Flacco Changing His Throwing Motion

[FlaccoIsHot]

At the owners meeting the AFC coaches had breakfast with the media. Apparently Harbs said that Joe knows he needs to get better and is committed to doing so. Also said this offseason he has been in California, at USC training with a baseball coach working on his throwing motion to help his accuracy and arm strength...at Cam's suggestion.

@jamisonhensley #Ravens QB Joe Flacco worked on his throwing motion with a baseball coach at USC this offseason. Should help accuracy and arm strength.

@RavensInsider Joe Flacco went to Los Angeles to work on some specialized training at USC, at offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's suggestion. Ravens want Joe Flacco to take the next step and become an elite franchise quarterback. Harbaugh said Flacco knows he needs to improve.

[Twoo]

Flacco was pretty accurate in comparison to other quarterbacks last year, I'm interested to see if this will improve his abilities.

There was also some talk about Flacco, Mason, Stallworth and Boldin getting together without the team and practicing routes, timing, etc (all before camp on their own time).

[FlaccoIsHot]

[quote name='Twoo' date='23 March 2010 - 01:18 PM' timestamp='1269368299' post='381528']
Flacco was pretty accurate in comparison to other quarterbacks last year, I'm interested to see if this will improve his abilities.

[b]There was also some talk about Flacco, Mason, Stallworth and Boldin getting together without the team and practicing routes, timing, etc (all before camp on their own time).[/b]
[/quote]


Really? Where did you see this?

[djt123456]

[font="Palatino Linotype"]yes that would be a good idea. so we can really get in the super bowl and not get stopped in the playoffs[/font]

[RayLewisInTheHouse]

man that would be awesome if its true

[Romo Ravens]

That's awesome. Good for Flacco. I don't think it's the idea of getting "better", but further improving what he's good at. That's launching the ball, which we didn't see a whole lot last year. In his rookie year, he had one of the most amazing deep balls I have ever seen, and I wanted that in his second year, but I'm sure it was the lack of deep threat talent on our team. But anyway, Flacco should greatly improve next season. Not sure why he's seeing a baseball coach though? Perhaps it's just a workout to help with his accuracy, and throwing a ball much smaller than a football can help with how it's released. I can't wait for next season. It should be a huge one for Flacco. Thank you for pointing this out.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='FlaccoIsHot' date='23 March 2010 - 02:25 PM' timestamp='1269368705' post='381536']
Really? Where did you see this?
[/quote]
Flacco mentioned it offhand in an interview, that he had met privately with his receivers and worked out with them to work on their timing.

I hope that, in terms of adjusting his throwing motion, they don't alter his mechanics too severely. The only things he needs to work on are a quicker release and removing that little pat of the ball before he releases. Otherwise, his footwork is pretty good and I like his unique windup.

[Milton145]

Nice to see some dedication from Flacco on getting better. His arm strength is already great and accuracy, though great at times, not exactly perfect but he can work on it. Especially on that deep ball. Blame the talent at WR if you want but sometimes he DOES tend to underthrow receivers. I don't know if it's because he is underestimating the speed of Mason but I'm sure he'll work on that.

And if he is working with Stallworth, Boldin, and Mason that is just absolutely great news and shows how serious they are about getting to the championship level.

[FlaccoIsHot]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='23 March 2010 - 01:39 PM' timestamp='1269369558' post='381546']
Flacco mentioned it offhand in an interview, that he had met privately with his receivers and worked out with them to work on their timing.

I hope that, in terms of adjusting his throwing motion, they don't alter his mechanics too severely. The only things he needs to work on are a quicker release and removing that little pat of the ball before he releases. Otherwise, his footwork is pretty good and I like his unique windup.
[/quote]


oh ok. I must have missed that comment. That's great to hear though...Joe is definitely developing as a leader.

Agreed on the mechanics. I"m just happy that he is so committed to improving his craft.

[Raven07]

its always a good idea, and a good feeling for the offense and the players involved, to get the chemistry going early and in stride, i mean it only helps our offense out in the long run of things down the road (start of season through the end and playoffs and possibly further)

The Added chemistry ensures a few things to the offense that otherwise wouldnt be there at the beginning if they dont get it going early on..... comfort level, Knowledge of each others roles, and CHEMISTRY most of all. Ensuring that things go smoothly and dont cause conflict both on and off the football field.

So bottomline is... IF this is indeed true,..... in no way, shape or form is it harming this team..... it will only allow our offense to grow and prosper properly and in the right manner so that the progression of the unit as a whole, goes through smoothly and maintains its stability.

[Ed_Reed20]

The season never ends.

Glad to see Joe truly has the drive and work ethic to become great. Like Franchise, I hope he doesn't make any drastic changes to his motion.

Pre-season can't come soon enough.

[RavensAllTheWay]

Yeah it's good to see Flacco trying to improve this early on in the offseason. It shows some serious dedication. But if there's one specific area he needs to work on, I think it's his PA fake. Am I the only one who thought watching him last year that his PA fake was very predictable? It was easy for me to tell when he was gonna keep the ball and not hand it off because he really didn't stick the ball out very far when he was doing play fake. Another thing I would like to see out of him is that even though he's 6'6 230, I'd like to see a little more quickness when dropping back. Other than that, he's doing really well.

[FlaccoIsHot]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='23 March 2010 - 02:03 PM' timestamp='1269370997' post='381555']
Yeah it's good to see Flacco trying to improve this early on in the offseason. It shows some serious dedication. But if there's one specific area he needs to work on, I think it's his PA fake. Am I the only one who thought watching him last year that his PA fake was very predictable? It was easy for me to tell when he was gonna keep the ball and not hand it off because he really didn't stick the ball out very far when he was doing play fake. Another thing I would like to see out of him is that even though he's 6'6 230, I'd like to see a little more quickness when dropping back. Other than that, he's doing really well.
[/quote]

to be honest I thought a lot of his game suffered after he got injured. I've been watching the re-runs on NFL network of the KC game and SD game. He was throwing over the middle and faking very effectively (both areas believed to be weaknesses). One that sticks out was in the SD game he PA and K Wash was wide open for the TD. I'm sure he will continue to improve in this area.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='RavensAllTheWay' date='23 March 2010 - 03:03 PM' timestamp='1269370997' post='381555']
Yeah it's good to see Flacco trying to improve this early on in the offseason. It shows some serious dedication. But if there's one specific area he needs to work on, I think it's his PA fake. Am I the only one who thought watching him last year that his PA fake was very predictable?
[/quote]
On the contrary, I thought his PA fake was pretty good; the Chiefs certainly fell for it in last year's season opener, when Flacco threw out of play-action against them on something like four or five consecutive passes in one drive, and utilized it in maybe 40% of his throws all game long.

[FerrariFan87]

His accuracy on the deep ball did drop from year 1 to year 2, and his over-the-middle throws were basically non-existent. Anything to improve in those two areas is most welcome. I'm ecstatic to see Joe taking his job so seriously and being so coachable/humble.

[The Flock]

It sounds like Flacco is really comitted to getting better next year. I thought he was great last year, but had some injuries so he didn't run as much. It just shows how committed our players really are. I can't wait to see him next year at the Superbowl.

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='23 March 2010 - 03:16 PM' timestamp='1269371765' post='381563']
On the contrary, I thought his PA fake was pretty good; the Chiefs certainly fell for it in last year's season opener, when Flacco threw out of play-action against them on something like four or five consecutive passes in one drive, and utilized it in maybe 40% of his throws all game long.
[/quote]

Pretty good, but not great, and it's the Chiefs, so take that for what it's worth, right?

Joe's PA fake definitely leaves something to be desired. Joe had a propensity to barely sell the fake at all, in favor of a quick turn around to see the rush.

[FlaccoIsHot]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='23 March 2010 - 02:26 PM' timestamp='1269372401' post='381570']
His accuracy on the deep ball did drop from year 1 to year 2, and his over-the-middle throws were basically non-existent. Anything to improve in those two areas is most welcome. I'm ecstatic to see Joe taking his job so seriously and being so coachable/humble.
[/quote]

The thing is that he threw effectively over the middle the beginning of the season. KC, SD, Minn. games come to mind. For some reason (injury, Cam, gameplan, confidence?) that disappeared after the Minn. game.

[theFRANCHISE]

That Minnesota game was like a turning point for the team and probably the defining game of the season. On one hand, the defense worked out all its problems and returned to form. On the other hand, Flacco's injury started to seriously affect his game and discipline became a greater issue for the entire team.

It was almost as if the Minnesota game was a sign of things to come, as the team's inconsistency in that game would be projected in its final win-loss record. In a sense, it was only fitting that the team would enter the playoffs so dramatically and dominate in the Wild Card Round, only to be eliminated so torturously in the Divisional Round.

[RavensAllTheWay]

[quote name='FlaccoIsHot' date='23 March 2010 - 03:10 PM' timestamp='1269371418' post='381558']
to be honest I thought a lot of his game suffered after he got injured. I've been watching the re-runs on NFL network of the KC game and SD game. He was throwing over the middle and faking very effectively (both areas believed to be weaknesses). One that sticks out was in the SD game he PA and K Wash was wide open for the TD. I'm sure he will continue to improve in this area.
[/quote]
That was early on in the year. And I think you might be right about his injury having to do with what I just mentioned, but it was almost like watching him, I knew instantly whether he was gonna fake or hand it off.

[Jamal]

Nice to hear Flaccos working hard. I don't think he needs much improvement in throwing, its the awareness that I think needs improvement. For someone so big, he doesn't avoid many sacks, and many times has no clue when someones blitzing him.

But all that is the norm for a second year QB, and it is one of the only things wrong in Flaccos game. Hopefully he makes an improvements towards that this season.

[JoeFlax]

USC baseball coach Tom House is known to rejuvinate tons of mlb pitchers, hopefully that translates and makes Joe Flacco have an even better arm on top of the rocket that he has now.

[ZIBBY28]

even if it was "at cam's suggestion," that's jim zorn at work for ya... technique technique technique

[K-Dog]

great recievers, a great QB practising and training in March.

I can see it now, this is going to be the longest off season ever.

[Wacko4Zacko]

[quote name='Twoo' date='23 March 2010 - 02:18 PM' timestamp='1269368299' post='381528']


There was also some talk about Flacco, Mason, Stallworth and Boldin getting together without the team and practicing routes, timing, etc (all before camp on their own time).
[/quote]
No clayton huh? hmmm this shows what Flacco thinks about Clayton.

[darklight1216]

[quote name='Wacko4Zacko' date='23 March 2010 - 08:48 PM' timestamp='1269391716' post='381765']
No clayton huh? hmmm this shows what Flacco thinks about Clayton.
[/quote]
I wouldn't read too much into that. Personally, I don't recall him mentioning all of those names (why would he need to practice with Mason anyway?), but even if he did it probably doesn't mean much. Has Clayton even signed his tender?

[edreedfromtheu]

[quote name='FlaccoIsHot' date='23 March 2010 - 02:11 PM' timestamp='1269367913' post='381518']
At the owners meeting the AFC coaches had breakfast with the media. Apparently Harbs said that Joe knows he needs to get better and is committed to doing so. Also said this offseason he has been in California, at USC training with a baseball coach working on his throwing motion to help his accuracy and arm strength...at Cam's suggestion.

@jamisonhensley #Ravens QB Joe Flacco worked on his throwing motion with a baseball coach at USC this offseason. Should help accuracy and arm strength.

@RavensInsider Joe Flacco went to Los Angeles to work on some specialized training at USC, at offensive coordinator Cam Cameron's suggestion. Ravens want Joe Flacco to take the next step and become an elite franchise quarterback. Harbaugh said Flacco knows he needs to improve.
[/quote]

I think Flacco's accuracy is just fine. He just doesn't SEE very well. He throws too late because he doesn't see that a receiver will BE open once making his break... and waits until he IS open, giving the defense time to recover and make the play. OR, he just completely misses the open receiver and forces it to Rice.

But all of this can be attributed, hopefully, to him only being a 2nd year player. If he gets the mental part down, and on the same page with this upgraded receiver group, it should be fun to watch. If Stallworth still had his speed... Joe is going to LOVE throwing that deep ball, probably his best throw.

[RoflDogs]

Yeah, his play fake is pretty obvious. He takes his steps differently when he fakes instead of the normal handoff.

Maybe its from watching the Ravens too often, but I can almost instantly tell if its a play actions or not

[RivenHale]

Well, other teams are watching just as much film as you, probably more. So if you can tell, they sure can too.

[BohBalmerOsbohs]

I dont care what anyone says, Flaccos Play Action pass is one of the best in the league. Most of his TD's and big gain throws are when its first faked to the HB and he looks down field and immediately Fires.