There’s a popular saying which says: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” That is especially the case for new Baltimore Ravens quarterback Ryan Mallett.
What once appeared to be a very bright future for Mallett has become somewhat uncertain. He was a standout player in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl after his senior year of high school in 2007.
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Ravens QB Ryan Mallett talks to media
Mallett went on to play for the University of Michigan and transferred to Arkansas University when Michigan hired a new head coach, Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguez instituted a spread offense that didn’t match Mallett’s classic dropback quarterback style.
Arkansas gave Mallett a chance to shine in Bobby Petrino’s pro-style offense. After two very successful years there, the future looked bright for the tall signal-caller with a big arm.
Things didn’t go as planned in the NFL. Mallett is now with his third NFL team after being traded from the New England Patriots to the Houston Texans who released him in October. Mallett sees a silver lining in the most recent twist to his career and is glad he is still able to play in the NFL.
“I am not disappointed in my career. I am in the NFL and that’s living the dream. It’s been a tough road, but it is part of life,” Mallett said. “I have grown up a lot, I acted immaturely. The best thing probably was for me to get cut.”
Mallett was very humble when he spoke to the media for the first time. He wanted to keep the focus on how he wants to be a better person and a better teammate.
“I got a taste of humble pie and it digested really quickly. I just want to be the best person that I can and after that be the best player that I can,” Mallett said. “I have a lot to prove and to get better at.”
The way things have evolved with the Ravens and their quarterback situation could not have played out better for Mallett. He landed with a team that has a strong leader in head coach John Harbaugh. Coach Harbaugh has the right perspective when it comes to being a leader of men.
“I think everybody is on that kind of trial in life, just like you are, I am – everybody is. When you get a couple strikes against you, it certainly brings it into sharp focus. But he deserves … He has an opportunity here,” Harbaugh said. “I don’t know if he deserves – I don’t think anybody deserves – but a better word would be he has an opportunity to make the best of it. He’s determined to do that, and what he makes of it, really, in the end, is up to him.”
Mallett spoke highly of the Ravens as an organization and said it’s why he chose them over other teams that were interested in him.
“It’s a great organization. They have great leadership on this team,” Mallett said. “I had a few options, but I chose to come here over other places because of the leadership here. I think very highly of Coach Harbaugh.”