Flacco's eventual replacement.

[757RavensFan]

Before anyone gets upset, this post is not about finding a replacement for Joe right NOW.  

I was wondering, when do you think the front office will start looking to draft Joe's replacement?

Joe will be 32 in January and if I had to guess, I'm thinking the Front Office will draft a very good college prospect in 2020 to eventually replace Joe.  He'll probably be on the bench for 2 - 3 years while he learns under Joe, becoming an eventual starter in 2022 - 2023 when Joe is pushing 40. 

 

Edited September 21, 2016 by 757RavensFan

[berad]

Your timeline is probably about right. Drafting a QB high in the next few drafts would probably just end in them sitting on the bench for their rookie contract and then leaving ala Tyrod.

[rmcjacket23]

To be honest, based on what I'm seeing league-wide, I don't think it happens until about 1 year before Joe is gone, and the tricky part is trying to figure out when that is.

I just don't see many, if any, teams these days investing a realistic draft pick in a QB and letting him sit 2-3 years. MAYBE we would use like a 4th rounder or something on a guy and just hope that he pans out, but I don't think that happens IF the Ravens are legit contenders at that point. Would be very hard to justify using like a day 1 or day 2 pick on a QB who you don't think will play for at least 2-3 years when you're in the middle of a SB run. You're typically looking for impact players right away at that point, typically at a position of need.

All depends on how the Flacco era were to end. If its in a Peyton Manning-like manner, where he suffers a significant injury at the end of his career and we end up essentially with a 2015-like team, then we probably just use a 1st round pick on a QB in the top 10, his era begins, and we cut ties with Joe.

If its a case where we wait until Joe decides to retire or just starts sucking badly, we probably won't have a ton of forewarning about that. That's the kind of thing where he basically just plays bad, we cut him due to financial impact, and its over. 

If I were a betting man, I'd say the most likely outcome is that we don't have a "successor" for Joe until at least the last year he's here, and maybe not even then. Entirely possible he's off the roster before we even find his replacement.

In terms of actual year timeframe, no real clue. You got guys like Rivers, Eli and Roethlisberger playing quite well at 34-35, with no end in site for those guys. Frankly, I'd expect Joe to at least be here through this contract (with another possible extension baked in there), meaning I wouldn't plan on seeing another starting QB until at least 2022-2023. And I don't think we'd draft one until then.

Edited September 20, 2016 by rmcjacket23

[Deflated Football]

What if we lose Flacco again for the year *knock on wood we don't* and we get the first overall pick and the next Cam Newton is there. What do we do?

[rmcjacket23]

1 minute ago, Deflated Football said:

What if we lose Flacco again for the year *knock on wood we don't* and we get the first overall pick and the next Cam Newton is there. What do we do?

Trade the pick for a kings ransom... and we would get it.

[Somerset Ravens]

7 minutes ago, Deflated Football said:

What if we lose Flacco again for the year *knock on wood we don't* and we get the first overall pick and the next Cam Newton is there. What do we do?

If we had the number one pick I am thinking Myles Garrett and counting on Joe coming back strong.

[rmcjacket23]

18 minutes ago, 757RavensFan said:

Before anyone gets upset, this post is not about finding a replacement for Joe right NOW.  

I was wondering, when do you think the front office will start looking to draft Joe's replacement?

Joe will be 32 in January and if I had to guess, I'm thinking the Front Office will draft a very good

college prospect in 2020 to eventually replace Joe.  He'll probably be on the bench for 2 - 3 years

while he learns under Joe, becoming an eventual starter in 2022 - 2023 when Joe is pushing 40. 

 

Here's my issue with the timeline, and its mostly based on comparable players around the league...

If you're saying that we should start looking to invest a high draft pick (lets call it a first day or second day pick, so in the first 3 rounds) on a QB in the 2020 draft, then basically you're saying that we should be looking for that when Joe is 35. 

So, if other teams adopted that strategy, that means that teams like the Chargers, Steelers, Giants, Saints should either have already done this, or should definitely do this next season. Do you see that happening? Do you see any of those teams using a high draft pick on a QB next season? MAYBE the Saints, only because Brees will be 38 at season end, whereas the others will be roughly 35.

Most of these guys literally just signed an extension that locks them on the roster for several more years.

I just don't see this industry-wide or even individual team concern for grooming QBs. QBs taken in the 1st round are getting starts in year 1 almost across the board, regardless of draft position, and you're seeing that even more with 2nd or 3rd rounders, mostly because the teams taking them don't have QB stability.

I think there has to be some tangible evidence that Flacco is on his way out of the league before we even consider drafting a successor.

[Adreme]

Just now, Somerset Ravens said:

If we had the number one pick I am thinking Myles Garrett and counting on Joe coming back strong.

There are multiple teams though that I do not think will get to 2 wins this year so even if the Ravens lost every game after this I still dont think they get the number 1 pick.

[HomeoftheBRAVENS]

You mean we can't keep Joe forever?

[AsianRice]

Look, if pretty boy Brady can play up to 39 yr old or even 40, what would u think Joe wouldn't last 10 more year than him? lol

 

Better yet, my grandchildren might have a chance to watch Joe play....I have 2 and 6....

[balfan23]

12 minutes ago, AsianRice said:

Look, if pretty boy Brady can play up to 39 yr old or even 40, what would u think Joe wouldn't last 10 more year than him? lol

Better yet, my grandchildren might have a chance to watch Joe play....I have 2 and 6....

My only concern on Joe's longevity is the fact that so much of his value is based on his pure arm strength. That will go eventually and he'll need to rely more on his overall game. Still, I can't see any point in worrying about his successor at this juncture. I assume that when Joe's contract draws toward its end and we extend him again, we'll ultimately make a 2nd round pick around when Joe's 37 or 38. Then we'll let the heir apparent spend a couple years under Joe before handing over the reins. 

[flynismo]

This thread is only about five - seven years early, lol

Edited September 20, 2016 by flynismo

[redrum52]

2 minutes ago, flynismo said:

This thread is only about five - seven years early, lol

I would say when he's 34/35 it's right to at least start thinking, but I'm with you.  He's shown it basically takes a freak injury to take him out and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.  Release is getting faster and weapons better.  Just funny to me that now that he has a good arsenal to throw to, the OL isn't holding up like it should.

[K-Dog]

Trust Ozzie.
He has a plan.  I am sure of it. 
 

Edited September 20, 2016 by K-Dog

[flynismo]

30 minutes ago, redrum52 said:

I would say when he's 34/35 it's right to at least start thinking, but I'm with you.  He's shown it basically takes a freak injury to take him out and doesn't show any signs of slowing down.  Release is getting faster and weapons better.  Just funny to me that now that he has a good arsenal to throw to, the OL isn't holding up like it should.

I think the line is doing okayish in pass pro...or at least not bad enough to say it's a big problem, Zuttah notwithstanding. What boggles my mind is that no matter who we put out there, we seem to have problems with guys getting separation.

[flynismo]

2 hours ago, balfan23 said:

My only concern on Joe's longevity is the fact that so much of his value is based on his pure arm strength. That will go eventually and he'll need to rely more on his overall game. Still, I can't see any point in worrying about his successor at this juncture. I assume that when Joe's contract draws toward its end and we extend him again, we'll ultimately make a 2nd round pick around when Joe's 37 or 38. Then we'll let the heir apparent spend a couple years under Joe before handing over the reins. 

I don't see his overall value being just arm strength. He can play dink and dunk as well as anybody; he has shown the last few years that he can get rid of the ball quickly...but if we get to the point where dink and dunk is our forte, we need to adjust our scheme to fit it.

[Inqui]

I'm not sure Joe's future replacement is even in high school yet.

I guess I could see us taking someone on day two in the next few years in the same way the Packers took Hundley or the Cheetahs took Garrapolo, but I think Ozzie prefes to hit on solid prospects in other areas than playing the positional game like that.

[flynismo]

3 minutes ago, Inqui said:

I'm not sure Joe's future replacement is even in high school yet.

I guess I could see us taking someone on day two in the next few years in the same way the Packers took Hundley or the Cheetahs took Garrapolo, but I think Ozzie prefes to hit on solid prospects in other areas than playing the positional game like that.

I see us either signing a veteran, or waiting for the right year to pounce on a 1st rounder

[BmoreBird22]

3 hours ago, rmcjacket23 said:

Here's my issue with the timeline, and its mostly based on comparable players around the league...

If you're saying that we should start looking to invest a high draft pick (lets call it a first day or second day pick, so in the first 3 rounds) on a QB in the 2020 draft, then basically you're saying that we should be looking for that when Joe is 35. 

So, if other teams adopted that strategy, that means that teams like the Chargers, Steelers, Giants, Saints should either have already done this, or should definitely do this next season. Do you see that happening? Do you see any of those teams using a high draft pick on a QB next season? MAYBE the Saints, only because Brees will be 38 at season end, whereas the others will be roughly 35.

Most of these guys literally just signed an extension that locks them on the roster for several more years.

I just don't see this industry-wide or even individual team concern for grooming QBs. QBs taken in the 1st round are getting starts in year 1 almost across the board, regardless of draft position, and you're seeing that even more with 2nd or 3rd rounders, mostly because the teams taking them don't have QB stability.

I think there has to be some tangible evidence that Flacco is on his way out of the league before we even consider drafting a successor.

The Saints used a third rounder on Garrett Grayson last season (2015). The Patriots took Ryan Mallett in the third (2011) and then Garrapolo in the second  (2014, Brady was 36 at the time). The Broncos used a second rounder on Brock Osweiler, despite securing Peyton Manning at 35. Despite coming off a career year, the Bucs drafted Mike Glennon in the third to be the eventual replacement to Josh Freeman. Only one had only one year left on their contract. All were 36 or younger.

[BmoreBird22]

2 minutes ago, flynismo said:

I see us either signing a veteran, or waiting for the right year to pounce on a 1st rounder

This is a real strong year for first round quarterbacks, it's looking like. Don't obviously think the Ravens will take one, but it wouldn't be a bad year if they needed one.

[K-Dog]

42 minutes ago, BmoreBird22 said:

This is a real strong year for first round quarterbacks, it's looking like. Don't obviously think the Ravens will take one, but it wouldn't be a bad year if they needed one.

I think we are picking 32ond next draft  

[Maryland]

Not really an answer to your question, but I see two philosophies on moving on from a veteran QB.

On the one hand, you can do what the Patriots and Cowboys have done, which is draft a project to eventually succeed your veteran QB (though Dak was called into action early, he would have sat for a year ideally).

On the other hand, you can do what the Saints and Giants are doing, which is build your team in such a way that you add tons of talent to the roster and back-load a ton of contracts, try to be competitive for a few seasons before your veteran QB moves on one way or another, and then slash salary after you're done with them, which sets you up for a season of tanking to get your cap straight and tank for a high pick which will hopefully be your next QB.

[PurpleCity5]

This is tough. I don't know if Ozzie will be here in five years, I expect Decosta to take over soon honestly so what will happen will lean on him. I love the guy and it will be a sad day when we will have to say goodbye. 

[ellicottraven]

5 hours ago, 757RavensFan said:

Before anyone gets upset, this post is not about finding a replacement for Joe right NOW.  

I was wondering, when do you think the front office will start looking to draft Joe's replacement?

Joe will be 32 in January and if I had to guess, I'm thinking the Front Office will draft a very good

college prospect in 2020 to eventually replace Joe.  He'll probably be on the bench for 2 - 3 years

while he learns under Joe, becoming an eventual starter in 2022 - 2023 when Joe is pushing 40. 

 

When Joe finishes this contract and signs a new one, we may start looking at eventual successors. But, it won't be until Joe really starts to show signs of decline. The year he starts showing physical decline I am sure the front office may start looking at drafting his replacement but that won't be anytime soo.

[allblackraven]

In about 6-7 years we can take another look at Johnny - he should be off drugs by then and starting to mature.

[GrimCoconut]

It seems we've entered an era where QB are playing far longer than given credit. I wouldn't be surprised if Flacco lasted until nearly 40, especially with the rule changes favoring the QB

[JoeyFlex5]

I really hate the thought that Joe flacco won't be our quarterback one day. Very depressing. He has been a very entertaining roller coaster ride to say the least. Him and harbs together totally transformed this team.

[LosT_in_TranSlatioN]

4 hours ago, BmoreBird22 said:

The Saints used a third rounder on Garrett Grayson last season (2015). The Patriots took Ryan Mallett in the third (2011) and then Garrapolo in the second  (2014, Brady was 36 at the time). The Broncos used a second rounder on Brock Osweiler, despite securing Peyton Manning at 35. Despite coming off a career year, the Bucs drafted Mike Glennon in the third to be the eventual replacement to Josh Freeman. Only one had only one year left on their contract. All were 36 or younger.

I don't think Josh Freeman was 36. He just sucked

[BmoreBird22]

7 hours ago, LosT_in_TranSlatioN said:

I don't think Josh Freeman was 36. He just sucked

He was not 36, but he was still coming off a career year and was considered by many Bucs fans to be better than Flacco at the time.

[Bruce_Almty]

There are probably 10 teams that will be replacing franchise QBs b4 the Ravens even begin considering life after Joe, and most of those teams will be drafting multiple QBs until they hit on the right guy. As we all know, an early round pick is no guarantee of success. If you want to know what the Ravens will do, watch what these other teams do in the coming years. There's no formula only trial and error and I might add ... a lot of errors. Let's just hope we can postpone this discussion as long as possible.

Edited September 21, 2016 by Bruce_Almty