So What Happens With Flacco?

[Ravens52]

Just wondering what if Flacco doesn't make an improvement with our offense this season? Would it effect his future in Baltimore? I know this isn't a popular thing to say but I'm sure the expectations for a great season have gotten higher for him.

[Ed_Reed20]

Expectations will certainly be high but I don't think his future with the team would truly be in doubt unless he literally imploded every week of the season.

Barring injury, I think Flacco will have a great season. What he was doing early last season was no fluke and he flashed the same ability late in the season when was dealing with injuries to his ankle and hip. Obviously, there are many areas of the game he needs to improve in but he'll get better with time.

[AsianRice]

Well, Joe is a hard working player, and since we provide him all the weapons he needed for, we will see him pushing beyong his limits. The guy is talented and we will see the best out of him this year. There is no if that Joe won't make improvement. He should excel regardless. Well unless he's injured.

[PuRock]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='11 March 2010 - 01:04 PM' timestamp='1268330696' post='374920']
Expectations will certainly be high but I don't think his future with the team would truly be in doubt unless he literally imploded every week of the season.

Barring injury, I think Flacco will have a great season. What he was doing early last season was no fluke and he flashed the same ability late in the season when was dealing with injuries to his ankle and hip. Obviously, there are many areas of the game he needs to improve in but he'll get better with time.
[/quote]

We keep Flacco upright with our young tackles. We keep the defenses honest with our running game and play action. And now we have upgraded our weapons for Flacco. I can't see him failing in his third season.

Expectations are certainly high. If he does flail, its not the end of the world, but it would be time to start questioning if he really is the future. Because the path has been paved for him, he just needs to go down it.

[darklight1216]

He'll probably be fine whether he does well or not. If he doesn't do well, it'll be his first bad year ever, and if he continues to be statistically average and we still make the playoffs then there would be no reason to start panicking.

[Jamal]

His first 2 years have been better than the best QB's in the NFL, and that was with really only 1 consistent weapon, who also faded when he was against a good corner or double teamed. Yet he still made some big improvements from his rookie year.

If Flacco had a bad year now, a lot of people would definitely question him as the future, but I really don't see him having a bad season at all.

[tctony]

Well we've definitely surrounded Flacco with talent all around. We have a great young line and a great young running back. Now we have at least 2 legitimate receivers, possibly 3 with Stallworth. Perhaps Heap returns somewhat to form or we draft a young TE and we are set.

Hopefully this year, we take all the limits off the Flacco for offense and just let him do what he's best at now that he actually has some weapons.

[Nobi]

Not if he has a bad season, but another average one, will people start panicking. People have high expectations for him to jump out into the ranks of the elite, however if he stays an average QB for his career, people wont be satisfied with him even if we win games with him.

[FerrariFan87]

The only real progress Joe needs to make is in pocket awareness and decision-making when going over the middle/making correct reads. Going into year 3 in Cam's system, I think the training wheels will finally be off and Joe will be able to sling it all over the field. We have way too many offensive weapons now. All the pressure is on Cameron now to get Boldin and Co. the rock.

[organizedchaos007]

Most good QBs show their greatest growth in year 3-4. Both years flacco had one of the worst recieving corps in the NFL and ontop of that Heap has fallen off the map. Joe started out the year in 09 like we knew he could, he had what, 3 (300 yard games) in 5 games? He has the recievers to do it this year, defenses will totally have to change up their approach to us... which will prove to be big considering Cam is prob gonna open it up this season, making it even harder for teams to gameplan us. I see flacco making huge strides this year. I see 4000 yards, 28 tds, and 8 INTS. Flacco will be more clutch this year also and be more comfortable knowing that he has options all over the place. Boldin brings alot to this offense...

[Alexir]

If Flacco cant do get it done with 3 pro bowl running backs, 2 pro bowl receivers, a great young offensive line, a great QB coach than yeah, you are right its Joe's fault but I doubt that will happen. Cam also has to let him open up the play book a little bit.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='Alexir' date='11 March 2010 - 01:58 PM' timestamp='1268333888' post='374962']
If Flacco cant do get it done with 3 pro bowl running backs, 2 pro bowl receivers, a great young offensive line, a great QB coach than yeah, you are right its Joe's fault but I doubt that will happen. Cam also has to let him open up the play book a little bit.
[/quote]
oh yea... and forgot about Jim Zorn being our QB coach. This is gonna be an exciting year.

[20ravens52]

[quote name='organizedchaos007' date='11 March 2010 - 01:58 PM' timestamp='1268333882' post='374961']
I see 4000 yards, 28 tds, and 8 INTS.
[/quote]


That is a pretty high expectations. But it would be nice.


OK VERY NICE, especially if we can make the playoffs.

[20ravens52]

[quote name='Alexir' date='11 March 2010 - 01:58 PM' timestamp='1268333888' post='374962']
If Flacco cant do get it done with 3 pro bowl running backs, 2 pro bowl receivers, a great young offensive line, a great QB coach than yeah, you are right its Joe's fault but I doubt that will happen. Cam also has to let him open up the play book a little bit.
[/quote]


Oh and I second that opinion.

[organizedchaos007]

[quote name='20ravens52' date='11 March 2010 - 02:47 PM' timestamp='1268336841' post='374999']
That is a pretty high expectations. But it would be nice.


OK VERY NICE, especially if we can make the playoffs.
[/quote]
well look at what he had last year lol, 3600 yards, 21 tds, 12 ints... with just mason basically lol, and the occasional kelly washington and ray rice

[Ravens_Fan13]

All i can say is every elite qb in this game had a sophmore slump flacco is and will be an elite qb stud for years to come stop the worry's gotta let this kid grow in the nfl what we got from flacco is 2 straight playoff runs!! and now upper management has done what was needed to give flacco his weapons joe will be awesome this season watch and see.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

If Joe cannot get a very good season with all of those weapons then it will either be on his bad decision making or lack of movement inside the pocket. The guy is a statue in the pocket and cannot feel the pressure unless it is straight in front of him. I am a flacoo fan but the guy lacks the skills to evade a sack. If the Offensive line does not give him enough time that is something different but we have a very capable line. So everyone expects a huge offensive season which we will need because our defense is gonna be a sinking ship when it comes to stopping a passing game. Our corners are our weakest link last and this season it seems. I hate to say it but i miss CMac.

[JEEPercreepermd]

[quote name='nextgen_RavensFan' date='11 March 2010 - 03:48 PM' timestamp='1268340538' post='375040']
I hate to say it but i miss CMac.
[/quote]
Why? The dude is washed up. He's got nothing, I'd take Frank Walker over him right now.

[Milton145]

Remember, if we can get a good pass rush, our corners are capable of making things happen...which is why I'm proud to say I'm a fan of Chris Carr because he does that and ALSO played solid corner.

[Bazooka Joe]

Okay, did Flacco regress in stats from his rookie season? No.

Didn't Flacco help us to the playoffs for the second straight season? Yes.

Didn't Flacco brave out his performances while he was really injured at season's end? Yes.

Guys, Flacco is a SECOND YEAR QB! Of course his game is still maturing and being refined, but look at what he has done over his first two seasons and with not much in the way of receiving talent.

I think some of yall need to revisit some Kyle Boller tapes.

All of the issues with Flacco are what you see from a young QB. He will attack the middle of the field more. He will make quicker decisions.

Honestly, there are some questions with this team, but Flacco is not one of them for me.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Milton145' date='11 March 2010 - 06:11 PM' timestamp='1268349107' post='375117']
Remember, if we can get a good pass rush, our corners are capable of making things happen...which is why I'm proud to say I'm a fan of Chris Carr because he does that and ALSO played solid corner.
[/quote]

I'm a Walker fan. Maybe it's the unusual jersey number or black visor and mouthpiece but Frank is the man. LOL!

I agree with about the pass rush needing to be improved though. It's much easier and effective to try and bring down the QB than find CBs that can cover for 5-7 seconds.

[Ravenite]

He'll be fine. He should be confident and excited that the team has invested in some good players around him and we don't even know if they'll add some more components in the draft.

For our offense, this is their third year with this playbook. They broke some team records last year and I don't think we would've thought Ray Rice would've turned into the player that he is but looking how dynamic this team can be and how we may actually see Clayton in the slot and don't forget, he has starting capabilities but with a lesser role, he might find himself more like Kelly Washington on third downs and with Stallworth, who knows. The possibilities are endless and thats what scary about this team.

How do you defend against them? They'll how their bad days but believe me, it won't be anything as head aching as watching them commit to three and outs over and over again. They will score.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='nextgen_RavensFan' date='11 March 2010 - 03:48 PM' timestamp='1268340538' post='375040']
If Joe cannot get a very good season with all of those weapons then it will either be on his bad decision making or lack of movement inside the pocket. The guy is a statue in the pocket and cannot feel the pressure unless it is straight in front of him. I am a flacoo fan but the guy lacks the skills to evade a sack. If the Offensive line does not give him enough time that is something different but we have a very capable line. So everyone expects a huge offensive season which we will need because [b]our defense is gonna be a sinking ship when it comes to stopping a passing game. Our corners are our weakest link last and this season it seems.[/b] I hate to say it but i miss CMac.
[/quote]

I don't know exactly what it is you're smoking, but it must be pretty awesome. Foxy is overpaid sure, but he's a good corner. Webb has tremendous potential, I'd say he has the tools and instincts to be our shutdown corner if we give him time to develop and his injuries don't slow him down too much. Washington... I'm not going to pass judgment on yet. He's shown potential, but I've seen him get abused pretty badly and he seems soft. At the very least he's a serviceable nickle. Carr and Walker are actually surprisingly good depth, we held up pretty well with them.

I think we should draft a corner for insurance. We don't need to do it with one of our first two picks, though I certainly wouldn't be upset if did. This draft is mega-deep in talent.

All that said, Ozzie will draft BPA regardless of position.

To get back on topic:

I think Flacco was extremely impressive these past two seasons, there's no reason to think he won't continue to develop and make use of the weapons around him. Flacco has three main problems: he lacks awareness and mobility in the pocket, needs to make better decisions, and needs to make decisions FASTER.

If you look at guys like Manning or Brees, if they feel the pressure coming they make a quick read and hit their man. Flacco needs to learn to get rid of the ball faster when he needs to.

That being said, Flacco is still a toddler by NFL standards. The next couple years will show us whether he can become an elite quarterback. I have faith in him though, I think he will put all the doubters to rest, and hopefully pick up some rings for himself and Baltimore.

[Milton145]

Well, I'm not so high on dinging Flacco for his lack of quick decision making just yet. He hasn't had that receiver with "elite burning skills" yet or one that could really get open and especially with Mason, who is usually his first read, is being doubled, and us not having other productive receivers, I don't feel its right to put him down on that just yet.

[Ngata92NT]

[quote name='Milton145' date='11 March 2010 - 06:43 PM' timestamp='1268350993' post='375137']
Well, I'm not so high on dinging Flacco for his lack of quick decision making just yet. He hasn't had that receiver with "elite burning skills" yet or one that could really get open and especially with Mason, who is usually his first read, is being doubled, and us not having other productive receivers, I don't feel its right to put him down on that just yet.
[/quote]

You don't need an receiver with "elite burning skills" to make quick throws. I'm sure you saw the ravens - colts playoff game. Those quick throws to guys like Garcon and Collie really hurt. I wouldn't call either of them "elite". I feel that the responsibility is Flacco's there, he needs to get faster. But he has time and just because he isn't doing it now doesn't mean he won't learn to make faster decisions in the future.

[Milton145]

Colts had multiple receiving threats, though. Flacco only had one (and Ray Rice) who would be double covered most of the time. Our one real receiving threat was usually being double so Flacco usually had to look elsewhere...but who else on our receiving core got open on a consistent basis?

Now that Flacco has more options, I see him making quicker decisions because it's not just Mason anymore.

Anyway, things like that can either be the QB's fault or the WR's fault. We'll just have to wait and see.

[Chris Johnson]

im expecting a big year for the ravens

[BigMike]

I think this year Flacco will need to show he is making steps to becoming a franchise quarterback. The front office is making the commitments to build an offense around him. He needs to at the least show signs that he is making advancement in his career. I for one, believe he will deliver. Boy, I can't wait for this season!!!

[Ravnet]

Joe won't be benched/released/traded barring a complete and total catastrophe, but if Flacco looks like he did in year one/the second half of year two, then a storm will start brewing which will lead to his being benched/released/traded in 2012+.

[Guest I-70WestRaven]

I love this post. We all have really high expectations for the Ravens. For Joe, I really don't see him falling off because he has the numbers to show he beat the " sophomore slump" despite being under armed. Matt Ryan fell of more with alot more at his desposial. Joe, despite the hip injury, pushed us to the brink! Ozzie is not done yet and I believe that when the dust settles and all is said and done, we are not only the favorite to win the AFC North, but a force to be dealt with. Not only this season, but for years to come! This is who we are, and this is how we do it, RAVEN STYLE!!! Do you beleive?