Flacco: This Is His Year

[Romo Ravens]

Well, I've got a story for everyone here. Since I live on the other side of the country from most Ravens fans, I find myself constantly being the one to have to defend our young QB. I go to a gym where I always wear my Baltimore Ravens hat while I work out. As I walk by, everyone always kind of stares at my hat.

About a month or so ago, I started talking to a couple guys who work at the gym, and they questioned me because I wore my Ravens hat. They are real fantasy heads, so they know a lot about individual players, more so than the teams that they are on. For you people that play FF, this is easily understandable. Well, to make a long story short, one guy mentioned that Boldin will make the offense more stout, seeing that Flacco will greatly improve in his third year. He stated that in his rookie year, he did excellent, but "kind of had a sophomore slump." Now, I can grab all of the stats and so on and show him that Flacco indeed did improve drastically in one year, considering what he had to work with.

The other person stated that he didn't really like Flacco or Matt Ryan, but if he had to pick one, he would choose Ryan. Now is it just me, or is the fact that Matt Ryan was picked 3rd in 2008, it would make more sense that the media and the public would be bias by picking him ahead of Flacco? In my opinion, if Flacco was picked ahead of Ryan, it would produce the same responses.

For us Ravens fans, Flacco is the real deal. He's somewhat our "savior", because of the questionable QB depth we've had over recent years. He's young, intelligent, can throw a missile, and is actually highly accurate. I tell them that if Flacco just worked on chopping his feet more in the pocket and moving on his middle of the field accuracy, he could not only be excellent, but elite.

What are some of your takes on Flacco? What does he need to improve to become "elite", and how many years do you think it will take him to get there? I know I shouldn't have to defend my QB, but being a huge fan, I just want everyone to see what we see, and that is that Flacco is young but steadily on the track to be an awesome player. The fact of the matter is, he is our Franchise QB, and will be for a very long time.

The point of this topic is not to say, "yes, he our Franchise QB, or "no, he is not", but to actually state what he can do to better himself and the team, and is all of this bias actually fair? Is this year in Flacco's hands, and can he handle it?

Opinions...

[Catfish81]

Reasons to like Flacco:
1. Great Arm
2. Great work ethic
3. Not frail like Ryan
4. Patient Pocket Passer
5. Shane Falco

[flynismo]

Only two things really stand out to me that Flacco needs to work on to break into the elite category.

1. Throw the bombs with a little more consistency. Sometimes his accuracy is mind boggling when throwing down field; other times he will overthrow a wide open reciever by five yards.

2. His intelligence. Or rather, football IQ. Joe is a highly intelligent person, and would really like to see his anticipation and vision improve.
And again, just like his down field passing, he does show flashes of brilliance in this area, and other times just doesn't react quick enough.

It's really just a matter of putting it all together on a regular basis, because he has all the right tools already in place.


One thing that I feel curtails his production, other than playing with recievers who never seem to get open, is that I think we could exploit his gifts more effeciently. Meaning, I want to see some more hard slants, posts, ins and outs. Those type of passes are very hard to defend when your qb has the kind of arm strength that Joe has.

Which is precisely why getting Boldin and Stallworth is so great. Stallworth's speed plus Joe's arm would make a very dangerous combo on a short slant in the open.
Boldin's hands and after the catch magic plus Joe's arm would make a formidable pairing when splitting the safeties on a post up the field.

Joe is going to break out this year, I dont think there is any doubt about that.
If he puts it all together this year, he could very well break into the elite class this year, not two or three years down the road.

[Ed_Reed20]

Zorn is going to do wonders for Joe's development.

[Catfish81]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' date='12 May 2010 - 04:38 PM' timestamp='1273700297' post='409170']
Zorn is going to do wonders for Joe's development.
[/quote]
Kinda funny that Hue will be working with Jason in Oakland and Zorn is working with Joe.

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='Catfish81' date='12 May 2010 - 05:40 PM' timestamp='1273700401' post='409172']
Kinda funny that Hue will be working with Jason in Oakland and Zorn is working with Joe.
[/quote]

Yep. Wonder if Hue would've still taken the job in Oakland.

[Eso]

In Flacco's defense, Ryan has had Roddy White to work with since he came into the league, and last year even with Tony Gonzalez he struggled.

This is Flacco's year to prove hes an up-coming elite QB. He has all the pieces, WRs, TEs, a STRONG run game, a stellar o-line, and a defense that can keep his offense on the field with good field-position.

[kash96ravenstotalfan]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' date='12 May 2010 - 04:57 PM' timestamp='1273697869' post='409161']
Well, I've got a story for everyone here. Since I live on the other side of the country from most Ravens fans, I find myself constantly being the one to have to defend our young QB. I go to a gym where I always wear my Baltimore Ravens hat while I work out. As I walk by, everyone always kind of stares at my hat.

About a month or so ago, I started talking to a couple guys who work at the gym, and they questioned me because I wore my Ravens hat. They are real fantasy heads, so they know a lot about individual players, more so than the teams that they are on. For you people that play FF, this is easily understandable. Well, to make a long story short, one guy mentioned that Boldin will make the offense more stout, seeing that Flacco will greatly improve in his third year. He stated that in his rookie year, he did excellent, but "kind of had a sophomore slump." Now, I can grab all of the stats and so on and show him that Flacco indeed did improve drastically in one year, considering what he had to work with.

The other person stated that he didn't really like Flacco or Matt Ryan, but if he had to pick one, he would choose Ryan. Now is it just me, or is the fact that Matt Ryan was picked 3rd in 2008, it would make more sense that the media and the public would be bias by picking him ahead of Flacco? In my opinion, if Flacco was picked ahead of Ryan, it would produce the same responses.

For us Ravens fans, Flacco is the real deal. He's somewhat our "savior", because of the questionable QB depth we've had over recent years. He's young, intelligent, can throw a missile, and is actually highly accurate. I tell them that if Flacco just worked on chopping his feet more in the pocket and moving on his middle of the field accuracy, he could not only be excellent, but elite.

What are some of your takes on Flacco? What does he need to improve to become "elite", and how many years do you think it will take him to get there? I know I shouldn't have to defend my QB, but being a huge fan, I just want everyone to see what we see, and that is that Flacco is young but steadily on the track to be an awesome player. The fact of the matter is, he is our Franchise QB, and will be for a very long time.

The point of this topic is not to say, "yes, he our Franchise QB, or "no, he is not", but to actually state what he can do to better himself and the team, and is all of this bias actually fair? Is this year in Flacco's hands, and can he handle it?

Opinions...
[/quote]
I think Joe's positives are: his arm strength, "unflappable" demeanor, strong work ethic (I believe he has been throwing to Stallworth and Boldin for months now) and admirable character. We will not see Joe's picture plastered on the internet with sordid captions regarding his actions. Maybe he needs to work on better "reads" on the defense and quicker decision making. The sky is the limit for Joe this season with his new receivers. He will not disappoint us!

[theFRANCHISE]

Here's the painful reality we have to face about Flacco: though he is the best QB we've had in team history outside of Vinny Testaverde and Steve McNair's 2006 campaign, he must take that next step this year or next year or else the team may have to move in another direction. By the third or fourth season is when a QB shows whether he will become a good QB or remain merely average. He doesn't need Manning-like numbers to prove that he will be a good QB, but he cannot make the same mistakes in Year 3 and Year 4 that he made in Years 1 & 2.

That said, everything is working in Flacco's favor to have an even better season than last year. If he cannot improve by season's end, then that's where we should start being concerned. Flacco is essentially auditioning to remain the permanent starter for virtually the rest of his career with these next two seasons. Otherwise, a seed of doubt will be placed if Flacco cannot improve beyond his current body of work. Though he's played phenomenally for a young QB, that play we consider "phenomenal" will become merely average to us once he gets older.

Flacco has no reason to fail, and he won't let himself fail. Though he's not afraid to fail, his hatred of losing is so strong that he cannot merely accept failure. Flacco is a winner. Now, he'll have to prove it to the rest of the league.

[T-Sizz]

lolz@ #6: shane falco

[charchboii]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' date='12 May 2010 - 06:36 PM' timestamp='1273703819' post='409193']
Here's the painful reality we have to face about Flacco: though he is the best QB we've had in team history outside of Vinny Testaverde and Steve McNair's 2006 campaign, he must take that next step this year or next year or else the team may have to move in another direction. By the third or fourth season is when a QB shows whether he will become a good QB or remain merely average. He doesn't need Manning-like numbers to prove that he will be a good QB, but he cannot make the same mistakes in Year 3 and Year 4 that he made in Years 1 & 2.

That said, everything is working in Flacco's favor to have an even better season than last year. If he cannot improve by season's end, then that's where we should start being concerned. Flacco is essentially auditioning to remain the permanent starter for virtually the rest of his career with these next two seasons. Otherwise, a seed of doubt will be placed if Flacco cannot improve beyond his current body of work. Though he's played phenomenally for a young QB, that play we consider "phenomenal" will become merely average to us once he gets older.

Flacco has no reason to fail, and he won't let himself fail. Though he's not afraid to fail, his hatred of losing is so strong that he cannot merely accept failure. Flacco is a winner. Now, he'll have to prove it to the rest of the league.
[/quote]
yea when think about the last good quaterbacks coming out of the draft being (eli, big ben, rivers). in their 4th year in 07 is when they had there best years. Ben in 07 had his best year throwing for 32 touchdowns. Eli won the superbowl that season. And Rivers went to the AFC championship to eventually lose to a perfect patriots team (b4 they lost to Eli an the giants). so really the fourth year is a quaterbacks make it or break it year

[DrMoonTooth]

I doubt Flacco will have the Brees or Manning numbers this year, but that is mainly because he won't need them. We have a great defense playing when Joe isn't, and that alone takes pressure off of him, unlike Manning or Brees, who often have to throw their teams to victory. We also have an incredible running game that will still consume almost 50% of our play calling, maybe more, which may keep Joe from producing those incredible numbers that so often erroneously define a QB's greatness. I think Flacco will be elite in terms of protecting the football and not losing football games, and then winning them should the situation arise.

I will admit though, I'd love to see Flacco throw for 4,000+ yards and a bunch of touchdowns, simply because I love games like the Patriots playoff game last year. There's nothing quite like watching your team dominate on defense and bury the hatchet on offense.

[XxSizzleXx]

Agreed, breakout year for Flacco engaged.

[Shadowalker]

this was very well written, im impressed.

[flynismo]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' date='12 May 2010 - 09:59 PM' timestamp='1273719554' post='409284']
Marry me?
[/quote]

*scratches head*

I thought you were a guy?

[itscbm5042]

Pros:

Great arm, tall, surprisingly mobile for his size, lazer rocket arm, makes great sideline throws

Cons:

#1 Needs to do a better job sensing pressure in the pocket (how many times have we seen him get obliterated because he stepped directly into a sack)

#2 Needs to get better at reading defenses

#3 Learn when to throw it away

#4 Adjust his throws to the height of the receivers (he overthrows Rice because he is short but under throws his receivers so they have to come back on the ball instead of catching in stride)

Verdict: Flacco is a definite franchise QB and with the offense improving around him (for him to put up the numbers he did last year with one legitimate receiver is astounding) he is set for a nice stat increase for 2010. He has the potential (and now the weapons) to throw for 30TDs and 4,000+ yards every year...ascending to the ranks of an Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, Matt Schaub, etc. but not yet the leadership of Manning or the defense recognition of Brees.

[Runnin Raven]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='13 May 2010 - 09:11 AM' timestamp='1273756270' post='409346']
Pros:

Great arm, tall, surprisingly mobile for his size, lazer rocket arm, makes great sideline throws

Cons:

#1 Needs to do a better job sensing pressure in the pocket (how many times have we seen him get obliterated because he stepped directly into a sack)

#2 Needs to get better at reading defenses

#3 Learn when to throw it away

#4 Adjust his throws to the height of the receivers (he overthrows Rice because he is short but under throws his receivers so they have to come back on the ball instead of catching in stride)

Verdict: Flacco is a definite franchise QB and with the offense improving around him (for him to put up the numbers he did last year with one legitimate receiver is astounding) he is set for a nice stat increase for 2010. He has the potential (and now the weapons) to throw for 30TDs and 4,000+ yards every year...ascending to the ranks of an Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, Matt Schaub, etc. but not yet the leadership of Manning or the defense recognition of Brees.
[/quote]
I think that's a very fair assessment. I vaguely remember reading an article on Zorn and what he's focusing on, and I think he was stressing quicker decision-making. Sometimes I felt Joe's clock was a hair slower than it should be. I love the kid, make no mistake about it. It be amazing if he played lights out this year. He's got the physical tools and the mentality. Now he's got the receivers.

[ravensgirlx88]

The thing about Joe is that he has NEVER had all the weapons he's needed to get him to the Superbowl. Put Brady behind our line and we'll see how well he plays with no guys to throw the ball to. I love Mason.. but we just need more on the feild. I think Boldin and our WR group this year will give flacco the abilty to be the amazing qb the majority of Ravens fans know he can be.

Anyone that questions Joe as our Franchise QB.. will be personally punched in the face. BY ME=)

WACCO FOR FLACCO!!!

[Purple Nurple]

Love your sig, hahaha! Bet they'll make you lose it though, sadly.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='flynismo' date='12 May 2010 - 11:12 PM' timestamp='1273734759' post='409323']
*scratches head*

I thought you were a guy?
[/quote]

Hahaha I am and I'm actually married.. I got a negative as well. I guess people just can't take jokes on the Internet.

Franchise always has the best posts, plus he goes in depth. But hey, if I was a veteran, I probably would have been praised and given 5 positives. Some people shouldn't be so upset.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='itscbm5042' date='13 May 2010 - 05:11 AM' timestamp='1273756270' post='409346']
Pros:

Great arm, tall, surprisingly mobile for his size, lazer rocket arm, makes great sideline throws

Cons:

#1 Needs to do a better job sensing pressure in the pocket (how many times have we seen him get obliterated because he stepped directly into a sack)

#2 Needs to get better at reading defenses

#3 Learn when to throw it away

#4 Adjust his throws to the height of the receivers (he overthrows Rice because he is short but under throws his receivers so they have to come back on the ball instead of catching in stride)

Verdict: Flacco is a definite franchise QB and with the offense improving around him (for him to put up the numbers he did last year with one legitimate receiver is astounding) he is set for a nice stat increase for 2010. He has the potential (and now the weapons) to throw for 30TDs and 4,000+ yards every year...ascending to the ranks of an Aaron Rodgers, Tony Romo, Matt Schaub, etc. but not yet the leadership of Manning or the defense recognition of Brees.
[/quote]

Luckily, these are all cons that can be worked on with time. I don't know how many times I've seen Flacco get sacked by a blitz heavy defense because he takes his time looking downfield. But that can also be attributed to the fact that we didn't have the greatest recievers who were taught seperation at an early age haha.

I know they're working on his shoulder strength this offseason, and that's perfect, but do you think they are working on his feet? I think that this plays a huge part in why he doesn't get to release it quick enough. He actually is very mobile, but he needs to chop his feet quicker.

[Romo Ravens]

[quote name='ravensgirlx88' date='13 May 2010 - 07:50 AM' timestamp='1273765811' post='409401']
The thing about Joe is that he has NEVER had all the weapons he's needed to get him to the Superbowl. Put Brady behind our line and we'll see how well he plays with no guys to throw the ball to. I love Mason.. but we just need more on the feild. I think Boldin and our WR group this year will give flacco the abilty to be the amazing qb the majority of Ravens fans know he can be.

Anyone that questions Joe as our Franchise QB.. will be personally punched in the face. BY ME=)

WACCO FOR FLACCO!!!
[/quote]

Thank you. Even Brees, Brady or Manning couldn't accomplish much with the weapons that we used to have. It's actually something else for Flacco, being as young as he is, to succeed with only Mason plus Rice, something a lot of people don't know.

Very insightful post, thank you for your thoughts plus semi-violence. That's how I like my Ravens girls to be lol.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' date='13 May 2010 - 12:12 PM' timestamp='1273770776' post='409447']
I know they're working on his shoulder strength this offseason, and that's perfect, but do you think they are working on his feet? I think that this plays a huge part in why he doesn't get to release it quick enough. He actually is very mobile, but he needs to chop his feet quicker.
[/quote]

Didn't he have an ankle injury since the Minnesota game?

[Runnin Raven]

[quote name='hawkprey' date='13 May 2010 - 02:41 PM' timestamp='1273776068' post='409501']
Didn't he have an ankle injury since the Minnesota game?
[/quote]
Hip I believe.

[indianstick]

I think the main thing flacco has to work on is getting out of the huddle and setting up under center quicker so he can first of all assess the defense presnap and read it in order to call audibles when he needs to..and second of all eliminate calling a time out in the first quarter just to prevent a delay of game..i don't know about u guys..but it pissed me off when we had to use a couple of our time outs by the end of the first quarter bc we couldn't get the play off in time..those time outs are key at the end of halves

I think this will improve in the near future as he becomes more comfortable in the system..and realizes that he has to be the vocal leader of the offense