Joe Flacco is the man

[Ravensfan23]

The only stat that matters is wins. He is 3-3 this year and not because of him, it is because our defense keeps us in the game.

If his leadership was great he would light a fire under his offensive unit and maybe some urgency would have been instilled the first 3 quarters of the Green Bay game. It was not. I agree it is admirable of him not pointing the finger, but at some point he needs to convey to his teammates there play is unacceptable. Tom Brady does this and it works pretty well for him.

I don't think he is doing bad, but for 20 million dollars I guess I just expect more.



Better believe it. Brees puts the ball where he wants it. Yes our receivers drop the ball, but lots of times the balls could be just a bit better placed. Balls should still be caught no doubt, but ball placement could be slightly better and Brees makes the receivers jobs easy. Probably part of the reason why Brees has a better completion percentage than Flacco does. Look I love Flacco, I just want to see him EARN his 20 mil. Right now I feel like hes worth about 75% of that. Still plenty of time this season for him to start showing me he can earn it all and we all know Joe Cool gets real hot come late November onward. I just hope our boys are still in the race when the jet packs turn on.

But the thing is, poor play around him leads to missed opportunities. Those missed opportunities means both stats and more importantly points are left on the field. You say wins matter and I agree, Flacco is 3-3. However look at the wasted opportunities in each game. In the Browns game there was 3 drops that would have resulted in 80yds and 2TDs in the first half alone. If those opportunities were taken advantage of do you think that would have boosted the confidence of the offense. That's 28 points with 3 TDs and 70% from Flacco. How much impact does he have on that game now? That's just one example.

To go back to a pervious post you had, you mentioned how other Elites win consistently without a run game so the lack of it shouldn't be an accuse for Flacco. I agree 100% and I will never use it. Those guys fare well without a run game because their offenses are built and schemed around their success. Can you honestly say the same for Joe? The Ravens are built around Rice more then Flacco and until they realize that this thinking is wrong, Flacco will play in a offense that works against him more then for him.

I'm not the type that says Flacco does no wrong. Even though I don't think all the 5 picks vs the Bills were his fault, he had a bad game with bad decisions. I felt Flacco played a really strong game vs the Packers but he had some very poor plays. But again, the offense hurt him more then help him. Flacco was great on first downs in this game. Yet the offense continued to try and establish the run unsuccessfully. Other great QBs play in offenses that would have stayed agressive.

All QBs are rythm guys. When they are in it they are good, get them out of it and they struggle. The biggest difference I see when watching Flacco and other great QBs is others are put in high percentage situations to get into a rythm. Flacco is consistently asked to attempt passes on 3rd and long early and it's near impossible for the passing game to click. We talk about getting off to a quick start, because the Ravens continued to try and establish the run, we had 4 3rd down attempts in the 1st quarter and each was 9+yds. Defenses in the NFL are just too good to expect consistent success facing those odds. By comparison the Packers 4 3rd down attempt were 4 yards or less 3 times.

[gabefergy]

I went back and graded every single one of Flacco's dropbacks, used a simple +.2 or -.2 for average plays that should have been made. +.5 or -.5 for plays that go above expectation or well below. Some examples of -.5 were the throw in the first quarter that was almost picked and his 3rd and goal when he scrambled but missed a wide open Ray Rice in the EZ. +.5 plays were 63 yard completion to Doss and ensuing TD to Clark.

 

I graded 27 positive plays and 13 negative plays. The final outcome was a +2.8. I didn't take into account down or distance, which might skew the numbers a bit. I just watched his pocket movement and the throw, and then graded based on the decision and accuracy. There were a few occassions when Joe missed an open receiver, but for the most part he made good decisions. He threw a couple of passes that were inaccurate, and a couple that just missed like the out route to Torrey and Doss down the seam. None of the sacks were graded overly harshly as the rush got to him virtually unblocked on 4 out of 5 of them. 

[Ravensfan23]

I went back and graded every single one of Flacco's dropbacks, used a simple +.2 or -.2 for average plays that should have been made. +.5 or -.5 for plays that go above expectation or well below. Some examples of -.5 were the throw in the first quarter that was almost picked and his 3rd and goal when he scrambled but missed a wide open Ray Rice in the EZ. +.5 plays were 63 yard completion to Doss and ensuing TD to Clark.
 
I graded 27 positive plays and 13 negative plays. The final outcome was a +2.8. I didn't take into account down or distance, which might skew the numbers a bit. I just watched his pocket movement and the throw, and then graded based on the decision and accuracy. There were a few occassions when Joe missed an open receiver, but for the most part he made good decisions. He threw a couple of passes that were inaccurate, and a couple that just missed like the out route to Torrey and Doss down the seam. None of the sacks were graded overly harshly as the rush got to him virtually unblocked on 4 out of 5 of them.

If you are talking about the play with Doss down the seam just before the half, that wasn't a miss on Flacco imo. I'm not sure how you graded his footwork or pocket awareness on that play, but Oher being pushed back prevented Flacco from stepping into the throw, thus allowing the ball to sail just a tad.

[codizzle]

I don't know how some can't see this. Dude has been running for his life and getting smashed every other play. He just gets up, dusts himself off and goes at it again, doesn't faze him a bit. It's a shame the O line doesn't show the same resolve. Maybe it's coming. I hope soon..........

People see what they want to see
Hear what they want to hear

[gabefergy]

If you are talking about the play with Doss down the seam just before the half, that wasn't a miss on Flacco imo. I'm not sure how you graded his footwork or pocket awareness on that play, but Oher being pushed back prevented Flacco from stepping into the throw, thus allowing the ball to sail just a tad.

I can't really blame the OL for that one. Oher did get pushed back, but it didn't obstruct Flacco's throwing motion or ability to step through IMO.

[Ravensfan23]

I can't really blame the OL for that one. Oher did get pushed back, but it didn't obstruct Flacco's throwing motion or ability to step through IMO.

But that's exactly what happened. The first thing you learn as a QB is there is nothing more important then your feet. Your lead foot is accuracy and your back foot is what delivers that drive. His throwing motion may not have been effected, but I'm not sure how you can say his ability to step through was not affected when both of Oher's feet made contact with Flacco's and he stumbled in his step through.

They showed a replay during the game. I'm not sure if you can slow it down frame by frame but it is clear that Oher's right foot makes contact with Flacco's right foot just as Joe is set to release the ball. Actually Oher's foot is inside of Joe's stance to the point where they're ankles are touching. Then on the follow through Oher's left foot comes down on top of Joe's left foot.

I would say that clearly effected Joe's throw. This is no knock to you, but this is why I don't place a lot of stock into grading systems. We both can watch the same play and come away with two different grades because we see two different things. You say you can't put that one on the oline, I put it sqaurely on Oher.

[Radinho84]

I don't know how some can't see this. Dude has been running for his life and getting smashed every other play. He just gets up, dusts himself off and goes at it again, doesn't faze him a bit. It's a shame the O line doesn't show the same resolve. Maybe it's coming. I hope soon..........

because most people in here look at stats and not at tape. if you really watch the games you will very well recognize how great joe is doing. I doubt that any other QB in the league would hold his horses like he is doing right now.

 

he isn´t getting any help. you are absolutely right. running game is a complete mess. I don´t see any "fire ray rice thread" in here what is a blessing by the way. but those backs need to improve big way. the Oline as well.

 

Good thing is that we always play our best football when it matters most. we are still 3-3. If we could win against the struggling steelers we would be 2-0 in our division. we will get our stuff together....

[Ravensfan23]

because most people in here look at stats and not at tape. if you really watch the games you will very well recognize how great joe is doing. I doubt that any other QB in the league would hold his horses like he is doing right now.
 
he isn´t getting any help. you are absolutely right. running game is a complete mess. I don´t see any "fire ray rice thread" in here what is a blessing by the way. but those backs need to improve big way. the Oline as well.
 
Good thing is that we always play our best football when it matters most. we are still 3-3. If we could win against the struggling steelers we would be 2-0 in our division. we will get our stuff together....

In a QB driven league it amazes me how well Flacco is playing despite his offense working against him a lot and the Ravens still refuse to put the offense in his hands. He is having a MVP caliber year without the production imo. When you watch games it might be 1 or 2 plays where you can place blame on squarely on him, but most other negative plays come as a result of something Flacco couldn't contol. This offense is gonna start to click and when it does the NFL is in trouble.

[reediddy]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=drew+brees+contract

 

Touche

[beanfigger]

Did you know that off the top of your head or do you have a source? I need some more ammo like that to fend off the Flacco haters

 

If you need more ammo, look at what Stafford did last year, and then ask them to look up how much Eli, Ben and Matt are making this year.  Don't forget one of the guys who helped start the crazy money to QBs trend, Carson Palmer.

[Cville-Raven]

the government shutdown was clearly Flacco's fault

[Radinho84]

In a QB driven league it amazes me how well Flacco is playing despite his offense working against him a lot and the Ravens still refuse to put the offense in his hands. He is having a MVP caliber year without the production imo. When you watch games it might be 1 or 2 plays where you can place blame on squarely on him, but most other negative plays come as a result of something Flacco couldn't contol. This offense is gonna start to click and when it does the NFL is in trouble.

so true!!!

[gabefergy]

But that's exactly what happened. The first thing you learn as a QB is there is nothing more important then your feet. Your lead foot is accuracy and your back foot is what delivers that drive. His throwing motion may not have been effected, but I'm not sure how you can say his ability to step through was not affected when both of Oher's feet made contact with Flacco's and he stumbled in his step through.

They showed a replay during the game. I'm not sure if you can slow it down frame by frame but it is clear that Oher's right foot makes contact with Flacco's right foot just as Joe is set to release the ball. Actually Oher's foot is inside of Joe's stance to the point where they're ankles are touching. Then on the follow through Oher's left foot comes down on top of Joe's left foot.

I would say that clearly effected Joe's throw. This is no knock to you, but this is why I don't place a lot of stock into grading systems. We both can watch the same play and come away with two different grades because we see two different things. You say you can't put that one on the oline, I put it sqaurely on Oher.

At the end of the day, its Flacco's job to deliver an accurate ball. If he can't do that in a muddled pocket, he needs to step up or change his throwing plane. That was a throw that should have been completed, and while there is probably some lack of comfort there, I've seen far worse.

[Ravensfan23]

At the end of the day, its Flacco's job to deliver an accurate ball. If he can't do that in a muddled pocket, he needs to step up or change his throwing plane. That was a throw that should have been completed, and while there is probably some lack of comfort there, I've seen far worse.

Is it not Michael Oher's job to not get completely jacked up and give his QB a solid pocket? Yes I agree the throw should have been made but you can't dispute the fact that his throw was affected imo. It's not about seening worse, we've all seen Flacco complete passes under far more pressure. The point that I am making is that the ball sailed just a tad, imo it was the fact that Oher's feet got tangled with Joe's that caused the ball to come out high.

[gabefergy]

Is it not Michael Oher's job to not get completely jacked up and give his QB a solid pocket? Yes I agree the throw should have been made but you can't dispute the fact that his throw was affected imo. It's not about seening worse, we've all seen Flacco complete passes under far more pressure. The point that I am making is that the ball sailed just a tad, imo it was the fact that Oher's feet got tangled with Joe's that caused the ball to come out high.

I can dispute it actually. As you stated that is your opinion. Its just one play, and you are right different people can look at a specific play and see different things. This is how I rated Flaccos performance considerably better than say PFF did. Regardless, my overall takeaway is that Joe is playing very well despite being in a dysfunctional offense.

[JoeyFlex5]

But come on Eli is a terrible QB who is nothing close to Joe! He and Ben got lucky with good defenses man... neither Eli nor Ben carried their team to a SB win like Joe did!

is this sarcasm?

[Ravensfan23]

I can dispute it actually. As you stated that is your opinion. Its just one play, and you are right different people can look at a specific play and see different things. This is how I rated Flaccos performance considerably better than say PFF did. Regardless, my overall takeaway is that Joe is playing very well despite being in a dysfunctional offense.

Yea, I'm not saying you are wrong or I'm right. I feel if Joe was able to cleanly step into the throw it's a completion that's all. I'm not throwing dirt on your grades or knowledge of the game. I'd actually like your opinion on a couple other plays since we differ on this one.

The 2nd and 10 deep pass to Brown and there was aa 1st down pass to Clark that fell incomplete. I thought Joe had high marks on both plays despite having 2 incomplete passes to his credit

[cursona pirate]

Today Joe Flacco can not be blamed. He did everything he could.

[H8R]

The defense failed.

[Cville-Raven]

Harbaugh should be handing his own paycheck to Flacco

[GrimCoconut]

Flacco is carrying the entire team. Now I honestly think he's been carrying the team for a while but it's been unappreciated until now

[cursona pirate]

Flacco is carrying the entire team. Now I honestly think he's been carrying the team for a while but it's been unappreciated until now

I agree. He has been running around it seems since Week 1.

[PolishRifle]

Flacco is carrying the entire team. Now I honestly think he's been carrying the team for a while but it's been unappreciated until now

 

He did underthrow an open Jacoby (could've been a TD), but he did make up for it by tieing the game up. He was great in this game against a good defense. I think we are moving in the right direction offensively. Unfortunately we took a step backwards on defense and our coaching sucked 2 games in a row.

[Gordo52]

Played great today. Once again got no help.

I can only think of 2 balls poorly thrown, and remember it was on the road against our rivals.

[GrimCoconut]

He did underthrow an open Jacoby (could've been a TD), but he did make up for it by tieing the game up. He was great in this game against a good defense. I think we are moving in the right direction offensively. Unfortunately we took a step backwards on defense and our coaching sucked 2 games in a row.

Every player makes mistakes. I don't care about the under thrown ball to Jacoby

[PolishRifle]

Every player makes mistakes. I don't care about the under thrown ball to Jacoby

Yeah, Joe was clutch. We lost two games in a row in the same fashion. We're just not good enough defensively to make those kind of gambles.

Atleast Ozzie will be in a good position to draft great players. :D J/K, or am I?

[noy]

Joe Flacco is a tough QB, I'm not sure he's a top 4 one though...

 

Aaron Rogers

Tom Brady

Peyton Manning

Drew Brees

 

Can we really say Flacco is better than any of those QBs? Honestly? He's the best QB this franchise has ever had, but do I have enough confidence with him stepping on the field like when one of the aforementioned players? Not at this point, no. But yes, he is carrying this team, but is also making his share of costly mistakes.

[callahan09]

Flacco just put together the first QB performance of 200+ yards, 70+ completion percentage and no turnovers on the road in Pittsburgh since 1995, and just the 6th ever.  And the first of those 6 that resulted in a loss.  All 5 of the previous events were wins.

[ratedr]

Flacco is the best player on offense and it really isn't even close. And I am not known to be a Flacco fangirl.

[flynismo]

Joe Flacco is a tough QB, I'm not sure he's a top 4 one though...

Aaron Rogers
Tom Brady
Peyton Manning
Drew Brees

Can we really say Flacco is better than any of those QBs? Honestly? He's the best QB this franchise has ever had, but do I have enough confidence with him stepping on the field like when one of the aforementioned players? Not at this point, no. But yes, he is carrying this team, but is also making his share of costly mistakes.

First off, I have no clue what this has to do with anything. Secondly,I'll take him over Brees or Brady, given equal supporting casts