPG Ranks Since 2002
YPG NFL Rank*
2007 189.7 23rd
2006 214.7 11th
2005 193.0 22nd
2004 144.5 31st
2003 140.9 32nd
2002 177.9 27th
* -- Out of 32 teams
The Baltimore Ravens and rookie first-round pick Joe Flacco agreed to a five-year contract worth up to $30 million, agent Joe Linta said Wednesday night. The deal includes $8.75 million in guaranteed money.

The signing ensures that Flacco will have a fair chance to compete for the starting quarterback job in Baltimore when the team reports to training camp next week. The rookie from the University of Delaware will battle Troy Smith and Kyle Boller in a three-way race this summer.

"The most important part of this contract is that it is done before July 21st," Linta said. "They're excited, Joe's excited, I'm excited. I don't know anybody that is not excited."

Baltimore selected Flacco with the 18th overall pick in April's NFL draft. He was a two-year starter at Delaware after transferring from the University of Pittsburgh.

James Walker covers the NFL for ESPN.com.

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