How many QBs have ever had as good of a 4-game stretch as Joe Flacco?

[callahan09]

The answer is two (besides Flacco).

During this year's 4-game post-season run, Flacco had no fewer than 240 yards, no fewer than 2 TDs, and 0 INTs in all 4 games. Additionally, the cumulative sum of the 4 games was 1140 Yards, 11 TDs, and 0 INTs.

I decided to look at all of NFL history (since 1960) and pick out every other stretch of 4 games where these factors all apply.

So, 4-Game Stretches With At Least 240 Yards, 2TD, and 0 INT Per Game AND 1140 Yards, 11 TD, 0 INT Total.

It's only happened 3 other times (by two other QBs):

Tom Brady, 2007-10-07 to 2007-10-28: 103/147, 1313 Yards, 17 TD, 0 INT
Drew Brees, 2011-11-13 to 2011-12-11: 116/164, 1364 Yards, 11 TD, 0 INT
Drew Brees, 2011-11-28 to 2011-12-18: 118/161, 1454 Yards, 14 TD, 0 INT
Joe Flacco, 2013-01-06 to 2013-02-03: 73/126, 1140 Yards, 11 TD, 0 INT

That doesn't just include within one season, either. I look at each player's games consecutively, so that means if a player had done this over the final two games of one season and then the first two of the next, it would have counted. I also didn't require the games to be consecutive in the NFL schedule. If a backup QB had done it, for instance, by having such a performance in all 4 games he played in over a 4 year span, but he only played in 1 game per season, it still would have counted.

Oh, and just for fun here are the ranks of the defenses it was done against each time:
Tom Brady, 2007-10-07 to 2007-10-28: 30, 9, 23, 8
Drew Brees, 2011-11-13 to 2011-12-11: 12, 27, 23, 19
Drew Brees, 2011-11-28 to 2011-12-18: 27, 23, 19, 21
Joe Flacco, 2013-01-06 to 2013-02-03: 26, 2, 25, 3

Brady did it at home in 2 games, on the road in 2 games, and against 2 playoff teams.

Brees' first was at home in 2 games, on the road in 2 games, and against 3 playoff teams. The bye week separated the first and second game during this stretch.

Brees' second was at home in 2 games, on the road in 2 games, and against 2 playoff teams.

Flacco did it at home in 1 game, on the road in 2 games, and in the Super Bowl, and against 4 playoff teams (and in the playoffs).

[Yatagarasu]

Problem is...

Joe Flacco is getting paid more than those two.

You can make a case that Flacco is younger than those two, but those two QBs didn't make much in their rookie year (Brees 2nd Rounder, Brady 6th Rounder) or make much in their 2nd contracts (Both took team friendly contracts).

Anyways, it's a QB driven league and we should be happy that Flacco can perform up to Brees' or Brady's standards.

We might have paid a lot, but we can't say we don't have a QB.

Now with Caldwell in as full OC and hopefully another good draft class, it's going to be an even bigger year for Flacco. Now that he has to live up to his big contract. Anything short of Super Bowl is a disappointment, but that was the same motto ever since Flacco was drafted here.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366045526' post='1434153']
Problem is...

Joe Flacco is getting paid more than those two.

You can make a case that Flacco is younger than those two, but those two QBs didn't make much in their rookie year (Brees 2nd Rounder, Brady 6th Rounder) or make much in their 2nd contracts (Both took team friendly contracts).

Anyways, it's a QB driven league and we should be happy that Flacco can perform up to Brees' or Brady's standards.

We might have paid a lot, but we can't say we don't have a QB.

Now with Caldwell in as full OC and hopefully another good draft class, it's going to be an even bigger year for Flacco. Now that he has to live up to his big contract. Anything short of Super Bowl is a disappointment, but that was the same motto ever since Flacco was drafted here.
[/quote]
You retorted your own point.

Flacco is younger, and the cap is now higher. Though not as high as may have been expected.

It's better to over pay than to franchise nowadays. Since the franchise tag is just overpaying by more anyway.

[ellicottraven]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366045526' post='1434153']
Problem is...

Joe Flacco is getting paid more than those two.

You can make a case that Flacco is younger than those two, but those two QBs didn't make much in their rookie year (Brees 2nd Rounder, Brady 6th Rounder) or make much in their 2nd contracts (Both took team friendly contracts).

Anyways, it's a QB driven league and we should be happy that Flacco can perform up to Brees' or Brady's standards.

We might have paid a lot, but we can't say we don't have a QB.

Now with Caldwell in as full OC and hopefully another good draft class, it's going to be an even bigger year for Flacco. Now that he has to live up to his big contract. Anything short of Super Bowl is a disappointment, but that was the same motto ever since Flacco was drafted here.
[/quote]I think it is time to get over it! I think Joe Flacco is being paid adequately. The fact that Ryan and Stafford are both expected to exceed Joe Flacco's numbers is in fact laughable.... I personally think over the next couple of years, we will come to find out that we in fact have a steal at QB in terms of Flacco's contract and his production... just my opinion.

[Blackbirds Rule]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366045526' post='1434153']
Problem is...

Joe Flacco is getting paid more than those two.

You can make a case that Flacco is younger than those two, but those two QBs didn't make much in their rookie year (Brees 2nd Rounder, Brady 6th Rounder) or make much in their 2nd contracts (Both took team friendly contracts).

Anyways, it's a QB driven league and we should be happy that Flacco can perform up to Brees' or Brady's standards.

We might have paid a lot, but we can't say we don't have a QB.

Now with Caldwell in as full OC and hopefully another good draft class, it's going to be an even bigger year for Flacco. Now that he has to live up to his big contract. Anything short of Super Bowl is a disappointment, but that was the same motto ever since Flacco was drafted here.
[/quote]

Brady did his 6 years ago. Brees did his 2 years ago. Both of them did it in the regular season and against weaker defenses. Flacco makes $100,000 more than Brees but Brees takes home more money due to his state taxes. The fact is, these are the only two qb's to have ever done that, besides our QB. That alone makes him worth it.

[Gordo52]

Great post! I believe it shows how ridiculously good Flacco was in that 4 game stretch during the playoffs.

[berad]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366045526' post='1434153']
Problem is...

Joe Flacco is getting paid more than those two.

You can make a case that Flacco is younger than those two, but those two QBs didn't make much in their rookie year (Brees 2nd Rounder, Brady 6th Rounder) or make much in their 2nd contracts (Both took team friendly contracts).
[/quote]

Brady and Brees both agreed to deals that made them the highest paid players in the league at that point in time. [url="http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/60256/brees-surpasses-brady-in-annual-salary"]LINK[/url] No less "team-friendly" than Flacco's deal.

Players piggy-back off each other deals and that's what happened with Flacco. Romo piggybacked off Flacco and guys like Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, etc will continue the cycle.

[Corvus]

More insightful data-gathering by the master himself. Very cool facts here callahan09, always enjoy your fact-finding threads.

The beauty of all of this is: no more Cam to handicap the offense! Every QB will have his bad outings here and there, but I think we can expect similar results this year with Caldwell and Flacco himself running the offense.

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='berad' timestamp='1366054986' post='1434234']
Brady and Brees both agreed to deals that made them the highest paid players in the league at that point in time. [url="http://espn.go.com/blog/nflnation/post/_/id/60256/brees-surpasses-brady-in-annual-salary"]LINK[/url] No less "team-friendly" than Flacco's deal.

Players piggy-back off each other deals and that's what happened with Flacco. Romo piggybacked off Flacco and guys like Matt Ryan, Matt Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, etc will continue the cycle.
[/quote]
Five QB contracts from now and it'll be just another QB contract.

[beanfigger]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366045526' post='1434153']
Problem is...

Joe Flacco is getting paid more than those two.

You can make a case that Flacco is younger than those two, but those two QBs didn't make much in their rookie year (Brees 2nd Rounder, Brady 6th Rounder) or make much in their 2nd contracts (Both took team friendly contracts).

Anyways, it's a QB driven league and we should be happy that Flacco can perform up to Brees' or Brady's standards.

We might have paid a lot, but we can't say we don't have a QB.

Now with Caldwell in as full OC and hopefully another good draft class, it's going to be an even bigger year for Flacco. Now that he has to live up to his big contract. Anything short of Super Bowl is a disappointment, but that was the same motto ever since Flacco was drafted here.
[/quote]

Both of those QBs are getting more guaranteed money within their current contracts than Flacco.

[hawkprey]

Most Consecutive Playoff Games with at least 2 Passing TD's:
1T. Terry Bradshaw: 1978-1983, 7 games
1T. Joe Montana: 1989-1991, 7 games
1T. Drew Brees: 2007-present, 7 games
[b]4. Joe Flacco: 2012-present, 6 games[/b]

Most Consecutive Playoff Games with at least 3 Passing TD's:
1T. Bernie Kosar: 1988-1990, 3 games
1T. Kurt Warner: 2009-2010, 3 games
1T. Aaron Rodgers: 2010-2011, 3 games
[b]1T. Joe Flacco: 2012-present, 3 games[/b]

If Doss caught one of his two endzone drops, Joe would have the second record at 4 games, and would've done it all in the same postseason. Oh well. It's still active.

[url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Most_consecutive_games_with_a_touchdown_pass_(NFL)"]http://en.wikipedia....down_pass_(NFL)[/url]

[ratedr]

I know this is about Flacco, but man, Brady in '07 was really something else.

Thank goodness that they didn't win the SB that year, would've been unbearable.

[Tiz]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366045526' post='1434153']
Problem is...

Joe Flacco is getting paid more than those two.

You can make a case that Flacco is younger than those two, but those two QBs didn't make much in their rookie year (Brees 2nd Rounder, Brady 6th Rounder) or make much in their 2nd contracts (Both took team friendly contracts).

Anyways, it's a QB driven league and we should be happy that Flacco can perform up to Brees' or Brady's standards.

We might have paid a lot, but we can't say we don't have a QB.

Now with Caldwell in as full OC and hopefully another good draft class, it's going to be an even bigger year for Flacco. Now that he has to live up to his big contract. Anything short of Super Bowl is a disappointment, but that was the same motto ever since Flacco was drafted here.
[/quote]

Problem is, the new season is too far away.

[Jalxsu]

He obviously was great in our post season run, but I'm still somewhat sceptical.

Since he became our starter, I've never felt truly comfortable with him at QB.

Throughout his career, he's been prone to stupid mistakes. I really hope (and believe now) that he can put them behind him, but I'm not quite ready to become a hypocritical sycophant by showering him in praise just yet!

I was one of the people who was hoping we'd sign Alex Smith when he was dropped for Kaepernick. I'm glad that I've been proved wrong, as what Flacco (and the rest of the team of course) achieved was nothing short of incredible.

I am quietly optimistic about his future, put the pessimist in me can't forget how bad he has played at times in the past, and that now he has his contract, he could revert back to his old self.

I do believe in him, and I can't wait to see if he can carry his post season form in to next season, but he's not quite at the same level as Brady, Rogers, Bees or P. Manning


...yet

[beanfigger]

[quote name='Jalxsu' timestamp='1366075736' post='1434557']
He obviously was great in our post season run, but I'm still somewhat sceptical.

Since he became our starter, I've never felt truly comfortable with him at QB.

Throughout his career, he's been prone to stupid mistakes. I really hope (and believe now) that he can put them behind him, but I'm not quite ready to become a hypocritical sycophant by showering him in praise just yet!

I was one of the people who was hoping we'd sign Alex Smith when he was dropped for Kaepernick. I'm glad that I've been proved wrong, as what Flacco (and the rest of the team of course) achieved was nothing short of incredible.

I am quietly optimistic about his future, put the pessimist in me can't forget how bad he has played at times in the past, and that now he has his contract, he could revert back to his old self.

I do believe in him, and I can't wait to see if he can carry his post season form in to next season, but he's not quite at the same level as Brady, Rogers, Bees or P. Manning


...yet
[/quote]

You mean revert back to his old self, who consistently won games, made the postseason, and won more games. Boy, I'd hate to see that happen, too. You can be pessimistic, but all Joe has proved throughout five seasons is that he is consistently able to do enough to win and contend year in and year out. As the defense struggled, his level of play rose to make up for it. If he reverts back, that will probably be because the new defense became great, which isn't a bad thing. He will still do enough to win, and you should be confident in that by now.

[Tiz]

[quote name='Jalxsu' timestamp='1366075736' post='1434557']
He obviously was great in our post season run, but I'm still somewhat sceptical.

Since he became our starter, I've never felt truly comfortable with him at QB.

Throughout his career, he's been prone to stupid mistakes. I really hope (and believe now) that he can put them behind him, but I'm not quite ready to become a hypocritical sycophant by showering him in praise just yet!

I was one of the people who was hoping we'd sign Alex Smith when he was dropped for Kaepernick. I'm glad that I've been proved wrong, as what Flacco (and the rest of the team of course) achieved was nothing short of incredible.

I am quietly optimistic about his future, put the pessimist in me can't forget how bad he has played at times in the past, and that now he has his contract, he could revert back to his old self.

I do believe in him, and I can't wait to see if he can carry his post season form in to next season, but he's not quite at the same level as Brady, Rogers, Bees or P. Manning


...yet
[/quote]

I get what you're saying. Altho I've always felt comfortable probably because e boller years showed me I shouldn't get my blood pressure up watching football.

Anyways he first two years flacco was productive in the regular season and we won some post season games but I never felt like he was a big contributor in the post season wins the in 2010 against kc in the post season flacco was no long pedestrian while we won and since then I really felt like if he had to take over for us to win he could..

[Jalxsu]

[quote name='beanfigger' timestamp='1366076581' post='1434575']
You mean revert back to his old self, who consistently won games, made the postseason, and won more games. Boy, I'd hate to see that happen, too. You can be pessimistic, but all Joe has proved throughout five seasons is that he is consistently able to do enough to win and contend year in and year out. As the defense struggled, his level of play rose to make up for it. If he reverts back, that will probably be because the new defense became great, which isn't a bad thing. He will still do enough to win, and you should be confident in that by now.
[/quote]

I really do hope he can stay at this "elite" level of play, but realistically he probably won't. Mainly because I doubt [b]anyone[/b] can regularly play at that standard.

Don't get me wrong, I like Joe Flacco, but however confident we may be in this new look team, there's no guarantees that they will be challenging for the SB next year.

Flacco stepped up when our defense was failing, but if our D doesn't come out firing, he will need to keep playing at this high level if we want success.

He was phenomenal in the post season run, but that was only 4 games when he had huge motivation. Joe doesn't strike me as a guy who is particularly financially motivated, but we've seen many times that once someone gets the big contract, their form slips.

I've seen too many poor games by Flacco to forget about them completely. Next season is a huge one for him. If he play the majority of it at a high level, I'll be delighted to be able to rank him alongside the big 4 in the league.

[jaege]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1366047844' post='1434168']
I think it is time to get over it! I think Joe Flacco is being paid adequately. The fact that Ryan and Stafford are both expected to exceed Joe Flacco's numbers is in fact laughable.... I personally think over the next couple of years, we will come to find out that we in fact have a steal at QB in terms of Flacco's contract and his production... just my opinion.
[/quote]

I sort of disagree. Not that Flacco is getting paid correctly. He is getting the compensation that he deserves considering the market.

I just think that in the next few years there will be a reversal of the pay scale. As all these teams, that are flush with money but have to spend to the cap floor, get close to their caps, the ever growing paychecks will peter off. There will not be a Browns or Dolphins team that is willing to overpay a player, since they will not have the means to do so any longer. That will allow the pay scale to adjust and correct. Sure the cap will rise, but not at the level that players pay has risen in the last couple of years. At least I do not think so. Who knows the cap could double in the next 5 years and the pay scale could go through the roof.

[easternshore97]

[quote name='ellicottraven' timestamp='1366047844' post='1434168']
I think it is time to get over it! I think Joe Flacco is being paid adequately. The fact that Ryan and Stafford are both expected to exceed Joe Flacco's numbers is in fact laughable.... I personally think over the next couple of years, we will come to find out that we in fact have a steal at QB in terms of Flacco's contract and his production... just my opinion.
[/quote]
I hear your point but I wouldn't go so far to call it a steal. Yes Sam Bradford got a ton of money (stinker). And there was practically one day of backlash relative to Joe's still ongoing backlash when Romo signed. And as you all know, NFL players make their money in the regular season NOT the post season which is why it actually isn't laughable (but really is very laughable) that Ryan and Stafford will get more.

But if there is a steal, it's Eli's contract. That's what happens when front offices go cheap and low ball people, their hand gets forced. No reason why Joe should have taken a team friendly contract so kudos to him. They 15m they were offering him was basically saying he was on par with Matt Schaub.

Now let's just hope we have a stud to go alongside KO on the left-side this season!

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='easternshore97' timestamp='1366149395' post='1435373']
I hear your point but I wouldn't go so far to call it a steal. Yes Sam Bradford got a ton of money (stinker). And there was practically one day of backlash relative to Joe's still ongoing backlash when Romo signed. And as you all know, NFL players make their money in the regular season NOT the post season which is why it actually isn't laughable (but really is very laughable) that Ryan and Stafford will get more.

But if there is a steal, it's Eli's contract. That's what happens when front offices go cheap and low ball people, their hand gets forced. No reason why Joe should have taken a team friendly contract so kudos to him. They 15m they were offering him was basically saying he was on par with Matt Schaub.

Now let's just hope we have a stud to go alongside KO on the left-side this season!
[/quote]
Eli's cap is 21 million next year...

[Yatagarasu]

[quote name='easternshore97' timestamp='1366149395' post='1435373']
I hear your point but I wouldn't go so far to call it a steal. Yes Sam Bradford got a ton of money (stinker). And there was practically one day of backlash relative to Joe's still ongoing backlash when Romo signed. And as you all know, NFL players make their money in the regular season NOT the post season which is why it actually isn't laughable (but really is very laughable) that Ryan and Stafford will get more.

But if there is a steal, it's Eli's contract. That's what happens when front offices go cheap and low ball people, their hand gets forced. No reason why Joe should have taken a team friendly contract so kudos to him. They 15m they were offering him was basically saying he was on par with Matt Schaub.

Now let's just hope we have a stud to go alongside KO on the left-side this season!
[/quote]

Silly...

You have to perform well in the regular season just to get into the playoffs.

You can get all the QB stats you want like Stafford and Brees, but everyone knows getting to the playoffs is tough. Performing at your best in the playoffs even tougher.

I'll take Flacco's 3 TD 100+ QB rating against best playoff defenses like Denver or San Francisco than Brees' 6 TD field day against some of the weakest defenses in the league like Carolina or Tampa Bay.

It's tough that we're paying the premium for Flacco, but it's better to have Flacco rather then trying to find a franchise QB this year or the next. Also, with the way the market hit, teams are lowering their prices on every position except QB. I have faith that due to the lower price demands on serviceable players, that our team can keep a lot of serviceable players for lower than market value. I'm glad that Ozzie and the front office has set this franchise for the future as we aren't in any tight cap space and we use it to maximize our team's potential and performance unlike other franchises (Cowboys for overspending, Jags for underspending).

[Bltravens]

[quote name='Jalxsu' timestamp='1366075736' post='1434557']
[u][b]I was one of the people who was hoping we'd sign Alex Smith when he was dropped for Kaepernick[/b][/u]. I'm glad that I've been proved wrong, as what Flacco (and the rest of the team of course) achieved was nothing short of incredible.
[/quote]
Ill never understand that sentiment that brewed for about a week around here. Football is a study in economics if you look at things realistically when it comes to roster building, you pay guys based on their ability and when the disparity becomes too large between performance/potential and salary is too large you cut ties. The salary has to meet the player.

This is true in all cases [u][b]except[/b][/u] the QB position.

Alex Smith, while cheaper and effective for a 6 game stretch has nowhere near Flacco's credentials and also 4 or 5 years of straight garbage play under his belt, as opposed to 1 year of average play and like 6 games of above average play.

Like it or not, the QB position is an overpaid position and while continue to be an overpaid position. Its possible to be a playoff calibre team each year if you have a GM who knows what they're doing. Cheap stop gap veterans and youth in the draft to be your cornerstones so that they're still cheap on their rookie contracts so you can invest long term in your QB.

Flacco is overpaid in a normal sense, you're damn right. But inflation happens every year, Manning was the highest paid, then Brady, then Brees, then Flacco, then Romo, then Rodgers. Thats how its going to work for a long time.

There's only 1 QB I would take other than Flacco if I was building this team for the next 8-10 years. Rodgers. So ya, Flacco is worth his contract.

[Yatagarasu]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1366149990' post='1435379']
Eli's cap is 21 million next year...
[/quote]

Yeah, but his average annual salary was $15,271,429.

Giants are a good team, but the trend I see on them is that they perform all out one year and then tank the next to get some good talents. They been lucky on getting good talents to revitalize their team with mid 1st-round picks (JPP, Amukamara, Nicks)

[izvoodoo]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366150624' post='1435392']
Yeah, but his average annual salary was $15,271,429.

Giants are a good team, but the trend I see on them is that they perform all out one year and then tank the next to get some good talents. They been lucky on getting good talents to revitalize their team with mid 1st-round picks (JPP, Amukamara, Nicks)
[/quote]
Right... and at the time it was a good contract, but it's better to overpay than to franchise.

Was it ideal, no. But it was very good for the team, as the contract is relatively cap friendly.

[edreedfromtheu]

I don't really like coming up with arbitrary stats... but Flacco definitely had an incredible streak of games in a row, and definitely couldn't have picked a better time to have them.

And it seemed like the odds just piled up against him. They lost their chance at home field advantage. Then they have to face the Broncos and Peyton Manning. The special teams gives up two touchdowns, but the Ravens get the job done. What do they win? A trip to the house of the Patriots and Tom Brady. The officials tried, but the Ravens came through in that game too.


Here's hoping the streak continues into this next season, and doesn't stop until at least next March! First team to repeat in what seems like forever!

[PolishRifle]

[quote name='edreedfromtheu' timestamp='1366151716' post='1435411']
I don't really like coming up with arbitrary stats... but Flacco definitely had an incredible streak of games in a row, and definitely couldn't have picked a better time to have them.

And it seemed like the odds just piled up against him. They lost their chance at home field advantage. Then they have to face the Broncos and Peyton Manning. The special teams gives up two touchdowns, but the Ravens get the job done. What do they win? A trip to the house of the Patriots and Tom Brady. The officials tried, but the Ravens came through in that game too.


Here's hoping the streak continues into this next season, and doesn't stop until at least next March! First team to repeat in what seems like forever!
[/quote]

I am not a big fan of evaluating QBs based on stats either. Stafford almost had yet another 5000 yrd passing season last year and where did it get the Lions? Nowhere.
You can throw for a lot of yards, yet not score. And you can throw a ton of meaningless TDs in garbage time.
Manning is a stat machine in the regular season. It didn't help him in the playoffs though.
You need to make the plays, when the game is on the line and during the last post season and in the majority of his games (even the bad ones) Joe did just that.
It's hard to ignore Flacco matching a playoff record set by arguably the best QB ever, but it's more important to me, that Joe just keeps on winning. Doesn't matter, if he does it in a pretty or ugly way.

[easternshore97]

[quote name='izvoodoo' timestamp='1366149990' post='1435379']
Eli's cap is 21 million next year...
[/quote]
Ok. But I was referencing his original signing. Granted it's all irrelevant cause he signed at a time when the market was likely lower so that probably makes my point moot now that I think of it...especially since he probably signed after his first super bowl

[easternshore97]

[quote name='Corvus Amplus' timestamp='1366150218' post='1435381']
Silly...

You have to perform well in the regular season just to get into the playoffs.

You can get all the QB stats you want like Stafford and Brees, but everyone knows getting to the playoffs is tough. Performing at your best in the playoffs even tougher.

I'll take Flacco's 3 TD 100+ QB rating against best playoff defenses like Denver or San Francisco than Brees' 6 TD field day against some of the weakest defenses in the league like Carolina or Tampa Bay.

It's tough that we're paying the premium for Flacco, but it's better to have Flacco rather then trying to find a franchise QB this year or the next. Also, with the way the market hit, teams are lowering their prices on every position except QB. I have faith that due to the lower price demands on serviceable players, that our team can keep a lot of serviceable players for lower than market value. I'm glad that Ozzie and the front office has set this franchise for the future as we aren't in any tight cap space and we use it to maximize our team's potential and performance unlike other franchises (Cowboys for overspending, Jags for underspending).
[/quote]

Not sure if you're agreeing or disagreeing. I'm all for the Flacco and always have been. I also feel like front office refused to acknowledge his full body of work by offering him $15m/yr vs the $17m he was asking for. Either way, they new after the season they had very little leverage. And I know he has performed in the regular season. Point I'm getting at is that the reason why everyone who is a Flacco or Ravens hater hates on his contract is because they have gotten so enamored with 50+ TDs and 4500 yd passing seasons and Pro Bowls to validate QBs. They also love WRs and RBs that get MVP Fantasy Football seasons. They could care less if you win in the playoffs which in my mind is the only thing that matters.

Case in point - debate after debate after debate - Does Joe deserve the contract? Response: [i]he had the 2 worst QBR stats ever and therefore no[/i]. Then to diminish his accomplishment in the playoffs, they claimed it was "the defense" that got them there....and then they forget that that same but younger defense did not get the Kyle Boller offenses to the playoffs.

And it seems like the only other teams that pay based on wins are the usual playoff suspects that have strong front offices (NYG, Pitt, GB, NE, Indy, sometimes Philly but they seem to have fallen from their usual MO)

[T3hRaven]

Good info sir, interesting way to view that incredible Super Bowl run in the context of the other great QBs.

[hawkprey]

[quote name='Bltravens' timestamp='1366150559' post='1435390']
Ill never understand that sentiment that brewed for about a week around here. Football is a study in economics if you look at things realistically when it comes to roster building, you pay guys based on their ability and when the disparity becomes too large between performance/potential and salary is too large you cut ties. The salary has to meet the player.

This is true in all cases [u][b]except[/b][/u] the QB position.

Alex Smith, while cheaper and effective for a 6 game stretch has nowhere near Flacco's credentials and also 4 or 5 years of straight garbage play under his belt, as opposed to 1 year of average play and like 6 games of above average play.

[b]Like it or not, the QB position is an overpaid position and while continue to be an overpaid position.[/b] Its possible to be a playoff calibre team each year if you have a GM who knows what they're doing. Cheap stop gap veterans and youth in the draft to be your cornerstones so that they're still cheap on their rookie contracts so you can invest long term in your QB.

Flacco is overpaid in a normal sense, you're damn right. But inflation happens every year, Manning was the highest paid, then Brady, then Brees, then Flacco, then Romo, then Rodgers. Thats how its going to work for a long time.

There's only 1 QB I would take other than Flacco if I was building this team for the next 8-10 years. Rodgers. So ya, Flacco is worth his contract.
[/quote] Actually I think they're still being underpaid. When you look at wins vs. quality of players, the best QBs win the most games almost exclusively. Meanwhile the best WRs, TEs, ILBs, S, etc. don't have much of a correlation with wins. IMO QBs are actually still being [b]well [/b]underpaid. Once you pay QBs to the point where their skill isn't any more correlated to wins than the other positions, THEN they're being paid at market value.

A better explanation: a great QB's true market value is when adding him and his salary to your roster doesn't make you better off than adding a bunch of skill position players for the same $. A guy like Rodgers is far more valuable than two or three highly paid ILBs, WRs, whatever. Plus the QB has the added benefit of taking up fewer roster slots.

There are teams that would happily pay Rodgers' contract and forfeit 1st round picks as well. Rodgers' market value is when it's not worth trading anything to have the rights to pay his contract. Because his contract wouldn't add more than what it costs to sign him. This would of course apply to any player. Most good players would be worth acquiring in a trade for picks, and that's because they're being paid under market value as well.