Ravens Can't Justify Benching Flacco

[theFRANCHISE]

Going into today's game, it's been pretty clear that I've been pulling for Joe Flacco to become the Ravens' permanent starter since the day he was drafted. Although I've tried to be unbiased in my comments, there is no hiding the fact that I've preferred Flacco to the other Raven quarterbacks.

In the days leading to kickoff, I couldn't help but wonder what [i]might[/i] happen when Troy Smith is healthy enough to play again. The "obvious" decision would be to keep Flacco as the starter [i]if[/i] he plays well enough to keep the job.

However, in the NFL, there is [i]no such thing[/i] as an "obvious" decision.

Though many Troy Smith supporters have changed their tune after today's game, there are bound to be more than a few holdouts, waiting for Smith to reclaim "his" job. Honestly, bias aside, there is [i]no way[/i] the Ravens can justify benching Joe Flacco in favor of Troy Smith, [i]if[/i] Flacco manages to play decently over these next couple of games.

I can envision a scenario down the line where Smith [i]may[/i] be given the start if the team is out of playoff contention, but even [i]then[/i], I'd be hard-pressed to accept #5 on the bench for reasons other than injury or a string of poor performances.

I understand that this [i]could[/i] be seen as an emotional response to [i]one[/i] game -- but this [i]one[/i] game happened to hold much significance for this team and its rookie head coach. And ultimately, this [i]one[/i] game [i]could[/i] change the complexion of this entire season.

Thoughts?

[RAVEN63]

After today,Joe should be the starter untill he is either hurt or starting to struggle,(not just one game either).Like i said in other posts.I think their is something special about this kid.
Hope neither happens.
Simple as that.

[bossman419]

as long a flacco looks like he is getting better with each game then i see no reason to yank him. BUT if he looks like he is lost or he is backtracking, bring in smith

[PuRock]

We put a win in the column. And gained some team chemistry today.

Flacco showed that he can
1) Manage the game
2) Make good reads on blitzes
3) Make the plays when needed
4) Limit turnovers
5) Gain confidence from the other team players

With all that being said. Even if Troy Smith was healthy. We must move on to game 2 with Joe Flacco.

It is his job to lose at the moment. I wouldn't expect him to be benched (if he performed bad in the upcoming games) until game 4 now.

[theFRANCHISE]

Rather than generate the same basic responses (which I should've seen coming), here's a thought:

Would you feel right about Troy Smith starting over Joe Flacco when Smith regains his health?

After all, Coach Harbaugh [i]did[/i] say that Smith would be allowed to "compete" for the starting job once he's ready...

...but today might've changed all that.

[B-moreRavensfan88]

there's absolutely no way Flacco is going to lose his starting job, he's the best thing we've got right now. As long as he continues to do well he should keep the job, even when Troy is healthy again. I, for one, don't really care who is quarterback for us, as long as he wins us some games As a fan I'm glad Flacco is doing good, and I hope he just keeps getting better. Let's show all the "experts" how "sucky" the ravens are this year

[K-Dog]

Flacco bought him self a heaping bowl of Job security today.

[POE]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='64079' date='Sep 7 2008, 09:50 PM']Going into today's game, it's been pretty clear that I've been pulling for Joe Flacco to become the Ravens' permanent starter since the day he was drafted. Although I've tried to be unbiased in my comments, there is no hiding the fact that I've preferred Flacco to the other Raven quarterbacks.

In the days leading to kickoff, I couldn't help but wonder what [i]might[/i] happen when Troy Smith is healthy enough to play again. The "obvious" decision would be to keep Flacco as the starter [i]if[/i] he plays well enough to keep the job.

However, in the NFL, there is [i]no such thing[/i] as an "obvious" decision.

Though many Troy Smith supporters have changed their tune after today's game, there are bound to be more than a few holdouts, waiting for Smith to reclaim "his" job. Honestly, bias aside, there is [i]no way[/i] the Ravens can justify benching Joe Flacco in favor of Troy Smith, [i]if[/i] Flacco manages to play decently over these next couple of games.

I can envision a scenario down the line where Smith [i]may[/i] be given the start if the team is out of playoff contention, but even [i]then[/i], I'd be hard-pressed to accept #5 on the bench for reasons other than injury or a string of poor performances.

I understand that this [i]could[/i] be seen as an emotional response to [i]one[/i] game -- but this [i]one[/i] game happened to hold much significance for this team and its rookie head coach. And ultimately, this [i]one[/i] game [i]could[/i] change the complexion of this entire season.

Thoughts?[/quote]

I believe I heard earlier today that there has only been one rookie head coach/QB tandem that won their first regular season game together and if that holds true then Harbaugh/Flacco can use that to define this season. I feel that Flacco's performance has definetly solidified him as the starter for this Ravens squad. I have to agree with you and say that Smith won't see the field as starter unless an injury or a blowout is involved. Flacco has shown that the more time he gets behind center the better he will be and the more he will learn.

[Redreed]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='64079' date='Sep 7 2008, 08:50 PM']Going into today's game, it's been pretty clear that I've been pulling for Joe Flacco to become the Ravens' permanent starter since the day he was drafted. Although I've tried to be unbiased in my comments, there is no hiding the fact that I've preferred Flacco to the other Raven quarterbacks.

In the days leading to kickoff, I couldn't help but wonder what [i]might[/i] happen when Troy Smith is healthy enough to play again. The "obvious" decision would be to keep Flacco as the starter [i]if[/i] he plays well enough to keep the job.

However, in the NFL, there is [i]no such thing[/i] as an "obvious" decision.

Though many Troy Smith supporters have changed their tune after today's game, there are bound to be more than a few holdouts, waiting for Smith to reclaim "his" job. Honestly, bias aside, there is [i]no way[/i] the Ravens can justify benching Joe Flacco in favor of Troy Smith, [i]if[/i] Flacco manages to play decently over these next couple of games.

I can envision a scenario down the line where Smith [i]may[/i] be given the start if the team is out of playoff contention, but even [i]then[/i], I'd be hard-pressed to accept #5 on the bench for reasons other than injury or a string of poor performances.

I understand that this [i]could[/i] be seen as an emotional response to [i]one[/i] game -- but this [i]one[/i] game happened to hold much significance for this team and its rookie head coach. And ultimately, this [i]one[/i] game [i]could[/i] change the complexion of this entire season.

Thoughts?[/quote]
Agree/disagree

I believe that Flacco is the starter now, certainly. I agree that the Ravens have no reason to hand the job to Troy anymore. I disagree that this thinking is an emotional response to a single victory. It's not. The only reason for not starting Flacco from day one was a combination of two things. First, they (coaches) didn't know if he was ready to actually play at a competitive level, and secondly, they didn't want to throw him into a bad or unfair situation that would wind up with Flacco being hurt from physical punishment or losing (psyche injury, LOL). As chance would have it, he was required to start. Nothing matters anymore. It has nothing to do with what we (coaches) would rather. It is what it is. The future is now, for better or worse.

[Lets_Go_Joe]

we needed someone to step up, and flacco did just that today, he led the offense with confidence and performed better then expected. As long as he keeps things consistant and moving the chains, he will be the starter. Plus as ive said a million times b4, you dont pay someone 30 million to sit the bench lol

[heapitup247]

Troy Smith is out a few weeks so its his job obviously until troy is capable of coming back.Then Harbaugh will be faced with the decision. With that being said Flacco played well today and if he puts up these outings constantly then he will make the decision easy for Harbaugh. Flacco has earned the right for it to be his job to lose. Im going to reserve judgement until i see some more joe flacco, but everything i saw today was solid.

[BuckWilds]

It comes down to this: What's best for the team?

I think some folks are jumping ahead and thinking playoffs and supremacy right now, but building a team and a chemistry is a process. The players who greeted Flacco in the endzone built it. The Defense gelling and stuffing the 4th downs. The O-line going all out like road plows on the run. The running backs dropping the hammer time and again. The "Let's go Flacco!" chant from the 12th man. The Gatorade showers. The first two rookies to start in the same backfield in close to a decade. It's all about the chemistry.

Sometimes chemistry means getting points on the board and wins on the record. But it's more than that. If it turns out defenses start getting Flacco's number, fine, let him learn some more from the field or the sidelines. What we do know, regardless of who's under center, is that Flacco is a man. He rose to the challenge and whether or not his permanent time under center starts now or in a few months, he's a great part of this franchise.

Should Smith get the nod if he's healthy? Well, would that be best for the team and the chemistry. Would the vibe be right? Would it be the best move for him? For the offense? For the fanbase? I guess is comes down to X's and O's and touchdowns and dollars... But for right now I like the chemistry the way it is. The ebb and the flow will go for and against Flacco and the Ravens as the season and the futures goes on. I have faith Coach Harbaugh will make the call that's best for the team. He's a man who knows about the intangibles and character.

If Ray Lewis likes him, and Mason likes him, and a lot of the rest of his teammates like him, and 70,000 screaming fans like him and like winning, what's to change? We'll see how it goes when the wins aren't so quick to come and a mistake or two drops into the mix... I hope everyone realizes it's about the chemistry and the growth too.

[heapitup247]

Well let me pose it to you this way, does joe flaccos performance today give him a pardon for whatever he may do for the rest of the season? if Joe throws 7 picks vs the texans, does he still have your overwhelming support? If he goes out and throws 5 more the next game, is he still the man? If hes not ready i dont want him starting when he doesnt have to be, and thats the bottom line. Today he looked ready, but like i said im going to wait until troy is able to come back before i can answer the question on who i think our QB should be.

[POE]

[quote name='Zhamtao' post='64126' date='Sep 7 2008, 10:52 PM']It comes down to this: What's best for the team?

I think some folks are jumping ahead and thinking playoffs and supremacy right now, but building a team and a chemistry is a process. The players who greeted Flacco in the endzone built it. The Defense gelling and stuffing the 4th downs. The O-line going all out like road plows on the run. The running backs dropping the hammer time and again. The "Let's go Flacco!" chant from the 12th man. The Gatorade showers. The first two rookies to start in the same backfield in close to a decade. It's all about the chemistry.

Sometimes chemistry means getting points on the board and wins on the record. But it's more than that. If it turns out defenses start getting Flacco's number, fine, let him learn some more from the field or the sidelines. What we do know, regardless of who's under center, is that Flacco is a man. He rose to the challenge and whether or not his permanent time under center starts now or in a few months, he's a great part of this franchise.

Should Smith get the nod if he's healthy? Well, would that be best for the team and the chemistry. Would the vibe be right? Would it be the best move for him? For the offense? For the fanbase? I guess is comes down to X's and O's and touchdowns and dollars... But for right now I like the chemistry the way it is. The ebb and the flow will go for and against Flacco and the Ravens as the season and the futures goes on. I have faith Coach Harbaugh will make the call that's best for the team. He's a man who knows about the intangibles and character.

If Ray Lewis likes him, and Mason likes him, and a lot of the rest of his teammates like him, and 70,000 screaming fans like him and like winning, what's to change? We'll see how it goes when the wins aren't so quick to come and a mistake or two drops into the mix... I hope everyone realizes it's about the chemistry and the growth too.[/quote]

Very nice post..I couldn't agree with you more.

[MJSMOOTH]

this is a tough one we as ravens fan have to see how this plays out

[samic]

[quote name='heapitup247' post='64135' date='Sep 7 2008, 09:59 PM']Well let me pose it to you this way, does joe flaccos performance today give him a pardon for whatever he may do for the rest of the season? if Joe throws 7 picks vs the texans, does he still have your overwhelming support? If he goes out and throws 5 more the next game, is he still the man? If hes not ready i dont want him starting when he doesnt have to be, and thats the bottom line. Today he looked ready, but like i said im going to wait until troy is able to come back before i can answer the question on who i think our QB should be.[/quote]

i was at the game today, and while i was impressed with how flacco played, there were some downsides however minor. first off, clock management. we burned timeouts like crazy. we went into the 4th quarter with 1 timeout against the bengals. that's risky. he had some throws where he overthrew the receiver. he has more gun than touch than is necessary sometimes. i know that anything that touches a receiver's hands he should catch, and we did have a lot of dropped passes, which i do not blame on flacco at all. but he doesn't have to gun it all the time. flacco had a good game today, but keep in mind this is against the bengals defense. i'd give him up to the steelers game before i say it's his to keep though.

it's unfortunate that troy is now faced with this situation but i guess he just has to bide his time till he gets another opportunity. i don't think that if he is healthy right now he'd be the starter in week two given joe's performance. if joe come's in and lays an egg for the next 2-3 games then i think he'd have his chance. i can say that i have been pulling for troy but i just want to see the ravens play good football and win games. when all comes down to it, it doesn't matter who's under center.

[itlstl7]

I say give it time... I was impressed with Joe Flacco's performance... it was good but by no means was it brilliant... like I've said in many posts before, I feel if Troy comes back and outperforms Flacco in practices then start Troy... if not then start Flacco...unless Flacco goes bananas and tears it up it should still be a competition...

I think i wanna see Flacco 1. throw for a TD. 2. put up some bigger #s. 3. play in more than one game..... before i jump to any conclusion about whther or not he should be the definate #1 qb...

Is it not possible that we have 2 qb's capable of becoming great qbs? keep the competition going...it can only help the best interest of the team

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='heapitup247' post='64135' date='Sep 7 2008, 08:59 PM']Well let me pose it to you this way, does joe flaccos performance today give him a pardon for whatever he may do for the rest of the season? if Joe throws 7 picks vs the texans, does he still have your overwhelming support? If he goes out and throws 5 more the next game, is he still the man? If hes not ready i dont want him starting when he doesnt have to be, and thats the bottom line. Today he looked ready, but like i said im going to wait until troy is able to come back before i can answer the question on who i think our QB should be.[/quote]


Let me pose it to you this way:

NOT GONNA HAPPEN. Will Flacco throw interceptions? Sure will. Will he throw TD's? Yup. He gives us the best chance to win. Period. And if he gets benched to healthy Smith without having a few games in which he played VERY poorly, I'll be pissed. He has shown time and time again that he is the best QB on the team. Troy Smith is a bunch of hype, nothing more. I sincerely hope the coaching staff doesn't buy into it.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='itlstl7' post='64175' date='Sep 7 2008, 09:23 PM']I say give it time... I was impressed with Joe Flacco's performance... it was good but by no means was it brilliant... like I've said in many posts before, I feel if Troy comes back and outperforms Flacco in practices then start Troy... if not then start Flacco...unless Flacco goes bananas and tears it up it should still be a competition...

1.)I think i wanna see Flacco 1. throw for a TD. 2. put up some bigger #s. 3. play in more than one game.....
2.)Is it not possible that we have 2 qb's capable of becoming great qbs?[/quote]


1.) 1. He did today, but Heap dropped it. 2. 5 dropped passes, would've had bigger #'s 3. I've seen him play good in 3 games.
2.) No, it's not possible. Flacco is capable of being great. Smith is capable of being a #3 QB.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='itlstl7' post='64175' date='Sep 7 2008, 11:23 PM']like I've said in many posts before, I feel if Troy comes back and outperforms Flacco in practices then start Troy... if not then start Flacco...unless Flacco goes bananas and tears it up it should still be a competition...[/quote]

Though I understand the purpose of keeping the competition running, I still don't agree with it.

Troy Smith caught a bad break -- [u]tough[/u]. Things happen in life, and you roll with the punches.

To me, if both Smith [i]and[/i] Boller going down wasn't an indication that Flacco is "destined" to be the starter, I don't know what is. There is no perfect blueprint on how to groom a rookie QB; so in this case, the coaches might as well make one up on-the-go.

Let Flacco take his lumps. If Smith outperforms Flacco in practice, see how Flacco does on gameday first before jumping to the conclusion that Smith gives the team the better chance to win that week. That way, should Flacco struggle, then Smith can jump in and see what he can salvage from the game.

The coaches (and we, as fans) should [i]not[/i] rely on practice as the [i]only[/i] barometer for a player's success and failure on Sunday. The road to victory may [i]start[/i] on the practice field, but there's more than one way to get where you need to go.

[samic]

[quote name='I*Bleed*Purple' post='64176' date='Sep 7 2008, 10:23 PM']Let me pose it to you this way:

NOT GONNA HAPPEN. Will Flacco throw interceptions? Sure will. Will he throw TD's? Yup. He gives us the best chance to win. Period. And if he gets benched to healthy Smith without having a few games in which he played VERY poorly, I'll be pissed. He has shown time and time again that he is the best QB on the team. Troy Smith is a bunch of hype, nothing more. I sincerely hope the coaching staff doesn't buy into it.[/quote]

uhh, time and time again when exactly? two weeks ago he was out of the race to be the starting qb and troy was leading. this is according to the head coach btw. he threw one td in preseason, let's not talk about his other preseason games. flacco played well today and he deserves to bask in this victory but to say that he is hands down the best QB on the team is jumping to conclusions. we still haven't gotten a complete look at troy and what he can bring to this offense. just to stir it up a little... if it was troy that ran that bootleg everyone would be talking about how he is more of a runner than a qb!!! oh and flacco completed just over 50% of his passes (he did have about 4 dropped passes by the receivers which would make it about 65%)... so it's really nothing spectacular as yet. we depended heavily on the run today. we still need to see what he can do when we have to call on him to throw the ball more.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='samic' post='64190' date='Sep 7 2008, 09:37 PM']uhh, time and time again when exactly? two weeks ago he was out of the race to be the starting qb and troy was leading. this is according to the head coach btw. he threw one td in preseason, let's not talk about his other preseason games. flacco played well today and he deserves to bask in this victory but to say that he is hands down the best QB on the team is jumping to conclusions. we still haven't gotten a complete look at troy and what he can bring to this offense. just to stir it up a little... if it was troy that ran that bootleg everyone would be talking about how he is more of a runner than a qb!!! oh and flacco completed just over 50% of his passes (he did have about 4 dropped passes by the receivers which would make it about 65%)... so it's really nothing spectacular as yet. we depended heavily on the run today. we still need to see what he can do when we have to call on him to throw the ball more.[/quote]


They tried to hand the job to Smith from day one. Flacco was out of the race because they didn't want to throw him to the wolves. He threw 1 TD in preseason, and how many did Smith throw? How many INT's did Smith throw? What was Smith's passer ratings in the games he's played? Please, let's not even compare stats. Flacco has had MUCH LESS reps with the first-team O then Smith has. Smith is out of excuses. Oh and Flacco had 5 dropped passes. Heap had 2, one of which was a TD, Mason, Clayton, and Rice all had 1. So 20/29 (which is 69%) for, oh let's call it 175 yards with a TD and 0 INT's!!! Oh, and a 38-yard TD run, too??? Yeah he's the best QB on the team. Yes we relied heavily on the run. Why wouldn't we? We ran all over them all game. Doing anything else would just be stupid. Smith is a 5'10" college quarterback. He won't be in pro football in a few years.

[samic]

[quote name='I*Bleed*Purple' post='64195' date='Sep 7 2008, 10:46 PM']Smith is a 5'10" college quarterback. He won't be in pro football in a few years.[/quote]

we'll see... don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. someone might just have to tell you "i told you so"

[bkirha1]

not so fast, he is the same height or taller than jeff garcia and doug flutie...
I dont think their height held them back, dont count troy out yet.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='samic' post='64206' date='Sep 7 2008, 11:02 PM']we'll see... don't be so quick to jump to conclusions. someone might just have to tell you "i told you so"[/quote]


Some people (more than a couple) on this board owe me a "You were right" already and haven't paid up so I don't expect you to, either.

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='

[Corvus]

I'm a huge fan of Smith and Flacco (as any Ravens fan should be). But Flacco led us to the win, and did nothing significantly wrong (and did far more positive than negative in my opinion) to justify yanking him as the starter if Troy is healthy by next week. It's Flacco's show until he messes up a couple of games, which hopefully will not happen.

[theFRANCHISE]

[quote name='I*Bleed*Purple' post='64210' date='Sep 8 2008, 12:12 AM']Some people (more than a couple) on this board owe me a "You were right" already and haven't paid up so I don't expect you to, either.[/quote]

...hey hey hey, if [i]anyone[/i] is gonna get a "You were right," you [i]know[/i] it should be [i]me[/i].

I was the [i]only[/i] one calling for the Ravens to draft Joe Flacco, [i]way[/i] before the draft hype opened people's eyes. And on draft day, I was the [i]only[/i] one justifying why Flacco was selected in the first round instead of the second round.

Simmer down now. (lol)

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='theFRANCHISE' post='64215' date='Sep 7 2008, 11:17 PM']...hey hey hey, if [i]anyone[/i] is gonna get a "You were right," you [i]know[/i] it should be [i]me[/i].

I was the [i]only[/i] one calling for the Ravens to draft Joe Flacco, [i]way[/i] before the draft hype opened people's eyes. And on draft day, I was the [i]only[/i] one justifying why Flacco was selected in the first round instead of the second round.

Simmer down now. (lol)[/quote]
Unfortunately, I wasn't on the board back then

[I*Bleed*Purple]

[quote name='Corvus' post='64213' date='Sep 7 2008, 11:14 PM']I'm a huge fan of Smith and Flacco (as any Ravens fan should be).[/quote]
Why is it that if I don't support Troy Smith, that makes me less of a Ravens fan. I think Smith sucks and I will not support him starting. Every fan wants what they think is best for the team. I don't call a guy who doesn't support Flacco starting less of a fan. I try to help him open his eyes, but I would never question their fanhood. Don't do it to me.