OWINGS MILLS -- Rather than immediately react to the retirement of veteran backup quarterback Marc Bulger, the Baltimore Ravens are going to take a slower approach to finding a primary reserve to starter Joe Flacco.

The veteran quarterback market is thin, including Jake Delhomme, Brodie Croyle, Todd Bouman, J.P. Losman, Chris Simms, J.T O’Sullivan and Patrick Ramsey.

For now, the Ravens will evaluate sixth-round rookie quarterback Tyrod Taylor and give him the lion’s share of the snaps behind Flacco. The Ravens also have Hunter Cantwell on the roster.

“There are not as many guys available because of the late stage, but there are a few veterans,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “I’m also confident that in a week or two there will be some veterans available if we decide to go that route. Right now, we want Tyrod to get the reps and see how he does.”

A two-time Pro Bowl selection that passed for 22,814 career yards, 122 touchdowns and 93 interceptions, Bulger backed up Flacco last year for a $3.8 million salary. The Ravens are unlikely to spend that kind of money this year due to their tight salary cap.

In the past, they’ve had a young backup to Flacco like Troy Smith. And they’ve had older players like Bouman in that role.

“Your backup quarterback is one play away from being your starting quarterback, so it’s critically important,” Harbaugh said. “You’ve got decisions to make. Sometimes, you have to balance it out a little bit. Last year, we went out and paid a guy a lot of money to be a guy that we all had confidence in and he would have done well if he had gotten a shot.”

The Ravens weren’t surprised that Bulger decided to retire.

“I had heard through the grapevine that he was thinking about it, but I didn’t know for sure,” Harbaugh said. “In talking to Marc last year, I thought it was 50-50.”

A mobile, dual-threat quarterback, Taylor was an Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Player of the Year at Virginia Tech.

“I’m confident that I could be the backup if they need me to do that,” Taylor said. “I believe in myself, but I know I’ve got a lot to learn and Joe is helping me pick up the offense fast.”

So far, Taylor seems to be off to a solid start.

There have been some rookie miscues, but he’s also flashed a live arm and an ability to improvise and escape pressure.

“We have a good young quarterback and I won’t back up on that,” offensive coordinator Cam Cameron said. “They have found another extremely bright, talented young quarterback. This kid, is he going to be backing up this year? I’m not saying that because we don’t know. That may not be in our or his best interest. ..

“I don’t know that anybody will be here. This kid is special. You saw the practice. We have got a heck of a young quarterback. It’s asking a lot out of him, but we’re getting him ready to play.”