[Blogs] ‘Leaner’ Flacco Healthy Again

[BR News]

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Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco said his coaches may want him to add a couple pounds this offseason, but he doesn’t feel like more bulk would have prevented the injuries he sustained last year.

“Injuries happen,” Flacco said. “You’re going to get bumps and bruises, and that’s what they were.  There’s nothing you can really do to prevent a twisted ankle. There’s nothing you can really do with a bruise on your hip that turns into a little bit more, besides putting a hip pad there.”

Flacco said he’s conditioning the way he always has and feels healthy and in “great shape.”

Since leaving University of Delaware at a listed 230 pounds, Flacco has added about 10 pounds to his long frame.

He said that he hasn’t changed his weight much during offseason workouts – of which he has been a constant participant – but looks a bit more cut. That could mean more muscle but less fat.

“I think [I'm] a little leaner, but about the same weight, right around 240, 238, 239, 240, somewhere around there depending on what time of the day it is,” Flacco said Tuesday.

“I think these guys might want me a little bit above 240, but the bottom line is, I’m going to play somewhere right around high 230s, 240, and that’s what I’m going to play at.”

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[DevilsLuck]

Flacco's weight is good for a QB right where it is. I don't want the added weight slowing him down when he has to scramble or run for sum yards.

[Ed_Reed20]

I was hoping Joe would bulk up to avoid injury but if he's comfortable playing around 240, I have no problems with that.

[1defense]

If he's leaner he should feel alot better about his pocket presence and if need be him getting away from the pressure.

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

Yeah the whole added weight thing, hmmm. If he is comfortable with his weight and moving around as such then I guess leave it be. Added weight didn't exactly help JerWalrus Russel, j/k...lol

[Danwhitmer]

Hey, if the line keeps the defense out of the backfield then there will be no problem!

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='RavensFanThick&Thin' date='19 May 2010 - 01:40 PM' timestamp='1274290821' post='411925']
Yeah the whole added weight thing, hmmm. If he is comfortable with his weight and moving around as such then I guess leave it be. Added weight didn't exactly help JerWalrus Russel, j/k...lol
[/quote]

Adding 10 lbs. of muscle is a lot different than adding 25-30 lbs. of fat... Joe is more than capable of playing fast and effectively at 238-240 lbs. considering his 6'6" frame.

[ESRaven]

Lol at Flacco's "bottom line" comment.

The Ravens/Ray Lewis legacy will live on through the repetition of his famous catchphrase.

[RavensFanThick&Thin]

This is like really random but I also just noticed how similar the picture is to my icon. Put the helmet on and a football in the hands of Flacco on my icon and BAM you got the article pic cartoonized even details such as the mouth being open...lol

[Rice27Ray]

Flacco is gonna throw 4,000 yds easily. Just wait.

[RiseNconquer]

Maybe the coaches know what they are talking about. Hey Joe... trust them. If it doesn't work, then give em your bottom line. You are still Joe "potential". Think about it.

[Jabara]

I just hope they don't make him grow a moustache!

[loverj86]

as hedrix said"hey joe where you goin with that gun for an arm"or something like
that.seriously you play were you feel most comfortable.at least you're not like jamarcus russell showing up for camp at 300 lbs and not be very good when you do.you're doin fine,keep up the good work

[Guest drycleanerman]

I hope they don't want Joe Flacco to grow a beard,let him concentrate on his game and not worry about him being too skinny,He'll be great

[thrash5]

best qb in ravens history almost johnny u like

[The Negotiator]

We need a Flacco that can fly and glide. Fly Flacco Fly.

[luckie618]

Him adding more weight can help him be stronger. More muscle is good not matter what it is.

[Purplebirdgang]

Tell em Joe! Feeling good feeling great how r u?! Lets do this Ravens!

[PIG 20]

I'm glad there are some things that Joe won't just do if he doesn't feel comfortable with it. Just because they are coaches doesn't always mean they are right. If every coach was a genious then I guess every QB should be like Joe Montana. Remember, there were a ton of so called expert coaches who though Montana would never make it in the NFL. I guess they were right? Tom Brady? 6th or 7th round?

I'm glad Joe stays within his comfort zone. He was banged up last year but just remember how the season started for Joe up until that hillbilly Jared Allen stepped on his ankle as Joe was falling. If Joe could have stayed healthy, he could have been a top 5 QB to finish the season at the pace he was going.

[RicknRoll]

I like Joe's attitude. I'd like to see him have a little more input to the play calling this season. It will show growth. Wat to Go Joe!!

[DMAC]

Joes gotta point but id like to see him add some strength to his lowere body<so he could stand stronger in the pocket and maybe break a tackle or 2

[BleedPurple24]

as long as he doesn't go to clubs and sexually harass college girls i'm ok with this...LOL

[Ball Hawk 888]

Stick it to the man Flacco! Joe knows his body better than any coach and I'm glad he isn't afraid to let them know what he feels he will do the best with.

[metalraven]

I agree, Ball Hawk. It may not be best for an athelete, especially for a QB, to go outside the confines of his natural build. He knows his body, and extra "bulk" may not necessarily be a good thing. If you're too buff, then you can lose the fluidity of a throwing motion.

[wrm#1]

if ,it's muscle not fat ok.a more fit FLACCO means he should be able to show a little bit more mobility to avoid the rush.when it comes to his mobility i seem to remember a more moble FLACCO in college,he was was an accurate moble QB at DELAWARE;it seems to me they want to turn him into this classic"POCKET QB".JOEs' going to have to show a little bit more escapeablity-a step here,a step there.the games gotten awfully fast to just be dropping straight back with no variation but depth,to me if the defense kowns you your going to be 3,5,7 steps straigth back all the time that makes their job easier.a little variation in the dropbacks ,move the pocket gives the defense no focal point in their pass rush.it doesn't have to be WIDECAT or whatever just something to give the defense to have to prepare for.designed scrambles little movements with the backs to strengthen moving the pocket to left or right and still give FLACCO,safety valves to have.I'M JUST SAYING

[BOLDnPurPnBlacK]

I think he could stand to add a few pounds, atleast in the lower body and core. It will help him stand strong, push off for throws, quicker steps, absorb punishment, and add some arm strength. To me, his biggest flaws last year were on a couple plays (not all the time) being a step slow, not absorbing hits well, and loft the ball a bit too much on down field throws.

On the last comment before someone attacks my comment, he does throw an accurate long ball. Time and time again he hit recievers down field for big plays. But on quite a few of them the reciever had to stop, slow down, or jump for the ball instead of catching in stride. Several of those plays could have been TD's instead of 60 yd grabs where we eventually had to settle for a field goal... Some core strength helps him throw the deep ball on more of a line instead of floating it deep.