The Ravens have shown off a no-huddle, pass-heavy offense during the first three preseason games.

In last week’s win over Jacksonville, quarterback Joe Flacco threw the ball 36 times in a little more than two quarters. Running back Ray Rice had only two carries and one reception in a little less than a quarter.

So will Rice see fewer touches once the Ravens get into the regular season?

"Absolutely not,” Offensive Coordinator Cam Cameron said on Tuesday. "It has nothing to do with touches for Ray. Ray, we know, is one of our best players.”

Ravens QB Joe Flacco wants to see the Ravens use more no-huddle, more “quick game.” He said he loves the hurry-up offense.

“I really think that in order to win the whole thing in this league, you’ve got to have a high-powered offense,” Flacco said. “I think we do. It’s just a matter of making our mind up that we are.”

Baltimore has long been known for its ground-and-pound, grinding attack. But Flacco doesn’t see this offense in that light, and believes that formula is a thing of the past.

“Maurice Jones-Drew led the league in rushing last year,” Flacco said. “Who cares? [Jacksonville] didn’t win any games.”

Flacco isn't getting a lot of attention in drafts. He's ranked as a borderline QB2 in ten-team leagues. But, keep an eye on how he progresses through the season. Right now, you can probably get a better QB2 for your team, but he could be someone you pick up if you get in QB trouble.

Teammates, coaches and beat reporters rave about Ravens QB Joe Flacco's training camp. Throwing the ball has never been a problem. Flacco has one of the strongest arms in football. He has won playoff games on the road. But this is clearly his best training camp in terms of focus and execution. In camp, Flacco has taken even more of a leadership role on offense. He continues to suggest to coaches he wants the offense to be more aggressive in the latter stages of games. Instead of trying to run out the clock with a running offense when the Ravens have a fourth-quarter lead, he wants them to attack more with the pass. For more than a decade, the Ravens have been constructed to win with defense and good running. Flacco wants the Ravens not to be as cautious. Because the Ravens' defense is so good, Flacco thinks the Ravens should go for the jugular. Instead of sitting on 17-3 leads that could end up being 20-17 victories, Flacco wants more offense and more points. Not a bad idea. He also suggests more passes on early downs, so the offense isn't stuck with too many tough third-down situations. From what he hears and what he sees from Flacco this summer, Harbaugh believes his quarterback will have a breakout year.

Unlike with RB Ray Rice’s franchise tag situation, there is no deadline for the Ravens and QB Joe Flacco to come to terms on a new long-term contract. But either way, Flacco is optimistic that the two sides can reach a new deal before the start of training camp this week.

"There have been talks. My agent has definitely been talking and they've gone back and forth a little bit," Flacco explained, per the Baltimore Sun. "I can't really comment on how close it is. I don't really know. I'm not talking to Joe every day. Joe updates me every now and then. If he comes to me and something is really crazy about an update, then OK. But it's not like I'm talking to him every day and I could actually tell you how close it is. We have talked and that's really about it."

"I see myself being here for many years no matter what happens," the QB added.

Now that the Baltimore Ravens have inked Pro Bowl running back Ray Rice to a $40 million contract, the next priority for the organization is locking up quarterback Joe Flacco to a long-term deal.

Flacco is maintaining his focus on the upcoming season, though, not his unresolved contract status as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract, according to his agent.

"Joe is very, very excited for the season," agent Joe Linta told the Times in a telephone interview. "He's really adamant about getting the Ravens to the next step. The contract at this point is secondary to that goal. Joe has the attitude that he'll earn it."

Aaron Wilson of Ravens Insider on QB Joe Flacco's contract talks: "No movement afoot on Joe Flacco talks. Lack of cap space, gap in contract talks are major obstacles to getting it done."

As we get closer and closer to the start of training camp, it appears more and more likely that the Ravens will allow starting quarterback Joe Flacco to play out the final year of his rookie contract during the 2012 season.

It isn’t often that a young quarterback the caliber of Flacco, 27 and a four-year starter in the NFL, is allowed to become an unrestricted free agent (the Ravens still have the franchise tag as an ace in the hole next spring).

If a long-term deal does not get done before the start of the season, Flacco should be plenty motivated in 2012.

Contract talks between the Baltimore Ravens and quarterback Joe Flacco have continued and have been amicable, but the sides are not close to a deal and it's unlikely they bridge the gap quickly.

Both sides very much want to work out a long-term deal, but the timing has to be right. Flacco is participating in offseason work and has no plans to hold out, sources said. So playing out his final season under contract is the mostly likely outcome for 2012.

Flacco stands to make $6.76 million next season in base salary along with a $2.1 million roster bonus.

Tyrod Taylor is Joe Flacco’s backup.

The signing of Curtis Painter hasn’t changed that.

“Tyrod is our No. 2 quarterback; I want to make that very clear,” Harbaugh told WBAL radio yesterday.

“Everybody competes for their job, there’s no doubt about it, we believe in that, we always will, but he’s our No. 2 quarterback. He’s entrenched as our No. 2 quarterback.”

Harbaugh said that Painter is currently the No. 3 quarterback, and that the team may opt to continue to have a third arm on the roster throughout the season, whether that position is given to Painter or someone else. The Ravens’ head coach is also leaving the door open to bringing in a fourth signal caller during training camp.

Ravens not close to a deal with either QB Joe Flacco or RB Ray Rice. Rice has no plans to report without a new deal. Nothing has changed.

While we fully expect the team to sign its QB and star RB, these are certainly situations worth monitoring.