[News] Eisenberg: The Joe Flacco Version Of 'It's A Wonderful Life'

[BR News]

Cast in Jimmy Stewart’s role, the Ravens are learning what life would be like if Joe Flacco had never been born.

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[stixfix69]

Well...in this cap space age no team can really have two quality QB's, that is why there is a usually a big gap between a legit franchise QB and the backup....The last time remember having a quality backup QB was Marc Bulger....So Flacco get healed, sign a extension and be ready to go next year, as you're missed.....

[Ravensfolyfe]

I do appreciate having Flacco now more than ever.

[reed20fence]

All I want for Christmas is for Joe to start wearing a knee brace!

[Barry S]

With Joe behind the center we were 3-7 yeah it was a wonderful start to the season. I don't see a difference.

[Bob21043]

Maybe Santa can bring us a healthy OL to help protect our QBs.

[Ravensfan4life2010]

We should have a way better record if the defense knew how to play defense in the last minutes of a game.

[Jim Giampaoli]

Nice analogy, John. Though,instead of Clarence getting his wings, Joe gets back up on his feet.

[Bob21043]

This year, it's more like - "every time you hear a bell, it's someone going on IR".

[RavensBaltimore]

With Joe behind the center we were 3-7 yeah it was a wonderful start to the season. I don't see a difference.

With Joe, the offense averaged well over 20 ppg, even without SSS. Without Joe, they are averaging 13, and have failed to score more than 20 in a single game. Joe had 3 game winning drives, and would have had several more if the defense had held up. Our offense just had chances to win the game against Cle and Mia, 2 of the worst defenses in the league, and failed both times. With Joe, we never lost by more than 8, and that includes games against 3 SB contenders, with 2 of them on the road. Last Sunday, we lost by 29, at home.

[Bob21043]

We have a chance to play the role of spoiler for any/all of our remaining games, as all these teams are in playoff contention/seeding. Best would be to beat Pittsburgh and kick them out of the playoffs though - oh, to dream......

[iluvpurple]

With Joe, the offense averaged well over 20 ppg, even without SSS. Without Joe, they are averaging 13, and have failed to score more than 20 in a single game. Joe had 3 game winning drives, and would have had several more if the defense had held up. Our offense just had chances to win the game against Cle and Mia, 2 of the worst defenses in the league, and failed both times. With Joe, we never lost by more than 8, and that includes games against 3 SB contenders, with 2 of them on the road. Last Sunday, we lost by 29, at home.

Not to mention that in most games, Joe and our revolving-door offense had done fairly well, and most of the time have scored enough points to win with a good defense..... That has been the main downfall of this team this year, a not-so-good defense, not the pieced-together offense.

[jravens13]

Flacco's value is not being increased watching two back up QB's run a beaten down offense. It is our defense that has proven it doesn't cut it against good QB's. We need more defensive talent. If the roster we fielded never had an injury we would still need more defensive talent. This should be a learning experience for Ozzie, Harbaugh, and Pees on how the league has evolved.

Big strong run stuffing LB's are out of favor for undersized fast coverage LB's. Take a note out of the Cardinals Playbook. The brought a Safety down to play OLB it is working. Pass rushers come at a premium for a good reason. We can't continue to get torched through the Air.

[EddiOK]

All I want for Christmas is a new secondary, and a new secondary coach to guide them.

[OzzieBisciotti]

I hope Santa can bring us some new cornerbacks, wide receivers, linebackers, defensive tackles, a left guard, quarterback, running back, full back, punt returner, kick returner, defensive ends, left tackle, safeties, etc...

I can't blame Dean Pees because he's dealt a very week hand with what he was given from Oz and Dacosta - even Rex Ryan and Billichick wouldn't be able to do anything with this defense...

[Bohica5]

We would have signed Drew Brees that year and had multiple Superbowl's by now......That's what life would have been like...........Thanks alot joe!

[RavensBaltimore]

We would have signed Drew Brees that year and had multiple Superbowl's by now......That's what life would have been like...........Thanks alot joe!

I'm assuming you're not serious, but hypothetically, I highly doubt a Drew Brees/Cam Cameron reunion would have resulted in multiple SBs. Brees and Cam had all kinds of talent in SD, and they never even reached the SB. Joe got much closer than Brees did with Cam. I don't remember Brees throwing 11tds and no picks either.

[OzzieBisciotti]

I like Joe a lot- he's a great game manager. However, if he was elite, I don't think we'd be as bad as we are this year. So, let's table that elite conversation until a couple of more years. When I think of elite, I think of Peyton (in his prime), Brees, Rogers, and Brady- then you have your next tier qbs like Flacco, Rothleshamburger, Russell Wilson (maybe Romo). Cam Newton is starting to make a play to be an elite quarterbacks if he can keep it up. In fact, I'd take Cam over Flacco, Rothleshamburger, and Russell Wilson.. Flacco isn't bad, but he's not elite

[catgirl54]

I like Joe a lot- he's a great game manager. However, if he was elite, I don't think we'd be as bad as we are this year. So, let's table that elite conversation until a couple of more years. When I think of elite, I think of Peyton (in his prime), Brees, Rogers, and Brady- then you have your next tier qbs like Flacco, Rothleshamburger, Russell Wilson (maybe Romo). Cam Newton is starting to make a play to be an elite quarterbacks if he can keep it up. In fact, I'd take Cam over Flacco, Rothleshamburger, and Russell Wilson.. Flacco isn't bad, but he's not elite

I don't think Eisenberg was saying Joe is elite.  But he is a franchise quarterback.  I don't think even his naysayers would deny that.  And this is an example of what so many NFL teams struggle with every season when they don't have a Joe Flacco -- the constant juggling, insecurity, and winging it that makes for a losing season.  I think we've all seen that there are many variables that go into making a winning season, and having an "elite" quarterback isn't the only one.  There must be consistency at the OC position, few injuries, a balanced team...and a head coach who can inspire and motivate.  We have the QB, the coach, and now we need the other factors to shore up.  And yes, a secondary coach who can actually coach!

[100CrystalClear]

We have a chance to play the role of spoiler for any/all of our remaining games, as all these teams are in playoff contention/seeding. Best would be to beat Pittsburgh and kick them out of the playoffs though - oh, to dream......

I would rather help Pittsburgh win the division by beating the Bengals in week 17. No way I want Cincinnati representing the AFC North. At least I respect the Steelers. Andy Dalton is a clown.