[News] Eisenberg: How Do Ravens Get Better? It Always Comes Back To Joe Flacco

[BR News]

In the Ravens' season-review press conference, team brass touched on many areas for improvement, but the conversation always seemed to come back to their franchise quarterback.

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[bluehen]

How about drafting Clemson's #7 WR?

[whobilly]

How about drafting Clemson's #7 WR?

He'll be long gone before we pick. What, you don't like our mediocre #1 pick Perriman?

[CodeSpyder]

There's no doubt that our QB needs to improve. I think he was doing the equivalent of putting his foot in the bucket when the pass rush got to be too much for him. He did that a. lot. Our offensive line needs to help and we need a run game.

[mrc724]

You read about other teams QB and receiver working out together in the off season. I don't think Flacco has done that. I really believe Flacco is not very coachable.

[JamesA119]

I'm eager to see what next season brings.

[metalraven]

You read about other teams QB and receiver working out together in the off season. I don't think Flacco has done that. I really believe Flacco is not very coachable.

I agree. He's the same guy we've always seen. Not much improvement over the years. 2014 was a really good year, and apparently that's because he was held accountable.

[OzzieBisciotti]

I still don't know why we extended Flacco- that was a bonehead move- we should've sucked it up and pressed the reset button then. Now, this team is paralyzed for the next 2-3 years with Joe's contract. No offense, but what kind of QB isn't a Capt in college?

[OzzieBisciotti]

I'm also sick of watching Flacco throw these little dinks to his boy, Pitta bread-

[ellicottraven]

He was critical of Joe Flacco but being the astute owner and businessman that he is, he also fed him a long rope with opining that his injury could've affected Flacco. But, I personally don't believe Flacco's injury had anything to do with his physical performance. Mentally? I can't speak to that but it's possible but totally goes against the grain of Flacco's mental toughness. Odd catch 22??

Edited January 11 by ellicottraven

[Purple Dawg 96]

Joe will always take the blame smh the respect he once had is gone teams know how to rattle him and it makes the Offense predictable hurting the run game and everything else! And here I thought Joe could get 5 rings Smh he should have 3 smh! I keep hoping I wake up and this is all a dream and we're in the hunt! Smh

[RavensDieHard21]

38 minutes ago, metalraven said:

I agree. He's the same guy we've always seen. Not much improvement over the years. 2014 was a really good year, and apparently that's because he was held accountable.

Flacco has had a legit solid 4 years. 10-12, then 14. But Flacco is a QB that exemplifies th mantra that he will only be as good as the talent he is surrounded by. 

08-09 he had mason, heap, McGahee, McClain and a great O line. He had a good rookie year. 

10' he had Ray rice explode onto the scene. Mason, Boldin, Heap, TJ, another solid line. 

11-12' joe had Torrey and Boldin plus Pitta, Jacoby and rice was still he premier dual back. Plus our line was still well anchored. 

13' was a dumpster fire with a horrific line. KO and Yanda injured. Needed to trade for Monroe and Zuttah. Torrey was our only legit receiver and ray rice gained 20 worthless pounds. 

14' we had Kubiak, a legit run game behind some freaking maulers. SSS, Torrey, OD, Aiken and Flacco killed it. 

 

[RavensDieHard21]

12 minutes ago, Purple Dawg 96 said:

Joe will always take the blame smh the respect he once had is gone teams know how to rattle him and it makes the Offense predictable hurting the run game and everything else! And here I thought Joe could get 5 rings Smh he should have 3 smh! I keep hoping I wake up and this is all a dream and we're in the hunt! Smh

Joe is an average QB. He can flash big time if his environment allows him to. But he has 9 years under his belt and has the same problems. It doesn't help that our coordinators have blown the last two years either. 

From just being a fan, I know all you need to do to rattle Flacco is use man coverage on the outside, put two safeties over the top and drop the rest into the middle of the field. Essentially that was all the pats did. 

When it comes time for third down. Bring the guys up close to the line. Drop back into the slant route lanes and in the middle and send a blitzed up the gut and Flacco will take the sack 9/10 times. 

[TheConquerorWorm]

Flacco led game winning drives in the 4th quarter against OAK (twice), NYG, PIT, WAS & JAX this year. Yes, he has some warts but that tells me he can win games in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Despite what PFF or TQBR or any of the rankings say, that's better than half the QBs in the league. I'll go to battle with a guy that I know can win games. Might not be pretty at times, is definitely not a HOF QB like Ben or Brady and will never put up fantasy stats but is a good QB.

I'll take a $24 million QB that wins over a $22 million Stafford or a $20 million Tannehill or a $19 million Luck or $19 million Osweiler that doesn't.

[OzzieBisciotti]

Well at least we can finally all agree now that Flacco is not elite.

[OzzieBisciotti]

But Ozzie definitely gave him elite $$$

[b93333]

It's clear that the way Flacco's contract is structured the Ravens are stuck with him for another three years. The $64 question is... how do you motivate Joe to play like he did before signing his mega-contract, when he lost all financial incentive to perform?

[sizzlingdoom]

Well at least we can finally all agree now that Flacco is not elite.

That's for sure

[sizzlingdoom]

I'm also sick of watching Flacco throw these little dinks to his boy, Pitta bread-

amen to that. wish we could send Flacco to Cleveland, Pitta can go with him for that matter

[sizzlingdoom]

Flacco led game winning drives in the 4th quarter against OAK (twice), NYG, PIT, WAS & JAX this year. Yes, he has some warts but that tells me he can win games in the 4th quarter with the game on the line. Despite what PFF or TQBR or any of the rankings say, that's better than half the QBs in the league. I'll go to battle with a guy that I know can win games. Might not be pretty at times, is definitely not a HOF QB like Ben or Brady and will never put up fantasy stats but is a good QB.

I'll take a $24 million QB that wins over a $22 million Stafford or a $20 million Tannehill or a $19 million Luck or $19 million Osweiler that doesn't.

Flacoo has a higher annual salary than every single quarterback except 2. Pretty sure outta those 29, a few can win games

[sizzlingdoom]

A lot of people are mocking Corey Davis to us..............thoughts???

[BigUgly]

Flacco is what he is, and likely won't change.  He's a largely durable, strong-armed QB that can make about 2 reads, doesn't feel comfortable under pressure (especially up the middle), has better things to do in the off-season than work with his receivers, is not very capable at checking out of plays on the line, needs constant attention to his mechanics, doesn't have touch on a deep ball, can't anticipate receiver's routes or lead them open but can drill them when they are, and needs play action to help his receivers get the clear separation they need for him to feel comfortable to throw.

Now, to get the most out of Joe you first need the right offensive scheme (balanced running game with play action passing and more vertical/deep routes), next an effective offensive line (scheme and coaching first, then talent), and finally WR's who have truly elite route-running skills to get significant separation (Mason, SSSr) to complement burners who pull the secondary deep (Torrey Smith, Perriman, Wallace).  I'm convinced he went on the tear he did in 2012 is because Caldwell and Boldin told him to throw to Boldin even when he looks covered, and trust Q to win the battle for the ball (so of course we released him the following year, SMH).

Since we won't fix offensive scheme or O-Line coaching this year, we should next get a bigger, nastier center and left guard (assuming Lewis moves to RT), and perhaps draft a WR like Davis or Ross, who are the best route-runners in the draft.  There's no receiver in the draft like a Julio Jones or Dez Bryant.  Davis is very interesting as a #2 guy, and Ross is a slot guy who would make Camp and maybe Keenan Reynolds redundant.

[RaRaRavens]

Flacco is what he is, and likely won't change.  He's a largely durable, strong-armed QB that can make about 2 reads, doesn't feel comfortable under pressure (especially up the middle), has better things to do in the off-season than work with his receivers, is not very capable at checking out of plays on the line, needs constant attention to his mechanics, doesn't have touch on a deep ball, can't anticipate receiver's routes or lead them open but can drill them when they are, and needs play action to help his receivers get the clear separation they need for him to feel comfortable to throw.

Now, to get the most out of Joe you first need the right offensive scheme (balanced running game with play action passing and more vertical/deep routes), next an effective offensive line (scheme and coaching first, then talent), and finally WR's who have truly elite route-running skills to get significant separation (Mason, SSSr) to complement burners who pull the secondary deep (Torrey Smith, Perriman, Wallace).  I'm convinced he went on the tear he did in 2012 is because Caldwell and Boldin told him to throw to Boldin even when he looks covered, and trust Q to win the battle for the ball (so of course we released him the following year, SMH).

Since we won't fix offensive scheme or O-Line coaching this year, we should next get a bigger, nastier center and left guard (assuming Lewis moves to RT), and perhaps draft a WR like Davis or Ross, who are the best route-runners in the draft.  There's no receiver in the draft like a Julio Jones or Dez Bryant.  Davis is very interesting as a #2 guy, and Ross is a slot guy who would make Camp and maybe Keenan Reynolds redundant.

Spot on description of Flacco. Now if anyone says a QB with these kinds of characteristics is elite or deserves the kind of money Flacco does should be checked into a mental facility. Ryan Mallett would probably succeed in the conditions that need to be created for Flacco for him to play adequately.

[whobilly]

  1 hour ago, BigUgly said:

Flacco is what he is, and likely won't change.  He's a largely durable, strong-armed QB that can make about 2 reads, doesn't feel comfortable under pressure (especially up the middle), has better things to do in the off-season than work with his receivers, is not very capable at checking out of plays on the line, needs constant attention to his mechanics, doesn't have touch on a deep ball, can't anticipate receiver's routes or lead them open but can drill them when they are, and needs play action to help his receivers get the clear separation they need for him to feel comfortable to throw.

Now, to get the most out of Joe you first need the right offensive scheme (balanced running game with play action passing and more vertical/deep routes), next an effective offensive line (scheme and coaching first, then talent), and finally WR's who have truly elite route-running skills to get significant separation (Mason, SSSr) to complement burners who pull the secondary deep (Torrey Smith, Perriman, Wallace).  I'm convinced he went on the tear he did in 2012 is because Caldwell and Boldin told him to throw to Boldin even when he looks covered, and trust Q to win the battle for the ball (so of course we released him the following year, SMH).

Since we won't fix offensive scheme or O-Line coaching this year, we should next get a bigger, nastier center and left guard (assuming Lewis moves to RT), and perhaps draft a WR like Davis or Ross, who are the best route-runners in the draft.  There's no receiver in the draft like a Julio Jones or Dez Bryant.  Davis is very interesting as a #2 guy, and Ross is a slot guy who would make Camp and maybe Keenan Reynolds redundant.

Spot on description of Flacco. Now if anyone says a QB with these kinds of characteristics is elite or deserves the kind of money Flacco does should be checked into a mental facility. Ryan Mallett would probably succeed in the conditions that need to be created for Flacco for him to play adequately.

Mallett has been a career back up for the most part for a good reason. Release Joe and sign Ryan Fitzpatrick(SARCASM)

[whobilly]

But Ozzie definitely gave him elite $$$

When the confetti was dropping down in New Orleans did you have a problem with it then?

[RaRaRavens]

39 minutes ago, whobilly said:

Mallett has been a career back up for the most part for a good reason. Release Joe and sign Ryan Fitzpatrick(SARCASM)

That's true. There aren't many better options out there than Flacco. At the same time, the best options out there aren't much worse than Flacco. We should resign Flacco and pay him 10m more per season cause his the best option we have (SARCASM)

[sizzlingdoom]

  10 hours ago, OzzieBisciotti said:

But Ozzie definitely gave him elite $$$

When the confetti was dropping down in New Orleans did you have a problem with it then?

Actually YES. He was never worth 75% of what he got. He wasn't the reason we won the SB. pull out stats all you want. We all know stats don't tell the whole tail

[OriolesMagicPlease]

Strengthen the run game and Joe will be better.

[Crusader]

Ozzie said he wanted a complimentary receiver. Too who Perriman? Ozzie still thinks he is a number one? Steve's one word for this season was “bewilderment.” I would say "Delusional".

[Chuckx999]

When the owner of the team says his QB his "decision-making and accuracy were shaky at times" says all we need to know about Flacco. He needs to go, after 10 years and only 2-3 good years its time to move on. Trade him and get rid of that salary and we could pick up one ot two really good free agents. Trade up in the draft and forget taking the best player, draft for actual NEEDS, like people that could start day one ( like Stanley ). Newsome just has to get smarter or leave.