OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens already made a key move to help Joe Flacco, and it has nothing to do with a new playmaking wide receiver or pass-catching tight end.
History says the hiring of James Urban as Ravens quarterbacks coach will go a long way in helping Flacco get out of his rut.
In six seasons with a full-time quarterbacks coach for a majority of the season, Flacco has thrown for 123 touchdowns and 68 interceptions for a 87.7 passer rating. In four seasons without one, he has totaled 77 touchdowns and 62 interceptions for a 79.5 rating.
One reason why Flacco has been more productive with a quarterbacks coach is the added instruction when it comes to his footwork and delivery. Flacco's only two seasons with passer ratings over 90 occurred with a quarterbacks coach. In 2010, Flacco produced a career-best 93.6 rating under Jim Zorn. In 2014, he threw a career-high 27 touchdowns under Rick Dennison.
The worst season of Flacco's 10-year career was 2013, when he was intercepted a career-worst 22 times. Part of the problem was a shoddy wide receiver group, but this was also a reflection of the Ravens' decision not to replace Jim Caldwell as quarterbacks coach after he was promoted to offensive coordinator.
Last season, Flacco's 80.4 rating was the third-worst of his career. He averaged a meager 5.7 yards per attempt, which was the worst in the NFL and the lowest of his career. Flacco struggled early in the season with a lower-back injury that kept him sidelined for all of the preseason, but he was also without a quarterbacks coach for nearly two full seasons.
Urban, who was hired Jan. 5, recently told the team's website that he would install a system of fundamentals and guidelines.
"There’s a system in place; you teach, you build, and within that system, you allow the great natural ability to go," Urban said. "I'm looking forward to putting things together, working to establish the foundation and go from there; get Joe healthy and watch what we can do."
Flacco's improved health and supporting cast are significant factors in turning around Baltimore's offense. He hasn't had a full offseason since 2015 because he was rehabbing a knee injury during 2016 spring workouts and dealt with the back injury last summer. Flacco also needs difference makers at wide receiver and tight end.
Still, an important step was the addition of a quarterback coach with an impressive résumé. In two years as a quarterbacks coach, Urban coached a Pro Bowl signal-caller each time. Donovan McNabb threw 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2009, and Michael Vick totaled 21 touchdowns and six interceptions in 2010. With Urban, McNabb and Vick combined for a 96.2 passer rating.
Urban spent the past seven seasons as a wide receivers coach for the Cincinnati Bengals.
"He’s highly regarded around the league, including by Ozzie [Newsome, general manager] and Marty [Mornhinweg, offensive coordinator]," Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "We were all excited when he became available."