Why Is Flacco In Particular Getting So Much Media Attention This Offseason?

[ratedr]

I don't have an answer, I simply wanted to open this up for discussion. It seems like everyday there is a new article about XYZ's opinion on Joe Flacco, some of it being good, some of it being bad. And it's not just because I'm a Ravens fan and thus looking for it. I was on ESPN's main NFL page, and KC Joyner's article is one of the lead stories.

http://i52.tinypic.com/15870b8.png

The question is: why? I'm not hearing too much about Sanchez, Ryan (even with the massive Julio Jones trade), Freeman, Bradford, Stafford, or any of the other young quarterbacks. Why is everyone looking for big things from Joe in particular this year? And do you all view all of this attention as a good thing or a bad thing?

Personally, it makes me more excited for the season. Joe has a golden opportunity to shut his doubters down this season, especially with the first game of the season being against the Steelers. I think he's going to take all this scrutiny and use it as motivation.

[1/28/01]

4th year and has shown tremendous progression each year prior, added the speedy young WR the team is looking for, may have plugged in a few missing pieces on the defense (i.e. Kindle, Smith) and he's made a conscious effort to get together with his team and get some reps in.

His time is now! We SHOULD see a different Flacco this year and just the thought of that is exciting!

[Milton145]

If I were Flacco I'd be itching to get on the field right now more than anyone with the way most people have been slamming him and his talent. I think it's ridiculous how they question whether he's a franchise QB. I also think it's ridiculous how they use the classic "he's depended on his defense to get him to the playoffs" card.

Sanchez is a media golden boy yet he doesn't do crap in all reality. He rides the defense more than Flacco IMO. If Sanchez goes against a good offense HE WILL NOT be able to keep up with them enough to win the game.

Another media golden boy is Matty Ice who hasn't even won a playoff game. He doesn't have the Ravens defense backing him up but a pretty damn good offense led by freakin Roddy White and also the greatest TE to play the game on his side of the ball yet he only turned in 21 points in the playoffs when needed.

Roethlisberger (while clutch) will never be completely out of the game with arguably the best defense of the past decade backing him up as well. He played like absolute crap this past post season but nobody seemed to noticed.

Flacco, his first 2 seasons, had absolutely NOTHING on offense yet was still good enough to make playoffs (AFCCG his rookie year) and this past season, while yes he wasn't spectacular in that game, he played well against the Steelers and in the end it was his WRs who couldn't come up in crunch time. It drives me crazy how useless and rookie-like they make Joe Flacco seem.

[Moderator 3]

I suspect part of the increased attention is due to the fact that Joe has been speaking out more. He's helped put himself in the limelight. I also think that having made the playoffs the last 3 years, Joe can no longer be ignored by the media. The just don't know what to make of him because he's normally so 'laid back' and he's been playing in an offense that doesn't particularly suit his talents.

[PWNEDbyDEANO]

[quote name='ratedr' timestamp='1308362127' post='698237']
I don't have an answer, I simply wanted to open this up for discussion. It seems like everyday there is a new article about XYZ's opinion on Joe Flacco, some of it being good, some of it being bad. And it's not just because I'm a Ravens fan and thus looking for it. I was on ESPN's main NFL page, and KC Joyner's article is one of the lead stories.

http://i52.tinypic.com/15870b8.png

The question is: why? I'm not hearing too much about Sanchez, Ryan (even with the massive Julio Jones trade), Freeman, Bradford, Stafford, or any of the other young quarterbacks. Why is everyone looking for big things from Joe in particular this year? And do you all view all of this attention as a good thing or a bad thing?

Personally, it makes me more excited for the season. [b]Joe has a golden opportunity to shut his doubters down this season[/b], especially with the first game of the season being against the Steelers. I think he's going to take all this scrutiny and use it as motivation.
[/quote]

I think it's because of this. This season is the one that could finally and fully put Joe right on the map. Having so far in his career been treated with indifference from the media who have always been much more willing to drool over Ryan, Sanchez and (more recently) Freeman, this could be the year when Flacco stands up and shows that he well and truly belongs in the discussion of 'elite' QBs.

[Radinho84]

i would also say that iit is all about his opportunities next season. right now it seems that we gave him the young guys that we needed for a long time to gro with him. they will still be rookies but we will have a number of guys who can all be lined up differently. we will have speed and we will have guys that can go over the middle, make the tough catches and still be able for huge yardage after the catch.

next year there will be no more excuses for our offense. they have to get it done. i think this might be a reason why they talk about flacco so loud and wether he is able to lead this team offensively or not. when you aren´t able to get it done with so much talent on this side of the ballgame you should just go. i know that flacco will get it done. our offense should be great for years.
trust me, in 2 or three years all those guys comparing flacco to ryan or poster boy sanchez right now will be looking like the biggest homers in the world!!!

i hope they get the financial situation going but i have my doubts about that. i wasn´t as high for the beginning of a season as this year for a long time...

can´t wait to see them punching all those haters right in their faces!!!

Burn em Flacco!!!!!

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Radinho84' timestamp='1308396876' post='698303']
[b]i would also say that iit is all about his opportunities next season. right now it seems that we gave him the young guys that we needed for a long time to gro with him.[/b] they will still be rookies but we will have a number of guys who can all be lined up differently. we will have speed and we will have guys that can go over the middle, make the tough catches and still be able for huge yardage after the catch.

next year there will be no more excuses for our offense. they have to get it done. i think this might be a reason why they talk about flacco so loud and wether he is able to lead this team offensively or not. when you aren´t able to get it done with so much talent on this side of the ballgame you should just go. i know that flacco will get it done. our offense should be great for years.
trust me, in 2 or three years all those guys comparing flacco to ryan or poster boy sanchez right now will be looking like the biggest homers in the world!!!

i hope they get the financial situation going but i have my doubts about that. i wasn´t as high for the beginning of a season as this year for a long time...

can´t wait to see them punching all those haters right in their faces!!!

Burn em Flacco!!!!!
[/quote]

I don't think it has anything to do with Flacco's opportunities next year, nor his new weapons. Other then during a draft show, I've never heard one person speak about any of the young offensive players the Ravens have added over the past 2 years that should help Flacco.

I think it really has to do with the fact that in 3 seasons Flacco hasn't gone anywhere. Coming out of the 2008 Draft, Matt Ryan was supposed to be the only franchise caliber QB. He was supposed to be head and shoulders above the rest.

Flacco was supposed to be a 3-4 year developmental project and be in that grouping of Chad Henne, Brain Brohm, and others. Well Flacco proved to be just as good if not better then Matt Ryan and for 3 seasons, and so called experts have been waiting for the other shoe to drop.

Flacco isn't supposed to be as good a Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan was labeled as a can't miss, Hall of Fame potential QB, coming out of the draft. Flacco was supposed to be nothing more then a 2nd or 3rd round pick who took 2-3 years to develop.

Well the truth is, Flacco was/is a QB that needed 2-3 years to develop. He was just talented enough to lead this team to the AFC Championship in his rookie year, and now everyone's expectation is Super Bowl. When their expectations should be to just see Flacco improve from year to year(which he has) and look for him to take that huge step in year 4(which he could).

I honestly can't remember any other QB in his first 3 seasons having as much Super Bowl expectations as Flacco has had. And because of that, people miss the BIG picture when it comes to Flacco.

Instead of acknowledging the fact that this guy is doing exactly what you expect a 3rd year QB to do, get better; people like Jamie Dukes choose to diminish his regular season success and his progress as a young QB, to focus on the fact that he hasn't gotten this team to a Super Bowl.

People flame Flacco for not being about to get pass the Steelers in the playoffs, well news flash. Both times he's lost to the Steelers, they've made the Super Bowl, the 1 time he lost to the Colts, they made the Super Bowl, so those teams were pretty good. It's not like Flacco is losing playoff games, to the likes of the Chiefs, Dolphins, or Seahawks.

So in my opinion, Flacco is getting so much attention this offseason, because, somewhat unfairly, people are expecting Flacco to be Elite and a Super Bowl QB, in only his 4th year. Well it doesn't just happen like that. Peyton Manning needed 6 years to get his first playoff win, it took him 9 years to make his first Super Bowl, and people look down on Flacco because he hasn't done it in his first 3 seasons.

[ratedr]

The Flacco/Rivers story is now not just one of the top stories on ESPN's NFL homepage, it's THE top story. Must be getting a lot of traffic haha.

[paul410]

I think flacco has great arm and mind but needs work on his footwork most of his bad throws were due to bad footwork. geting rid of zorn was a good idea because this wasnt fixed. I also believe flacco is kept on a short leash loosen it up and give him a chance. anytime boldin is one on one in the middle of the field put it up there and give him a chance to fight for it. it worked in the beginning of the seaon until unhappy rcievers were crying they werent getting there touches. tell those guys to shut up and just be ready for thier opportunity

[atljbo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1308402147' post='698310']


Flacco isn't supposed to be as good a Matt Ryan. Matt Ryan was labeled as a can't miss, Hall of Fame potential QB, coming out of the draft. Flacco was supposed to be nothing more then a 2nd or 3rd round pick who took 2-3 years to develop.


[/quote]


Ryan wasnt a cant miss... Thats the reason the Dolphims passed on him... They question his decision making (to many INTS) , his arm strength, and his potential .. He wasnt a cant miss... Mike Mayock was the only guy that stood by him the whole time (because he is a BC guy so he knows ryan didnt have any weapons) ... Heck even the Falcons was leaning towards Glenn Dorsey until a week before the draft... As a fan before u actually looked at games... I didnnt want Ryan... I wanted Dorsey.

Most did feel like Ryan was the closes to a Franchise QB in that draft/ day 1 starter.... Most felt like F;acco could be a good QB but it would take him 2 to 3 years before he was ready to start.


To the original topic... I think Flacco deserve the pub he is getting... He deserve to be talked about... I dont agree with the Flacco and Rivers thing but overall... He deserve to be in conversations... The guy is a good young QB... If Sanchez get as much pub as he does... Why not Flacco

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1308421361' post='698357']
Ryan wasnt a cant miss... Thats the reason the Dolphims passed on him... They question his decision making (to many INTS) , his arm strength, and his potential .. He wasnt a cant miss...[b] Mike Mayock was the only guy that stood by him the whole time (because he is a BC guy so he knows ryan didnt have any weapons)[/b]
[/quote]

Not true, Todd McShay practically had an on air relationship with Matt Ryan. You would have thought McShay was Matt's agent or something.

And while he might not have been considered "Can't Miss" it still doesn't change the fact that he was labeled as the only franchise QB in the 2008 draft, or the head and shoulders best QB in the draft and Flacco was labeled as a QB that would need 3-4 years just to develop into a quality starting QB.

[Ravenslifer]

Partly because there's nothing to do and everybody wants a story. It really started with that whole "I want a contract extension" bit that got blown way out of proportion. The guy is a rising star in the league who people outside of Baltimore are just starting to really take notice of, so that could be another reason. And finally, we are Ravens fans, so naturally when we look for news, most of it is centered around the Ravens. Go look for news on just about any team, and I'll bet at least a good 40 to 50 percent has to do with the quarterback, because that's the most glorified position. It's the one position everybody seems to want to hear about.

[atljbo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1308424028' post='698367']
Not true, Todd McShay practically had an on air relationship with Matt Ryan. You would have thought McShay was Matt's agent or something.

And while he might not have been considered "Can't Miss" it still doesn't change the fact that he was labeled as the only franchise QB in the 2008 draft, or the head and shoulders best QB in the draft and Flacco was labeled as a QB that would need 3-4 years just to develop into a quality starting QB.
[/quote]

Todd McSHay flip flop every year... predraft he was all over ryan... a week before the draft he said Ryan would possibly slip out the top 10 if the ravens pass on him... I remember this because Mel Kiper said he would cut his ridiculous hair and retire if Ryan make it past the Ravens but he thought Ryan was going to the Falcons.

It seem like McShay just go by whatever he hears (does no research)... I never pay attention to dude unless he is reporting on what he saw at the senior bowl or workouts

Everybody felt like Ryan was the most NFL ready right now QB... That was no knock on Flacco... He was coming from a college type scheme... Normally it takes those guys 2 to 3 years.... Flacco stepped in day 1 and did his thing... No one felt Flacco was going to be a bum... He was the 2nd highest QB's in most lists after the workouts... Most just felt like it would take him time... That wasnt a knock on him.. But yea.. Ryan was by far the highest rated QB.

You guys def got the bang for your bucks

[berad]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1308441154' post='698405']
Todd McSHay flip flop every year... predraft he was all over ryan... a week before the draft he said Ryan would possibly slip out the top 10 if the ravens pass on him... I remember this because Mel Kiper said he would cut his ridiculous hair and retire if Ryan make it past the Ravens but he thought Ryan was going to the Falcons.

It seem like McShay just go by whatever he hears (does no research)... I never pay attention to dude unless he is reporting on what he saw at the senior bowl or workouts

Everybody felt like Ryan was the most NFL ready right now QB... That was no knock on Flacco... He was coming from a college type scheme... Normally it takes those guys 2 to 3 years.... Flacco stepped in day 1 and did his thing... No one felt Flacco was going to be a bum... He was the 2nd highest QB's in most lists after the workouts... Most just felt like it would take him time... That wasnt a knock on him.. But yea.. Ryan was by far the highest rated QB.

[b]You guys def got the bang for your bucks
[/b][/quote]

Werd. And he's not making $32 million this season, either.

[Militant X 1]

[quote name='1/28/01' timestamp='1308363733' post='698242']
4th year and has shown tremendous progression each year prior, added the speedy young WR the team is looking for, may have plugged in a few missing pieces on the defense (i.e. Kindle, Smith) and he's made a conscious effort to get together with his team and get some reps in.

His time is now! We SHOULD see a different Flacco this year and just the thought of that is exciting!
[/quote]

this may be my first time ever agreeing with you!

enjoy cause it may not happen again!

~Mili

[atljbo]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1308441301' post='698406']
Werd. And he's not making $32 million this season, either.
[/quote]



yea... he is not.


Just to throw it out there... The Falcons are paying the rest of Ryans Bonus money on his contract this year... Thats why dude is making that much.

But yea... you guys def got a great deal... The same with the Bucs

[1/28/01]

[quote name='Militant X 1' timestamp='1308441933' post='698412']
this may be my first time ever agreeing with you!

enjoy cause it may not happen again!

~Mili
[/quote]
This is just a bit scary....I agreed with you somewhere else a few hours ago! Full moon perhaps?

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1308441154' post='698405']
Todd McSHay flip flop every year... predraft he was all over ryan... a week before the draft he said Ryan would possibly slip out the top 10 if the ravens pass on him... I remember this because Mel Kiper said he would cut his ridiculous hair and retire if Ryan make it past the Ravens but he thought Ryan was going to the Falcons.

It seem like McShay just go by whatever he hears (does no research)... I never pay attention to dude unless he is reporting on what he saw at the senior bowl or workouts

[b]Everybody felt like Ryan was the most NFL ready right now QB... That was no knock on Flacco... He was coming from a college type scheme... Normally it takes those guys 2 to 3 years.... Flacco stepped in day 1 and did his thing... No one felt Flacco was going to be a bum... He was the 2nd highest QB's in most lists after the workouts... Most just felt like it would take him time... That wasnt a knock on him.. But yea.. Ryan was by far the highest rated QB[/b].

You guys def got the bang for your bucks
[/quote]

This is not a situation where you have to defend Matt Ryan. All I said was that Flacco wasn't held in as high a regard as Matt Ryan was, and because of it, talking head are hesitate to view Flacco for what he is.

This isn't a Matt Ryan vs Joe Flacco thing. It's just fact that not many if anybody thought Joe Flacco would be as good if not better in some cases, then Matt Ryan in the first 3-4 years. So when they look at Matt and his numbers, they were pretty much expected. While in Flacco's case, his success/numbers are surprising, and it leads them to ask the questions of if Flacco is a Franchise QB, or can the Ravens win a Super Bowl with him, or if he's capable of being Elite.

And amidst what seems to be a lot of negative attention towards Flacco, are a couple of articles that produces facts, and numbers of exactly why Flacco should be held among the top of the list for second tier QBs in the NFL.

[PurpleGreek]

Steelers are scared.. they know they were VERY fortunate last year and are afraid to repeat 2009 when they lost to Oakland, KC, Cleveland, and Essex Community College. I love the scared Steelers fan mentality... they get so defensive about anything and everything.... it gives me a big kick.

As for Dhani Jones, he plays for the worst franchise in professional sports. Enjoy your 1-15 season this year, Dhani! Maybe the Food Network is looking for a host?

GO BALTIMORE.

[berad]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1308442135' post='698413']
yea... he is not.


Just to throw it out there... The Falcons are paying the rest of Ryans Bonus money on his contract this year... Thats why dude is making that much.

But yea... you guys def got a great deal... The same with the Bucs
[/quote]

Eh, Freeman can go fly a kite. But Ryan, even though he's making huge money, is worth it. He's a good young QB and already the cornerstone and face of that franchise. I'm rough on him but that's only because I think Flacco is better - even though it's not the common perception, but I'm not getting into that.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1308448344' post='698431']
Eh, Freeman can go fly a kite. But Ryan, even though he's making huge money, is worth it. He's a good young QB and already the cornerstone and face of that franchise. I'm rough on him but that's only because I think Flacco is better - even though it's not the common perception, but I'm not getting into that.
[/quote]

Yea Matt is definitely worth the money they paid him as a rookie, and will be worth whatever they decision to pay him once he re-signs.

I'm not as sold on Freeman as everyone else seems to be. He made a huge jump from year 1 to year 2, and that's kind of uncharacteristic for a young guy.

This year will be huge for him, because defenses will have a full book on him and he'll start to see more teams game planning against him rather then just stacking the box and forcing him to beat them.

As for you feelings about Joe and Matt, I think things will be a bit clearer after this season. Both guys will be great, but just like Manning and Brady, somebody has to be the best right?

[atljbo]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1308450022' post='698437']
Yea Matt is definitely worth the money they paid him as a rookie, and will be worth whatever they decision to pay him once he re-signs.

I'm not as sold on Freeman as everyone else seems to be. He made a huge jump from year 1 to year 2, and that's kind of uncharacteristic for a young guy.

This year will be huge for him, because defenses will have a full book on him and he'll start to see more teams game planning against him rather then just stacking the box and forcing him to beat them.

As for you feelings about Joe and Matt, I think things will be a bit clearer after this season. Both guys will be great, but just like Manning and Brady, somebody has to be the best right?
[/quote]


I think Freeman is going to be a very good QB.. I hate the Bucs but i give props where its dude (ive seen th guy... since he is in the NFC South) ....

Now ill say this... Do i think he is the 25 TD's and 6 ints guy we seen last year consistently.... Naw... But i do think he is a very good QB... He is not on the same level as Ryan and Flacco yet... Heck Freeman said it himself.. Ryan is at the top of the mountain when talking about best young QB's (in an interview) ... But i do think dude is a good young QB and the arrow is looking up... He has to show another year of production


Its crazy how many young QB's are coming in the league successful...


I agree with Ryan and Flacco statement... We shall see...

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='atljbo' timestamp='1308452235' post='698445']
I think Freeman is going to be a very good QB.. I hate the Bucs but i give props where its dude (ive seen th guy... since he is in the NFC South) ....

Now ill say this... Do i think he is the 25 TD's and 6 ints guy we seen last year consistently.... Naw... But i do think he is a very good QB... He is not on the same level as Ryan and Flacco yet... Heck Freeman said it himself.. Ryan is at the top of the mountain when talking about best young QB's (in an interview) ... But i do think dude is a good young QB and the arrow is looking up... He has to show another year of production


Its crazy how many young QB's are coming in the league successful...


I agree with Ryan and Flacco statement... We shall see...
[/quote]

Yea Freeman is definitely a good young QB, and they have some young weapons around him that will grown with him. I just want to see it for more then one season. The same thing with Sam Bradford.

In year 2 with Ryan and Flacco, defenses started to gameplan more for them, and not just stacking the box and daring the young guys to beat them. Both Joe and Matt had their struggles, and some even said they had the 2nd year slump, but ultimately they handled it well.

That is what both Freeman and Bradford will face this season. The tape is out on both guys, and defenses know these 2 young guys are capable. Teams aren't just gonna sit back and dare the young guys to beat them. No they are gonna start to give them the same treatment they give or try to give the better QBs in the NFL. It'll be interesting to see how both those guys handle this treatment, especially in a shortened or no existent offseason.

[333sosa]

[quote name='Milton145' timestamp='1308366830' post='698252']
If I were Flacco I'd be itching to get on the field right now more than anyone with the way most people have been slamming him and his talent. I think it's ridiculous how they question whether he's a franchise QB. I also think it's ridiculous how they use the classic "he's depended on his defense to get him to the playoffs" card.

Sanchez is a media golden boy yet he doesn't do crap in all reality. He rides the defense more than Flacco IMO. If Sanchez goes against a good offense HE WILL NOT be able to keep up with them enough to win the game.

Another media golden boy is Matty Ice who hasn't even won a playoff game. He doesn't have the Ravens defense backing him up but a pretty damn good offense led by freakin Roddy White and also the greatest TE to play the game on his side of the ball yet he only turned in 21 points in the playoffs when needed.

Roethlisberger (while clutch) will never be completely out of the game with arguably the best defense of the past decade backing him up as well. He played like absolute crap this past post season but nobody seemed to noticed.

Flacco, his first 2 seasons, had absolutely NOTHING on offense yet was still good enough to make playoffs (AFCCG his rookie year) and this past season, while yes he wasn't spectacular in that game, he played well against the Steelers and in the end it was his WRs who couldn't come up in crunch time. It drives me crazy how useless and rookie-like they make Joe Flacco seem.
[/quote]







joe flacco is nothing more than average and he won't be anything more than average unless he starts making good decisions. for example 4 int's against the bengals this year wich if we would have won that game we would have won our conference. also he can't win the big games and with the defense he has had all these years which has got them as far as they did is the only reason we are able to win games. he will never be anything special unless he improves on his decision making, point, blank, period

[Radinho84]

[quote name='333sosa' timestamp='1308524952' post='698614']
joe flacco is nothing more than average and he won't be anything more than average unless he starts making good decisions. for example 4 int's against the bengals this year wich if we would have won that game we would have won our conference. also he can't win the big games and with the defense he has had all these years which has got them as far as they did is the only reason we are able to win games. he will never be anything special unless he improves on his decision making, point, blank, period
[/quote]
matt, is that you??

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='333sosa' timestamp='1308524952' post='698614']
joe flacco is nothing more than average and he won't be anything more than average unless he starts making good decisions. for example 4 int's against the bengals this year wich if we would have won that game we would have won our conference. [/quote]

Sure, because we all know Peyton Manning would never have [b]a[/b] bad day and throw 4 INTs in one game.

[Ravensfan23]

[quote name='Moderator 3' timestamp='1308577360' post='698713']
Sure, because we all know Peyton Manning would never have [b]a[/b] bad day and throw 4 INTs in one game.
[/quote]

The funny thing about that is in 2010 Peyton Manning threw 4 INTs in back to back games, and over that 3 game stretch he threw a total of 11 INTs.

I don't know where this notion that Flacco has to be prefect or flaw free to become an Elite QB, but it definitely inaccurate.

Over his career Peyton has had 4 games where he's thrown for 4 or more INTs, and countless others with 3 INTS. In 2007 he even had 6 INTs in one game. Not inculding the Playoffs.

In 19 playoff games, Peyton has thrown 2 or more INTS in 5 games. And we all know how important the turnover battle is in the NFL.

But things like that don't matter when it comes to Peyton.

[Moderator 3]

[quote name='Ravensfan23' timestamp='1308581566' post='698736']
I don't know where this notion that Flacco has to be prefect or flaw free to become an Elite QB, but it definitely inaccurate.
[/quote]


Exactly! This repeated Flacco-bashing is plucking my nerves. We have a good, young, developing QB who has given us no reason to think he won't continue to improve. I can not comprehend why people who claim to be Ravens fans would constantly bash him.

[JohnJohnson]

Flacco is about ready to take off. Ever since we drafted him I've been a huge fan, and I'll continue to root for him even if he plays for another team at some point in his career. IMO, what makes him special is his ability to pick up bigger chunks of yardage more easily than other QBs. His arm is so strong that he can throw a 15 or 20 yard route like it's a 10 yard route. Ray Rice compliments this, because he can sneak underneath and take advantage of more open space if Flacco needs to get rid of the ball quickly. And Flacco still has room to improve his anticipation skills, so that he can hit those receivers in stride. Stretching the field with Torrey will give him more room to hit Boldin in stride, and when it comes together he's going to be picking up a LOT of yardage.

[-Truth-]

[quote name='333sosa' timestamp='1308524952' post='698614']
joe flacco is nothing more than average and he won't be anything more than average unless he starts making good decisions. for example 4 int's against the bengals this year wich if we would have won that game we would have won our conference. also he can't win the big games and with the defense he has had all these years which has got them as far as they did is the only reason we are able to win games. he will never be anything special unless he improves on his decision making, point, blank, period
[/quote]
For example, Flacco had the 2nd highest passer rating in the NFL after that Bengals match up, so I don't exactly see how the one game can exemplify his entire 2010 performance. The statement regarding our Conference could be just as easily applied to any of the other 3 losses. I will certainly agree with the notion that Flacco has things to improve on, but to call him simply average and claim that our defense is the only reason behind our 3 straight Playoff births is laughable.